CONVERSATIONS: THE PRACTICE OF LISTENING
Encouraging and constructing the mindset to build Quality Equine Partnerships
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THE RETREAT EXPERIENCE
The Missing Link in Equine Partnerships
For the last three decades as an equine professional, Samantha Harvey has seen and helped riders worldwide. From addressing equine-related fear issues, rider insecurities, horse-related traumas, self-improvement, competitive equestrians, pleasure horseback riders, and everyone in between.
It became apparent to Sam that they all shared one common symptomatic frustration...
The feeling of not being "heard" by their horse. Irrelevant of their background or experience this single missing factor prevented quality communication between horse and human.
To be heard equestrians must first refine their ability to listen to both human and equine communication. In today's fast-paced society, multi-tasking environment, people easily get lost in the chaos of their thoughts, overwhelmed with emotions, and defeated by stresses. All of this contributes to limiting their availability to "hear," believe and address the equine partner.
This fundamental missing link leads to a disconnect, hopefulness, and a multitude of unwanted scenarios and experiences with the horse.
Nowadays the best way Sam has found to help horses is to better educate equine enthusiasts who are committed to evolving, growing, searching, trying, and experimenting.
For those who offer themselves the space to grow without being contained by society's imposing and confining expectations, the quality of the equine partnership is limitless.
The intention of The Equine Retreat is to create unique, personal, self-exploration opportunities to build skills and refine the human/equine relationship.
THOUGHT-BASED APPROACH
Help for You and Your Horse
YOGA BASED BODY LISTENING
Learn practical, straightforward techniques to help your mind reconnect with your body to raise your awareness, improve your balance, and finesse your communication with the horse.
EQUINE BASED HERD LISTENING
Daily practices of Listening to the Herd
The group of eight horses will include an alpha, an insecure, a confident, an aloof, and a miniature horse. Plus opportunity to learn from a mustang and a rescue horse.
GROUP BASED LISTENING ACTIVITIES
Learn how Distractions, Doubts, Defensiveness, and Disassociation are limiting your ability to listen, recognize, and understand your horse.
PRO-ACTIVE LISTENING PRACTICES
Learn how to recognize and rein in your Distraction Triggers and replace them with realistic skills to refine your awareness and communication when with your horse.
RED MOUNTAIN RESORT
1275 E. Red Mountain Circle
Ivins, Utah, United States
84738
Private Deluxe Room
Wherever your Red Mountain adventure takes you, all the comforts and amenities you need to relax and recharge await you at the end of the day.
Deluxe rooms are conveniently located to all amenities and situated around a private negative-edge pool and whirlpool. Each of our St. George, Utah accommodations feature earth tones and eco-friendly materials that complement the astonishing red rock mountains surrounding the resort, and all rooms are non-smoking.
In addition to complimentary WiFi, computers are available in the guest lounge for your full use (including boarding pass printing), plus laundry facilities and ice machines.
THE HORSE EXPERIENCE
Herd Observation: Learning to Listen
Varying from an individual horse to herd observation, participants will spend two hours daily learning to recognize patterns in their behaviors and triggers in their anticipative thoughts.
These two major contributors limit a person from being mentally present and available to hear the communication offered by the horse.
By eliminating the familiarity of hands-on activity with the horses, participants will have a unique opportunity for self-reflection of their own projections upon their emotional reactions to the horses.
Samantha Harvey will lead the daily equine herd observation experience at J-N-A Roping & Stable facility just a short seven miles from the Red Mountain Resort and Spa. This will be an amazing opportunity to help students refine their mindsets, emotions, and energy.
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DAILY SCHEDULE
The Equine Retreat- Conversations: The Practice of Listening
Each day of the retreat will build upon the next to help participants raise their awareness, refine their mental availability towards the horse, and offer intentional communication.
7:45-8:45am
BREAKFAST
Enjoy the casual southwest elegance of Red Mountain’s Canyon Breeze Restaurant in St. George, Utah, which offers spectacular views, outdoor patio seating, and an indoor double-sided fireplace. Inclusive meal buffet or special order available.
9:00-9:30am
DAILY THEME DISCUSSION
Each day will have different Daily Themes that participants will learn are affecting and influencing their equine partnership. It will be incorporated into all of that day's activities and learning.
The themes covered will include:
*Distractions
*Doubts
*Defensiveness
*Disassociation
These themes will be addressed throughout the day to help participants understand how to become mentally available to listen when with the horse is communication. This missing link is crucial to a successful and rewarding equine partnership.
9:45-10:45 am
YOGA BASED BALANCE
This one-hour session for all level participants is to help create awareness in participant's mental and physical behaviors affecting their balance and communication with the horse.
11:00 am- noon
DAILY THEME- GROUP LISTENING BASED ACTIVITIES
Relating the Daily Theme and how it affects the ability to listen to the horse's communication. This is a skill-set-building session to give participants the "tools" needed to refine their communication with the horse.
12:00-1:00pm
LUNCH
Enjoy a choice of delicious and nutritious menu or buffet-style items.
1:00-1:45 PM
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
This is a self-led time for participants to refresh and regroup for the afternoon's acitivities.
1:45-2:00pm
GROUP TRANSPORT TO EQUINE FACILITY
A quick seven-mile journey to the J n A Roping and Stables facility for the equine activities.
2:00-4:00 pm
EQUINE BASED HERD LISTENING
This two-hour session is designed for participants to learn about their own mental and emotional distractions when with horses that prevent them from having the ability to listen and acknowledge the horse. A variety of eight horses will be used for this unique setting to learn pro-active skills to improve the relationship and communication with the horse. This will be an observation-only setting to eliminate distractions of patterns and old habits in participants.
4:00-4:15 PM
GROUP TRANSPORT TO RESORT
Return to the Red Mountain Resort
4:15-4:45 pm
REFRESH AND REGROUP TEA TIME
Enjoy an afternoon snack and refresh for final activities.
4:45-5:30 PM
PRO-ACTIVE BASED LISTENING PRACTICES
Group discussion and activities drawing together the Daily Theme, Yoga, and Herd Observation in relationship to how participants can incorporate into their life and relationship with their horse.
6:00 PM
DINNER
The restaurant offers a separate dining room for private events. Our cuisine is thoughtfully prepared with an emphasis on clean, whole foods, local and pasture-raised meats, homemade baked goods, sustainably harvested seafood, seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, and desserts made from scratch.
Wait-List for 2022 Event
Red Mountain ResortRed Mountain Resort, 1275 E Red Mountain Circle, Ivins, UT 84738