Mission
Red Horse Center for Collaborative Leadership is dedicated to strengthening collaborations for the greater good. We work with humans and horses, through mindful experiential learning and considerate leadership models to discover and empower positive change in the world.
Principles
The values we hold ourselves to and draw inspiration from to do our best work.
Choice, Respect, Trust, Non-violence, Mutual Benefit, Herd Dynamics, Softness
You’re invited to watch our introductory video which shares a bit of our history and mission. You can watch it here or click through to our Youtube channel, where we will update with more interesting videos from time to time.
Click the button above to view or download a PDF of our introductory brochure, which describes our services and the groups of people we are most likely to help.
Our Team
Fred Bueltmann
Executive Director, Horse Professional, Org. DevelopmentFred Bueltmann
is our herd manager, and an author and independent consultant on company culture, the ideals of the craft marketplace and the connected lifestyle. He has more than two decades of experience as an executive in the beverage industry including service at New Holland Brewing Companies and Bell’s Brewing Companies. Bueltmann is past president of the Michigan Brewers Guild and recipient of their prestigious Tom Burns Award, recognizing the pioneering spirit of the “Great Beer State.” In 2019 he authored a collaborative book, “A Rising Tide – Stories from the Michigan Brewers Guild.” Fred’s first book, The Beervangelist’s Guide to the Galaxy, was recognized as an Indie Book Award finalist. Fred shared his perspective in a TedX talk, “The Community of Collaboration” and regularly shares interviews and conversations on cultural shifts through his This Craft Nation project and podcast, and Michigan’s Great Beer State Podcast, which he produces. Fred is a musician, as well as an instructor in Schoolcraft College’s Brewing and Distilling program. Fred has been facilitating since 2002 and specializes in equine-assisted Organizational Development.
Ulla Frederiksen
Board Member, Mental Health ProfessionalUlla Frederiksen MA., LLP
Ulla is a psychologist, group facilitator, teacher and artist. Her private practice, The Sundance Center, specializes in client centered, solution- oriented & trauma-informed therapy for Highly Sensitive People. She strives to create a safe, fun and non-judgmental space for insight and healing to take place. Ulla has facilitated with horses since 2002 and has trained facilitators internationally since 2010.
Jenny Atlee
Board Member, Equine SpecialistJenny Atlee
Jenny has worked in Central America since 1984 in the areas of human rights, trauma and recovery and international policy with Witness for Peace, the Guatemalan Church in Exile, Nicaraguan Ministry of Social Welfare, AFSC and the Quixote Center. She is the author of Red Thread; A Spiritual Journal of Accompaniment, Trauma and Healing which chronicles her experiences in the war zones of Nicaragua during the U.S. sponsored contra war. She has worked with the herd at Sundance Center and Red Horse Ranch as equine specialist and has been facilitating with horses since 2017.
Tom Loudon
Board MemberTom Loudon
Tom Loudon – worked in Central America for over thirty in the areas of human rights, sustainable development and international policy. He worked with Witness for Peace, the Bloque Inter-Comunitario, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC-Quakers) the Quixote Center, the Alliance For Responsible Trade and served on the Commission of Truth in Honduras following the 2009 coup. Tom has recently retired from the Migrant Workers program for the state of Michigan. He serves of the Board of Directors of the Nicaragua – United States Friendship Office.
Abena O. Apea
Board Member, Organizational DevelopmentAbena O. Apea
Abena O. Apea is a transformative leader with over 30 years of experience serving nonprofit and higher education organizations. She is a skilled fundraiser with talent in strategy and program design. In 2020, Abena founded FORO Global Partners, LLC, and helps forward-thinking organizations build resources, launch initiatives, and develop staff skills and talents. In 2021, Abena earned a certificate in Leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Northwestern University; she is a member of the 2014 Management and Leadership in Education Cohort at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. Abena holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a master’s degree in public administration from Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. Abena is a board member at Chicago Fair Trade and the Red Horse Center for Collaborative Leadership.
