- This event has passed.
Centered Riding®/Horse Speak®/Holistic Horsemanship Retreat **Full-Wait List Available**
“Thank you deeply for the learning, support, and mentorship you provided me this week. It has been a long time since I worked with someone who modeled the kind of horsewoman I want to be. I’ve never been with a coach who held compassionate space for transformation like you do. With my sincere gratitude.”
Join Heidi for a memorable, all-inclusive week-long retreat at Bitterroot Ranch, located in the mountains of Wyoming. Immerse yourself in the stunning surroundings of the Wind River Valley range. The ranch is home to over 200 horses of varying ages, breeds, abilities, and training levels, including their home-bred Spanish Arabians. Heidi will guide retreat guests to a deeply enriching and connected way of “being” with horses. Her mindful, holistic approach to horses has evolved over her more than 50 years of experience and her background in traditional Eastern martial arts.
Centered Riding
As a Centered Riding Clinician, Heidi will share skills to improve comfort, confidence, communication, connection, and stability in the saddle. Retreat guests will discover how the CR Basics of Soft Eyes, Breathing, Balance, and Centering enhance every ride, every time, on every horse, and also benefit from navigating everyday life. The result is calmer, safer, more enjoyable experiences for horses and humans.
Horse Speak
As a Senior Horse Speak Clinician, Heidi will introduce the concepts of Horse Speak, the art and science of horses’ authentic language system. Learn to listen with your eyes as Heidi narrates conversations between horses and demonstrates mimicry of a few basic gestures, postures, and signals to enter the conversation. Experience the deepening of connection, trust, and rapport that comes with listening and speaking to horses in their language. Meeting them where they are, in such a natural setting, is simply magical. Participants will leave with a new understanding of their equine friends and skills to add enrichment to every interaction.
“I am so grateful and excited to have participated in your Bitterroot Ranch Retreat last July! I know I’ve only scratched the surface of knowledge, but what I came back with made an amazing difference in my relationship with this horse, Montana. I can’t even begin to describe how he responded to the things I learned from you. He came to my greeting, checked in, and calmed in the saddle. It was truly amazing and more than I hoped for. On the day I had to leave, he was way out in the field. He came to me, greeted me, and as I stood there crying, he wrapped me in a hug. Previously, he would see me coming and run in the opposite direction. It was a pleasure meeting you, and I will never forget my experience at your retreat!”
Holistic Horsemanship
Heidi’s holistic approach to horsemanship begins with taking care of you. Experience the feelings of relaxation, peace, and presence as Heidi guides you through meditations and mindfulness practices throughout the week. These practices are designed to help you move beyond the things that hold you back from enjoying life to its fullest extent. The result is improved awareness, along with better mental, emotional, and physical balance. The sounds of the river, the vastness and beauty of the surrounding mountains, and our connection with the horses and each other provide the perfect setting for “letting go” and embracing a new way of being.
This retreat includes daily workshops, interacting with horses on the ground and at liberty, and daily riding sessions. Choose to ride each day or take that time to enjoy life on the ranch. The riding sessions include Centered Riding lessons, mounted games, drill team play, cattle sorting (optional), and two guided trail rides. Riders must be proficient at controlling a horse at the walk and trot to ride at this retreat.
Ranch accommodations feature cozy, rustic cabins nestled among mountains and streams, along with wholesome, healthy meals. All horse activities are included, along with optional activities such as Yoga and attending rodeo and square dancing nights in town. Transportation to events in town is not provided. Guests often carpool in rented vehicles.
There is an option for non-riding guests to join you. Inquire upon registration.
**Please get approval from your Doctor if you currently have asthma, COPD, any heart conditions, or are at risk for any ill effects of high altitudes. The ranch is located in a remote area surrounded by mountains at an elevation of 7400 feet. The week will include a fair amount of walking and an optional steep hike up to the “bench” one evening. Participants should be fit enough to walk distances throughout the day.
Retreat cost is $3250. For more details and to register, contact host Hadley Fox: E-mail Hadley 800-545-0019