There are times of year when we are invited to remember.
Halloween. Samhain. All Saints' Day. Día de los Muertos. Across cultures and traditions, this turning of the season has long been a time to acknowledge death, honor those who came before us, and remember that our relationships do not simply disappear when someone is gone.
On November 1, we will gather with the herd for a very special day of remembrance and healing.
Through equine-assisted therapy, grief work, somatic practices, sound healing and ritual, we will create space for the people, animals and experiences that have shaped us—and for the grief, love, wisdom and strength we still carry.
This is not a day about "getting over" grief.
It is a day to make room for it.
And we will do that together, in the company of horses.
THE ANCESTOR ALTAR
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At the center of our gathering, we will create a communal altar honoring our ancestors and those we carry with us.
You are invited to bring a small meaningful addition: a photograph, written name, flower, letter, piece of fabric, natural object, copy of a recipe, or another object that connects you to someone or something you wish to remember.
Your offering may honor a person, an animal, a relationship, a place, a lineage, or another loss that holds meaning for you.
There is no right way to participate.
THE DAY
Our time together will weave between the herd, our bodies, our stories and periods of quiet reflection.
We will explore:
Equine-Assisted Therapy
Grounded experiences with the horses to explore grief, connection, boundaries, memory and what we carry forward.
Sound Healing
A restorative sound experience offering space to settle, receive and integrate.
Grief & Remembrance
Gentle facilitated experiences for acknowledging loss without requiring anyone to share more than they wish.
Our Ancestor Altar
A communal place of remembrance that we will create together and return to throughout the day.
Somatic Practice
Ways of noticing and supporting the body and nervous system as we move through emotionally meaningful territory.
Ritual & Integration
We will close by honoring what we want to remember, what we are ready to release, and what we choose to carry with us.
No horse experience is necessary. All equine experiences take place on the ground.
You will always be invited, never required, to participate in any particular exercise.
AN INTIMATE GATHERING
Only 15 spaces are available.
Keeping the group small gives us room for meaningful contact with the horses, individual attention from the facilitators, and the safety and spaciousness this work deserves.
A simple nourishing lunch, snacks, tea and refreshments are included. We will ask about dietary needs when you register.
Want to know if this is right for you?
DEEPEN YOUR EXPERIENCE
Private Integration Session with Alane
Participants may add a private equine-assisted therapy session with Alane Freund, LMFT, during the two weeks before or two weeks following the retreat.
Retreat Participant Rate
$425
Regular private-session rate: $525
Use the session beforehand to prepare more deeply for the day, or afterward to continue and integrate what emerged.
Private appointments are limited and scheduled separately.
Questions? We'd Love to Hear From You!
Have questions about Day of the Dead with the Herd or wondering if this retreat is right for you? Send us a message. We're happy to help!