5 or 7-day Teach Mindfulness Meditation with Horses Workshop in the Southwest of France
The Teach Mindfulness Meditation with Horses 5- or 7-day workshop is based on equine-facilitated mindfulness and meditation. You will discover in a hands-on way how to help your friends, family and clients to manage and minimise the detrimental effects of stress on their mental and physical health, by connecting with your horses in an enriching, compelling, and transformational way.
On successful completion of both the 5- and 7-day Teach Mindfulness Meditation with Horses workshop, you will receive a Certificate of Completion and 3 or 5 CPD points (depending on the length of your chosen training.)
Completely Transform Other People’s Lives, establish a Closer Connection to Your Horse AND create a Purposeful, Fulfilling Business While Enjoying the sun-drenched Vineyards, Meadows, Woods and Sunflower Fields of the Southwest of France
Are you feeling stuck in a career that no longer fulfils you? Are you nearing retirement/facing an empty nest and looking for a way to turn your passion for horses into something meaningful AND profitable? Or maybe you already have a horse business and are searching for a way to create financial stability while helping others dramatically lower their stress levels.
If any of these resonate with you, you’re not alone—I have designed this workshop specifically for you.
I have been there, you know. I had to give up my career as a medical doctor due to an auto-immune disease, and then started a business teaching others how to manage stress with the help of my horses. That was 15 years ago, and I have never looked back.
Just for a moment, imagine spending five or seven days learning how to transform your passion for horses into a profitable, sustainable and heart-centred business. This unique, immersive workshop is designed for those who want to strengthen the bond with their horses, harness the healing power of their horses and become mindfulness meditation teachers, all while gaining hands-on experience in an inspiring setting.
Does This Sound Like You?
- You love horses, but you’ve struggled to find a way to make working with them financially sustainable.
- You’re approaching retirement, facing a redundancy or an empty nest, and you’re searching for something meaningful to do.
- You are suffering from burnout and are looking for a slower, more peaceful way to live that involves connecting or reconnecting with horses.
- You’re currently running a horse-centered business, a riding school, a livery stable, a horse rescue etc. but are having trouble making ends meet.
- You’re passionate about helping others live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives, but you’re unsure how to turn that passion into a viable business.
- You’ve always dreamed of teaching mindfulness or leading retreats with horses, but lack the confidence or clarity to get started.
- You feel isolated in your journey and wish you had a community to support you, people who understand what you’re going through and what challenges you come up against along the way.
If any of these scenarios sound familiar, the Teach Mindfulness Meditation with Horses workshop is your chance to create a unique service that helps others, with the assistance of your horses, while also creating a sustainable income.
What Will You Learn?
This immersive workshop covers all the essential components of offering mindfulness meditation with horses, with a strong focus on practice, feedback, and real-world application. Over 5 days, you will:
- Discover why horses are natural mindfulness teachers and how their presence can help people reconnect with themselves. Learn how to observe your horses’ behaviour and guide participants through mindfulness exercises in their presence.
- Receive step-by-step instructions on how to structure both group and one-on-one mindfulness sessions with your horses. You’ll practice leading real sessions and get tailored feedback to help you refine your technique.
- Learn that participant comes with their own story, needs, and expectations. Discover how to tailor your mindfulness sessions to different types of clients.
- Find out how to turn your passion for horses into a sustainable business. We’ll cover pricing, marketing, building your client base, and how to position your services as something unique and transformative.
- Become confident enough to lead mindfulness sessions. It’s natural to feel uncertain about leading others, especially if you’re new to mindfulness or teaching. That’s why this workshop is hands-on, allowing you to practice real-time mindfulness sessions with horses, receive personalised feedback, and gain the confidence you need to offer this service when you return home.
Why Attend this Workshop in Person?
While the online version of this course gives you all the tools and knowledge you need to start teaching mindfulness meditation with your horses, but nothing compares to the transformative power of hands-on learning. If you have already completed the online course, you’ll now have the opportunity to put theory into practice with my Friesian and Falabella horses, receive expert guidance, and get feedback from a supportive group of like-minded participants.
