WILD HEART CALLING
EQUINE RETREAT FOR WOMEN
June 16-20, 2027 | Benton, California
Photo Credit: Ivana Crone
Journey and communion with the free-roaming Mustangs of the eastern Sierras.
A five-day retreat, four in the saddle, deep in the Sierra Nevada. Traveling into open country each day, you're held by seasoned pack horses, skilled guides, and facilitators attuned to both horse and human. In the vast quiet of that landscape, you slow down and learn to co-regulate with your horse partner, a practice that asks for presence rather than performance and often becomes the most unforgettable part of the trip. Meditation, somatic movement, and equine education move alongside the riding, each deepening your ability to sense and move from your whole body.
5 Days · June, 2027 · Small Group · Women Only · Sierra Nevada, California
HELD BY THE LAND
We begin in Benton, at the edge of California's high desert, before continuing to the trailhead where the horses carry us into true backcountry: the Eastern Sierra, straddling the California and Nevada line. We witness the wild mustangs moving through this land, with sweeping views that reach Mammoth Mountain. There's something about being with them in this wilderness that brings you a little closer to your own wild freedom.
In the quiet desert landscape, the nervous system has fewer distractions competing for its attention and naturally begins to settle. Days spent unplugged from screens and schedules give you room to notice what you actually feel, and hours spent co-regulating with a horse, matching your breath and your energy, teach your body a kind of calm no amount of thinking can produce. By the time you're riding back toward the valley, you feel grounded, calm, and tuned into the natural world around you. The totality of the experience; the land, the horses, the community - they all play their part in bringing you into alignment so you can truly hear yourself again.
Photo Credit: Ivana Crone
“As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”
— Marianne Williamson, from Our Deepest Fear
Benton Hot Springs
One night lodging at the Benton Hot Springs Inn, including a soak in the hot springs tubs
Three nights camping at our high-country basecamp, tents provided
All meals, from the welcome dinner on day one through lunch on day five
Horses, tack, and pack support throughout the ride
Skilled guides and facilitators, including animal intuitive communication and demonstration
Daily meditation and nervous-system regulation practice
Wild herd education and tracking
WHAT TO BRING
Your own sleeping bag and sleeping mat for the three nights at basecamp. A full packing list is emailed after registration.
TRAIL READINESS
This trail welcomes beginner riders, though some riding experience will serve you well in the saddle. Because of the altitude, heat, and uneven terrain we travel through, we ask participants to be in good physical condition and ready for several hours on horseback each day. For the safety and well-being of the horses, there is a 200 lb weight limit for riders.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
THIS RETREAT IS FOR THE WOMAN READY TO
Unplug completely: no phone, no calendar, no one needing anything from her
Spend real days in the saddle, trusting horses to carry her into open country
Let her nervous system settle at a pace only wilderness can set
Sit at a threshold and let a small circle of women walk the next part with her
Meet a wild herd on its own terms, and see what it reflects back to her
Return home with a felt sense of what truly matters to her now
Daily Meditation
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Nervous-System Regulation Practice
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Wild Herd Education
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Animal Intuitive Communication & Demonstration
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Relaxing Sound Bath |
Daily Meditation | Nervous-System Regulation Practice | Wild Herd Education | Animal Intuitive Communication & Demonstration | Relaxing Sound Bath |
DAILY SCHEDULE
Day 1 | Welcome to Benton
Arrive at the Inn after 3pm and settle into the quiet of the high desert. A welcome dinner and orientation are followed by a soak in the hot springs tubs beneath open sky.
Day 2 | Into the Wild Country
After breakfast, we caravan by car to our meeting point where we are paired with our horses. Our first ride carries us through the lower valley herd, where we pause to observe, before continuing on horseback to our high-country basecamp, home for the next three nights. As evening settles in, we tune into the presence of the wild mustangs beneath the stars.
Day 3 | High Desert
The day opens with quiet meditation and mindful movement before we head out to track the wild herds roaming the high desert, building on what we've learned about equine communication as we search for the more elusive high mountain horses. Back at basecamp by evening, dinner is followed by an educational talk and Q&A on the Mustangs.
Day 4 | Vistas & Solitude
Morning meditation and gentle stretching ease us into another ride through the rugged high country, a shorter day with wide-open vistas. We close the day together in circle back at basecamp.
