14-Day Costa Rica Horsemanship Experience

Two weeks. Two approaches. One deeper understanding of the horse.

Spend 14 days and 13 nights at Finca Soley during an immersive horse riding retreat in Costa Rica. This unique equestrian experience combines natural horsemanship, liberty training, horse connection, and French classical riding.

During the first week, you will develop communication and trust through groundwork, liberty, bitless riding, and riding with less equipment. The second week brings these foundations into classical horsemanship, focusing on balance, mobility, lightness, biomechanics, and refined communication in the saddle.

Week One –

Natural Horsemanship & Liberty Retreat

Explore the horse’s language through body language, energy, timing, intention, and clear boundaries.

The week combines groundwork, liberty training, horse connection, bitless riding, and obstacles. When suitable for the individual horse-and-rider combination, you may also experience bareback, bridleless, or neck-rope riding.

This Costa Rica retreat also includes a visit to natural hot springs, a mindful trail ride, a farmers market, a farm tour, welcome tea circles, and a special fire ceremony.

Free Weekend –

Rest and Integration

The connecting weekend is intentionally left free, allowing participants, horses, and the Finca Soley team time to rest and reset.

Your accommodation is included, but there is no scheduled program. You can relax by the pool, enjoy quiet time at the finca, explore Costa Rica independently, or use the available kitchen facilities.

Week Two –

French Classical Riding Course

Build on the communication developed during the Liberty Retreat while exploring the principles of French classical riding, natural movement, biomechanics, balance, and lightness.

Daily small-group riding lessons focus on functional arena use, transitions, mobilizing the hindquarters, freeing the shoulders, lateral movements, seat aids, rhythm, and harmony.

Choose between two levels of intensity:

Ride & Stay

Includes one daily small-group classical riding lesson from Monday to Friday, with free time to observe lessons, spend time with the horses, work remotely, arrange independent activities, or relax around the finca.

Classical Intensive

Includes one daily small-group lesson and one private riding lesson from Monday to Friday. This option provides ten riding sessions during the second week and is limited to a maximum of four Intensive participants.

For All Experience Levels

The program welcomes beginners, experienced riders, and horse professionals.

Training is adapted to each participant’s confidence, experience, goals, and individual horse-and-rider combination. You do not need previous experience in liberty or classical horsemanship.

From Connection to Classical Balance

The first week develops communication, awareness, timing, and trust. The second week brings these qualities into the saddle and connects them with balance, mobility, refined aids, and lightness.

Together, the two programs offer a more complete understanding of the horse—from free communication on the ground to harmonious movement under the rider.

Equestrian Yoga

Guests may add our Equestrian Yoga Course for one or both weeks. Each week includes five 90-minute sessions focused on balance, strength, mobility, alignment, and body awareness. Guests booking both weeks receive a total of ten 90-minute sessions.

Yoga is an optional add-on and is not included in the program’s base price. The course is guaranteed to take place, even with only one participant.

Spanish Course

A Conversational Spanish Course is also available during the second week and is especially suitable for guests choosing the Ride & Stay option.

Meet Your Host and Instructor

Isa Avendaño is the founder of Finca Soley and brings more than 25 years of experience in horse training, rehabilitation, natural horsemanship, liberty, and French classical riding.

Her teaching combines practical knowledge of the horse’s body and movement with a deep understanding of communication, psychology, and individual personality. Isa meets each participant at their current level, helping beginners build confidence and experienced horse people refine their timing, awareness, and feel.

At the heart of her work is one goal: to develop horses who are balanced, willing, proud, and genuinely connected with their human partners.

Finca Soley and Our Philosophy

Finca Soley is a family-run equestrian and retreat center in the mountains of Costa Rica, created as a place where horses, people, and nature can thrive together.

Our philosophy is rooted in respect for the horse as an individual. Training should support the horse’s physical health, emotional well-being, confidence, and natural expression—not simply produce obedience or performance.

Our horses receive regular training, thoughtful individual care, social contact, and daily turnout in herds on spacious mountain pastures. We believe that happy, balanced horses become the most generous and honest teachers.

At Finca Soley, horsemanship is not only about learning techniques. It is about developing awareness, responsibility, feel, and a partnership in which both horse and human can grow.

Accommodation

Your stay includes comfortable accommodation in one of our hand-crafted mountain lodges at Finca Soley.