Your Teach Mindfulness Meditation with Horses workshop takes place deep in the sun-blessed southwest of France, in Gascony. This 200-year-old farmhouse, surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills, offers the ideal environment to practice mindfulness, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
You won’t just be learning mindfulness here—you’ll be living it. This workshop is designed to feel like a retreat, with time built in for reflection, relaxation, and connecting with my horses. As part of your journey, you’ll have the chance to enjoy walking part of the Camino de Santiago, and evenings under the stars, discussing your insights and experiences with like-minded people.
What’s Included:
- Guided meditations with the horses, designed to deepen your awareness of yourself and the world around you.
- Practical sessions where you’ll work with horses and learn how to lead mindfulness meditation sessions. Access to my Friesian and Falabella horses for hands-on learning, with expert demonstrations on how to facilitate mindfulness sessions
- The opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the region by walking part of the Camino de Santiago, giving you a chance to experience the tranquillity of the great outdoors.
- Healthy, delicious brunches and dinners made from locally sourced, organic ingredients.
- 5 days/4 nights (or 7 days/6 nights) homestay in a 200-year-old farmhouse, on the edge of an ancient forest, surrounded by the peaceful sounds of nature.
- All course materials and bonuses.
- Transfer to and from Nogaro to the retreat venue at the beginning and end
- Access to tea, coffee, chocolat chaud 24/7
- Transport during the retreat, including pick-ups and drop-offs at the start and end of Camino walks
What is not included:
- Transport costs to Nogaro, the village closest to the Esprit Meraki retreat venue
- Dinner on Day 4 (and Day 6 on the 7-day course) – we eat in a family-owned restaurant to stimulate the economic growth of the region post-COVID – cost 15-30 euro pp, depending on your choices
- Alcoholic drinks
- Personal Health Insurance and/or Travel Insurance (we highly recommend insurance cover in case you need to cancel)
- Hypnotherapy session to facilitate learning and absorption of knowledge
Accommodation
La Maison Meraki huddles in the middle of a sunny clearing in the heart of a great and ancient forest, like a little old lady gathering her shawl around her bony shoulders. She has been here for at least 200 years, from her elevated position she looks out over the treetops to the mighty Pyrenées mountains. Who knows who has ventured over her threshold, maybe D'Artagnan himself, the chateau where he was born is only a few kilometres away. Yes, this is indeed Gascony, land not only of milk and honey but also of divine wines, persillade, garbure, foie gras, cèpes, duck confit...all less than two hour's drive southeast of Bordeaux.
Maison Meraki has her back to the sunset, where the cold winds and weather come from in the winter. The house is U-shaped, with a central, secluded courtyard, where lavender perfumes the air in the summer. There are two guest bedrooms downstairs, each opening onto its own patio where guests can sit and soak up the sun with a cool drink and a good book.
I renovated Maison Meraki slowly, with infinite care. I have respected its humble origins and kept it dans son jus, comfortable but unpretentious, so if you want to experience unadulterated French farm life, this is the retreat for you. If you are looking for 7 days in a luxurious chateau, it is not.
Meals
Our food is simple but delicious and we aim to feed your body as well and as generously as your mind. This is a celebration of the wonderful variety of fresh local produce available from our garden as well as from the local weekly fresh food markets.
In the morning we serve a copious brunch buffet, consisting of cereal, fruit, bread, confiture, honey, milk, yoghurt, typical cheeses and patés of the region. Tea and coffee are available from early, and throughout the day. You can also make sandwiches and take some fruit/yoghurt with you, to eat during your walk.
Dinner is served early and consists of a wholesome, hot homemade soup, a healthy and hearty main course, often vegetarian and often heavily influenced by the cuisine of our Spanish neighbours, followed by something sweet, if required.
We have one meal (two on the 7-day course) at a local restaurant to help regenerate the local economy post-COVID. The cost of this meal is not included.
