Self Connection Through Equine Wisdom Retreat

A three-day return to yourself—guided by horses on healing land

September 25-27, 2026 (Fri-Sun)

HapBE Valley, just outside Asheville, NC · Limited to 8 women

About the Retreat

Come home to yourself.

Our signature three-day retreat offers a grounded, experiential path to self-discovery through connection with horses. This retreat draws on principles from neuroscience, nervous system regulation, and equine experiential learning. It creates space to slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with who you are underneath the roles you play.

This retreat provides a supportive container where you can explore self-trust and self-compassion through:

Equine-guided experiential sessions with our herd
Nervous system regulation practices and embodied awareness work
Group process and reflection time in a small, intimate setting
Farm-to-table, chef-prepared lunches
Time in nature — by the pond, on the trail, among the horses, goats, and beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains

Katherine Finley, MA, MSW — Equine-Assisted Transformational Coach
Katherine holds a Master’s in Social Work from Smith College and a Master’s in Applied Healing Arts from Tai Sophia University. She spent five years as an equine therapist specializing in trauma, and is a certified Spiritual Coach through Awakened Academy and certified in Equine Experiential Learning through Barbara Alexander’s Epona Ridge program. Through her work with horses, Katherine helps people reconnect with their authentic voice, set clear boundaries, and align with their most genuine selves.

Keren Levy — Eponaquest Certified Equine-Guided Coach and Homeopath
Keren is an Eponaquest Certified equine-guided coach who facilitates innovative sessions, inviting people to engage with our horses in a natural setting to gain valuable insight and self-awareness. Her mission is to nurture emotional wellbeing and foster personal growth through homeopathy and equine-guided coaching. She believes in the power of authentic connection and holistic approaches to healing, creating a safe space for people of all ages to explore their innermost selves and embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Why Attend / Who Is This For?

Reconnect with your authentic self, away from the noise of daily life
Let the horses help you discover your patterns and limiting beliefs through honest, nonjudgmental feedback
Learn to recognize and work with your nervous system’s patterns
Gain clarity on what matters most, and what’s next
Build genuine connection with other women on a similar path

This retreat is for you if you are feeling called to slow down, pause and gain clarity. Whether you’re navigating a life transition, or simply considering what’s next, growth and transformation await. You don’t need any horse experience—just a willingness to BE present.

What’s Included

Three days of equine-facilitated learning work guided by Katherine and Keren
Farm-to-table lunch each day, prepared by a private chef with an Ayurvedic-inspired approach using local, seasonal ingredients
Time in nature for reflection, journaling, grounding, and connection with yourself and other women on a similar path

What’s Not Included

Flights and travel to/from Asheville (AVL) — conveniently served by direct flights from 26 cities.
Transportation to and from HapBE Valley
Lodging – You can choose from a wide selection of hotels, Airbnbs and Bed and Breakfasts.
Enhancements, including private massage/bodywork and reiki/energy healing sessions.

The Schedule

Arrival: The retreat begins at 9:00 AM on Friday morning, when we gather as a group to start building our container together. Please plan your travel so you can arrive by then.
Daily Rhythm: Each day begins at 9:00 AM and blends equine-facilitated experiential learning sessions with group and 1:1 time with the horses, plus time to process and integrate as a group. Midday brings a longer, unhurried 60-minute lunch — time to get to know each other, or to walk, stretch, journal, and reflect. Afternoons continue with sessions until around 5:00 PM, when we make our way back to our accommodations.
Meals: Lunches are farm-to-table, catered, and served on the HapBE Valley property. Coffee, tea, other beverages, and healthy snacks are available throughout your time with us in the Event Barn.
Departure: The retreat closes Sunday at 5:00 PM. Please arrange flights so you’re here through the closing of our container.

Enhancements

Extend your healing with optional private add-on sessions, available before or after the retreat:

Reiki & Energy Healing with Horses — Upon Request
Massage & Bodywork — Upon Request

Space for these sessions is limited — we recommend booking early.

Lodging

Asheville is about 20 minutes door-to-door from HapBE Valley, so you have your pick of where to rest your head each night. Many guests love treating themselves to a bit of luxury downtown, with easy access to Asheville’s restaurants — and if you have an extra day before or after the retreat, downtown Asheville and the revived River Arts District are wonderful places to explore.

