The Role of Equestrian (Leadership) Training in the Development and Rehabilitation of Public Service Employees

Abstract

Introduction: Almost 10 years ago, the National University of Public Service opened its doors on Nagyvárad Square, which also brought a riding school to life, providing public service workers with the opportunity to develop a closer relationship with horses and to practice equestrian sports. Horses are consciously used worldwide not only for law enforcement but also for therapeutic and developmental tasks, the latter being an unexplored area in the field of public service.

Objectives: With the cooperation of the Ludovika Huszár Riding School of the University, we held our first equestrian training course for managers in November 2025. In the following article, I would like to present the program and the international scientific background supporting the training's mechanism of action, which will hopefully serve as a basis for further research and even become part of the development of higher education in law enforcement.

Methodology: The one-day program did not require riding skills, horse riding, or horseback riding. Participants were able to try out the obstacle course with horses of different personalities and abilities. The four-legged colleagues were selected based on management theory employee typologies, with the aim of expanding self-awareness. The professional background was provided by horse trainers, myself, and senior managers with extensive experience in national security, policing, inspection, and international education, who, after completing the program, analyzed the opportunities and difficulties inherent in the training and made recommendations for integrating the initiative into the public service and leadership training higher education system.

Results: Working with horses tested management tools considered to be effective, and the training proved to be suitable for developing leadership and communication techniques, sensitivity, cooperation, and effective attention sharing, among other things. In addition, its experiential therapy effect proved to be a factor promoting recreation and mental health.

Conclusion: Working with horses develops numerous abilities and skills quickly and effectively in the short term, and through these factors, it also promotes self-awareness, which provides a positive, experience-based and rapid learning opportunity not only for managers but also for employees.