Horses & Ocean Magic
Horses & Ocean Magic is an intimate, grounding, and deeply restorative experience designed for women who are ready to soften, release, and reconnect — to themselves, to nature, and to the quiet wisdom of horses.
Set on the breathtaking San Juan Island, you’ll spend your days surrounded by rolling fields, salt air, and a loving herd of six horses — from a playful one-month-old foal to a wise senior matriarch who carries decades of gentle knowing. Each horse offers a unique mirror, inviting you into presence, truth, and compassion.
The heart of the weekend is Equine Assisted Learning led by licensed therapist Kristin Fernald. In these powerful, on-the-ground experiences, you’ll work one-on-one or with small groups of horses to gently explore emotional patterns, boundaries, self-worth, and relationships. Horses respond to authenticity — helping you regulate your nervous system, gain insight, and feel safely held just as you are.
Liberty Work — Connection Without Force
With clinician Sus Kellogg, you’ll experience liberty work — partnering with horses without ropes, bridles, or pressure. Through breath, body language, and intention, you’ll learn what true connection feels like when trust leads the way. Many women describe this work as profoundly empowering and healing — a quiet dance between horse and human.
All horse experiences are ground-based. No riding.
Deepening the Healing
Breathwork, Meditation & Cold Immersion
Guided by Natalie King, you’ll be supported through breathwork, meditation, and optional cold immersion practices designed to build resilience, presence, and inner strength. Over the weekend, you can gently acclimate in a portable cold plunge and warm up in a cozy sauna — with the option to culminate in a guided ocean plunge.
On Sunday, those who feel called may join an optional ocean cold plunge at South Beach, where a portable sauna will be waiting on the sand to welcome you back into warmth.
Nourishment for the Soul (and the Senses)
Invite beauty, creativity, and awe:
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Friday: Picnic lunch at Lime Kiln Point — one of the best whale-watching locations in the U.S.
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Saturday: Visit the Alchemy Art Center during the San Juan Island Artists’ Studio Tour, with opportunities to meet local artists and collect meaningful art.
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Sunday: South Beach outing for the optional ocean plunge.
(Transportation Provided)
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For those who desire deeper individual care, optional offerings are available:
Somatic Therapy with Rose Blair, LMFT
Rose specializes in trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and neurodivergence, offering private somatic sessions for women seeking deeper nervous system healing.
Learn more or book directly: https://wiseselfwellness.com/Healing Arts with Helen Halverson
Local artist and healer Helen offers sound healing baths, full-body cupping with massage, and custom bath teas infused with herbs and healing crystals.
Explore options and schedule separately: https://lightworksstudios.com/-
Breakfast and dinner will be lovingly catered daily on-site by a local chef
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Vegan and vegetarian options available
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Participants are responsible for their own lunches
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Workshops are full-day experiences; overnight accommodations are booked separately
(See the Travel Guide for recommended lodging)
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This retreat is for women who are ready to be met with gentleness.
For those who feel most themselves beside a horse.
For those who know that healing doesn’t always come from words — but from presence, breath, and connection.
✨ You don’t need to be “fixed.”
✨ You don’t need experience with horses.
✨ You just need to come as you are.
Travel Info
If you're coming from out-of-state, it’s recommended you fly into SEA (Seattle-Tacoma) airport in Washington. From there, you can either drive or take a shuttle to the ferry landing in Anacortes, WA, and board a Washington State Ferry that will take you to Friday Harbor. You can also get to the island by taking a small plane or seaplane from Seattle.
Washington state ferry reservations–if you’re driving, you will need a ferry reservation from Anancortes to Friday Harbor. Here is the ferry website: https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries
If you prefer to fly to the island: You can book an island flight through Kenmore Air–be sure to tell them you want to include the shuttle to take you from SeaTac to Boeing Field, which is where the wheeled island flights depart. You could also take a marina flight (float plane) that departs from Seattle’s Lake Union and lands at the Friday Harbor Marina. Here’s Kenmore Air: https://kenmoreair.com/
You will need accommodations for your stay. You can find an extensive list here: https://www.visitsanjuans.com/stay-san-juan-island
If enough attendees (10 or more) book at Earthbox Inn & Spa, everyone will be given a 10% discount if booked directly. They are the first result on the visit San Juan page. After booking just call the hotel and ask to be added to my group.
