When Star World and Vijay’s Grandeur burst onto the field, little did I know that they would be coaching me. These are beautiful brown horses in their 20s. Vijay’s Grandeur is the younger of the two and also the calmer one. Star World is playful but has an air of superiority. In between galloping around, they stop at a lush, five foot plant. Craning forward through the gaps in the fence, they tug and chew on the leaves. Vijay’s Grandeur subserviently steps aside as Star World helps himself to the entire plant.
Isabelle Hasleder, the trainer, laughs at their antics as she steps into the arena to demonstrate a few techniques. “Now, we have to show them we are in control. We are the boss,” says Isabelle, who recently started HQ Leadership India, a training programme with horses. “HQ stands for horse quotient. It helps people build their leadership skills. There are plenty of strategies available but how do we transfer them to others, inspire them and make sure it stays with them? That’s where our horses step in,” she smiles, adding, “What they teach you goes into your heart rather than just your head.”
An Austrian, Isabelle came to India 11 years ago for an engineering internship in Auroville. She then worked in Mumbai, Pune and Delhi, before marrying Dhruv Futnani and making Chennai her home. The leadership programme takes places within the premises of the Chennai Equitation Centre, owned by her father-in-law Kishore Futnani. There are around 50 horses — ranging from adorable foals, mares (some with hairstyle a la Lady Gaga) and horses. These include thoroughbreds, warmbloods and Kathiawaris . “I have been horse riding from the time I was three. I got my first horse when I was 12. He was three then, now he’s 23. His name is Picasso. And that’s how I fell in love with horses,” says Isabelle who has taken part in around 20 equestrian competitions in India.
Isabelle came across the concept of equine-assisted training in Germany where a number of companies have adopted it. She underwent training and got her certification in HorseDream concept from the EAHAE institute in Germany last year. “There are more than 300 qualified trainers worldwide, but I am the first one in India,” she claims.
“Horses have special energy. They are independent and can judge your movement. Dogs and tigers on the other hand are hunting animals and are more likely to overpower you. A horse is more sensitive,” says Isabelle.
When working with horses, participants often notice that, what the animal is doing is a reflection of how it is being lead, says Isabelle. It is like receiving immediate feedback. “This in turn helps them recognise their strengths and weaknesses and make necessary corrections,” she adds. In a way they coach you to understand your own abilities. Here, the three ways of leading a horse include leading as an example, team spirit and authority — tactics that leaders often need to employ depending on situations. As the participants get to work with five different horses, their style of managing will have to change according to the nature of each animal. “Exactly like how it is to deal with different employees or teams at work. And if you put too much pressure they will go back or kick you,” laughs the 33-year- old whose client list includes corporates such as Daimler, Valeo, BMW and the Anand group.
It’s time for me to get acquainted to Star World. He’s a little wary of me as I am of him. After a few gentle pats on his forehead and minutes of cradling his face gently, he lets his guard down and nuzzles me. “That’s how you build trust and that leads to better communication,” says Isabelle as she sets me on my second task — that of making the horse walk zig zag through a trail of orange cones. “Don’t give it a very long leash,” she instructs. I move closer to Star World and hear him noisily chewing on something. “Connection is very important, so always stay close. It’s the same thing like your boss sitting in Germany while you are here. Things work better when you are in the same office and there is direct communication,” she adds. Meanwhile Star World has wandered off again to snack on more leaves. I pull him away and he trots behind me, almost making me break into a jog. I am surely burning calories. As for my leadership skills... To know that you just have to hold your horses.
The HQ Leadership India programme is for a duration of eight to nine hours. It costs ₹17,000 per participant for a day. The venue is 130, OldMahabalipuram Road, Sholinganallur. 8939385902
