Small group FEAL sessions give everyone a chance to learn more about themselves and how they show up in the group. You’ll build confidence by trying new things, and by seeing how your energy affects the whole group.
Grow Stronger, Together
Frontier Equine Assisted Leadership for Small Groups
The Purpose
Small Group Sessions offer an interactive, ground-based experience designed to help your group grow stronger together. Whether family members, friends, or part of a community group, these sessions use horses (no riding involved) to focus on building confidence, connection, and practical life skills. You’ll build confidence while learning to notice and release tension that gets in the way.
Horses respond instantly to your posture, tone of voice, breathing, and body language. You can’t fake calm confidence around a horse: what you BRING is what they REFLECT.
How it Works
During the session, your group will engage with a trained facilitator and our horses. A series of guided activities encourage your group to communicate clearly, cooperate effectively, and solve challenges as one. These activities help surface assumptions and perceptions, making it easier to spot biases and use your group’s diversity as a strength. The horses provide immediate, honest feedback on your group’s energy, intention, and interaction. Activities progress at a pace comfortable for everyone in the group.
What to Expect
These hands-on sessions invite your group to try new ways of working and connecting together within a safe and conducive atmosphere. Real-time feedback from the horses will show how well your group listens, leads, and collaborates. You’ll practise seeing from others’ perspectives and adjusting in ways that include everyone. We build in time to decompress, notice where tension or ‘blocks’ show up, and translate insights into simple practices you can use day to day.
Build confidence & Strengthen connection
How Your Group Benefits
Horses give instant, non‑judgmental feedback to your posture, tone, and body language. Working together, you'll see see what helps, what hinders, and what to change. We help your group turn those moments into simple habits you can use right away, strengthening trust, communication, and day‑to‑day teamwork.
Build Confidence & Get to Know Yourself
Make Better Connections & Build Trust
We’ll help your group discover what it means to trust and support each other. Through honest feedback from the horses, you’ll notice when you’re actually connecting vs. when you might be missing the mark. It’s a safe place to practice being open and real with one another.
Develop Emotional Intelligence
Because horses are highly attuned to human behaviour, they naturally support growth in emotional intelligence. That means learning to notice, name, and manage your own emotions, while also recognizing what others may be feeling. You’ll learn to downshift your arousal with breath and pacing, so your words and body language match your intent.
Sharpen Communication Skills
Good communication includes listening and understanding. You’ll try out ways to share your thoughts clearly and pick up on what others are saying (even when it’s not spoken in words). The horses help you see how your messages land, which can be surprisingly eye-opening.
Solve Problems & Work Together
When challenges pop up, it’s easier to handle them as a team. You’ll get to practise problem-solving in creative ways that make sense for your group. The horses respond to how well you cooperate, so you get honest feedback on how you’re doing, like having an extra coach right there with you.
Decompress & Clear Blockages
Learn to slow down, notice where tension or “blocks” show up, and self-regulate using simple resets (breath, posture, pacing) to move through them. With the horses’ steady presence, you’ll practise calming your nervous system so you can think clearly, choose wisely, and show up better for each other.
Who It’s For
Sign Up If You...
- Want your group to feel more connected and confident with each other, no matter what kind of group you are
- Are looking for real, practical ways to improve how you communicate and work together
- Want to learn to better manage your own emotions and respond to others with empathy
- Want a hands-on experience that’s a bit different from the usual team-building stuff
- Value a safe, relaxed space where everyone can be themselves, learn, and grow without pressure or being judged
- Are open to seeing your group in a new light, with honest feedback from some four-legged teachers!
What’s Included
Session Details
- TypeSmall group sessions
- CostContact us for pricing based on your group
- DurationTypically 2 to 3 hours, flexible to fit your schedule
- Group SizeIdeal for 3 to 8 people, maximum of 15 participants
- Facilitator
- Location
Northeast BC and Vancouver Island.
Frontier Equine Assisted Leadership sessions are held in two BC locations:
Northeast BC: At Rock Alder Ranch, located in Charlie Lake, BC. At Mile 52 on the Alaska Highway, were just 7 minutes northwest of Fort St. John (Mile 47) or about 45 minutes northwest of Dawson Creek.
Vancouver Island: We also host sessions across Central Vancouver Island, at various partner facilities ranging from Victoria and north to Campbell River.
- Cancelling
Notice is required.
Individual and couples coaching: Cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled session: full refund (including deposit) or free reschedule. Cancel within 24 hours of the session: non‑refundable (rescheduling may be allowed at our discretion).
Corporate, groups, and students: Cancel more than 7 days before the session: the 20% booking deposit is refundable. Cancel within 7 days of the session: all deposits and payments are forfeited.
If we cancel: If HorsePower cancels for weather, safety, or other operational reasons you will be offered a complimentary reschedule. Refunds will not normally be issued in these cases except at our discretion.
- Deposits
Deposits are typically required.
Individual and couples sessions:
A 20% deposit is requested at time of booking. This deposit is refundable if you cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled session.
Corporate, small group, and student groups:
20% is due at booking to hold the date.
50% of the remaining balance is due 7 days before your event.
If you cancel more than 7 days before the session, the 20% booking deposit is refunded.
Cancellations within 7 days of the event will forfeit all deposits and payments.
We reserve the right to modify deposit and cancellation terms depending on the specifics of a booking (size, travel, special requirements). If you have concerns about the policy or need a different arrangement, please contact us.
