The workplace has changed dramatically in recent years, and so have the expectations of what makes a great leader. As companies continue to transition back into in-person work after years of remote and hybrid arrangements, the challenges are clear: communication gaps, fractured teams, and a lack of trust are more prevalent than ever before. In a world where the old “top-down” leadership models are quickly becoming obsolete, the need for authentic, transparent, and empathetic leadership has never been greater.
Enter Dreamwinds Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) Centre. Nestled in the rolling hills of Tryon, North Carolina, Dreamwinds is leading the charge in reshaping leadership development by harnessing the profound wisdom of horses. Tracey Evans, founder of Dreamwinds, has created a unique and transformative experience where horses become partners in leadership development, helping individuals and teams discover what true leadership looks like in the modern world.
At Dreamwinds, leadership isn’t about titles or power, it’s about presence, clarity, and authenticity. And who better to teach those lessons than horses, whose instincts and behaviors are rooted in the very qualities of leadership that companies are striving to cultivate today?
The Leadership Journey: Discovering the Power of Horses
Tracey Evans’ story is one of bold reinvention. As a corporate VP of Marketing, she had achieved everything she thought she wanted, until an unexpected teacher shifted her path: her horse.
“It started with trying to understand him,” Tracey explains. “But in the process, I ended up understanding myself. He didn’t see me as a leader because I wasn’t showing up with clarity, consistency, or authenticity. That moment hit hard—it made me realize the same gaps existed in the workplace.”
The insight was life-changing. “I learned more about leadership from that horse than I ever did in my MBA or corporate training. It planted the seed for something bigger.”
In 2012, Tracey left her corporate career to found Dreamwinds, where she now helps others uncover their own leadership potential, guided by the honest, immediate feedback of horses.
Horses: The Ultimate Leadership Coaches
The core of Dreamwinds’ approach is its use of horses as facilitators. Horses are highly intuitive animals, keenly aware of human behavior, and they respond to leadership in real-time. Whether it’s a subtle shift in posture, a hesitation in tone, or a lack of clarity in communication, horses pick up on these cues instantly, giving participants immediate, non-judgmental feedback.
In Dreamwinds’ programs, participants engage with horses on the ground, not riding, but building relationships through shared activities and challenges. These exercises force participants to step into their leadership roles, face their fears, and navigate the complexities of communication and trust in real time. The horses’ feedback is always authentic and direct and serves as a mirror, reflecting the qualities that are either working or not working in each individual’s leadership style.
The impact? Profound.
“When you lead a horse, you can’t hide behind anything,” Tracey explains. “Horses demand authenticity and clarity. They don’t care about your title, they care about your ability to lead with confidence and consistency. And when participants realize how their behavior impacts the horse, they make real-time adjustments that improve their leadership skills.”
Beyond Team Building: Cultivating Trust, Clarity, and Connection
While Dreamwinds’ programs are often marketed as team-building experiences, their impact goes far beyond just improving communication and collaboration. They are, at their core, about cultivating trust between individuals, between teams, and even between employees and leaders. Trust, after all, is the cornerstone of any successful organization.
Through their equine-assisted learning approach, Dreamwinds helps teams work through underlying issues that might be impeding their success, such as lack of trust, miscommunication, and unclear expectations. The process is hands-on, highly experiential, and tailored to the unique needs of each group.
“We’ve seen teams transform,” Tracey says. “The horses help participants address the hard truths about their leadership and communication. It’s not about checking a box or completing an exercise, it’s about real change. Teams leave with a new sense of purpose, a deeper understanding of themselves, and a stronger connection to one another.”
A New Kind of Leadership Training
What makes Dreamwinds different from traditional corporate leadership programs is its ability to create real, lasting change. Tracey and her team of certified facilitators don’t just teach leadership theory, they help participants embody the qualities of great leadership through the immediate feedback that comes from working with horses. And because the programs are customized to each organization’s unique needs, companies can be confident that they’re getting an experience that is tailored to their specific goals.
For Tracey, the key to great leadership is self-awareness. The horses help participants identify areas where they need to grow and challenge them to take ownership of their behavior. “Leadership isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being self-aware and constantly evolving,” she explains. “The horses make it clear when you’re not being authentic, and they help you find a way to lead from a place of true clarity and confidence.”
Real Results: Empowering Leaders, Empowering Teams
Dreamwinds’ programs are not just about creating better leaders, they are about creating better teams. The feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with clients reporting significant improvements in communication, collaboration, and overall team dynamics. Many organizations even report that their teams leave feeling more connected and more committed to their work after just a few hours.
“We’ve worked with some of the world’s top companies, and the results speak for themselves,” Tracey shares. “We have a 99.7% satisfaction rate, and more than 80% of participants rate the experience as ‘extremely satisfying.’ It’s rewarding to know that our programs have such a lasting impact.”
The hands-on, real-time nature of the learning process ensures that participants gain skills they can apply immediately, whether in their personal lives or their work environment. The lessons learned through equine-assisted learning stay with participants long after the event is over, contributing to more authentic leadership and better teamwork.
The Future: Empowering More Leaders and Teams
As Dreamwinds continues to grow, so does its commitment to delivering meaningful experiences for leaders and teams of all kinds. In that spirit, new packages have been introduced specifically for small businesses and non-profits, organizations fueled by passion, purpose, and a deep investment in people.These offerings deliver the same powerful equine-assisted learning experiences, thoughtfully designed to foster connection, leadership, and growth, packaged in a format and investment level that aligns with the needs of these teams.
Also on the horizon is the Executive Women’s Retreat, launching Fall 2025, which will bring together women in leadership to strengthen their voice, deepen their impact, and lead with greater authenticity and confidence—while connecting with others navigating similar paths.
The future of Dreamwinds is bright, and Tracey is excited to continue helping teams and leaders discover the power of authentic leadership through the guidance of horses.
“We’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of what’s possible when you combine leadership training with the transformative power of horses,” she says. “The journey of self-discovery and team transformation that happens at Dreamwinds is life-changing, and we can’t wait to help more organizations unlock their true potential.”
Ready to Lead with Clarity?
If you’re ready to take your team’s leadership to the next level, Dreamwinds offers a unique, transformative experience that blends the timeless wisdom of horses with modern leadership training. Whether you’re looking to strengthen team communication, foster trust, or become a more authentic leader, Dreamwinds has the tools, resources, and expertise to help you get there.
To learn more about Dreamwinds and how their programs can help your team, visit www.dreamwinds.com. You can also connect with Dreamwinds on social media:
- Facebook: Dreamwinds EAL
- Instagram: @dreamwindseal
- YouTube: Dreamwinds EAL
Ready to lead with confidence and clarity? The horses are waiting.