Wake up to birdsong, fresh mountain air, and peaceful views across the Costa Rican highlands. All rooms include quality mattresses, hot showers, regular room service, and access to our pool, gardens, shared dining areas, and relaxing spaces around the finca.

Shared Accommodation – Included

Shared accommodation is included in the base price. Rooms are shared with other guests, with comfortable beds and access to a shared bathroom.

Private Accommodation – Upgrade Available

For guests who prefer more privacy, a limited number of private rooms are available for an additional fee. Depending on the selected room, the bathroom may be private or shared.

Please select the Private Room Upgrade during booking. Private rooms are limited and assigned according to availability.

Fresh, Homemade Meals

Good food is an essential part of your stay at Finca Soley. Our meals are freshly prepared with local ingredients and seasonal produce, including herbs, fruits, and vegetables from our farm whenever available.

Your stay includes:

• Fresh Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Water, coffee, tea, and juice

• Herbal teas from our garden

• One glass of wine or beer with dinner

Our cuisine is colorful, nourishing, and inspired by Costa Rican and international flavors. Meals are enjoyed together in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere overlooking the finca.

We are happy to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary needs. Please inform us about allergies, intolerances, or special requirements when booking so that our kitchen can prepare accordingly.

Meals are included throughout both program weeks, except for the restaurant dinner during the Liberty week, Saturday dinner, and Sunday breakfast and lunch during the free weekend.

Additional alcoholic beverages are not included.

Our School Horses

At the heart of our program are our carefully trained and deeply cared-for school horses. Our herd includes Quarter Horses, Andalusians, Aztecas, and horses of different ages, sizes, personalities, and levels of training.

Many of our horses are experienced in groundwork, liberty, horse connection, bitless riding, bareback riding, and neck-rope work. They are also schooled in lateral movements, transitions, simple changes, classical in-hand work, and selected high-school movements. This allows participants to experience both liberty and French classical riding with suitable schoolmasters.

We carefully match each participant with a suitable horse according to their riding experience, confidence, height, weight, balance, and individual goals. Horse assignments may vary throughout the program so that participants can learn from different horses and experience a range of personalities, movement patterns, and training levels.

Advanced movements such as piaffe or pirouettes are available only to experienced riders when the horse-and-rider combination is suitable. Opportunities for bareback, bitless, bridleless, or neck-rope riding also depend on the participant’s experience, balance, confidence, and the suitability of the horse.

Our priority is always thoughtful, horse-friendly training that protects the horses’ physical and emotional well-being while developing balance, strength, lightness, confidence, and a genuine connection between horse and human.

Program Booking Terms & Conditions

Please read the following terms carefully before confirming your booking.

1. Payment and Booking

• A non-refundable deposit, as shown for the selected package is required to secure your booking.

• The remaining balance is due no later than 10 days before arrival.

• Your reservation is confirmed only after the deposit has been received.

• By completing your booking, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.

2. Cancellation and Refund Policy

• All payments are non-refundable.

• No refunds are provided for cancellations, late arrivals, early departures, no-shows, missed activities, or unused services.

• We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, medical care, and unexpected travel interruptions.

3. Rescheduling

If you cannot attend your booked dates, you may transfer your booking once to another available program date within 12 months of the original arrival date.

Rescheduling must be requested before the original program begins and is subject to availability. Any price difference for the new dates or selected add-ons must be paid by the participant.

4. Horses, Activities and Program Changes

Horse assignments and activities are determined by Finca Soley according to each participant’s experience, height, weight, balance, confidence, and physical condition.

The welfare of our horses always comes first. We reserve the right to adjust horse assignments, riding activities, lesson content, excursions, or the daily schedule when required by weather, horse welfare, safety, or other circumstances beyond our control.

Missed activities resulting from a participant’s late arrival, personal decision, health condition, or inability to participate are non-refundable.

5. Safety and Community Guidelines

Participants must follow all safety instructions and treat the horses, staff, other guests, facilities, and local community with respect.

Finca Soley reserves the right to end a participant’s riding activities or stay if their behavior creates a safety risk, compromises horse welfare, or seriously violates our house and community guidelines. In such cases, no refund will be issued.

6. Personal Responsibility

Participants are responsible for informing us before arrival about relevant medical conditions, allergies, injuries, dietary requirements, riding concerns, and any other information that may affect their safe participation.

