Natural Horsemanship & Liberty Retreat 2027

A week of connection, communication, and mindful horsemanship.

Spend seven days in the mountains of Costa Rica exploring natural horsemanship, liberty work, bitless riding, and the subtle language of horses.

Through practical horse work, time in nature, local experiences, and space to relax, you can develop your horsemanship while reconnecting with yourself.

Horse Connection and Training Approach

Throughout the week, you will experience groundwork, liberty, horse connection, and riding.

Learn to communicate through body language, energy, timing, intention, and clear boundaries. Beginning with groundwork, we develop the communication needed for liberty and explore how these principles transfer into bitless, bareback, or neck-rope riding.

The goal is to create a shared language and a willing, attentive, and confident partnership with the horse.

For All Experience Levels

The retreat welcomes complete beginners, experienced riders, and horse professionals.

All exercises are adapted to your confidence, experience, and individual horse-and-human combination. Whether you want to feel safer around horses, refine your groundwork, experience liberty, or explore bridleless riding, we meet you where you are.

Small Groups, Individual Guidance

The retreat is limited to eight participants, with no more than four riders in each mounted session. This allows us to divide participants according to experience and provide focused guidance in a calm environment.

More Than a Riding Vacation

This retreat combines horsemanship with nature, relaxation, reflection, and authentic Costa Rican life.

The week includes natural hot springs, a farmers market, a farm tour, and a mindful trail ride. Welcome tea circles and a special fire ceremony create space to arrive, connect, and reflect.

There is also time to relax by the pool, observe the herd, and enjoy the peaceful rhythm of Finca Soley.

Horse Connection & Liberty Training

Experience a quieter, more precise way of working with horses, based on soft communication, clear intention, and thoughtful timing.

Working closely with one horse throughout the week allows you to notice the small details: how your energy influences movement, how timing creates understanding, and how clarity builds trust.

Liberty

At liberty, there are no ropes and nothing to hold on to—only your presence, clarity, and consistency.

Communication becomes visible as the horse responds freely and chooses to remain connected.

A week to connect with horses, yourself, and nature—to reset, learn, and grow.

Guests may add our Equestrian Yoga Course, including five 90-minute sessions focused on balance, strength, mobility, alignment, and body awareness.

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

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 works with each participant from where they are, 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 retreat’s base price. Rooms are shared with other retreat participants, 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

• Homemade 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.

Additional alcoholic beverages are not included.

Our School Horses

At the heart of this retreat 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 experience.

Many of our horses are trained in groundwork, liberty, body-language communication, bitless riding, bareback riding, and neck-rope work. Their different personalities allow participants to experience how communication must be adapted to the individual horse.

Liberty, bareback, and bridleless riding are offered according to each participant’s experience, confidence, and suitability of the horse-and-rider combination. Our priority is always thoughtful, horse-friendly training based on trust, clarity, balance, and mutual understanding.

Retreat Booking Terms & Conditions

Please read the following terms carefully before confirming your booking.

1. Payment and Booking

• A non-refundable deposit 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 retreat date within 12 months of the original arrival date.

Rescheduling must be requested before the original retreat 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.

Our programs are designed to be combined. Join the Horse Connection & Liberty Retreat followed by the Classical Horsemanship Course for a complete 14-day horsemanship experience.

Your extended stay includes both programs, accommodation during the free weekend between courses, and a special combination price.

Book the 14-Day Complete Horsemanship Experience through its dedicated booking page.

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

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 horse lessons may also be arranged in advance, depending on horse and instructor availability.