Listening with Horses
At Epona Rise

An immersive Wisdom Way Experience inviting you to slow down, listen deeply, and discover what the quiet wisdom of horses can awaken within you.
August 14–16, 2026

The inviting red‑roofed lodge at Epona Rise Retreat Centre, framed by forest greenery and distant mountain peaks

A Restorative Weekend to Return to Yourself

There are seasons in life when something begins to feel quietly off.

You may not feel quite like yourself.

Even when life looks full on the outside, something within may be asking for your attention—a longing for more clarity, connection, or space to simply be.

This retreat is an invitation to step out of the noise and create space to listen.

Set in a pristine mountain valley at Epona Rise, surrounded by 80 acres of wild beauty and a gentle herd of horses, this is a space designed for slowing down, softening, and reconnecting with the wisdom already within you.

Through guided practices, time in nature, reflection, and meaningful connection, you are invited to listen deeply—to yourself, to the land, and to the quiet wisdom that emerges when you slow down.

Reserve Your Place

A Glimpse Into the Magic:

A lush green valley with farm buildings, surrounded by evergreen trees and mountains in the background under a partly cloudy blue sky at Epona Rise Retreat Centre
Outdoor patio with eight wooden Adirondack chairs overlooking a green valley and mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
The Epona Rise Retreat Centre with a red metal roof, large front windows, and stone chimney, situated on a grassy lawn with rocks, surrounded by tall pine trees and mountain forest, under partly cloudy sky.
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A woman sitting on grass in a black sleeveless top, gray shorts, and a wide-brimmed hat, face to face with a dark brown rescue horse in a sunny, outdoor setting at the Epona Rise Retreat Centre.
A brown rescue horse with a white stripe on its face standing in a grassy field, with two other rescue horses grazing in the background, enclosed by a wooden fence, with trees and hills in the distance at the Epona Rise Retreat Centre
Group of five rescue horses standing in a grassy field with trees and mountain in the background at Epona Rise Retreat Centre
A green field with grazing horses surrounded by mountains and a partly cloudy sky.
A landscape with tall pine trees, some with green foliage and some with sparse branches, in front of a brown house with a red roof. There is a stone wall in the foreground and a dirt path leading up to the house. The sky is partly cloudy with blue sk
One of four small brown cabins for guests at the Joyful Journey retreat at Epona Rise with a red metal roof, two white doors labeled 1 and 2, two windows, and outdoor wooden chairs on a grassy area surrounded by trees.
Interior of cabin at Epona Rise Retreat centre featuring a queen sized bed with a wooden bed frame and polka dot bedding, two matching nightstands with lamps, a wooden bench, a small sofa, a window, and a wooden cabinet, all on hardwood floors.
Two rustic wooden double beds with polka dot bedding in a guest cabin at Epona Rise with hardwood flooring and a nightstand between them. A lamp is on the nightstand, and a window is on the wall.
Spacious living and dining area for Joyful Journey retreat guests with large windows, stone fireplace, pool table, TV, and wooden furniture in a mountain setting.
Cozy living room with leather sofas, a stone fireplace with a wooden mantel, large windows showing a snowy outdoor scene, and rustic decor.
A retreat guest sitting in a field of wildflowers, wearing a hat and blue tank top, with a large rescue horse standing nearby. The horse appears to be sniffing or nuzzling the person's head.
A person tending to a herd of horses in a green pasture with mountains, trees, and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
A close-up of Chiron, a white rescue horse with a light gray mane standing in a green pasture surrounded by trees at Epona Rise Retreat Centre.
Anita Adams, life coach and retreat host standing next to Chiron, a white rescue horse under a large pine tree in a mountainous forest clearing, with two other horses grazing in the background.
Four retreat guests sitting on couches and laughing in a living room with large windows showing a mountain landscape outside at Epona Rise Retreat Centre
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Lorna & horse 2.jpg
Mariee & horse 2.jpg
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A house with a red metal roof situated in a lush green meadow surrounded by tall pine trees and mountains under a partly cloudy sky at Epona Rise Retreat Centre.

What Opens For You Here

This retreat is designed to support a deep return to yourself—through stillness, nature, and guided experiences that help you soften the noise and reconnect inward.

  • Create space to feel more grounded and present as you step away from the demands and distractions of daily life.

  • Reconnect with your body, breath, and inner sense of calm through gentle, restorative practices

  • Experience the presence of horses as mirrors for awareness, clarity, and emotional truth

  • Create space to hear your own inner guidance more clearly through reflection and journaling

  • Feel a renewed sense of connection through shared experiences and meaningful group circles

  • Begin to soften mental and emotional tension as you slow down and reconnect with what truly matters.

  • Feel more like yourself again—clearer, lighter, and more deeply connected to what matters most.

