7 Day Horse Connection, Liberty and Yoga Retreat in Cartago, Costa Rica
Deepen Your Bond with Horses: Liberty, Yoga and Mindfulness in the Mountains of Costa Rica
This listing has the most popular offer available in Costa Rica
Join this retreat at Finca Soley for a unique, carefully designed retreat that fosters a deep connection with horses, nature, and your inner strength. Through groundwork lessons, you’ll develop true harmony with your horse, refining your communication and understanding. Learn to ride with the finest aids in a way that supports your horse’s health and well-being. This retreat blends daily yoga, guided meditation, and the study of Natural Horsemanship to enhance your body language, focus, and leadership. Immerse yourself in the present moment—breathe in the fresh mountain air, embrace the tranquility of our cozy farm, and reconnect with yourself. Experience mindfulness through your equine partner, in meditation, and on the mat during yoga. Let the peaceful energy of our jungle surroundings inspire you. Move in harmony with your horse, find balance within yourself, and leave feeling refreshed, centered, and deeply connected. This retreat can be booked without the yoga course.
Key Information:
- Rider weight limit: Maximum 100 kilograms - 210 pounds
Meet the instructors
Highlights
- Groundwork and riding lessons and horse connection sessions
- Liberty workshop and scenic trail ride
- Educational theory lessons
- 5 yoga sessions
- Relaxing hot springs and coffee tour
- 6 nights’ accommodation on an organic farm
- All meals and drinks included
- Convenient airport transfers
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
Accommodation
Facilities
- Kitchen
Finca Soley is a holistic, organic farm with their own diary and food production, a horse trainings facility, and retreat center tucked away in the energetically rich, volcanic region of Central Costa Rica. Owned and run by Isa and Milton Avendaño, both horse aficionados in their own right, Isa is well-known and established in the world of natural horsemanship (Parelli), vertical riding and classical horsemanship, the fine art of riding. Basing their work on the principles of love and inclusion, their work is free of judgment and above all focuses on a positive attitude; where the horse feels safe and valued. The horses are well trained, fit and healthy and well cared for.
Carefully constructed by hand, the Finca (farm) and her separate buildings are joined together by pathways that weave through tropical vegetation, offering comfortable single, double, and group accommodation with quality mattresses, hot water, shared kitchenettes, and bathrooms and clean and functional style. The accommodation at Finca Soley stands over the horse barn and the Olympic-sized sand school, so the magic of horses meets you as soon as you come through the gates and through into your dreams each night. The birdsong at dawn is magnificent.
The retreat homes are newly built and combine rustic farm style with recycling materials and natural building. There is a wooden deck to practice yoga, a horse-related library, and a TV to see horse videos. It has vegetable and herbal gardens and loads of fruit trees.
Program
Horse Connection and Liberty
Immerse yourself in the language of horses and gift yourself the time to fully connect with these incredible beings. Under the guidance of passionate horsewoman Isa and her cherished herd at Finca Soley, you will learn to communicate with horses using energy, intention, and body language.
After being paired with your equine partner, you’ll discover what it truly means to build a friendship with a horse. Improve your timing, mental strength, and leadership while learning from the best teacher in the world—a horse. Experience the ultimate connection by riding with just one rein or even completely bridleless (for experienced riders only) on a bareback pad. Test your creativity and precision as you play with your horse in liberty. Once you build a true friendship with a horse, the possibilities are limitless.
Learn to ride in a way that benefits your horse’s mobility and flexibility, ensuring their well-being.
This course is designed for anyone who seeks a deep connection with horses. Whether you're fulfilling a lifelong dream of working with horses for the first time or already own horses and want to bring home new insights, we will meet you at your level and ensure you get the most out of this experience.
Beyond working with horses, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the beauty of Finca Soley through included nature and cultural excursions. Relax in hot springs, enjoy scenic hikes, and participate in a local tour chosen by the group.
Each program is carefully tailored to your needs and preferences. At Finca Soley, they work on a private scale, offering one-on-one attention to each guest.
Typical Day
Start your day with a soothing cup of herbal tea before joining a yoga class led by a skilled and empowering yogi. Flow through each movement with ease, improving your strength, balance, and mental clarity.
After a hearty breakfast made from fresh, local ingredients, you’ll head to your horse session, where you’ll practice natural horsemanship groundwork or riding. Studying Natural Horsemanship will not only deepen your connection with these majestic beings but also boost your self-confidence, awareness, and focus. Becoming a leader for your equine partner can also teach you to become the leader of your own life-making decisions with clarity and confidence.
After your lesson, spend time with the herd in the stunning mountain pastures, allowing yourself to simply be and breathe. Afternoons bring a variety of activities, making each day unique and enriching. In the evening, enjoy a delicious, nourishing dinner before drifting off to sleep to the peaceful sounds of the jungle.
Retreat Sample Schedule (subject to changes)
Day 1
- 15:00 Farm Tour - Finca Soley will guide you through the tropical mountain farm, introducing you to the edible and medicinal plants they grow.
- 16:30 Tea Circle - Pick a leaf from the medicinal garden to prepare your herbal tea. Gather as a group to set goals and discuss wishes for the retreat.
- 18:00 Dinner
Day 2
- 06:15 Herbal tea
- 06:30 Yoga
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 09:00 Theory lesson - What is Natural Horsemanship?
- 10:00 Horse connection lesson - Groundwork: Pair up with a horse or pony and learn the basics of communicating through body language.
- 12:00 Lunch
- 15:00 Awareness Trail Ride - ride out into nature, practicing presence with your horse while taking in the breathtaking scenery.
- 18:00 Dinner
Day 3
- 06:15 Herbal tea
- 06:30 Yoga
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 09:00 Horse connection lesson - Groundwork: Learn to move with your horse using body language and energy.
