We will meet at the Benton Hot Springs Inn in the late afternoon on the first day of the retreat.

Are we guaranteed to see wild mustangs?

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.

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).

Will there be bathrooms?

While camping there will be a privacy shield around a rustic camping toilet. Bathrooms w/ showers at the Inn are shared between 2 rooms.

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.

Is there a limit to what I can pack?

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, including sleeping bag and mat. A tent is provided; you may bring your own private tent if under 15 pounds, not included in the 40 lb limit.

Is horse riding experience necessary?

Beginners through advanced riders are welcome. You should feel comfortable riding up to 5 hours a day. Some riding experience before the trip is highly recommended. The seasoned pack horses are well-trained.

Is there a weight limit for riders?

Yes. There is a weight limit of 200 lbs.

What are the restrictions?

This trip is for women or those who identify as women, 18+. No pets allowed. This is an alcohol-free event.

How strenuous is this trip?

Riding horseback for several hours can be physically strenuous, with 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 heading to higher ground on day two.

Do I have to share a room at the Benton Inn?

Pricing is based on double occupancy and the Inn has limited space. If you prefer to room alone, reach out and we'll see if we can accommodate, with a pricing premium for 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, with communal bathroom and hot tub access.

What is the cancellation policy?

This trip is non-refundable, with payment in full required at the time of registration. We encourage participants to purchase trip insurance if they don't want to assume the risk of losing payment due to illness or a family emergency. This is also an alcohol-free event, in keeping with the trip's focus on mindful presence.

THE SANCTUARY RETREAT

EQUINE RETREAT FOR WOMEN

October 15-17, 2027 | Shingletown, California

An equine-facilitated coaching experience

A weekend retreat at a wild horse sanctuary in Northern California. You'll stay in glamping-style cabins overlooking a 5,000-acre preserve where more than 200 horses roam freely. Join us for an afternoon with the herd, where simple groundwork and quiet moments alongside the horses open a path back to calm and to a deeper understanding of yourself. The rest of the weekend is sprinkled with activities like guided art, meditation, journaling, and time for stillness and reflection.

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL

3 Days · October 15-17, 2027 · Small Group · Women Only · Shingletown, California

HELD BY THE HERD

Horses live by sensing. They read the smallest shifts in posture, breath, and energy, and they respond honestly and right away. You'll move through gentle groundwork and experiential exercises that turn this sensitivity into a living mirror. There is no riding in this retreat.

Around this work, the weekend leaves room for what was stirred to settle. Guided art gives form to what words can't quite reach, and meditation brings you back into your body. Unstructured hours invite you to journal, walk the land, or simply watch the herd and notice what it feels like to slow down. Many people find that the calm they touch here stays with them long after the weekend: a steadier sense of themselves and a quieter way of listening, inside and out.

“As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”

— Marianne Williamson, from Our Deepest Fear

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Two-night accommodation in “glamping” style cabins overlooking the preserve where over 200 herd roam freely
All meals from dinner on Friday through lunch on Sunday
Hot shower and flush toilets in shared bathhouse
Equine-facilitated coaching in a group setting
Daily meditation and nervous-system regulation practice
Wild herd education
Time for journaling and reflection

WHAT TO BRING

Your own sleeping bag and pillow. A full packing list is emailed after registration.

WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

Bring layers, days can be warm and evenings get cool. There is always a possibility of rain.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

THIS RETREAT IS FOR THE WOMAN READY TO

Unplug completely: no phone, no calendar, no demands
Spend a couple of days in the quiet stillness of nature, connecting with animals
Gather in circle with women to learn from and grow with
Meet a wild herd on its own terms, and see what it reflects back
Return home with a felt sense of what truly matters now

I'M READY

Daily Meditation

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Nervous-System Regulation Practice

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Wild Herd Education

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Relaxing Sound Bath |

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Equine-facilitated coaching

Wild Horse Sanctuary

"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

$850 inclusive of lodging, meals and all activities

REGISTER HERE

MEET YOUR GUIDE

Equine Coaching and Retreats with Gianna Brasil-Ross

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.

CONTACT GIANNA

The Sanctuary Retreat also welcomes ANNALISEE BRASIL as a guest facilitator. Annalisee is a gifted artist and professionally trained singer. Her voice carries a spiritual depth that resonates in your soul. It is powerful and grounding, and it can move a room into stillness. In her sound bath, she weaves voice and vibration into an immersive experience that helps the body soften and the mind come to rest. She brings the same intuitive presence to her art, inviting you to set aside judgment and let your creations express what words can't. Her work is an open invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and come home to yourself.

FAQ

This retreat takes place at a private horse sanctuary in Shingletown. The address will be provided after registration.
Rustic cabins on-site overlooking the wild horse preserve.
There are 2 flush toilets in a shared bathhouse.
A detailed list of what to bring will be emailed to registered guests. Beds are provided. Guests are asked to bring their own pillow and sleeping bag.
We ask that you leave your furry friend at home for their safety and that of the animals at the sanctuary. Licensed service animals (not emotional comfort) are always welcome. Please notify us if you plan to bring a licensed service animal.

No horse experience is necessary. We will be working with a group of trained domesticated horses for our groundwork sessions.
This trip is for women or those who identify as women 18+. No pets allowed. This is an alcohol-free event.
This retreat is low impact. The elevation is around 4000 feet.
The pricing is based on double occupancy in the cabins. 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. The cabins do not have plumbing. There is a shared bathhouse with flush toilets and a separate shower.
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.