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7 Days Horse Connection, Liberty and Yoga Retreat in Cartago, Costa Rica
Finca Soley, Calle Chucuyo, Turrialba, Cartago, Costa Rica
Horse Connection, Liberty, and Yoga in a Stunning Mountain Area of Costa Roca
This listing has one of the 10 most popular offers available in in Costa Rica
Join us for our unique and carefully designed retreat to connect with horses, nature and your inner strength. This retreat combines the daily practice of yoga, guided meditation and the study of Natural Horsemanship in order to improve your body language, focus and leadership. Be present and in the now. Breath in the fresh air and peace of our cosy mountain farm. Practice mindfulness and go in contact with yourself through your equine partner and while meditating. Feel yourself and your horse moving together in harmony and during your yoga class. Soak in the life and peace of our jungle surroundings.
Key information
- Rider weight limit: Maximum weight for riders is 80kg
Meet the instructors
Isabel, Steven, & Milton
Read more
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Highlights
- 3 Groundwork Lessons
- 3 Riding Lessons
- Horse Connection Lesson
- 6 Yoga Lessons
- Hot spring and Coffee Tour
- 6 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Airport transfers
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
7 days with instruction in English
The organizer also speaks: German, Spanish
Group size: Maximum of 8 participants
Airport transfer included:
Juan Santamaría International Airport
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
01:00
Check-out Time:
11:00
Facilities
- Kitchen
Finca Soley is a holistic, natural horsemanship farm, facility, and training 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), bitless 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. Together, they have produced a truly exceptional herd of horses.
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 & Liberty
Immerse into the learning of the horses language.
Gift yourself time to fully immerse into the horse world together with our passionate horsewoman isa and her precious herd at Finca Soley. Learn how to communicate with horses using your energy, intentions and body language. After being partnered up with your equine partner you can learn with him together what it means to become a friend with a horse. Improve your timing, mental strength and leadership while having the best teacher in the world: a horse. Become one with your horse riding with only one or even without reins (for experienced riders only) and on only a bareback pad. Test your creativity and precision while playing with your horse in liberty. Once you make friends with a horse there are no more limits.
This course is for people who want to learn to really connect with horses. No matter if you finally follow your dream and start getting in contact with horses or if you even own your own horses back home and want to bring new inspirations with you, we will pick you up where you are and make sure you will get the best out of this course.
Besides the horses you can enjoy Finca Soley's surroundings on the included nature and culture tours within this program. Visit hot springs to relax, hike and a local tour of the group's choice.
Each program will be carefully and individually adjusted to your wishes and needs. At Finca Soley, we work on a private scale with one on one attention to our guests.
Typical day
Start everyday with a herbal tea. The yoga class held by a professional and strong yogi who will guide you through your class in flow and with ease. Yoga helps you to improve your strength and balance, mental as well as physical.
After a hearty breakfast including fresh and local ingredients you will be with your horse in a natural horsemanship groundwork or riding class. The study of Natural Horsemanship will not only bring you closer to the majestic and high spiritual being of the horse but also improve your self confidence, awareness, consciousness and focus. Becoming the leader of your equine partner can teach you to also become your own leader and not have others influence your decisions and ideas without your consent.
After your horse class, you can stay with the herd on our stunning mountain pasture, take time to just be and breath. The afternoons include a mix of activities making every day special and different. After a healthy and delicious dinner we will be falling asleep to the sound of the jungle.
Retreat Sample Schedule (might be due to changes)
Day 1
- 15:00 Farm Tour - We take you on a walk through our tropical mountain farm and you will learn about eatable and medicinal plants we grow here.
- 16:30 Tea Circle - Pick a leave from our medicinal garden to prepare your herbal tea. We will sit together to meet and set goals, discuss wishes for the retreat.
- 18:00 Dinner
Day 2
- 06:30 Yoga
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 09:00 Theory Lesson - What is Natural Horsemanship?
- 10:00 Horse Connection Lesson - Ground Work: All students will be paired up with a horse/pony and we learn the basic principles on how to communicate with our horses using body language
- 12:00 Lunch
- 15:00 Awareness Trail Ride - We ride out, practicing presence with our horses and discover the stunning views of the area.
- 18:00 Dinner
Day 3
- 06:30 Yoga
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 09:00 Horse Connection Lesson - Ground Work: Learn how to move with your horse using body language and energy
- 11:00 Theory Lesson - Learn about the different characters of the horses and how to adjust your leadership strategies
- 12:00 Lunch
- 13:00 Orosi Hot Springs - We take a car ride down passing the beautiful lake of Cachi to the volcanic thermal springs of Orosi. The installations also host a coffee tour included.
- 18:00 Dinner
Day 4
- 06:30 Yoga
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 09:00 Bitless Riding Lesson - Riding Lesson: Riding with one rope. Mounting with mounting block, move your horse using energy and body language from the saddle
- 12:00 Lunch
- 14:00 Horse Connection class Liberty, join in with the herd
- 18:00 Dinner
Day 5
- 06:30 Yoga
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 09:00 Bitless Riding Lesson - Riding Lesson: Balanced seat, smooth transitions with seat aids
- 12:00 Lunch
- 14:00 Activity of choice of the group like: river tour, chocolate tour or botanical garden.
- 18:00 Dinner
Day 6
- 06:30 Yoga
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 09:00 Liberty Workshop- Ground work: Liberty one on one lesson
- 11:00 Theory Lesson - Understanding and using of different trainings tools and methods
- 12:00 lunch
- 14:00 Bitless Riding Lesson - Riding: stick riding
- 18:00 Dinner
Day 7
- 06:30 Yoga
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 09:00 Summary - closing
Included excursions
- Trail Ride
- Farm Tour
- Hot spring and coffee tour
- 1 tour of choice, like river tour or chocolate tour
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.
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 - 4 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 healthy meals every day included in the price. The animal products used are mainly produced on the farm like eggs, milk, yogurt and cheese. Each retreat will be accompanied by a carefully designed and with loads of love prepared, diet that will complement your activities and help you to achieve set goals with a clear mind. At Finca Soley, they choose fresh local ingredients and can accommodate any special wishes.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
- Detox juices
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Other dietary requirements on request
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
Massage sessions
Extra nights
Extra private riding lesson
What's included
- 6 Horsemanship sessions: groundwork, liberty and riding
- 3 theory lessons
- 6 morning yoga sessions
- Trail ride
- Farm tour
- Hot spring and coffee tour
- 1 tour of choice, like river tour or chocolate tour
- 6 nights accommodation
- Freshly made meals
- Freshly made smoothies and teas
- Herbal tea circle: pick your tea from the medicinal garden
- Airport transfers
What's not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Tips
How to get there
Recommended Airports
SJO
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.
Airport: Juan Santamaría International Airport
Airport transfer included: Juan Santamaría International Airport
No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.
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.
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