horses hone questar employees’ communication skills

Horses Hone Questar Employees’ Communication Skills - 1

Horses HoneQuestar Employees’Communication Skills

07/01/2016

WELLSVILLE - The Utah State University equine scienceprogram recently hosted an Equine Experience eventfor Questar Gas employees to illustrate the effects ofnon-verbal communication, using contact with horses asteaching tools.

The Questar conference’s 26 attendees participated in theevent where instructor DJ Anderson demonstrated equinebehavior and how non-verbal communication can affectresponses. One guest accompanied him in the round penand attempted to have the horse join up with her usingonly her body language to draw him in, showcasing howbody language cues play a role in communication.

Michelle Weed, director of equine-human science, andKarl Hoops, DVM and USU equine Extension specialist,then led the groups though team building, leadership andcommunication activities with the horses in the arena.

“Our horses stepped right in to help guide our gueststo greater self-awareness,” Weed said. “Horses don’tcare what you say, they read your intentions and bodylanguage. Leadership is not simply about what you say,but what you do.”

Equine Experience events provide interactive learningfocused on the needs of a company or individual andutilizes horses as a teaching tool. Events like this onenot only reinforce the Extension mission of Utah StateUniversity, but also allow students that work and volunteerin the equine science program to use skills that they learnin classes.

Chisum Gardener, a summer intern in equine-assistedactivities and therapies (EAAT) and USU senior in equinescience and management, said the experience was fun forall involved.

“Everyone found the activities to be engaging and thoughtprovoking,” Gardner said. “Even those observing theteam involved in the exercise, were brainstorming how toaccomplish the goal. The event was an exciting learningexperience for everyone involved. I hope these types ofevents continue.”

Contact Michelle Weed at michelle.weed@usu.edu orequine.experience@usu.edu for more information abouthow your company can take part in an Equine Experienceevent.