“The retreat at Epona Rise was exceptional. I received nourishment for body, mind, and soul—and so much more. I so appreciated the time in nature, the magical experience with the horses, the wisdom circle sharing, journalling, and connection with other women. Anita’s planning, leadership, and heart made this one of the best retreats I’ve attended.”

— Nadine Hope
Sunset shining over a grassy field with trees in the background.

The Wisdom Way Method

A Path Back to Inner Wisdom

The Wisdom Way Method is the foundation of this experience.

It is a way of being rooted in the belief that each of us carries a deeper wisdom within. Through stillness, reflection, nature, and guided inner inquiry, we create space to slow down, listen deeply, and embody what we discover.

Through stillness, reflection, time in nature, and guided inner inquiry, you are supported in slowing down enough to notice what your inner world has been trying to tell you.

As the noise begins to settle, something deeper becomes available: clarity, presence, and a quiet sense of coming home to yourself.

“Anita is a guiding light in helping me listen more deeply to all of who I am, and how I can expand into who I am becoming. I am forever grateful for her wisdom, kind-heartedness, and care.”

Lorna Williams
Life coach Anita Adams with Chiron, a white horse at Epona Rise Retreat Centre—home of the Joyful Journey Retreat and a herd of rescue horses—with mountains on the horizon

The Wisdom 

of the Herd

Horses are intuitive, sensitive beings who respond to the energy and presence we bring into relationship with them. Their quiet awareness invites us to slow down, become present, and notice what we may not always hear in the busyness of everyday life.

During this retreat, the herd becomes a companion in your journey—inviting curiosity, presence, and deeper listening.

“When we sit with them, we’re given the space to listen, find clarity, and let our own spirit — along with the spirit of the herd and the land — gently guide us forward.”

A woman with short blonde hair stands outdoors at sunset with her eyes closed, one hand on her chest and the other holding a light-colored garment over her shoulder, near water.

This is for you if you’re in a season of transition and feel like something within you is shifting—but you’re not yet sure what it’s asking for.

If life feels full on the outside, yet internally you feel disconnected, uncertain, or quietly overwhelmed.

If even rest hasn’t fully restored you, and you find yourself longing for more clarity, steadiness, and a deeper sense of meaning.

If what you’re truly craving is space to slow down… to breathe more deeply… and to hear your own inner voice again.

If you feel called to step away from the pace of everyday life and create space for reflection, connection, and renewal.

And if, beneath it all, there is a quiet knowing that you are ready to feel more like yourself again—grounded, connected, and alive in a way you may not have felt in a long time.

A gentle note

This is a women-only retreat, intentionally held as a supportive and nourishing space for reflection, reconnection, and renewal

This Retreat is For You If …

“The retreat at Epona Rise was a very rejuvenating experience. Anita’s light-hearted approach created an atmosphere of openness and safety, allowing all women to fully engage and participate. It was a joy to connect with Anita and the other wonderful women.”

— Ann Rushlow

Meet the Facilitators

Anita Adams, spiritual guide and author, smiling in a calm and grounded headshot

  • Founder, Joyful Journey Coaching & Retreats

    Anita helps women reconnect with their inner wisdom so they can live with greater clarity, confidence, joy, and peace.

    An award-winning, bestselling author of Whispers of the Soul, certified life coach, workshop facilitator, and international retreat leader, Anita has spent years guiding women back to themselves through coaching, transformational experiences, and nature-based practices.

    Her work is rooted in a simple belief: that we each carry a deep inner knowing that can guide us toward the life we are meant to live. Yet in a world filled with noise, expectations, and constant demands, many women lose touch with that quiet voice within.

    Through her signature approach, The Wisdom Way Method, Anita helps women slow down, listen deeply, and reconnect with the wisdom that already lives inside them. Whether through one-on-one coaching, workshops, retreats, or her writing, she creates spaces where women can move beyond self-doubt, gain clarity, and experience a deeper sense of alignment with themselves and their lives.

    Nature plays an important role in her work. Anita sees the natural world as both a teacher and a mirror—offering powerful lessons about trust, presence, resilience, and transformation. By combining inner exploration with the wisdom found in nature, she guides women on both an outward and inward journey of discovery.

    At the heart of Anita's work is a commitment to helping women remember who they truly are and trust themselves enough to live from that place.

  • CEO/Founder Epona Rise Retreat Centre

    Hillary is the founder and lead facilitator of the Epona Rise Retreat Center and Horse Medicine Leadership Academy, she has been leading and teaching retreats and trainings with her herd for the last 12 years.

    Passionate about bringing the teachings of the horses to impact the lives of humans, she has been devoted to her own vision and purpose of creating a space in nature where people can come and receive the wisdom of horses, the land and their own inner guidance.

    She has over the last 12 years had the privilege of hosting and leading retreats for a range of people who are seeking to become more masterful in their experience of being a human with their own passion of personal and professional growth and development.

