Horseback Riding Retreats for Women: Why This Might Be for You

You might be wondering why horseback riding retreats for women are such a big deal. Why spend all that money on yourself? What benefit can a retreat like that provide versus a regular vacation? I’ll try to explain why Women of the Rancho (a women’s retreat with horses) might be exactly what you need. I’ll start off with my story.

Years ago, I booked a family vacation in the Rocky Mountains on a ranch with trail riding. What started as a vacation was a turning point in my life.

First and foremost, the ranch and nature setting calmed me down. They gave me a new perspective on living my life in the frenzy and compression of Southern California. For the first time in a long time, I could breathe deeply, relax, laugh, and contemplate change. In a guest ranch setting, I reconnected with nature and like-minded people.

And then there were the horses.

The ranch horses were responsive and trustworthy, and I rediscovered the special bond I had as a child with horses. I met women who had shown horses all their lives and had never trail-ridden in a place where the horses knew the trails. We found ourselves in a new kind of paradise full of adventure on horseback. What a special treat to be able to trail ride on string ranch horses who were low reactors and responsive.

Janet on a trail ride at Alisal Ranch's horseback riding retreat for women

The effect of nature and the relaxed, friendly ranch lifestyle spoke to my heart directly. Without TVs, or newspapers, or screens, my brain had less input and opinions, and my heart was feeling, listening, and resonating with the natural environment of the outdoors: sunny skies, wildlife, birds, the smells of fresh air, horse tack, and horses. Gradually, my heart was guiding me in enjoying this wonderful experience. Instead of stress and anxiety, I felt clarity, curiosity, and a sense of calm. Time was slower and I relished the time ahead connecting with people and my horse.

Clearly, horseback riding retreats for women would be something special—something all women could benefit from as we navigate a our high-stress lives. As a physician assistant and health coach, I decided to create and lead a retreat to provide exactly what I had just experienced to women all over the world.

Participants will receive a professional health coaching session before you arrive, tailored to help you better navigate life’s challenges and get the most out of your retreat.

Fast-forward 20 years. After leading the Women in the Rockies Wellness Retreat for 7 years, I am starting a new horseback riding retreat for women — Women of the Rancho — at Alisal Ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley in California, inland from Santa Barbara, surrounded by mountains and wine country.

My intention is to curate that experience for each woman attending. We will do it with a schedule that maximizes time with each other, horses, great California cuisine, cocktail hours, mindful meditations and lots of one-on-one time with your horse on beautiful trails throughout the property.

At the Women of the Rancho retreat, we offer a unique blend of activities to promote wellness and mindfulness. And, unlike many other horseback riding retreats for women, you will receive a professional health coaching session before you even arrive, tailored to help you better navigate life’s challenges and get the most out of your retreat.

In these turbulent times, we can all benefit from mindful living strategies. Our easy and effective method to achieve mindfulness is through short meditation before riding. But we don’t stop there. We also offer trail riding, a direct connection to being in the moment. Horses live every breath in the moment, and we invite you to experience this profound connection.

Surprisingly Alisal Ranch has a petting barnyard. A few of us who went together last winter to check out Alisal Ranch stopped at the petting barnyard after a ride. I ended up holding a friendly chicken and sitting on a bench surrounded by curious goats. For me there was a strong connection and a sense of lightness and laughter as the animals were playful and interactive. I won’t say the chickens influenced my decision to create Women of the Rancho at Alisal Ranch, but the petting barnyard for animal lovers is a bonus. Animals are healing—even chickens and goats. It is a lovely place for photos too.

We believe an October shoulder season is a best-kept secret on the ranch. The guest count tends be lower. In a Mediterranean climate, it’s cool at night and in the mid-80s during the day. We usually only get one or two days of rain the entire month of October.

If this sounds like just what you have been yearning for, call the ranch at 800-425-4725 or you can book online at www.alisalranch.com/experiences/women-of-the-rancho. For those who book, you will be hearing from me for your pre-arrival health assessment and coaching session before the retreat in October.

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