Participation in equestrian activities involves inherent risks. All participants must complete and sign our rider information and liability forms before taking part in horse activities.

By completing your booking, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.

For Riding and Horse Activities

• Riding pants

• Closed riding boots or sturdy shoes with a small heel

• Riding helmet, if available

• Riding gloves, if preferred

• Comfortable clothes suitable for groundwork and liberty

• Light, long-sleeved shirts for sun and insect protection

Riding helmets are available at Finca Soley if you prefer not to bring your own.

For Yoga and Daily Comfort

• Comfortable clothing suitable for yoga if you booked the Yoga Add-on

• Light layers for cooler mornings and evenings

• Swimwear

• Comfortable casual clothing

Yoga mats are provided.

Footwear and Outdoor Activities

• Sneakers or comfortable walking shoes

• Sandals or flip-flops

• Light rain jacket

• Sun hat or cap

Sun and Insect Protection

• Sunscreen

• Insect repellent

Personal Essentials

• Personal toiletries

• Any required medication

• Small personal first-aid kit

• Reusable water bottle

• Small backpack

• Flashlight or headlamp

• Notebook and pen

Please bring suitable clothing for the hot springs, farmers market, trail ride, and outdoor activities.

Please book your flight to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) near San José, Costa Rica.

We recommend arriving in the morning or by 2:00 PM at the latest to join the scheduled group transfer to Finca Soley. Our driver will meet you at the airport holding a Finca Soley sign.

If you are traveling from overseas, you may prefer to arrive one day before the retreat to rest after your journey. You can book an extra night at Finca Soley or stay at a hotel in San José or near the airport.

Please send us your complete flight details as soon as your travel arrangements are confirmed.

For the well-being of our horses and to ensure a safe and harmonious riding experience, we have the following weight guidelines:

Beginner riders should not exceed 80 kg (176 lbs).

Fit and experienced riders may be accepted up to 90 kg (198 lbs), depending on riding ability, balance, fitness, and overall physical condition.

To ensure accurate horse-and-rider matching, we have a scale at Finca Soley, and all riders will be weighed privately upon arrival. If the information provided during booking differs significantly from the recorded weight, we may need to adjust or limit mounted activities.

As every horse-and-rider combination is individual, we reserve the right to assess suitability case by case. When mounted riding is not suitable, we may offer groundwork, in-hand work, liberty, or theory-based alternatives.

Thank you for helping us protect the health and well-being of our horses.

Both programs can also be booked separately as a 7-day / 6-night experience:

• Horse Connection & Liberty Retreat – Natural horsemanship, liberty, bitless riding, local experiences, and retreat elements.

• Classical Horsemanship Course – Choose between Ride & Stay with one daily group lesson or Intensive with an additional private lesson each day.

Please visit the dedicated booking page for your preferred one-week program.

Arrival and Welcome

3:00 PM – Farm Tour
Join us for a walk through our tropical mountain farm and discover some of the edible and medicinal plants we grow here.

4:30 PM – Tea Meditation
A peaceful moment to settle, breathe, and connect with this magical place.

6:30 PM – Dinner
Enjoy a fresh, nourishing welcome dinner and meet the other participants.

Introduction workshop and Riding

6:15 AM – Morning Tea

6:30 AM – Equestrian Yoga
For guests who have booked the Yoga Add-on.

8:00 AM – Breakfast

9:00 AM – Horsemanship Introduction Workshop
Discover the foundations of our horsemanship approach, including equine communication, body language, energy, timing, intention, and clear boundaries. This workshop creates a shared understanding and prepares you for the practical horse connection, groundwork, liberty, and riding sessions throughout the week.

12:00 PM – Lunch

3:00 PM – Riding Lesson
Get to know your horse and understand how our horses are trained, how they respond to signals, and how we communicate through seat, energy, body language, and clear aids.

The lesson is adapted to each rider’s experience and horse-and-rider combination. Less-experienced riders generally begin bitless, while experienced riders may ride with a bit when appropriate. This first session creates a clear foundation for the riding experiences throughout the week.

6:00 PM – Dinner

One-Rein Riding and Connection with the Herd

6:15 AM – Morning Tea

6:30 AM – Equestrian Yoga
For guests who have booked the Yoga Add-on.

