At Halter + Harmony we specialize in harnessing the power of horse-guided experiences to cultivate effective teamwork and leadership skills. With a unique blend of equine-assisted learning and expert facilitation, we offer transformative programs designed to build collaboration, communication, and trust among team members. Our approach offers hands on training methods, providing individuals and organizations with experiential learning opportunities that promote executive development and organizational success.
Horses are inherently sensitive and perceptive animals, making them powerful partners in the learning process. They have the remarkable ability to mirror human emotions and behaviors. As prey animals, they have evolved to rely on non-verbal cues and authentic communication for survival. They can help us gain valuable insights into our own leadership styles, communication patterns, and team dynamics.
By interacting with horses in a safe and supportive environment, participants learn to communicate with confidence, establish trust and lead with clarity.
Heather Hughes, Founder and CEO is a certified Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator, former Marketing Executive, Corporate Team Leader and horse enthusiast.
Heather began her career in New York City in marketing at Women's Wear Daily. She later moved into business development at Interior Design Magazine and eventually earned the role of VP of West Coast Business Development and Sales at Oddcast partnering with companies like Disney, Frito Lay and Sony, to name a few.
Heather then prioritized raising her children and took a break from the corporate world. Now, inspired by the impact horses can have on growth and learning, she is combining her work with equines and her business experience to offer a unique learning environment for teams and individual professionals.
Heather has worked at Stand InBalance, an Equine Therapy Ranch, Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center and Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute. She has also trained with renowned equine expert, Monty Roberts in trust-based relationships at his Flag is Up Ranch in Solvang, CA.
Heather currently volunteers at Halter + Harmony's sister non-profit, equi-centered. They offer equine assisted programs for veterans, first responders and non-profits.
Pamme Mickelson is the co-founder of equi-centered, Halter + Harmony's sister non-profit. They offer equine programs for veterans, first responders, and nonprofits.
Pamme brings years of both corporate and nonprofit management experience to Halter + Harmony. Being an Army brat, and after moving fourteen times in seventeen years, she landed in Austin, TX for thirty years, and completely embraced both the UT Longhorns as well as a Texan named Steve, who moved their family to Santa Barbara in 2010. Prior to moving to California, she oversaw Program Development and Marketing at a retreat center focused on corporate training. She also became a certified Life Coach.
She found her footing as an Executive Director at a therapeutic riding program, which was a game-changer for her. While there, she became an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL). Because she, too, found the magic of horses later in life, she is now committed to sharing that gift with others.
Additionally, she shares custody of a Friesian Sport Horse and a bay Quarter Horse.
Susan Weber is the (other) co-founder of equi-centered, Halter + Harmony's sister nonprofit. They offer equine programs for veterans, first responders, and non-profits.
Susan is a Brooklyn born ex-ad exec who discovered her passion for horses later in life, as a 39-year-old mother of two, whose daughter wanted to take horseback riding lessons. She lost interest after two years, but Susan became smitten. She rode four to five days a week. took lessons. leased a horse. Bought a horse. Bought another horse. And so on.
And then she discovered, as a volunteer, the magic of horses for special needs riders. So, she became a certified therapeutic riding instructor. She started two programs in CT, and then moved to the Santa Ynez Valley in 2014. She taught at a program in Santa Barbara, then went on to become the program director.
She is now the proud mother of not only her two grown children, but a young Friesian Sport Horse, a Welsh Thoroughbred cross, an elder chestnut Quarter Horse, a lovely bay Quarter Horse, two adopted Mustangs, a Golden Retriever, and two Bearded Collies.
Located in the picturesque Santa Ynez, CA wine valley, just a short distance from Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, at the beautiful private ranch of our sister non-profit equi-centered.
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