Dr Margaretha Montagu
Dr Margaretha Montagu, the author of Mindfulness and Meditation Options - featuring Equine-guided Meditation, has two decades’ experience as a medical doctor and more than a decade's experience in hosting Connect with Horses Mindfulness and Meditation retreats. If you are impressed by qualifications, this is what she has got: MBChB, MRCGP, MedHypnotherapyDip, Counselling Cert, EAGALA Cert, Life Coaching Cert. and NLP Master Pract Cert….but as she says, "What makes me an exceptional retreat leader, is not my qualifications, but the experience I gained leading the Connect with Horses retreats, and living with horses 24/7, since 2006.
During this training, I will share with you everything I know about Equine-guided Meditation and Equine-facilitated Mindfulness and show you, step-by-step, how you too can teach mindfulness and meditation with the help of your horses, even if you know nothing about either mindfulness or meditation."
Slow and Sustainable Tourism
It is important to me that the retreats I offer, do as little damage to the environment as possible, while at the same time contributing to the local community’s economy. I feel more like the custodian than the owner of this property – I feel extremely privileged to live here. As its custodian, my intention is to look after Maison Meraki to the very best of my ability and to preserve it for generations to come. In the meantime, I share the exceptional natural beauty, the rich cultural heritage and the nurturing tranquillity of this open- and warmhearted house with my guests without harming the natural environment and helping environmentally aware local producers at the same time.
How can you use what you learn during this workshop?
You can use the workshop to
• Easily generate income without needing another qualification or expensive equipment, especially during traditionally quieter periods ex during the winter
• Attract new clients to your horse business whether you are offering riding lessons, trail rides, equine massage/osteopathy/homeopathy etc or equine-assisted coaching/therapy
• Use this course to increase your clients’ ability to focus and concentrate on what you are teaching them
• Make a dramatic difference in your clients’ lives enabling them to handle stress much more effectively
• Greatly entertain your horses! – just joking – with this course non-ridden horses can earn their keep and traumatised horses can get used to being close to people without feeling pressurised
You can present this course as
• a half-day/one-day workshop/retreat,
• a two-day mindfulness meditation with horses workshop/retreat – residential or non-residential
• an introduction to coaching/therapy program to help your clients be more attentive during equine-facilitated coaching and equine-assisted psychotherapy sessions
• to prove to your significant other, friends and family that your horse(s) CAN earn their keep!
Are You Ready to Start Your Next Chapter?
“But,” you say, “I don’t know how to teach other people how to be more mindful.”
As a horse owner, or as a horse business owner, you have most likely noticed what mindfulness masters horses are, always present in the moment as prey animals intent of escaping predators.
So it doesn’t matter that you are not a mindfulness expert, the horses are, and always have been. What’s more, you will be learning from an experienced professional: I have been hosting Mindfulness Meditation with Horses retreats for the last 15 years, I have written 5 books and countless articles on the subject and I am going to share with you everything you need to present a successful Mindfulness Meditation with Horses course yourself.
“But,” you say, “if clients are going to trust us to help them, won’t I need some sort of further qualification to prove that the horses and I know what we are doing?
You will receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the training, to put up on your wall or add to your website and e-mails.
Please note: All activities happen with everyone’s feet firmly on the ground – there is NO HORSE RIDING during these courses.
None of the activities is mandatory. If you prefer to skip an activity and just relax and commune quietly with the horses, you are more than welcome. The daily program is not set in stone and might be adjusted according to the weather.
