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Heal with Horses Retreat
An immersive healing weekend for women
{September 25-28, 2025}
Come Home to Yourself
Join Heather Hayward, Immersive Experience Leader and Melissa Costello, Equine Assisted Coach and Counselor of Spiritual Psychology, for a powerful, heart-opening weekend designed exclusively for women ready to release, receive, and reconnect.
Held on sacred land with gentle, intuitive horses as our co-facilitators (no riding involved), this intimate retreat offers the rare opportunity to quiet the mind, open the heart, and access deep healing through somatic practices, horse connection, and intentional space.
Whether you're navigating a life transition, carrying emotional weight, or simply longing for a deeper connection with yourself — this weekend is your invitation to come home to you.
What You'll Experience:
Equine Assisted Coaching Sessions: Connect with horses on the ground (no riding involved) with Melissa's gentle guidance to access embodied insight, emotional clarity, and gentle transformation.
Hands-On Somatic Healing Sessions with Heather and the horses: In co-creation with the horses Heather will help you clear any emotional or physical blockages that are keeping you stuck in certain areas of your life.
Somatic & Reflective Practices: Move beyond your mind and into your body’s wisdom through nature-based, trauma-informed processes and sacred ritual.
Sacred Connection: Be held in a circle of compassionate, like-minded women — sharing, witnessing, and healing together in a safe and nurturing environment.
Time in Nature & with the Herd: Ground into the rhythm of the land, be still with the horses, and myriad of other farm animals like goats, sheep, mini donkeys and let nature work its quiet, healing magic.
Is Your Soul Calling You Here?
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You feel disconnected from your truth or body.
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You crave a soulful reset and space to just breathe.
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You long to be seen, heard and held in safe space
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You have a deep desire to experience peace, presence and internal calm.
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You have a curiosity about the healing power of horses.
Meet Your Guides, Heather & Melissa
Heather Hayward
Heather Hayward is a highly sought after Immersive Experience Leader.
Over her professional career of 40+ years, she has served a diverse clientele, from artists to doctors to Fortune 500 CEOs, with a special focus on entrepreneurs.
Since her start as a results coach in 2003, Heather’s original method of coaching combined with guided meditation & laser targeted inquiry has been foundational to her success.
By utilizing guided meditation as a tool to facilitate deep contemplation, she quickly became renowned as both a results coach & guided meditation leader.
She is co-founder, along with her son, of The Guided Meditation Framework, and The Within Community.
Melissa Costello
Melissa Costello is a Certified Equine-Assisted Coach and Counselor of Spiritual Psychology.
She has been successfully coaching women since 2007 by helping them navigate life’s biggest transitions—whether it’s the ache of an empty nest, the upheaval of divorce, the search for renewed health, or the question of “what’s next?”
Through deep, intuitive work with horses, Melissa supports women in reconnecting with themselves, finding clarity, and stepping into their next chapter with purpose and confidence.
Her unique approach is grounded, compassionate, and rooted in the healing power of nature and presence.
Retreat Details and Rates
Retreat Details + Rates
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3 Nights/4 Days
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Limited to 8 Women
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Located on a beautiful, 30-acre Private Ranch in Buellton, CA (address given upon registration)
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Welcome Dinner at a local farm-to-table on Thursday as a group
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Healthy plant-based lunch on Saturday + Sunday at the ranch
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Two full days of transformative encounters with horses including group Equine Coaching Sessions with Melissa
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Somatic Healing Sessions with Heather and the herd
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Opening and Closing Ceremony.
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Personal attention, camaraderie and inspiration
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Visioning Workshop + Meditations
What's Included:
COST: Early Bird Pricing $3000 per person*
USE CODE: EARLYBIRD500 at checkout for $500 off.
(Price goes up on September 15th to $3500.)
(See FAQ's below for what is included.)
Our Clients Say...
Jaclyn H., Participant
Thank you for your guidance yesterday at the workshop! Your knowledge, confidence, co-leadership and welcoming was much appreciated. I felt safe and supported when I was alone with the horse and you at the end of the day. I was open and curious about making contact with that beautiful soul and although I felt tentative at first, I appreciated the quality of contact the slowing down of my hand movements you encourage brought forward.
Retreat Itinerary
*Schedule is subject to change
Watch this informational video to learn more about what you can expect at the retreat
Heal with Horses Retreat in Santa Barbara Sept 25-28
Frequently asked questions
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