Our
To provide unforgettable opportunities to connect, learn, and grow through equine experiential programs. We aim to create transformative experiences that inspire us all to become better leaders, better partners, and better people.
Our Corporate Values
Deliver the Wow
We go beyond expectations to create unforgettable moments that inspire, challenge, and delight. Whether through our programs, events, amenities, or service, we strive to surprise and delight at every turn. From the smallest details to the biggest moments, we make every interaction extraordinary.
Educate & Inspire
Learning should be engaging, exciting, and full of discovery. We share knowledge in a way that sparks curiosity, encourages exploration, and leaves a lasting impact. Whether working with clients, partners, or each other, we embrace the joy of learning and ensure that every experience is both meaningful and enjoyable.
Act with Integrity
Integrity is the foundation of everything we do. We lead with honesty, fairness, and transparency, ensuring that our actions align with our values. We hold ourselves and our partners to the highest ethical standards, treating every client, team member, and horse with the respect they deserve. Doing the right thing isn’t just a rule—it’s who we are.
Embrace Teamwork
We believe that great things happen when people work together in a supportive, fun, and collaborative environment. We encourage open communication, respect diverse perspectives, and celebrate each other’s strengths. A strong team is one that works hard, laughs often, and lifts each other up. We practice what we teach, knowing that a positive, team-driven culture leads to the best results.
Honor Our Horses
Our horses are not just part of our programs—they are our partners, teachers, and valued teammates. Their well-being, care, and happiness come first, ensuring they love their work as much as we do. We prioritize ethical training, respect their individual personalities, and create an environment where they feel safe, engaged, and appreciated. When our horses thrive, so does our entire program.
My Story
I often reflect on my journey and think, if I can enjoy this amazing life and career, anyone can. I wasn’t born into a horse family, and this path wasn’t an obvious one for me. Despite my lifelong love for horses, I grew up in a small town and followed a traditional career path. I went to school, earned my degrees, and started climbing the corporate ladder, defining success by titles and accomplishments. My life lacked true passion, and I never considered that my career could align with it.
One day, I realized there had to be more to life, so I looked to my childhood for inspiration. I decided to take up a hobby and learn to ride. Little did I know that finding horses would lead me to my true calling.
The EAL Approach
Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) is a transformative approach to human and leadership development, seen through the eyes of the horse. It proactively empowers individuals through interactive group exercises, emphasizing that “everyone matters.”
At Dreamwinds, our EAL programs utilize horses’ natural herd instincts in carefully designed objective-based team exercises. Participants engage in team-focused activities, learning valuable skills in a fun and exciting atmosphere while navigating the dynamics of working with horses.
EAL benefits everyone, requiring no riding or previous horse experience as all exercises are conducted safely from the ground. This innovative approach fosters respectful relationships, self reflection and active involvement, making it ideal for personal development and cultivating strong, effective leaders.
But Why Horses?
Curious about what horses can teach you? Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) isn’t just about horses teaching; it’s about uncovering learning opportunities within yourself. Our horses offer immediate, honest feedback. Mastering communication, leadership, and teamwork with them translates into valuable skills applicable to all relationships.
- Horses are prey animals and are always acutely aware of their surroundings as a matter of survival.
- They can actually discern the difference between a calm, non-threatening approach and anxious or nervous energy.
- They can help us recognize and understand our behaviour and feelings often before we do.
- Horses are very social beings and their survival in the wild hinges on the strength of their herd.
- In a herd environment there is a natural hierarchy that is rarely challenged once established.
- The rules are clear and each horse has an important role to play in the survival of the group.
- When we work with them, we become part of their herd and teamwork is a requirement.
- In their herd environment, leadership is critical to survival.
- In the absence of a strong leader they will assume the role to ensure their safety.
- They seek a confident leader, that communicates clearly and consistently to build trust.
- Not unlike the strong leadership qualities people seek in others, our horses can help guide the development of those key skills
- Horses are fairly simple.
- They react.
- Anything a horse is doing in our presence is merely a reaction to who we are, what we are feeling, doing or thinking at the time.
- They don’t judge and have no hidden agenda.
- As trained facilitators, these reactions help us understand what is happening within the team so we can help you apply the learning beyond our arena.
- Aware & Intuitive
-
- Horses are prey animals and are always acutely aware of their surroundings as a matter of survival.
- They can actually discern the difference between a calm, non-threatening approach and anxious or nervous energy.
- They can help us recognize and understand our behaviour and feelings often before we do.
- Masters of Teamwork
-
- Horses are very social beings and their survival in the wild hinges on the strength of their herd.
- In a herd environment there is a natural hierarchy that is rarely challenged once established.
- The rules are clear and each horse has an important role to play in the survival of the group.
- When we work with them, we become part of their herd and teamwork is a requirement.
- Seek Leadership
-
- In their herd environment, leadership is critical to survival.
- In the absence of a strong leader they will assume the role to ensure their safety.
- They seek a confident leader, that communicates clearly and consistently to build trust.
- Not unlike the strong leadership qualities people seek in others, our horses can help guide the development of those key skills
- Respond Honestly
-
- Horses are fairly simple.
- They react.
- Anything a horse is doing in our presence is merely a reaction to who we are, what we are feeling, doing or thinking at the time.
- They don’t judge and have no hidden agenda.
- As trained facilitators, these reactions help us understand what is happening within the team so we can help you apply the learning beyond our arena.
Our History
2022
North American Expansion – Dreamwinds EAL takes dreaming big to the next level relocating to a new facility in beautiful Tryon, North Carolina and partnering with new affiliate locations across Canada to deliver the renowned Cartier EAL Certification program throughout North America.
2020
EAL Assistant Course – Dreamwinds EAL & Cartier Farms launch the EAL Assistant Course to support graduates in building a qualified team that will ensure integrity and the highest quality in program delivery in accordance with our Standards of Practice.
2017
Advanced Certification – Dreamwinds EAL & Cartier Farms launch the Advanced EAL Certification and flexible Continuing Education Curriculum, enabling graduates to further differentiate themselves in the areas that matter most to their business.
2016
Going Global – Cartier Farms & Dreamwinds EAL Centre launched International EAL Certification Academy, bringing the Original Cartier Farms EAL Certification Program to locations around the world.
2015
Program Expansion & Partnership – Cartier Farms partnered with Dreamwinds Equine Assisted Learning to expand the EAL Facilitator Certification Program into Ontario. Dreamwinds EAL became the first Certified Satellite Facility licensed to deliver the Original Cartier Farms EAL Certification Program. Date Night and Ladies Night launched to rave reviews.
2013
Dreamwinds EAL Center Opens – Dreamwinds EAL launched with a March Break Camp for local youth and a curriculum for customized Corporate Team Building and Leadership Training.
2012
Bought the Farm – Tracey and Dirk found their dream property in Bradford and built the facility to bring their horses home. Tracey travelled to Saskatchewan to study with Gayle Cartier the founder of Cartier Farms EAL Facilitator Certification Course and returned with a proven curriculum to create a secure program foundation for a new Equine Assisted Learning business.
2003
EAL Seed Planted – Tracey purchased her first horse – Oliver a 5 year-old off the track thoroughbred and discovered the importance of leadership when working with horses. All the principles of working effectively with horses could be applied to the corporate experience and the idea of delivering leadership training through Horsemanship was born.
2002
Bit by the Horse Bug – One year after graduating from MBA School, corporate success wasn’t as fulfilling as Tracey hoped and in an effort to find a true passion, she took her first riding lesson. From that first lesson onward, she was determined to find a way to spend more time with horses… to make a career of it.