STRENGTHENING COLLABORATIONS FOR THE GREATER GOOD.
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.
Equity
We believe in being open, inviting and inclusive to all as a way of life. We accept that the human experience comes with bias and inequities and we are always striving to do better by working on ourselves. We are committed to contributing equitable, and affordable access to personal & professional development, mental health & community wellness programs.
We hope and strive for all to feel welcome to engage with us.
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 image 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
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 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
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
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
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.
Shawn 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.
Our Herd
Juniper
Juniper joined us more than ten years ago. We have learned so much about herd leadership from Juniper, watching her develop her relationships over time. The merging of leadership between then herd-leader Blackjack and Juniper was amazing to watch. She has big, powerful energy and communicates with clarity and precision – she works to draw the same from us. As she assumed leadership role from BJ over time, we watched her continue to respect his emeritus status, providing care and privilege to him as he aged, all the way until his final days. We are watching a similar transition now, as she seems to be teaching and passing the active role of herd management to Prince, yet maintaining an elder status for the big picture, and beginning her retirement. Juniper has a remarkable impact on many people here at the farm. Her presence is strong and her “big medicine” provides opportunities for resonance and discovery.
Sydney
We met Sydney, known as “Fly” at the time, when she was only three years old. She joined Blackjack, and working with a young, less-experienced horse was a new adventure for us. We learned a lot from participating in her education, led by our friend and collaborator, Kerry. Sydney is steady and sure. A quarter horse, with “red dunn” as her color, she was solid with a red stripe down her back and one white sock. Over time, she’s gained white polka-dots that you don’t see until you’re up close. Another unique twist for Sydney is that her nose smells like grapefruit! Sydney’s specialty with clients is timing. At eighteen years old, she knows when to move forward or when to hold back, and she’ll direct traffic to make it happen with steadfast certainty.
Maya
Maya is a tall, long-legged mixed-breed horse, who came to us several years ago. Working with her is an inspiration and an education. She likes to move – and with her stride and energy it is impressive movement at that! Maya learned to let go of nervous energy when facing challenges. She has been a true example for what’s possible when we choose to find the third way through obstacles and anxiety and choose acceptance and trust.
Gus
Augustus, aka Gus is a charmer. He runs with his sister Clara, however he’s very much the ambassador of the two. He cracks people up with his good looks, mischievous personality and stylish “do.” He is also a master butt-scratcher on the outdoor, arena benches.
Clara
Clara is Gus’s sister, and often shows the quiet strength and resilience of a middle sibling. She likes to keep to herself and choose when she steps forward to engage. She’ll entertain butt scratches and belly rubs, although she may be a little reserved about what she tells you.
Jericho
Jericho is a handsome brown and white paint who catches people’s eyes with his colorful coat. He came to us when he needed to be retired from a performance barn as he has a long-term injury to his stifle (knee.) He’s a sweetheart with a soft and warm personality. He’s learned to take his time and he gets along just fine. Prince and the herd keep him exercising and healthy.
Prince
Prince’s story is an epic one. We were involved with his dramatic rescue in 2016, saving the young stallion from a dire situation. He lived in a few supportive foster situations, including a stay at Red Horse, and Peace Ranch, before being adopted by our collaborators and board members, Jenny and Tom, who had first discovered him. Prince has grown through his trauma in remarkable fashion. He’s the head greeter, herd leader and continues to connect with people and horses with his bright, curious and upbeat personality. Prince’s story is one of healing and trust.
Roja
Roja came to us just as the polar vortex rolled in. She was living without a herd and in need of a new home. Working with Roja has been an enlightening journey. She’s helped us accentuate the value of remembering to approach and engage, before leading. She’s whip-smart, and eager to be one of the first to greet newcomers. Watching and feeling her choose to trust and say yes has been a privilege.
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.
COLLABORATIVE NETWORK | Our collection of partner organizations working together for horses and humans.
The Red Horse Center for Collaborative Leadership is uniquely positioned to offer
experiential therapy well beyond discovery and into the holy grail of getting unstuck and moving forward in hopefulness.
"Fred, Ulla and Jenny provide effective and life-altering experiences through horses, facilitating in a way that brings deep insights, learning and application. They create a peaceful, empowering environment. I highly respect and trust this team, even in the most vulnerable situations, and am grateful for the learning and impact they have had on me and my organization."
There was much to appreciate! The facilitators were excellent, bringing themselves, their gifts and
sharing from the personal and professional lives. I also appreciated the interaction with the other
participants, all of whom taught me something valuable.
I would recommend the Trauma Informed Care Workshop for any and all therapists, working and in training. Any business culture that wants to be respectful of employees. Law enforcement and 1st responders as well, even policy makers.
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