We get lots of questions about our retreat. Here, in no particular order, are some questions and answers. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, please fill out the contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
If your husband or significant other wants to share your room at Alisal, they can accompany you and Alisal can provide a special rate for them. However they will need to be respectful of the women-only nature of our retreat and keep their distance during sessions.
Our program sessions include dinner, an after-dinner program in the library, breakfast, morning and afternoon riding sessions and cocktails. Please see the sample schedule for the free times when your husband would be able to spend time with you.
In general, most women feel they get the most out of the retreat if they come alone or with another female program participant.
Yes, most of our cowgirls come alone. The retreat — with cocktails, meals, trail rides, group sessions and evening activities — is a great opportunity to make new friends. Everybody is there already has a lot in common: love for horses, trail riding and a desire for wellness.
We hold our retreat once a year at Alisal Ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley in California. the 2026 retreat starts on October 11, and the 2027 retreat will start on October 10.
That’s exactly when our retreat is right for you. We aren’t offering a spa weekend — it’s a chance to slow down, relax with other women who are showing up honestly, and let the horses and the land do what they do. You don’t have to have it together to come. You just have show up and be willing to listen.
Ours is! We designed Women of the Rancho for all experience levels. First-time riders to lifelong equestrians will be equally comfortable. You’ll start with meeting your well-trained horse on the ground, then progress at your own pace through trail rides. On day three you’ll get to ride through our signature obstacle course. Many of our cowgirls haven’t ridden in years, and they find themselves far more capable than they expected.
Trail riding is the heart of the program at Alisal Ranch—miles of working cattle ranch country with wildlife around every bend. You’ll also have some horsemanship coaching and on the third day tackle our obstacle course, which often includes a cattle activity.
It’s both because horses and wellness go hand in hand. Women of the Rancho is held at Alisal Ranch in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. The retreat is rooted in horsemanship and trail riding, which along with heart-centered workshops and sessions, makes the experience deeply restorative. Women come to reconnect with themselves, build new friendships, and leave feeling grounded and renewed. It’s as much about wellness as it is about riding.
Absolutely. You’d be surprised how many of our guests ask exactly that. We will assist you in bringing you back to riding gently and confidently. We meet every rider where she is—no pressure, no judgment, just the joy of being back in the saddle.
The dates are set for our 2027 Women of the Ranch retreat! Join us October 10-13th, 2027.
