Autumn Equinox Retreat for Women — Guided by Horses and Nature
A daylong retreat held at Rideau Breeze Stables & Wellness Centre to honour balance, transition, and inner reflection on the autumnal equinox. This gentle, grounding program blends horse-assisted presence work, nature immersion, chakra-focused meditation, restorative yoga, and forest bathing to help women reconnect with body, breath and seasonal wisdom.
What to expect
Arrival and grounding: Welcome circle beside the paddock. Brief intention-setting and a guided breathing practice to settle into the present moment.
Horse-guided presence sessions: Small-group encounters with our calm therapy horses. Non-riding, experiential activities Horses mirror energetic states, offering immediate, compassionate feedback to support clarity and emotional resilience.
Chakra meditations: A sequence of seated and walking meditations focused on the seven primary energy centres. Each short meditation is paired with embodied prompts and nature-oriented reflections to explore balance, release, and renewal relevant to the equinox theme of equal light and dark.
Gentle restorative yoga: Slow, accessible movement and supported postures designed to open the spine, release tension in the hips and shoulders, and integrate meditation work. Emphasis on breath-led transitions and short guided savasana with soft grounding cues.
Forest bathing (shinrin-yoku): A guided, slow-walking immersion into the nearby woodland. Sensory invitations and silence periods cultivate an embodied relationship with trees, earth and seasonal sounds. Time for solitude and reflective journaling in a quiet clearing.
Equinox ritual: A short, facilitated ceremony to acknowledge transition—letting go of what no longer serves and setting a seed for inner intentions. Participants are invited to write and safely release notes to an outdoor fire or place them in a communal intention box, depending on comfort and weather.
Integration time: Sharing circle, gentle tea, and guided prompts for integrating insights into everyday life. Resources for continuing practices at home are provided.
Who this is for
Women seeking a gentle, nature-based reset at the turning of the season.
Those curious about horse-assisted facilitation and embodied practices but not looking to ride.
Anyone wanting to deepen mindfulness, restore nervous system balance, and cultivate seasonal wisdom.
Logistics
Duration: Daylong (approximately 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) with outdoor breaks; options for shorter half-day sessions available in inclement weather.
Location: Rideau Breeze Stables & Wellness Centre — paddocks, meadow, stable lounge, and accessible woodland trails.
What to bring: Comfortable layers for variable autumn weather, closed-toe shoes suitable for walking, water bottle, journal and yoga mat or blanket. Optional small offering for the ritual (a written note, a simple natural item).
Accessibility: Activities are non-riding and adaptable; please notify us of mobility needs or sensory preferences when registering.
Group size: Intentionally small to ensure meaningful horse interaction and personal attention.
Facilitators Led by experienced equine-assisted facilitators paired with certified yoga and mindfulness teachers. All sessions prioritise safety, consent, trauma-informed practices, and respectful connection with the horses and the land.
Outcome Participants leave with a calmer nervous system, clearer personal intentions for the season, practical tools for at-home meditation and gentle yoga, and renewed connection to self, to horses, and to the autumn landscape.
To register or ask about specific accommodations, contact Rideau Breeze Stables & Wellness Centre. Spaces are limited to preserve a quiet, intimate atmosphere.
To Register https://rideaubreezestablesandwellnesscentre.as.me/?appointmentType=96560063