I recently attended a horse course at the Viewpoint Centre, designed to enhance nonverbal communication by working with horses. The course emphasised how horses, being highly sensitive to body language and emotions, can act as mirrors, reflecting back our own feelings and energy.
If a horse senses nervousness, anxiety, or irritation, it may become reluctant to engage, even seeking to distance itself.
Over two very engaging hours, our instructor Katie illustrated how learning to understand a horse’s emotions and our own could positively impact relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. Katie pointed out that while children often respond instinctively to emotions and body language, as adults, we’ve often “unlearned” these innate responses.
Watching a student interact with a wary horse named Ziggy was fascinating. Ziggy, cautious upon entering the arena, observed the three of us with tentative curiosity. Katie explained that, as prey animals, horses feel threatened when stared at too intently. We turned our bodies slightly away from Ziggy, a non-confrontational gesture he mirrored, occasionally checking our reactions.
Gradually, the student learned to interpret Ziggy’s body language, watching his ears, eye and the stillness of his body and even his lips and movement of his jaws. Working patiently to build trust.
Relaxing her posture and extended her hand, waiting for Ziggy to approach at his own pace. Following Katie’s guidance, She moved calmly around Ziggy, showing confidence without pressuring him. Eventually, Ziggy relaxed, gently chewing his jaws a subtle sign of comfort. Soon enough, the student was able to lead him confidently, with Ziggy closely following her movements, a tangible display of trust built in mere minutes, relying almost entirely on body language and minimal physical contact. Despite his initial nervousness, She guided Ziggy to place his front hooves on a platform and walk through a gateway of ribbons.
This moment highlighted how much Ziggy relied on my the students leadership; without her guidance, he veered off and become entangled in the ribbons. Yet, there was no anxiety in these moments. Both Ziggy and she stayed calm, and with gentle support from Katie, our teacher, they were able to untangle him and try again. On their second attempt, her increased awareness of Ziggy’s direction made all the difference. Learning to anticipate his path and gently guide him with greater precision, helping him safely and confidently through the gateway.
Her next encounter was with a horse named Secretary, Secretary was very different in personality and nature, Secretary was very confident and relaxed upon first entering the area, she walked around exploring and even rolling on the sand floor. She did maintain a safe distance from us however. The connection between the student and Secretary was made very quickly and in fact the process of connection was reversed, with Secretary initiating leadership and testing my the student by moving forward and waiting for her to follow and then stopping abruptly to see how the student would respond, who followed Secretary in these movements. It was soon possible for the student to run alongside Secretary. When it came to the gateway Secretary was more cautious and would not pass through without help from the student. Who decided on her own initiative how to make the ribbons less intimating by tying them back so that Secretary could see more of an opening to pass through.
As a photographer, I often encounter nervous subjects who are uncomfortable in front of the camera. While humour or exaggerated confidence can sometimes break the ice, it risks glossing over a subject’s apprehensions, leaving visible tension in expressions and posture. I’ve learned that acknowledging and gently responding to these feelings is often more effective in achieving authentic, relaxed images.
I’ve come to realise that my body language can provide unspoken reassurance, helping to regulate emotions. If I move too quickly or miss cues that my subject is struggling, whether with apprehension or simply the discomfort of being photographed it can create frustration for us both. This innate ability to attune to each other is always within us, yet it can sometimes get lost amid the pressures of modern life and the habits we’ve developed over time.
In corporate leadership, a similar challenge exists: confident leaders may unintentionally overlook the insecurity of team members who lack their experience. Recognising and addressing these subtle dynamics can foster stronger, more trusting connections just as the student, Ziggy and secretary demonstrated. Also understanding that each person is unique and may face their own challenges or find other tasks not challenging enough.
Viewpoint have launched a Viewpoint Hub’ Team/Leadership session, which sounds very exciting and I would expect it to provide many benefits to those wanting to seek change or form better team cohesion.
I was enthralled throughout the course and the instructions and explanations from the course founder and teacher Katie were fascinating and affirming. From a 2 hour session I had learnt not just about horses emotions but also humans!! I saw another students confidence and understanding of her own un spoken body language grow and be more informed.