- 11:00 Theory lesson - understanding different equine personalities and how to adapt your leadership strategies.
- 12:00 Lunch
- 13:00 Orosi hot springs - a scenic drive past Lake Cachi leads to the volcanic thermal springs of Orosi, where you'll also enjoy a coffee tour.
- 18:00 Dinner
Day 4
- 06:15 Herbal tea
- 06:30 Yoga
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 09:00 Riding lesson - learn to ride with one rope, mount using a block, and guide your horse through energy and body language.
- 12:00 Lunch
- 14:00 Horse connection class - liberty: interact freely with the herd and deepen your bond.
- 18:00 Dinner
Day 5
- 06:15 Herbal tea
- 06:30 Yoga
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 09:00 Riding lesson - develop a balanced seat, navigate the arena with precision, and practice gymnastic exercises for your horse.
- 12:00 Lunch
- 14:00 Group activity - choose between a river tour, chocolate tour, or botanical garden visit.
- 18:00 Dinner
Day 6
- 06.15 Herbal tea
- 06:30 Yoga
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 09:00 Liberty workshop - one-on-one liberty groundwork session.
- 10:00 Theory lesson - understanding and applying different training tools and techniques.
- 11:00 Riding lesson
- 12:00 Lunch
- 14:00 Visit local farmers market
- 18:00 Dinner
Day 7
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 09:00 Departure
Included excursions
- Trail ride
- Farm tour
- Hot spring and coffee tour
- River Tour (or a different tour choosen by the group)
- Visit Local Farmers Market and the rural town of Turrialba
Instructors
Isabel Avendaño
Isa has been horse crazy since she could express herself. She donated her life to horses and the study of natural horsemanship and classical horsemanship. After traveling from herd to herd for 5 year in her 20s she arrived in Costa Rica to have her own herd and live her dream of a sustainable horse farm. She has been teaching natural horsemanship and classical horsemanship for over a decade and is passionate on sharing her knowledge and learnings. She teaches in English, German, and Spanish.
Steven Campos Vargas
Steven is a yoga instructor, a Thai massage therapist and a passionate dancer and agroecologist. Over the years, he has developed a growing interest in multiple styles of yoga, meditation and different movement practices like dance, acroyoga and contact improvisation which has deeply transformed the way he moves and the way he teaches. He has a strong motivation towards his own consistent personal practice to keep exploring, learning and sharing. He has always been open to different philosophies and teachers, which keeps being a source of inspiration to expand his perspectives.
Milton Avendaño
Milton grew up on a horse farm in the jungle with a huge family. He is the constructor and he built all buildings on Finca Soley. He also builds furniture and repairs everything that can be fixed.
Analía
Analía has been a yoga teacher since 2014. Passionate about the internal work, self-knowledge and the use of the body as a tool to discover and heal oneself, she has been studying yoga, astrology, reiki, and psychology. She loves Vinyasa, so her yoga classes are usually fluid but with and emphasize in biomechanics and in the ways you sculpt the postures from within. She also has studied Ashtanga, Hatha, and Devaya yoga (the yoga of colors and chakras). She believes in the practice of yoga beyond the postures.
Location
The retreat will take place in Tucurrique, Cartago, Costa Rica. Connect with your body, mind, and soul while being surrounded by the breathtaking nature of Costa Rica. Enjoy the fresh air, pure jungle, and sloths in the trees. Explore beautiful views and a small Costa Rican town within walking distance.
With wide-ranging views from the outdoor corral over the mountainous, mainly agricultural region just south of the town of Tucurrique, Finca Soley provides the best of both worlds; both off the beaten track and still only a two-hour taxi transfer from San Jose Airport, Costa Rica’s main international airport and four hours from the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines.
Distances
- Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) - 2 hours
- Pacific and Caribbean coastlines - 3 hours
Features
Activities
- Hiking
- Horse riding
- Hot spring
- Massage
General
- Environmentally friendly
- Garden
- Hammock
- River
- Special menu request
Services
- Library
- Tour assistance
Food
You will be served three nutritious meals each day, all included in the price. The animal products used, such as eggs, milk, yogurt, and cheese, are mainly sourced from the farm, ensuring freshness and sustainability. Each retreat is accompanied by a carefully designed menu, lovingly prepared to complement your activities and support your well-being, helping you achieve your goals with a clear and focused mind. At Finca Soley, they prioritize fresh, local ingredients and are happy to accommodate any special dietary requests.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
- Alcoholic beverages
- Detox juices
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Lacto-ovo Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Pescatarian
- Whole food
- Paleo diet
- Other dietary requirements on request
Things to do (optional)
Massage sessions
Extra nights
Extra private riding lesson
What's included
- Horsemanship sessions: groundwork, liberty and riding
- Interactive theory lessons
- 5 morning yoga sessions for strength and balance
- Scenic trail ride
- Guided farm tour
- Relaxing hot springs and coffee tour
- Choice of one excursion (e.g., river tour or chocolate tour)
- 6 nights of comfortable accommodation
- Freshly prepared meals
- Homemade smoothies and herbal teas
- Herbal tea circle - pick your own tea from the medicinal garden
- Hassle-free airport transfers
What's not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Tips
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Juan Santamaría International Airport
59 km
Transfer included
Driving directions from San Jose
- Take the highway to Cartago.
- Follow signs towards Paraíso and then Ujarras (224).
- Turn left to take the 225.
- Pass Tucurrique at the end of Tucurrique.
- Take a left turn towards La Flora.
- At the Cruze la Flora, take a straight uphill.
- After one kilometer on your right hand, you find a black gate with green posts.
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). Transfer from and to this airport is included. Aventura Doma Natural S.R.L. will pick you up at the airport. Best if you can arrive by 11:00 a.m. latest.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 25% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 10 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.