Day 5 | Homeward Ride
We gather to share and reflect before breaking camp and riding back toward the valley, with one final chance to encounter the mustangs along the way. A picnic lunch overlooking the mountains precedes our return to the vehicles, where we say our goodbyes by noon.
*The daily schedule is subject to slight changes to accommodate the group, the weather and other logistics.
Wild Mustang Journey 2026
"Today, my heart is still in the wild. When I got back home my energy source felt stronger. Like I could feel the energy of things (beings, nature) stronger than before. It was almost overwhelming. It is a feeling that I do not want to lose, that connective energy. What a powerful journey it was to result in the outcome of increasing my awareness of the energy around me and how my energy interacts with it. It runs deep into my soul. It's like my soul reverberates stronger, wider, allowing me to be aware of the energetic connections of those around me, primarily horses, animals, and nature."
~Mustang Wilderness Retreat Guest
PRICING & BOOKING
$2,400 for the full five-day journey. A $600 deposit secures your spot, with a two-installment payment plan available.
MEET YOUR GUIDES
This retreat is led by Gianna Brasil-Ross, founder of Cavalo Calling, a certified Wayfinder Life Coach currently training in Equine Somatic Pathways™ under therapist Cara Gereau, LMFT. She built this work around what she's learned firsthand: that horses can teach the body to slow down and regulate in ways words alone can't reach.
Wild Heart Calling also welcomes Asha Wolf as a guest facilitator.
Asha is an animal intuitive and energy healer with advanced certifications in energy healing, telepathy, mediumship, and animal communication. Asha also has a background as a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Movement Analyst, Yoga Educator, bodyworker in a variety of techniques, equestrian, and professional dancer—all skills and experience she brings to her healing work with both humans and animals alike. One of her greatest joys is telepathically channeling the wisdom and messages of animals, and using her pet psychic skills to help deepen the bond between pets and their humans.
FAQ
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We will meet at the Benton Hot Springs Inn in the late afternoon on the first day of the retreat.
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While there are no guarantees when it comes to wild life, our guide is very experienced and knows this area well. So far, she has not failed to find a herd or two.
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The first night we will stay at the Benton Hot Springs Inn. The following 3 nights we will be camping in tents (provided) in the wilderness. There will be an open tent for dining. You may add another night at Benton Inn after the trip (booked on your own).
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While camping there will be a privacy shield around a rustic camping toilet. Bathrooms w/ showers at the Inn are shared between 2 rooms.
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The pack operation will furnish horses, horse tack, packers, food and camping equipment and tents. You are responsible for your own sleeping bag, mattress, clothing and personal items. A detailed list of what to bring will be emailed to registered guests.
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Yes. You will be given a small saddle bag that goes on your saddle horn to carry your phone and a few personal items. (Weight limit 3 lbs). You may not wear a backpack or fanny pack while riding. The rest of your personal gear will be carried by a pack mule. Personal gear limit is 40 lbs per person (this includes sleeping bag and mat). Tent provided; however, you may bring your own private tent if under 15 pounds; not included in 40 lb. weight limit.
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Beginners through advanced riders are welcome. You should feel comfortable riding up to 5 hours/day. Some riding experience before the trip is highly recommended. The seasoned pack horses are well-trained.
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Yes. There is a weight limit of 200lbs.
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This trip is for women or those who identify as women 18+. No pets allowed. This is an alcohol-free event.
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Riding horseback for several hours can be physically strenuous. There will be some low impact hiking on foot as well. Elevations can be upwards of 7,000+ feet. Participants should be in good health and able to adapt to high altitude. Benton is at 5,000 feet giving you a night to acclimate before we head out to higher ground on day 2.
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The pricing is based on double occupancy and the Inn has limited space. If you prefer to room alone, please reach out to us and we will see if we can accommodate. Pricing premium will apply to private rooming. All rooms share a bathroom with at least one other guest. Staying in your own private tent at the Inn is also an option. Tents spaces share a communal bathroom and have hot tub access.
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This trip is non-refundable. Payment in full at the time of registration is required. We encourage participants to purchase trip insurance if you don't want to assume the risk of losing payment due to illness or family emergency.
This is an alcohol-free event. We are practicing mindful presence and we find the influence of alcohol is incongruent with the purpose of this trip.