Shwan Gary
Board MemberShawn Gary
Shawn started his beverage career 34 years ago with Kent Beverage Company. Prior to that time he worked as a Soil Scientist performing soil interpretive work on the MX Missile as well as productivity yields for the Federal Government. Throughout his career at Kent Beverage, Shawn has been involved in many different facets of the business, including but not limited to operations, brand management, branch management and various other corporate leadership roles. In the early 1990’s Kent Beverage, thru Shawn’s leadership, was on the forefront of bringing many of Michigan’s craft brands to market. Shawn became President of Kent Beverage in 2008.
In 2013 Alliance Beverage Distributing was created by combining B & B Beer and Kent Beverage to create one of the largest, most diversified wholesalers in the state. Shawn served as president since the inception of Alliance until late 2020 when he stepped down as President. Shawn continues to preside over the board and work on special projects for Alliance.
Our Herd
is currently made up of eight horses. They are big and little, young and old, and different breeds and colors, each with unique backgrounds and distinct personalities. We work together with them to keep a balanced herd, who feel supported through their work, and can intuitively offer different choices and experiences depending on what our clients need. They are definitely specialists in their fields, connecting to, inspiring and supporting people for many years. If you’d like to see more pictures of our herd and site, check out our gallery by hitting the button below.
HORSES, EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING & ARENAS for CHANGE
Horses are highly sensitive, natural communicators. They have an intuitive sense of herd dynamics, a combination of language and hierarchy which, as prey animals, is ingrained into their genetics as an essential structure for safety and well-being.
Horses and humans have a centuries-long history of working together; a collaboration often valued for the relational aspects of connection, communication and trust. In the last thirty years, more specific approaches to partnering with horses have been developed to help people therapeutically, experientially and metaphorically. Their innate sensitivities and expression naturally engage people deeply; wordlessly inviting them to explore ideas, themes and patterns with fresh perspective and meaningful metaphors.
The Red Horse team has been certified facilitators and leaders in this field since 2001. In 2020, Ulla and Fred joined a team of experienced facilitators and educators to create Arenas for Change (ARCH), a worldwide gathering place for learning and community for mental health, organizational development, and personal growth through horses and animals. We are honored to serve this community as leaders and facilitators, while our programs at Sundance Center and Red Horse will also shape our best practices according to the framework of ARCH’s professional designations.
People participating in individual sessions and organizational workshops are invited to explore their objectives in a uniquely shared space. There is no horse experience required and both horses and humans have choices in terms of how close or how far they are to one another and how the experience unfolds. What people observe, feel and reflect on during this guided interaction, is where the story and the strength of this work unfolds. Horses’ innate ability to bring us all into the moment creates an indescribable relevance and metaphorical strength to the discoveries uncovered and explored during these remarkable experiences. These powerful insights are the catalyst for people taking action towards intentional and positive change in their lives and organizations.
COLLABORATIVE NETWORK | Our collection of partner organizations working together for horses and humans.
RED HORSE CENTER FOR COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP (RHCCL)
RHCCL advocates, teaches and mentors humans and horses; together or separate, through a considerate leadership model for the betterment of the world. RHCCL conducts Eagala Model workshops for team/organizational development, teaches our Horse and Human Collaboration skill- sets either to work with horses, or to draw leadership lessons from the experience.
RED HORSE RANCH
Our twenty acre horse farm in Fennville, Michigan, home of Red Horse Center for Collaborative Leadership & The Sundance Center. Red Horse Ranch also
facilitates space rental for groups looking for a peaceful and grounded space for people to come together.
THE SUNDANCE CENTER
offers client centered, solution-oriented & trauma-informed Eagala Model therapy for Highly Sensitive People. It is owned and operated by Ulla Frederiksen MA, LLP, who offers individual therapy, as well as groups and workshops such as AHA! | Art & Horse Assisted Healing and Empowerment and Eagala Model Herd Mediations.
TREEHOUSE PRODUCTIONS
produces content and provides multi-media services such as writing, music, speaking and podcasting. It operates from Red Horse Ranch and is a frequent collaborator on various education series and branding and marketing efforts. Treehouse production projects include This Craft Nation & Michigan’s Great Beer State Podcast, The Strapping Owls and Great Lakes Brass.