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Horse Herd Dynamics & the Art of Organizational Success (dailygood.org)

 

The horse herd is a 40-million-year-old system that not only succeeds, it thrives. This endurance defies the conventional definition of ‘sustainability’ and invites us to learn something from these powerful, wise and sensitive animals.

Allegorical use of horses as a window into the management of our own social organizations may seem at best romantic, and at worst a cheap stretch. We are not animals, we tell ourselves, and our brains function differently, and besides, horses can’t balance a budget. But this thinking not only over estimates our superiority, it underestimates the intelligence of nature. And, in fact, as mammals, our brains are hardwired for the same need for safety and success as the horse. It is our nature-deficient culture that robs us of true insight, robbing us of wisdom that could prevent professional and organizational demise.

How does it all work, and how can it work in an organization? In order to liberate power, the herd has some very specific emotional and psychological needs. The needs are interdependent, and when applied to organizational dynamics, liberate all kinds of capital not only for the organization, but for each member. The needs are: congruencesense of personal space (a right to be here), leadershiprelationship, and place (belonging).

Congruence: Non-predatory animals are acutely sensitive to truth telling.

Sense of personal space and right to be here: Through being congruent we know and befriend ourselves, and gain a sense of our right to be here as is. This comes quite naturally to horses; it would never occur to them that they were worthless, had no right to be here, shouldn’t take up space, should be different, or should not get in the way.

Leadership: Horses teach people how to be excellent leaders because they respect nothing short of justness, along with clarity, presence, genuine care and the willingness to make requests.

Relationship: Horses become stressed and depressed when isolated. They need each other to thrive.

Place: Through leadership, requests, relationship and congruence, every horse in the herd has his right place so that he can best joyfully thrive and contribute to the wellbeing of the others. 

Having the capacity to make an informed, wise, deliberate choice between our capacities poises us for greatness, and the possibility for making real, sustained and responsible change in the world.

To read more of Kelly Wendorf's article, please click here.

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There are a lot of adaptive riding programs around.  These help injured veterans, or other physically or mentally challenged riders, learn to ride.  Riding can be helpful for rehabilitation, re physical strength, balance, etc.  

My CASA youth volunteered at one and It was a great experience, both because she was able to help others, and she also got the benefit of working with the horses.

Dana:
That's so cool. I've never read anything like that. I have heard about the healing power of horses, and how working with them can be especially healing for trauma survivors (like this org, Wild Hearts,  run by a trauma survivor who works with those living with/recovering from traumatic stress and / or traumatic brain injuries. Thanks for sharing. Cis

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