Horses and Workplace Training – What The…?!
What on earth have horses and workplace training got to do with each other?
Well quite a lot actually.
A smart trainer doesn’t train every horse the same way. In fact, a damn good horse trainer will approach each horse with an open mind with a view to create a training programme suited to that horse. Of course, there are basic fundamentals in horse training, but the approach should vary from horse to horse.
Why?
Because no two horses are the same. Each has its own temperament, experiences, and learning style. Some are bold and eager, ready to take on new challenges without hesitation. Others are more cautious, needing time to build trust before they engage. Some mature physically or mentally slower than others and some…just weren’t made for training and taming 😉
A skilled trainer recognises these differences and adjusts their approach to suit the horse in front of them.
Yet, when it comes to workplace training, many organisations still adopt a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach. They expect every employee to learn in the same way, at the same pace, using the same methods.
The result?
Resistance, frustration, disengagement, and ultimately, poor outcomes. Just as with horses, failing to tailor training to the individual leads to wasted potential, damaged confidence, physical and mental damage, higher costs and so much more.
The Power of Listening and Adapting
A good horse trainer doesn’t impose a rigid framework on every horse they work with. Instead, they listen. They observe body language, test responsiveness, and adjust their methods based on what the horse is telling them. Some horses thrive on repetition, while others need variety to stay engaged. Some respond well to voice cues, others to physical pressure and release. The key is understanding the individual before applying a training technique.
The same principle applies to people. Employees come with different skill sets, backgrounds, and ways of learning. Some will pick up new information quickly and run with it, while others need time to absorb and process before they feel confident to apply their knowledge. Expecting everyone to fit into a standardised training process ignores these differences and often leads to unnecessary stress and disengagement.
When businesses take the time to understand their employees, how they learn, what motivates them, and what support they need, they see far better results. Just like with horses, listening first makes all the difference.
The Cost of Old-Fashioned Training
Traditional horse training methods, where every horse is pushed through the same system without consideration for its needs, often result in higher wastage. Horses become nervous, resistant, or even dangerous. They may develop physical or psychological issues that make them unsuitable for work, requiring costly rehabilitation or even leading to early retirement.
In the workplace, a similar effect can be seen when companies fail to adapt their training approaches. Employees who feel pressured into learning in a way that doesn’t suit them can become overwhelmed, disengaged, or even leave altogether. The cost of recruiting and training replacements far outweighs the effort it takes to invest in personalised, adaptable training from the start.
Companies that stick to rigid, outdated training methods often find themselves dealing with:
- Higher turnover – Employees leave because they don’t feel supported in their development.
- Lower productivity – People struggle to retain or apply knowledge when it’s delivered in a way that doesn’t suit them.
- Reduced engagement – Staff who feel unheard or undervalued disengage, doing the bare minimum rather than striving to improve.
- Increased costs – The expense of re-training, rehiring, or managing underperformance adds up quickly.
A smarter, more compassionate approach, whether with horses or employees, leads to long-term success, not short-term compliance.
What Can Businesses Learn from Good Horse Trainers?
A great horse trainer understands that their job is not to force a horse into a predefined mould but to bring out the best in each individual animal. They work with the horse’s natural instincts and strengths rather than against them. Employers should do the same for their people.
Here are some key lessons businesses can take from horse trainers:
- Observe first, act second – Before implementing a training programme, take time to understand how employees learn best. Do they need hands-on experience? Do they prefer visual learning? Are they more independent or do they thrive in group settings?
- Build trust – Just as a horse needs to feel safe and respected before it can learn effectively, employees need psychological safety. Training should be a supportive experience, not something that feels like a test or punishment.
- Adapt to the individual – There is no ‘right’ way to learn. Offering different formats, videos, written guides, mentoring, hands-on training, ensures employees can absorb information in the way that works for them.
- Encourage small successes – A good horse trainer doesn’t expect perfection immediately; they celebrate small wins and build on them. The same goes for workplace learning, break training into manageable steps and recognise progress along the way.
- Know when to step back – Sometimes, less is more. Overloading an employee with information can be just as damaging as pushing a horse too hard. Give them space to process and apply their knowledge before adding more.
Training That Works for the Long Haul
Ultimately, the goal of training, whether with horses or people, isn’t just to ‘get it done’ but to create lasting, meaningful development. Horses trained with understanding and adaptability become confident, willing partners. Employees trained in the same way become engaged, productive members of a team who feel valued and capable.
So, the next time your organisation rolls out a one-size-fits-all training programme, take a step back and ask:
Are we training our people the way a good horse trainer would?
Because the best trainers, of horses or humans, know that one size never fits all.
Stuck with your training programmes? Not sure how to get started or to make it work?
Get in touch and let’s have a chat kayleigh@florightbusinesssolutions.co.uk
