A straightforward program includes meals, accommodation, and one group lesson per day. You can choose between a course in Natural Horsemanship or Classical Training, with the option to upgrade to a private lesson.
Immerse yourself in the unspoiled beauty of our stunning Costa Rican mountain setting, home to a freely living herd of diverse horses, from rescues to home-bred, youngsters to Shetlands, all coexisting peacefully. Learn to connect with horses using body language, psychology, and energy. Through the horse connection and liberty classes, you'll not only gain a deeper understanding of horses but also discover more about yourself.
Within the horse connection lessons, you can learn about natural behavior, herd behavior, horse language, horses needs and how to become a great partner for your horse.
Within the study of Classical Horsemanship you learn about the horse's anatomy and how to use flexion, mobilization, lateral movements, lunging, balance, using aids in order to help your horse to balance and improve his strength. You will learn how to use your seat correctly in order to help the horse. You can help with the rescue horses for them to become happy, self confident and strong again.
The first week of your stay you will mainly work with the horses on the ground to build a relationship. Please consider the longer you are able to stay the more you will be able to learn and develop. When you are an experienced rider you can help us train the horses from the saddle. Beginners might also get a chance to ride, but will be more working on the ground with the horses, learn confidence and get the first contact with horses. This program is not only about riding but about growing an equal relationship towards an equine friend. Some of our horses are in rehabilitation and cannot be ridden at all at the moment. But putting time and the correct training in, we hope to rehab all of them.
You will be assigned one or more horses or ponies to care for and help with their daily care and training. Depending on the length of your stay and the skills you bring with you, you might get the opportunity to help with the training of a young or a rehabilitation horse.
Please consider that training will be on the ground and riding.
With your stay at the retreat place you will support our horse welfare program, foster rescue dog project and live an absolutely unforgettable experience combining self growth, education and a vacation in one of the most beautiful countries on our planet.
As a horse stay guest you can be part of our team. You can be involved in the daily care of our natural herd. Mucking, grooming, hoof care, equine massages, energy healing work (touch for health) and training if you desire. Otherwise you can also just get your horse ready for the class and use the free time to observe the other lessons, the herd and relax or work remotely.
In the afternoons you have time to take use of our horse library, observe the horses in their pasture, take a tour, book onside Spanish lessons or just relax and chill on our peaceful mountain farm. You can also help with projects around the farm like: gardening, fruit harvest, cheese making or groom one of our foster dogs.
In our work with the horses we follow the principles of natural horsemanship (Parelli, freedom based training, positive training) and the classical art of riding, baroque style riding (vertical). Our principles are connection, education and progress.
You get lessons from isa our onsite trainer, or one of her assistants. All horses are trained here and are educated by isa and her students. Training is done from the ground first before there is riding. Experienced riders will have plenty of chances to ride as well. Beginners will also get riding lessons but for shorter times. This program is designed for you to learn about horses (and about yourself =) and not just for people to sit on a horse without connection. We see our horses as equal partners and want them to enjoy riding as well as we do. Therefore we put our horses’ needs first!
The lessons are held on the ground: on rope and liberty and riding: in a bitless halter or for advanced riders with a bit for better physical training. In the theory lessons and workshops we deepen the new learned information and put the philosophical frame around it. There is also a library with DVD's and books to which you have access. The lessons are held in English.
We want to bring our horses to a high level, keep them physically fit and mentally healthy. The relationship with our horses is our primary focus. For students who begin with natural horsemanship here, our horses are excellent teachers and you can learn a lot and progress fast. If you already bring experience, you can bring this to a higher level and have lots of fun with our horses.
The maximum weight for riders is 80kg. You can also join if you don’t fall under this, as you can work our horses from the ground.
About
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About The Host
Isabel
Isa has been horse crazy since she could express herself. She donated her life to horses and the study of natural horsemanship & classical horsemanship. After traveling from herd to herd for 5 years in her 20s she arrived in Costa Rica to have her herd and live her dream of a sustainable horse farm. She has been teaching Natural Horsemanship & Classical Horsemanship for over a decade and is passionate about sharing her knowledge and learnings. She teaches in English, German & Spanish.
Next to her passion for horses, she has planned together with Milton the buildings you find at the retreat. She is all about ecology and nature close to community life, loves yoga, healthy food, and cooking, and is overall a passionate mom and wife.