8:00 AM – Breakfast

9:00 AM – One-Rein Riding Lesson
Explore riding with one rein and learn how to guide your horse through energy, body language, seat, and clear intention from the saddle. Riders are divided into groups of no more than four.

11:00 AM – Theory Session: Horse Psychology
Learn more about equine behavior, communication, and how horses perceive and respond to the world around them.

12:00 PM – Lunch

3:00 PM – Horse Connection with the Herd
Join the herd on the pasture, observe the horses’ natural communication, and experience what their social behavior and dynamics can teach us.

6:00 PM – Dinner

Mindful Trail Ride and Orosi Hot Springs

6:15 AM – Morning Tea

6:30 AM – Equestrian Yoga
For guests who have booked the Yoga Add-on.

8:00 AM – Breakfast

9:00 AM – Mindful Trail Ride
Connect with your equine partner while discovering the beautiful surroundings of Finca Soley. This relaxed trail ride lasts approximately 45 minutes, with the possibility to canter when trail conditions, rider experience, and horse-and-rider matching allow.

11:00 AM – Early Lunch

12:00 PM – Orosi Hot Springs
Travel through the Costa Rican highlands, passing beautiful Lake Cachí on the way to the natural volcanic hot springs of Orosi.

Relax in the thermal pools and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Transportation, entrance fees, and a self guided coffee tour are included.

6:00 PM – Dinner

Obstacles and Riding in Freedom

6:15 AM – Morning Tea

6:30 AM – Equestrian Yoga
For guests who have booked the Yoga Add-on.

8:00 AM – Breakfast

9:00 AM – Obstacles and Tackless Riding
Explore communication, confidence, and precision through obstacle exercises before transferring these skills into riding with less equipment.

Depending on experience and the suitability of each horse-and-rider combination, participants may experience bitless, bareback, bridleless, or neck-rope riding. Riders are divided into groups of no more than four.

11 AM: Theory Lessons on horse psychology

12:00 PM – Lunch

Afternoon – Free Time
Relax by the pool, observe the herd, spend time around the finca, or simply rest.

Massages and additional private riding lessons may be booked in advance, subject to availability.

6:00 PM – Dinner

Liberty, Local Culture and Fire Ceremony

6:15 AM – Morning Tea

6:30 AM – Equestrian Yoga
For guests who have booked the Yoga Add-on.

8:00 AM – Breakfast

9:00 AM – Liberty Workshop
Explore communication without ropes through body language, energy, timing, intention, and clear boundaries. Each participant receives individual time working with a horse at liberty while the group learns through observation.

12:00 PM – Lunch

2:00 PM – Local Farmers Market
Visit a traditional Costa Rican farmers market, discover tropical fruits and local products, and experience everyday life in the nearby town.

6:00 PM – Dinner at a Local Restaurant
Enjoy the final evening together at a local restaurant. Dinner and beverages are not included and are paid directly by each guest.

8:00 AM – Breakfast

Morning – Optional Extra Riding Lesson
Guests may book an additional riding lesson in advance, subject to horse and instructor availability.

12:00 PM – Lunch

Afternoon – Your Choice
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon by the pool, spend time around the finca, or choose an optional local experience such as:

• White-water rafting

• Chocolate tour

• Botanical garden

• Independent sightseeing

We are happy to help you select and arrange your activity. Optional tours, transportation, and entrance fees are not included.

Evening – Free Time
Saturday dinner is not included. Guests may use the available kitchen facilities, order food, or visit a local restaurant.

Free Sunday and Welcome to Week Two

Morning and Afternoon – Explore or Relax

Sunday breakfast and lunch are not included. Use the kitchen facilities, order food, or explore local dining options.

Spend the day relaxing by the pool and around the finca, or choose an optional experience such as white-water rafting, a chocolate tour, a botanical garden, or another local activity.

We are happy to assist with reservations and transportation. Optional tours, entrance fees, meals, and transportation are paid separately by each guest.

Evening – Welcome Dinner

Join the arriving Classical Horsemanship group for dinner and prepare for the second week of your experience. Dinner is included.

Foundations of Classical Horsemanship

6:15 AM – Morning Tea

6:30 AM – Equestrian Yoga
For guests who have booked the Yoga Add-on.

8:00 AM – Breakfast

9:00 AM – Foundation Theory Session
An introduction to natural movement, balance, biomechanics, and the purpose of lateral movements in developing mobility and lightness.