Guestimonials
(from the Mindfulness and Meditation with Horses Retreats)
Thank you so much for allowing me into your home for the last few days. Your kindness, patience and generosity have touched me deeply. The time that Belle, Aurore and Tess let me spend with them and the lessons they taught me have been truly healing and extremely cathartic. You have created something really unique and magic here and I am in awe of the power of it. May it always bring you as much peace and fulfillment as it did me. With deep gratitude, A Campbell
I really needed the time to find myself again. After a few days there I started sleeping better, I feel more relaxed and I am dealing with my pain in a better way. Margarita was the best, she’s extremely accurate in what she does, great instincts. Definitely an experience that we should all have. Now I want to take my friend as well. I cannot express in here how much I learned about me and how to handle situations in my job. L Ramirez
Bonuses
| – Bonus #1: Private 1:1 Coaching Session What it offers: A 45-minute personal coaching session with me after the workshop, to discuss their unique goals, challenges, and any questions you may have about teaching mindfulness with horses. Bonus #2: Access to my Define Your Life Purpose after Life Transition Online Course What it offers: Full access to this online course, during and after the workshop ends. Bonus #3: VIP Invitation to Future Retreats What it offers: A priority invitation to a future follow-up retreat focused on deepening your knowledge of mindfulness horse-based practices Bonus #4: e-book copy of my book Mindfulness and Meditation Options What it offers: a handy reference for everyone who is thinking of running workshops or retreats Bonus #5: A bottle of Cotes de Gascogne wine What it offers: an introduction to the excellent and exceptional wines of the region |
Your Investment
Invest in yourself and your future by attending this unique 5-day Teach Mindfulness Meditation with Horses workshop for 1999€ pp. in a private room. If you are two friends travelling together, double room occupancy is available at 1499€ pp in a double room. The 7-day Teach Mindfulness Meditation with Horses workshop costs 2999€ pp. in a private room, and double room occupancy is available at 2499€ pp in a double room, if you are two friends travelling together.
Payment plan available – please inquire.
In only a few other places you will find all the ingredients of a perfect course combined with such abundance as in Gascony: fabulous food, outstanding wine, generous people and the breathtaking beauty of the Pyrenées mountains, meandering rivers, bottomless lakes and fortified medieval villages perched on hilltops.
So seize this exceptional opportunity to spend a few nights here and learn from a medical doctor who has been practising and teaching equine-facilitated mindfulness and equine-guided mindfulness meditation for more than 15 years.
An open-armed and a two-kisses-on-each-cheek welcome awaits you amidst the Armagnac, Saint Mont and Cotes de Gascogne vineyards in the sun-blessed southwest of France!
Ready to make a reservation to attend this workshop?
Imagine waking up every day with a renewed sense of purpose, working alongside your horses, and guiding others toward healing and mindfulness.
Don’t let another day go by feeling uncertain or unfulfilled. This is your moment to turn your passion into a rewarding and sustainable income—one that nourishes both you and your horses. Spots are extremely limited, I only host a small group to ensure each participant receives personal attention and hands-on practice.
Ready to Harness the Healing Power of Your Horses to Completely Transform Other People’s Lives, establish a Closer Connection to Your Horses AND create a Purposeful, Meaningful and Fulfilling Business?
Join us for 5 transformative days in the warm heart of southwest France.
Send an e-mail to Welcome2Gascony@gmail.com to Inquire about Availability and Pay Your Deposit to Secure Your Place Now →
Spaces are filling up fast—don’t miss this opportunity to start your new chapter!
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Cancellation Policy
Deposit
To secure your booking, a non-refundable 25% deposit is required. As the group is very small, only a paid deposit will guarantee your attendance. If your retreat is fully booked, you will be offered a place on the waiting list. Your deposit is transferable to another person for the retreat you booked, subject to approval.
Final Payment
The balance of payment is due 30 days prior to the start of your retreat. Reservations made less than 30 days before the retreat starts, must be paid in full. Please note: Due to the extensive and expensive preparation that goes into each of these retreats, I cannot offer refunds, so I highly recommend that you purchase adequate travel insurance to cover any unanticipated changes in your travel plans. Any cancellation made in writing less than 30 days before the retreat starts, or once the retreat has started, will result in a total loss of funds. Depending on availability, you can choose to transfer your booking to another date without incurring any additional fees, within the same calendar year.
I reserve the right to cancel the retreat if it is not meeting the retreat minimum (if I do so your deposit is refunded in full). I reserve the right to determine if you are a good fit for this retreat (if not, your deposit will be refunded in full). I reserve the right to cancel the retreat for personal reasons (if I do so your deposit/full payment will be refunded in full).
This cancellation policy is firm therefore please do not make any travel arrangements until you receive your registration confirmation.
Please read our terms and conditions
Description frequently updated.