A women's horse retreat in Mexico, this winter
Six Days with the Herd is a women-only equine-wisdom retreat at Rancho Baile de la Luna near San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, from January 14 to 19, 2027. It is held in English, capped at eight women, needs no riding experience, and costs $2,750 to $3,550 USD including lodging, meals, and airport transport.
Why a horse retreat, and why here
Horses respond to how you actually are, moment to moment, and they cannot be flattered. That is the whole method. The work is on the ground, side by side with a herd of eleven horses, and no riding or horse experience is needed.
It happens on a real working ranch run by Chris and Jeff Rausten, who brought their horses here from Moon Dance Ranch in Southern California. It is not a resort, and that is the point.
Held in English
The retreat is held in English. Chris founded the ranch's Spirit Horse Journeys and holds the space herself, with a bench of experienced facilitators.
What is included
- Four full days of guided horse experiences and personal exploration
- Five nights of accommodation in a peaceful setting
- Five breakfasts, four lunches, and five dinners
- Daily transportation between the hotel and the ranch
- Airport transportation on arrival and departure
- An afternoon at the hot springs spa
- Exploration and dinner in San Miguel de Allende
- Your choice of a horseback ride, Reiki, or massage
Prices in US dollars
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Early bird, shared room | $2,750 USD |
| Early bird, private room | $3,350 USD |
| Standard, shared room | $2,950 USD |
| Standard, private room | $3,550 USD |
A $750 USD deposit secures your place, and the balance is due 30 days before the retreat. Deposits are non-refundable; cancellations made 30 or more days ahead may move to a future retreat, subject to availability.
Why January
January is the heart of the dry season in the highlands of central Mexico: clear, sunny days and cool nights, while much of the US and Canada is deep in winter. San Miguel de Allende has been voted the best city in the world by Travel + Leisure readers, and the ranch sits 20 minutes outside it, in the countryside near Atotonilco.
Getting here
Fly into León (BJX) or Querétaro (QRO); airport transport is included in the retreat. León has nonstop flights from several US cities, and from October 2026 a weekly nonstop from Vancouver. See how to get here for the details.
As featured in Mexico News Daily
Mexico News Daily wrote about a day with the herd at the ranch in March 2026: The unexpected power of a Fire Horse journey in San Miguel de Allende. If six days is more than you can take, the one-day Fire Horse retreats run several times a year.
What language are the retreats in?
All of our group retreats, including Six Days with the Herd and the Fire Horse days, are held in English. Maria Lucero, who guides the constellations, and Patricia Rivera, who leads Reiki with the horses, are both bilingual in Spanish and English. If you would like to work in Spanish, tell us when you write and we will point you to the right session.
Are the retreats women-only?
The Fire Horse day series and the six-day retreat Six Days with the Herd are women-only. The one-day Spirit Horse Journey, the two-day immersive, private sessions, Reiki, and constellations are open to everyone, and men are genuinely welcome there. Trail rides, lessons, and leasing are open to all.
What is included in the six-day retreat?
Six Days with the Herd, the January retreat, includes four full days of guided horse experiences, five nights of lodging, all meals (five breakfasts, four lunches, five dinners), daily transport between hotel and ranch, airport transfers, an afternoon at the hot springs, dinner in San Miguel de Allende, and your choice of a horseback ride, Reiki, or massage. Price is $2,750 to $3,550 USD depending on room and timing, capped at eight women.
Do I have to ride a horse at the retreats?
No. The retreats and Spirit Horse Journeys are ground-based: you work beside the horses on foot, not from the saddle. No riding and no horse experience is needed, ever.
Can I book a retreat or journey on any day?
No, and this trips people up, so here it is plainly: retreats and Spirit Horse Journeys run only on set dates, announced in advance. Trail rides, lessons, and private sessions can be scheduled around you. If no date is posted for the journey you want, join the waitlist and you will hear first.