10:30 AM – Small-Group Riding Lesson: Corners and Lines
Learn how to use the riding arena effectively and functionally. We explore how correctly ridden corners, lines, and changes of direction improve preparation, balance, and communication between horse and rider.

12:00 PM – Lunch

Afternoon – Private Riding Lessons
Individual lessons for guests booked on the

Classical Intensive Package. Personal lesson times will be provided on site.

Ride & Stay guests can observe the lessons, spend time at the barn, work remotely, relax by the pool, or enjoy free time.

6:00 PM – Dinner

Transitions and Balance

6:15 AM – Morning Tea

6:30 AM – Equestrian Yoga
For guests who have booked the Yoga Add-on.

8:00 AM – Breakfast

Morning – Private Riding Lessons
Individual lessons for guests booked on the Classical Intensive Package. Personal lesson times will be provided on site.

10:30 AM – Small-Group Riding Lesson: Transitions
Explore how thoughtful transitions improve attention, responsiveness, rhythm, and balance. We focus on preparing each transition clearly and maintaining connection before, during, and after it.

12:00 PM – Lunch

Afternoon – Private Riding Lessons and Free Time
Private lessons continue according to the individual schedule. Ride & Stay guests can observe the lessons, spend time at the barn, work remotely, or relax around the finca.

6:00 PM – Dinner

Mobilize the Hindquarters to Free the Shoulders

6:15 AM – Morning Tea

6:30 AM – Equestrian Yoga
For guests who have booked the Yoga Add-on.

8:00 AM – Breakfast

Morning – Private Riding Lessons
Individual lessons for guests booked on the Classical Intensive Package. Personal lesson times will be provided on site.

10:30 AM – Small-Group Riding Lesson: Separating the Forehand and Hindquarters
Learn how to influence and mobilize the horse’s forehand and hindquarters independently. Through carefully selected exercises, we bring more activity to the hind legs, improve control of the shoulders, and help the horse develop greater mobility, balance, and freedom of movement.

12:00 PM – Lunch

Afternoon – Private Riding Lessons and Free Time
Private lessons continue according to the individual schedule. Ride & Stay guests can observe the lessons, spend time at the barn, work remotely, or relax around the finca.

6:00 PM – Dinner

Lateral Movements

6:15 AM – Morning Tea

6:30 AM – Equestrian Yoga
For guests who have booked the Yoga Add-on.

8:00 AM – Breakfast

Morning – Private Riding Lessons
Individual lessons for guests booked on the Classical Intensive Package. Personal lesson times will be provided on site.

10:30 AM – Small-Group Riding Lesson: Lateral Movements
Building on the previous day’s work, we explore lateral movements to improve suppleness, coordination, and balance. Exercises are adapted to each horse-and-rider combination and may include shoulder-in, travers, renvers, or leg-yield.

12:00 PM – Lunch

Afternoon – Private Riding Lessons and Free Time
Private lessons continue according to the individual schedule. Ride & Stay guests can observe the lessons, spend time at the barn, work remotely, or relax around the finca.

6:00 PM – Dinner

Moving Together in Harmony

6:15 AM – Morning Tea

6:30 AM – Equestrian Yoga
For guests who have booked the Yoga Add-on.

8:00 AM – Breakfast

Morning – Private Riding Lessons
Individual lessons for guests booked on the Classical Intensive Package. On this day, all private lessons take place during the morning. Personal lesson times will be provided on site.

12:00 PM – Lunch

3:00 PM – Final Small-Group Riding Session
Bring the elements of the week together through rhythm, flow, awareness, and harmonious movement.

Participants may choose to conclude their riding week with a relaxed 45-minute trail ride. Participation depends on weather, trail conditions, riding experience, and suitable horse-and-rider matching.

6:00 PM – Farewell Dinner at a Local Restaurant
Celebrate the final evening together and reflect on the experiences and progress of both weeks.

Breakfast and Departure

8:00 AM – Breakfast

Enjoy a relaxed final breakfast at Finca Soley. Check-out is by 11:00 AM.

Scheduled group transfers to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) will be coordinated according to participants’ flight times.

Guests wishing to stay beyond 11:00 AM can book an additional night, subject to availability. Additional riding lessons may also be arranged in advance, depending on horse and instructor availability.