Horse & Human: A Connection Retreat

A 3-day women’s boutique horse and nature retreat at Vaquera Ranch in Penn Valley, CA. June 26th-28th 2026

Reserve Your Spot Now

Return to yourself through nature

Horse & Human: A Connection Retreat is a restorative women’s weekend designed to offer authentic connection, experiential healing, and nervous system support through nature, horses, and somatic practices.

Set at the peaceful Vaquera Ranch in Penn Valley, CA, this intimate retreat blends boutique comfort with meaningful experiences, guided reflection, nourishing meals, and space to slow down enough to reconnect with what matters most.

Goats overlooking the ranch hills and pond at Vaquera Ranch

Here's What We've Curated For You

A boutique experience you'll never forget

Somatic & Nature-Based Healing

Proven therapeutic practices designed to regulate your nervous system, reconnect you to your body, and deepen your relationship with the natural world.

Horse Healing & Animal Connection

In working with even the hardest of traumas, horses have been proven to lessen the burden of the person in pain. Perfect for problems you can't solve on your own.

Archery & Symbolic Release

An embodied experience focused on intention-setting, release, and reclaiming personal power through movement.

Nourishing Meals by a Private Chef

Enjoy nourishing, chef-crafted meals by our award winning chef, Jennifer Calder, made with the highest quality ingredients exclusively for us.

Restorative Free Time

Space to walk the land, engage with our creative writing prompts or simply be, allowing integration and personal reflection.

Community & Connection

Shared meals, meaningful conversations, and a supportive environment with like-hearted women.

Who This Retreat Is For

This experience is a good fit if you identify as a woman and are craving restoration, a rewilding yet nourishing experience, and space to reconnect with yourself.

Drawn to Horses, Animals, and Nature

You feel restored by animals, open space, and experiences that invite you back into presence.

Craving Time Away

You want a meaningful pause from pressure, responsibility, and the constant motion of everyday life.

Longing to Reconnect

You want space to listen more deeply to your body, your inner voice, and what matters most.

Navigating Burnout, Grief, or Change

You are in a season where support, grounding, and clarity would feel deeply nourishing.

Wanting Like-Hearted Community

You are looking for authentic connection, shared experience, and a more intimate group setting.

Seeking Something Thoughtfully Curated

You want an experience that feels emotionally meaningful, nourishing, spacious, and well held.

The Feel of Vaquera Ranch

Open views, ranch animals, water, sunset light, and the quiet beauty that makes this weekend feel both grounded and special.

Goats overlooking the ranch hills and pond at Vaquera Ranch
Horses along the fence at Vaquera Ranch
Donkey near the barn at Vaquera Ranch
Pond at Vaquera Ranch
Donkey grazing at Vaquera Ranch
Lamb at Vaquera Ranch
Sunset sky at Vaquera Ranch

Accommodations & Ranch Experience

Guests will stay on-site in boutique shared accommodations with inviting gathering spaces, beautiful ranch views, and close connection to the animals and land. We have an award winning chef, Jennifer Caulder, preparing nourishing and elevated meals for us.

Front exterior of accommodations at Vaquera Ranch
Interior accommodations at Vaquera Ranch
Close-up of horse at Vaquera Ranch
Saddled horse at Vaquera Ranch

Weekend Flow

A spacious, grounded weekend designed to balance connection, reflection, movement, nourishment, and rest.

Guest Experience Philosophy

• All activities are completely optional
• Guests are encouraged to move at their own pace
• Space is held for both active participation and quiet restoration
• Guests may choose to fully engage or simply rest, reflect, and recharge

Friday – Arrival & Connection

3:00–5:00 PM: Guest arrivals
Welcome and settling into accommodations
Appetizers made by our exceptional private chef and non-alcoholic beverages served. Guests may bring their own spirits.

5:00–6:00 PM: Orientation to retreat, members, and the land
Introductions, safety overview, weekend overview, and circle
General ranch guide

6:30 PM: Dinner and opening connection
8:00 PM: Firepit and intention setting

Saturday – Embodiment & Release

Morning

7:30 AM: Optional goat yoga or guided morning hike with horses
A gentle, grounding start to the day in nature
9:00 AM: Breakfast at the Main House
10:00 AM: Somatic Engagement Workshop
Nervous system identification and grounding work

Midday

12:00 PM: Lunch

Afternoon

1:00–3:00 PM: Archery Experience
Led by a trained practitioner
Focus: symbolic release, rewilding, embodiment, and trauma processing through movement

3:00–5:00 PM: Free time
Rest, horse meditation, journaling via intentional writing prompts, reading, or enjoying the ranch

Evening

5:00 PM: Pre-dinner group hike
Wander and Reflect Activity
6:30 PM: Dinner
8:00 PM: Fire pit and Release to Receive Activity

Sunday – Integration & Departure

7:30 AM: Optional goat yoga or guided morning hike with horses
A gentle, grounding start to the day in nature
9:00 AM: Breakfast at the Main House
10:00 AM: Animal-Assisted Meditation
Grounding, connection, and emotional integration
Focus on integrating elements into your natural life
11:00 AM: Departure
Guests receive a packed lunch to go

Investment

The full retreat investment is $1800 and includes boutique shared accommodations, private chef-prepared meals, therapeutic workshops, curated animal experiences, archery, and full retreat programming.

Payment Plan

$400 deposit to reserve your spot
$700 due May 15
$700 due June 10

Cancellation Policy

A $400 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot.

Cancellations made 30+ days before the retreat will receive a refund minus the deposit.
Cancellations made 14–29 days before the retreat will receive a 50% refund minus the deposit.
Cancellations made within 14 days of the retreat are non-refundable.

In cases of significant life events, payment may be transferred to a future retreat at our discretion.
Spots may also be transferred to another participant with approval.

Retreat accommodations at Vaquera Ranch

Boutique shared accommodations designed for comfort, connection, and rest. This is ideal to curate connections and friendships that will be longlasting.

Reserve Your Spot

Are you ready to return to yourself through nature?

This intimate retreat is limited to eight women. Email to reserve a limited spot or reach out with questions about fit, logistics, or payment options.

Reserve Your Spot Now

Connection with horses at Vaquera Ranch

Connection, presence, and grounded awareness through animal interaction

Frequently Asked Questions

A few of the questions women often have before joining.

Do I need horse experience?

No. This retreat is beginner-friendly and focused on connection rather than riding skill or prior horse knowledge.

Do I have to ride a horse?

No! The retreat focuses on connection-based experiences with horses and ranch animals, including observation, meditation, feeding, and relational interaction.

What animals are included?

The retreat includes experiences with horses, goats, donkeys, sheep, and dogs, depending on the flow of the weekend and ranch rhythms.

What is included in the retreat?

Shared accommodations, private chef-prepared meals, somatic and animal-assisted experiences, archery, guided activities, and full access to the ranch environment are included.

Can I come alone?

Absolutely. Many women attend retreats solo, and this weekend is intentionally designed to feel warm, welcoming, and connected.

Is this therapy?

This retreat is therapeutic in nature, but it is not a substitute for emergency or higher-level mental health care. It is best understood as a supportive, restorative group experience.