Prefer something quieter and closer to nature? Asheville’s historic Victorian bed and breakfasts offer their own kind of charm, or you can stay just minutes from the farm in one of the many nearby Airbnbs.

The Land

HapBE Valley sits at the base of Hanlon Mountain (3,189 ft), less than 20 minutes from downtown Asheville — a generational family property recently turned into an equine and wellness farm. Rolling pastures, a mile-long perimeter walking trail that crosses a quiet stream running partly through the forest, a spring-fed pond, and long-range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, including Mount Mitchell (the highest peak east of the Mississippi), all invite you to slow down and reconnect.

You’ll spend time in our event barn and work down in the valley with the herd. We have a covered arena in case of inclement weather, and quiet fire pits and seating areas dot the property, offering corners for reflection between sessions.

Testimonials

Wow!!! I can say my experience at HapBe Valley with the herd was truly transformational for me. It felt like sacred space from the minute you arrive. I felt honored that the herd let me join them!! I did a 3 day equine retreat in one of the most healing and magnificently beautiful spaces that I've ever experienced!! The facilitators of the workshop were excellent!! The creation of this magical place came from the genuine experiences the owners Jennifer & Jason had received through horse medicine. Everyone, including, the goats and dogs were so welcoming! I can't wait to go back for Saturday yoga & meditation!!! Thank you for sharing your hearts!!

HapBE Valley is a very special place. I attended the three-day Self Discovery retreat not knowing what an equine guided, introspective experience would be. Upon arrival I was struck by the beauty of the land. The mountains stretched out against the sky and the land was filled with the gentle sounds of horses and cows. The quiet of the valley the farm resides in holds a restorative energy that invokes rest and renewal. One of the most powerful aspects of the retreat were the women leading our experience. Their extensive knowledge, compassion, and authenticity made it easy to drop into reflection and open to healing. And then there are the horses. They held space for us in the most magical way.Their silent communication offered insight that goes far beyond language. Each one shared their natural wisdom, intuition, and honesty in their own way. Interaction with them was deeply moving and truly transformative. HapBE Valley reflects not only the sacredness of nature, but also the light of owners, Jennifer and Jason. They are kind, heart centered hosts whose love for the land and their herd shines through in every detail of the farm. The Self Discovery retreat was more than a peaceful getaway. It was a profoundly meaningful experience that has been truly life changing.

Some places are peaceful. Hapbe Valley felt sacred. I went into this three-day retreat hoping for rest and connection, but what I experienced was so much deeper than that. From the moment I arrived, there was this quiet energy that made it feel safe to slow down, breathe, and just exist without all the noise of everyday life. The horses were incredible, but not because they performed or “did” anything. Their presence alone was grounding. They respond to energy in such an honest way that it really forces you to be present with yourself. There’s something deeply humbling about standing beside an animal that sees straight through whatever walls you came in with. Every interaction felt meaningful and left me reflecting long after the moment had passed. What I appreciated most was that nothing about the retreat felt forced or performative. The spirituality of it all happened naturally. It was in the stillness of the hills in the morning, the horses around us, the crows overhead, the deer and groundhogs appearing quietly nearby, the cows grazing in the distance, and the moments of silence where nobody felt the need to fill the space with noise. It also created connection in a way that’s hard to explain. People came in carrying completely different stories and somehow left feeling seen, understood, and lighter. This retreat reminded me how disconnected we can become from ourselves without even realizing it. Hapbe Valley gave me space to reconnect — spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. I left feeling calmer, more grounded, and genuinely grateful for the experience. This wasn’t just a retreat. It felt like a reset for my soul.

Investment & Reservation

Total Investment: $1,900

To reserve your space, we require a 50% deposit. The remaining 50% is due 60 days before the retreat. If you cancel with at least 30 days’ notice, we’ll refund 50% of your payment. Cancellations within 30 days of the retreat will only be refunded in full if we’re able to fill your spot. Thank you for your understanding — with such an intimate group, each reservation holds a place that matters.

Because this retreat is intentionally small, we invite you to connect with us for a brief call before reserving your place.

It’s a gentle opportunity to ask questions, get to know one another, and make sure this experience feels like the right place for all.