A Big HorseDream. When scale meets depth – and leadership becomes unforgettable.
Sometimes, the real highlights of HorseDream are not defined by how long a seminar lasts, but by how much impact it creates. One such moment unfolded in the summer, when a large German car manufacturer approached Gerhard Jes Krebs with an unusual question:
Could horses be meaningfully integrated into an already scheduled management workshop?
Sometimes, the real highlights of HorseDream are not defined by how long a seminar lasts, but by how much impact it creates. One such moment unfolded in the summer, when a large German car manufacturer approached Gerhard Jes Krebs with an unusual question:
Could horses be meaningfully integrated into an already scheduled management workshop?
The challenge
The target group consisted of managers and team leaders from one functional area, right in the middle of a demanding IT transformation and far-reaching process changes. The goals were very concrete and pragmatic:
There were, however, three small details to consider:
- Clarifying management structures
- Strengthening collaboration across roles
- Addressing real operational challenges
There were, however, three small details to consider:
- Only five hours were available for the “horse part”
- The group size was around 95 participants
- No one was supposed to know in advance what would happen
Preparation under pressure
What followed was an intense phase of preparation. Throughout August, close coordination between the client, Gerhard, and the HorseDream lead trainer ensured that every concern was addressed—especially the most important one:
“How big is the risk? What if it doesn’t work?”
A beautiful farmstead with two riding arenas was chosen as the location. Icelandic horses were available on site, complemented by additional horses brought by one of the trainers. For HorseDream, this meant working with:
“How big is the risk? What if it doesn’t work?”
A beautiful farmstead with two riding arenas was chosen as the location. Icelandic horses were available on site, complemented by additional horses brought by one of the trainers. For HorseDream, this meant working with:
- 10 trainers, from diverse professional backgrounds
- 10 parallel groups, rotating precisely between arena work and reflection
- A logistics plan timed minute by minute
The moment of encounter
Shortly before nine o’clock, the participants arrived. Surprise, curiosity, scepticism, and disbelief were written all over their faces. Despite having received preparatory material in advance, there had been no hint that horses would be involved.
After a short introduction by senior management and the HorseDream team, the group was divided. Each trainer guided their participants into the first exercise:
What emerged was striking:
A group of highly rational, grounded professionals allowed themselves to step into the unknown. Emotions surfaced. Focus sharpened. Leadership patterns became visible—without a single PowerPoint slide.
After a short introduction by senior management and the HorseDream team, the group was divided. Each trainer guided their participants into the first exercise:
- Watching & Assessing – observing without intervening
- Face-to-Face – meeting the horse directly
- Leading tasks around poles, requiring clear coordination and cooperation
What emerged was striking:
A group of highly rational, grounded professionals allowed themselves to step into the unknown. Emotions surfaced. Focus sharpened. Leadership patterns became visible—without a single PowerPoint slide.
Silence speaks volumes
At the end of the session, participants were asked to take 15 minutes to write down their insights.
It was completely quiet.
Scattered across the grounds, sitting in the shade on a warm summer day, people reflected individually. No discussion. No instructions. Just presence.
The impact was unmistakable.
Two weeks later, the internal facilitator confirmed what many had sensed already:
The HorseDream experience had sparked deep reflection and ongoing dialogue—within individuals and across the entire group.
Yes, it worked.
And yes, it had a lasting impact.
It was completely quiet.
Scattered across the grounds, sitting in the shade on a warm summer day, people reflected individually. No discussion. No instructions. Just presence.
The impact was unmistakable.
Two weeks later, the internal facilitator confirmed what many had sensed already:
The HorseDream experience had sparked deep reflection and ongoing dialogue—within individuals and across the entire group.
Yes, it worked.
And yes, it had a lasting impact.
Why this is a HorseDream highlight
This experience has become one of the many highlights of 30 years of HorseDream because it shows what is possible when:
- Trust meets professional structure
- Horses are integrated with clarity and respect
- Leadership learning moves beyond explanation into experience
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