The Feedback Field: Reflections from Our First Program
This week we ran the first pilot of The Feedback Field, a horse-led professional development program designed for frontline professionals.
The Feedback Field was created in response to a familiar gap: many clinicians and frontline workers are asked to engage in reflective practice, communication training, and team development, yet are given few opportunities to experience these skills in real time, in their bodies and relationships, rather than purely through discussion or theory.
Why horses?
Horses are highly attuned to their environment. They respond immediately to changes in attention, energy, boundaries and intention — without judgement, interpretation or agenda. This makes them powerful partners in experiential learning.
In The Feedback Field, horses are not used for riding or performance. Instead, they act as mirrors, providing clear, immediate feedback about how participants are showing up: how they approach uncertainty, how they set and hold boundaries, how they respond to pressure, and how they communicate within a group.
Learning in the paddock, not the classroom
The pilot program took place entirely outdoors, in the paddock. Participants worked individually and in small groups, with structured exercises designed to support:
reflective practice
communication and listening
boundary awareness
feedback (giving, receiving and responding)
team dynamics and leadership presence
Rather than being told what to do, participants were invited to notice what was happening — in themselves, in the group, and in the horses — and to reflect on how these patterns translate into their professional roles.
The physical space mattered. Chairs, hay bales and open ground created a learning environment that encouraged slowing down, observation and thoughtful engagement.
What we learned from the pilot
The feedback from the pilot group was genuinely excellent. Participants described the experience as grounded, relevant and surprisingly practical. Many noted that the learning felt immediately transferable to their work with patients, clients and colleagues.
Importantly, the program did not rely on emotional disclosure or therapy-style processes. The focus remained on professional skills, reflective capacity and practical insight — qualities essential in high-responsibility roles.
What’s next
Following the success of the pilot, we already have additional teams booked in as part of a refinement phase. These programs will allow us to continue shaping The Feedback Field with input from real-world teams, ensuring it remains relevant, ethical and robust.
As part of this refinement phase, we are offering introductory pricing for a limited number of teams who are willing to provide honest feedback on the program and consent to a small number of photographs being taken for documentation and education purposes.
Who The Feedback Field is for
The Feedback Field is designed for frontline and high-responsibility roles, including (but not limited to):
doctors and nurses
allied health professionals
police and emergency services
educators
community and leadership teams
No prior experience with horses is required.
Enquiries
If you’re interested in professional development that supports reflective practice, communication, boundaries and team awareness — in a way that is practical, grounded and different from traditional training — we welcome enquiries.
More information about upcoming programs will be shared as the next phase progresses.