Reserve Your Place at Epona Rise

A limited number of spaces are available for this intimate women’s retreat at Epona Rise.

If you feel drawn to this experience, I invite you to click the button below and fill out the registration form. Once I receive your information, I’ll personally follow up with you to answer any questions, explore whether this retreat feels aligned for you, and guide you through the next steps, including payment options and securing your space with a $300 deposit.

If something within you is quietly saying, this is for me, I encourage you to trust that feeling.

I would love to welcome you to Epona Rise.

Reserve Your Place

 FAQs

  • Friday, August 14th - Sunday August 16th, 2026

    We encourage arrival between 3:00 and 6:00 PM. Dinner will be served at 7:00 PM

  • Near Sun Peaks, BC — nestled in a breathtaking alpine valley and home to a herd of nearly 30 former rescue horses.

  • There are 8 boutique cabins - 4 single occupancy rooms with queen sized beds, and 4 shared rooms with two-double beds.

  • $1,022 - Double Occupancy (per person)

    $1,222 - Single Occupancy

    (Prices in Canadian and do not include taxes)

  • Your retreat experience includes:

    • Two nights of accommodation (Friday & Saturday) at the serene Epona Rise ranch

    • All meals and refreshments, including:

      • 2 nourishing dinners (Friday & Saturday) 

      • 2 wholesome breakfasts (Saturday & Sunday)

      • 2 fresh, soul-fueling lunches (Saturday & Sunday)

      • Snacks, teas, and refreshments throughout the weekend

    • Skilled facilitation with Anita Adams and Hillary Schneider

    • Daily yoga and meditation

    • A signed copy of Anita’s bestselling book Whispers of the Soul to support your continued journey description

  • Transportation to and from the retreat centre.

  • All meals will be vegetarian. If you have specific restrictions, such as no gluten or dairy, please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance so we can work with our caterer to ensure your dietary needs are met.

Testimonials

  • “The retreat at Epona Rise was exceptional! Nourishment for body, mind and soul was what I needed, and I received that and so much more. I so appreciated the time in nature, the magical experience with the horses, Wisdom circle sharing, journalling time, and connecting with other women at the retreat. Anita's planning, leadership and heart are what made this retreat one of the best I've attended. Highly recommend!”
    ~ Nadine Hope

  • “Anita is a guiding light in inspiring me to listen and feel more deeply into all of who I am and how I can expand more fully into who I am becoming. I am forever grateful for her wisdom, kind-heartedness and thoughtful care. Thank you for an amazing retreat experience!”
    ~ Lorna Williams

  • “Anita is a wonderful facilitator and I have attended three retreats that she has led. I highly recommend you jump at the chance to share in the goodness of the joyful experiences she creates.”
    ~ Mariee Devereux

  • “The retreat at Epona Rise in the fall of 2025 was a very enjoyable experience. I felt rejuvenated afterwards and feel inspired to seek out more joy as I travel on my journey. Anita’s light-hearted approach to leading made for an atmosphere of openness and safety for all women to fully engage and participate. It was a joy to get to know Anita better and the other wonderful participants who are attracted to her work.”
    ~Ann Rushlow

  • "The Joyful Journey Retreat [is] such a wonderful experience... The activities, meditations and conversations were engaging and did a great job of facilitating my own personal discoveries and exploration. The group discussions were dynamic and there were fantastic women to connect with to share laughter and tears. Anita offers her unique perspective of her journey and does it with great courage and vibrant enthusiasm. She is a wonderful kind host and I would recommend the Joyful Journey Retreat to many along their own path of discovery."
    ~ Dawn Torroba

  • "The Joyful Journey Retreat was a beautifully insightful weekend hosted by Anita Adams in her lovely sea view home on Bowen Island. Over the course of the weekend Anita shared her philosophies and practices for tapping into your Inner Wisdom and creating a life full of purpose and joy. Together we enjoyed yoga, breath-work, meditations, forest reflective walks and many opportunities to share and be present with a great group of women. I would recommend this retreat for any women wishing to experience some serene "me" time dedicated to getting in touch with their inner selves and creating a practice of reflection."
    ~ Cheryl Kyllo

  • "Joyful Journey Retreat was an amazing experience. The environment was so pleasant, the meals and hospitality so warm. I can’t say enough about your kindness. A lot of favourite memories, but walking (hiking) through the forest for me, created an incredible sense of awe. I felt like I was greeted with peace listening to the sounds of nature because I was surrounded by it, Thank you so so much Anita for the most wonderful weekend getaway!"
    ~ Suzanne Laqua

  • "Anita is a master in finding and connecting with amazing people and creating magic. I was lucky to join her first Joyful Journey retreat and found answers that I did not know I was looking for. She is a gracious, kind, patient, and insightful host and finds ways to make her guests feel comfortable and open up. I admire how grounded and connected to nature Anita is, she left me inspired"
    ~ Hana Lynn