- Payment
We accept e‑transfer and cash; debit and credit may be available soon!
- AvailabilitySessions are ongoing throughout the year. Please contact us to show your interest.
Shared Insight, Shared Progress
Why Horse‑Assisted Learning Elevates Small Group Growth
Horses Are Authentic Coaches
Horses respond honestly to your energy, intention, and behaviour in the moment. This real-time feedback helps your group see what’s working, what isn’t, and how to adjust together.
Horses Reveal Group Dynamics
Horses pick up on your group’s energy right away. With a direct, non‑judgmental approach, they will help you see what’s really going on, identifying both unproductive behaviours and genuine strengths. This honest feedback helps your group “see itself” more clearly.
Workshops Build Communication & Trust
Working with horses helps your group communicate better and build trust in a safe, relaxed way — perfect for close groups like family or friends.
Horses Are Grounded Companions
Time with horses offers grounded companionship that can lower stress and anxiety, while the work itself builds trust and adaptability within your group. They're grounded, present-moment animals with a powerful calming effect and a strong vagal “tone” that supports nervous-system regulation and self-regulation, gently breaking down walls without awkward talks or pressure.
Lasting Impact on Your Group
With Shawna-Marie guiding, your group learns skills that stick — better connection, clearer communication, and stronger confidence long after the session ends.
Direct and Non‑Judgmental
Horses respond to what’s present without bias, with non‑judgmental feedback that helps you identify both unproductive habits and real strengths.
Working With HorsePower
Frequently Asked Questions
Here you'll find answers to common questions so you know what to expect, feel safe, and get the most from your session. And if you don’t see your question here, try the FAQs page or reach out so we can help.
Do I get to ride the horse?
No. At HorsePower, our FEAL sessions are always boots-on-the-ground. You won't ride or otherwise get on the horse!
What if I am scared of animals?
It’s completely normal to feel nervous or even scared around horses! Remember, you set the pace. You never have to do anything you’re not comfortable with. All FEAL sessions are ground-based, no riding involved. Your facilitator is experienced in helping people with all levels of comfort around horses and will guide you step by step. Our horses are calm and used to working with people who may be new or nervous. Give it a try—we're sure you will surprise yourself!
What is the ideal group size for a workshop?
We find groups of 3 to 8 work best, because they are big enough for good interaction, small enough that everyone gets involved. We can accommodate up to 15 participants in a group, however. If you have any questions, just reach out and ask!
How do you tailor workshops to different groups?
Before the workshop, we work with you to understand your group’s goals and challenges. Activities are then designed to focus on the skills and areas that matter most to your group. If you have specific goals or group dynamics you would like to discuss, please reach out at any time.
Where are FEAL sessions held?
Frontier Equine Assisted Leadership sessions are held in two BC locations:
Northeast BC: At Rock Alder Ranch, located in Charlie Lake, BC. At Mile 52 on the Alaska Highway, were just 7 minutes northwest of Fort St. John (Mile 47) or about 45 minutes northwest of Dawson Creek.
Vancouver Island: We also host sessions across Central Vancouver Island, at various partner facilities ranging from Victoria and north to Campbell River.
Can you host a session at my location?
Maybe! It would depend on knowing some specifics, so if you are interested in having HorsePower, please reach out to us through this website and explain your needs. We'll get back to you and see how we can help.
How are FEAL sessions structured?
The exact structure depends on the type of program—for example, individual, group, or school—but here's a general overview of how a session at HorsePower unfolds:
Meet & greet: Arrival, safety overview and set intentions so we know what matters most to you.
Intro: Gentle introduction to the horse and the space; you set the pace.
Action: Ground‑based activity (no riding) tailored to your goals. This may be leading, boundary work, obstacle navigation, or practising calm under pressure. You get real‑time feedback from the horse and facilitator.
Debrief: Review what happened, how your actions landed, and facilitator coaching.
Reflection: Guided conversation and optional written reflection; choose an “achievement word” that captures your key insight.
See‑yas!: Translate insights into practical next steps and optional light home practices; close and say goodbye.
Check out the What is FEAL? portal for more!
What training do facilitators have?
Along with a lifetime spent on the ranch in the Frontier of BC, HorsePower’s Equine Assisted Learning facilitator is certified through Equine Connection’s rigorous EAL program. Equine Connection provides an internationally recognized and science-backed program, with both comprehensive coursework and practical requirements. Your facilitator is trained in the science behind equine-assisted learning, horse welfare and herd behaviour, structured, research-based exercises, client assessment and safety protocols, and clear ethical boundaries. You’ll get focused, consistent coaching from an experienced professional who knows both the herd and the lifestyle.
With HorsePower, You Can FEAL the Difference
Frontier
Sessions take place in Northeast BC and Central Vancouver Island. These incredible, natural frontiers provide a quiet, comfortable space for your group to focus, connect, and grow together.
Equine
Our gentle horses respond immediately to your group’s energy and behaviour. Their honest feedback helps your group see how you’re working together and where you can improve communication and trust.
Assisted
Shawna-Marie is an experienced FEAL coach who guides each session with care. She makes sure everyone feels supported while helping your group turn the lessons from the horses into practical skills.
Leadership
Our programs are designed to turn insight into action. With real‑time feedback from the horses, your facilitator helps your group translate what works into everyday life—whether you’re coordinating as a family, organizing a community project, or strengthening how you show up for each other day-to-day.