You can call their front desk at 360.378.400 ext 1 (not valid with any other discounts or specials or on third party bookings like Expedia or Booking.com)
For more information, refer to the visitor’s guide: https://www.visitsanjuans.com/getting-here
Retreat Schedule
Thursday Evening — Arrival & Welcome
June 4
5:30–7:00 pm
Welcome Dinner at the Farm
Arrive, settle in, and enjoy a relaxed dinner together. Meet the instructors, connect with fellow participants, and ease into the retreat environment.
7:30–9:00 pm
Optional Movie Night
A cozy, low-key evening to unwind, rest, and gently transition into retreat mode.
(No processing, no expectations—just comfort and community.)
Daily Rhythm (Friday & Saturday)
Each full day follows a gentle, intentional flow with core experiences held in the morning and afternoon, spacious midday breaks, and quiet, unstructured evenings for integration.
Friday — Arrival, Horses & Whales
June 5
8:00–9:00 am
Breakfast
9:00–9:20 am
Morning circle
9:30–10:30 am
Liberty Work with Horses
Whole-group demonstration and experiential learning focused on presence, communication, and trust
(On-the-ground only • no riding)
11:00 am–1:00 pm
Small-Group Sessions (Groups A & B)
• Equine Connections-Equine Assisted Learning
• Breathwork, Meditation & Cold Immersion
(Groups will switch later in the day)
1:00–3:00 pm
Picnic Lunch & Outing at Lime Kiln
Lunch at one of the best whale-watching spots in the U.S., with time to hike, explore the shoreline, or watch for orcas.
Return to the farm at 3:00 pm (10-minute drive).
3:15–5:15 pm
Small-Group Sessions (Groups switch)
• Equine Connections
• Breathwork, Meditation & Cold Immersion
5:15 pm onward
Unstructured integration time
Quiet reflection, journaling, sauna (warm only), rest
6:30–7:30 pm
Dinner
Evenings are intentionally quiet and unscheduled.
Saturday — Depth, Creativity & Choice
June 6
8:00–9:00 am
Breakfast
9:00–9:20 am
Morning circle
9:30–10:30 am
Liberty Work with Horses
11:00 am–1:00 pm
Small-Group Sessions (Groups A & B)
• Equine Connections
• Breathwork, Meditation & Cold Immersion
1:00–2:00 pm
Lunch at the farm
2:00–3:00 pm
Visit to Alchemy Art Center
Part of the San Juan Island Artists’ Studio Tour
Return to the farm at 3:00 pm (5-minute drive).
3:15–5:15 pm
Small-Group Sessions (Groups switch)
• Equine Connections
• Breathwork, Meditation & Cold Immersion
5:15 pm onward
Unstructured integration time
6:30–7:30 pm
Dinner
Evenings remain quiet, reflective, and optional.
Sunday — Integration, Ceremony & Closing
June 7
8:00–9:00 am
Breakfast
9:00–9:20 am
Morning check-in
9:30 am–12:00 pm
Small-Group Horse Experiences
• Liberty Work with Horses
• Equine Connections
An intimate closing experience with the herd.
12:00–1:00 pm
Lunch
1:30–3:30 pm (Optional)
Guided Ocean Cold Plunge at South Beach
Breathwork, ocean immersion, and warming sauna on the sand.
Participation is always optional.
3:30 pm
Return to the farm
4:00–5:00 pm
Closing Circle at the Farm
A gentle, reflective gathering to integrate the experience and close the retreat together.
A Note on Choice & Care
This retreat is designed to support deep transformation without pressure or hurry. Participation in all activities is optional, and rest is always welcome.
REGISTRATION IS LIMITED.