You’re coming to Carey Springs Farm for team building or leadership training. You might be wondering, Why do we use horses to explore personality types and how they might react to you? The answer lies in the unique nature of horses—they are incredible mirrors of human behavior. How they react to you is not only a reflection of your own style but also influenced by their own personalities and roles within the herd. Let’s explore how this dynamic interaction can reveal insights into your leadership and communication styles.
Understanding Your DiSC Style
Ever wondered how your personality traits translate into the horse world? If you’ve ever worked with horses—or are curious about the idea—you might be surprised to learn that these perceptive creatures have their own way of sizing you up. Horses are experts at reading body language, energy, and intent, and they’re constantly asking themselves, “Can I count on you, or do I need to watch my back?”
So, how might a horse view you based on your DiSC personality style? Let’s dive in!
Dominance (D) Style: The Assertive Go-Getter
If you’re a “D” style, you’re known for being assertive, goal-oriented, and confident in your actions. When a horse meets you, they likely see someone who is determined and clear about their intentions. This can be reassuring, as the horse feels that you have a plan and know what you’re doing.
However, leadership isn’t just about being strong and assertive; it’s also about being sensitive to those around you. To truly lead, it’s important to balance your drive with empathy, ensuring that the horse feels respected and understood. By doing so, you can earn the horse’s trust and cooperation, showing that leadership is about both direction and connection.
Horse’s Take: “Are you strong and considerate, or are you pushing too hard?”
Influence (i) Style: The Charismatic Connector
If you’re an “i” style, your strengths lie in your enthusiasm, communication skills, and ability to connect with others. Horses can sense your friendly energy and are likely to feel comfortable and engaged around you. Your natural ability to build rapport can make the horse feel at ease, seeing you as someone approachable and open.
Effective leadership with horses—and people—requires a blend of enthusiasm and calm focus. While your energy is contagious, ensuring that it is steady and reassuring will help the horse feel secure in your presence, ready to follow your lead. Leadership, in your case, is about connecting and inspiring while maintaining a stable and grounded approach.
Horse’s Take: “Are you engaging and calm, or are you too excitable?”
Steadiness (S) Style: The Supportive Guide
As an “S” style, you’re valued for your patience, reliability, and supportive nature. Horses are naturally drawn to your steady presence, sensing that you are someone they can rely on. Your calm and consistent demeanor makes the horse feel safe, creating an environment of trust and cooperation.
Leadership isn’t always about being in the front; sometimes, it’s about being the steady hand that guides and supports. By showing that you can be both a calming influence and a decisive guide when needed, you’ll demonstrate that leadership comes in many forms, all equally valuable.
Horse’s Take: “Are you steady and dependable, or will you hesitate when leadership is needed?”
Conscientiousness (C) Style: The Thoughtful Planner
If you’re a “C” style, your strengths include being detail-oriented, analytical, and methodical. Horses appreciate your careful and considered approach, as it shows that you are attentive to their needs and behaviors. Your thoroughness reassures the horse that you are someone who takes their well-being seriously.
However, leadership also requires warmth and adaptability. While your attention to detail is a strength, balancing it with emotional connection and flexibility will help the horse feel fully supported. Leadership, in your case, is about ensuring that all bases are covered while also being open to the moment.
Horse’s Take: “Are you attentive and flexible, or are you too focused on details to connect with me?”
So, What’s a Horse’s Perspective?
Understanding how a horse might view your DiSC style can offer valuable insights—not just in working with animals, but in all aspects of leadership and communication. Every DiSC style has the potential for leadership, and horses can help us see how we can grow and adapt to lead more effectively.
Next time you’re around a horse (or even just thinking about your leadership style), consider these questions: Are you projecting confidence and calm? Can others count on you, or do they feel they need to watch their back? And most importantly, are you leading with both strength and empathy?
Horses, like people, are looking for someone they can trust and follow. How you show up—both in the barn and in life—can make all the difference.
Meet the Horses of Carey Springs Farm
Now that you’ve considered how your DiSC style might come across to a horse, let me introduce you to the herd at Carey Springs Farm and the fun dynamics they bring:
- Ty (D – Dominance): Ty is the undisputed leader of the pack. He’s confident, assertive, and doesn’t let anyone else take the lead unless there’s nothing in it for him. Ty’s dominance is a clear example of how hierarchy plays a vital role in horse behavior.
- Sam (S – Steadiness): Sam is always number two. He’s calm, reliable, and provides a steady presence in the herd. Sam knows his place and maintains the peace, ensuring everyone sticks to their roles.
- Henry (SI – Steadiness/Influence): Henry, the mini horse, is an interesting case. Despite his small stature, the others seem to keep an eye out for him. Henry is friendly and cautious, aware of his size and where he stands in the pecking order.
- Coach (C – Conscientiousness): Coach is the thinker of the group. He’s always calculating and observing, with a careful approach to everything he does. He firmly holds the number three spot, content with his place in the hierarchy.
- HotShot (i – Influence): HotShot loves people and is full of enthusiasm. He’s the life of the party and always eager to interact, embodying the “i” style with his contagious energy and love for socializing, even if he’s at the bottom of the pack.
While horses don’t have the ability to “stretch” their behavior to accommodate other styles like people do, they navigate their own dynamics within the herd. Each horse brings unique strengths to their role, reminding us that leadership and communication can take many forms.
Please note: These observations about my horses’ DiSC styles are based on my personal experiences and interactions with horses, not on scientific research. They provide a fun and insightful way to explore how different styles interact, but should be taken as anecdotal rather than evidence-based.
Conclusion:
You don’t need to be an expert in horses to benefit from equine-assisted learning. At Carey Springs Farm, our horses serve as intuitive mirrors to your leadership and communication styles, providing unique and valuable insights regardless of your prior experience with horses. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, the lessons learned from interacting with these incredible creatures can transform how you approach your personal and professional relationships.
Ready to find out how a horse might see you? Come visit us at Carey Springs Farm, where we blend leadership development with equine-assisted learning to help you discover your true leadership potential. Embrace this opportunity to connect, reflect, and grow—no horse knowledge required!
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