Spend three transformative weeks immersed in the rhythms of horse life in rural Latvia.
This immersive horsemanship retreat is designed as a deep, experiential course. With daily individual lessons, quiet observation time, and gentle participation in horse care, you are invited to slow down, listen, and become part of the herd — not as a worker, but as a present, attentive human.
You’ll stay in a private room in our family home and naturally become part of the daily life of our small, conscious horse project. The atmosphere is intimate, calm, and deeply personal — offering space to reconnect with yourself, with nature, and with horses in a meaningful way.
The focus is on understanding horses through feel, observation, body awareness, and subtle communication, rather than performance or pressure.
This is a custom-made, one-person-at-a-time offering. The cosy, family-like setting allows us to truly meet your needs and adapt the experience to your level, whether you are a complete beginner or already have experience with horses.
This retreat takes place in a holistic heart-space designed for recharging, grounding, and creative renewal. It is a deep dive into a sanctuary I have created here — in the middle of nowhere, which has become very much somewhere.
You are invited to experience a different way of being with horses — beyond riding — rooted in relationship, trust, and mutual respect.
“When all the needs of the horses are met, we can begin to talk about interacting with horses in an authentic way.
When we realise the need for the horse to become a willing participant in a relationship, we can begin the path towards true partnership.
Ask yourself not what the horse may do for you, but what we can offer to the horse.”
— Laima
Our horses are cared for through a gentle, preventative approach that prioritises balance, observation, and natural wellbeing.
Balanced nutrition
Horses receive high-quality hay and oat straw in slow-feeding nets to support healthy digestion. Diets are individually balanced with natural minerals and supplements.
Natural deworming & detox cycles
We work with natural herbal protocols, aligned with lunar cycles, supporting the horses’ systems gently and preventatively.
Calm, clean environment
Horses live in small, stable groups where they can move, rest, and interact naturally. Daily routines prioritise hygiene, airflow, and emotional balance.
Observation as prevention
Through daily presence, we learn to notice subtle changes — appetite, posture, mood, movement — and respond before imbalance develops.
This approach creates a peaceful, trusting herd. By participating in daily care, students learn how thoughtful management prevents many of the issues common in conventional stables.
Included are 5 individual lessons per week, alongside observations and free time spent with the herd throughout the day.
Possible topics include:
Communication through body language, breath, and intention
Intrinsic motivation and movement science
Liberty training
Training for relaxation and nervous system balance
Groundwork exercises
All sessions are horse-led and horse-centred, adapting to both your level and the needs of each horse.
Read the story of each horse in our blog here.
This is not work in a traditional sense, and there are no performance expectations. Instead, it is an invitation to slow down, observe, and learn through presence — becoming familiar with the rhythm of the herd and the subtle language of horses.
Depending on the day, the season, and the needs of the horses, this time may include:
Walking the herd to their large paddock and accompanying them across the open landscape
Spending quiet time with the herd in wide, open pasture, observing interactions and social dynamics
Simple grooming and body care
Practicing calm, mindful hoof picking
Working gently with sure-foot pads to support balance and body awareness
Standing, breathing, and being — allowing trust to form without agenda
Participation is adapted to your experience level and physical capacity, and no prior horse knowledge is required. Over time, this daily contact creates a sense of familiarity and ease — both for you and for the horses.
Through daily care you learn:
Rhythm and consistency — horses thrive on predictable, calm routines
Confidence through repetition — your body language softens and clarity emerges
Belonging — over time, you are no longer an observer, but part of the herd’s daily life
9:00-11:00 Morning horse care (2 hours)
11:00-14:00 Lunch and rest / personal reflection / you may add optional pottery lessons
14:00-15:00 Afternoon individual lesson (5x individual sessions per week)
Private room in our family home (bedding, towels, Wi-Fi included)
15 individual horsemanship lessons over 3 weeks
Daily access to the herd and learning environment
There is a shared kitchen for self-catering, as well as several excellent cafés and restaurants within 5–20 minutes by car.
A rental car is recommended, as we are 7 km from the nearest shop. However, it is possible to manage with public transport, occasional taxis, or shared grocery trips with us to local town Bauska.
Read travel and arrival tips here>
• Adults seeking deeper connection and understanding of horses
• Artists or creatives seeking grounding time in nature
• Students of horsemanship or equine studies
• Beginners welcome with open mind and physical readiness
• Confidence and skill in horse handling and groundwork
• Understanding of horse psychology and herd behavior
• Experience in stable management and horse care
• Self-awareness through mindful interaction with horses
When
This retreat is offered between September and May. Dates are arranged individually — please get in touch to enquire about availability.
Where
The retreat takes place at my paddock-paradise farm in the Latvian countryside next the pottery studio, approximately 1 hour from RIX airport.
By Whom
The retreat is led by me, Laima Piliņa — training horses and being trained by horses since 2016. The work here is shaped by lived experience, long-term relationships with the herd, and a listening-based approach to horsemanship.
This is a one-person-at-a-time offering, and places are limited.
If you feel drawn to this experience, please write to laimaceramics@gmail.com and include:
a short note about your previous experience with horses
your intentions, goals, or questions for this retreat
If it feels like a good mutual fit, you’ll receive confirmation and be invited to reserve your place.
Full reservation terms are available via the Terms & Conditions page.
You’re welcome to follow along on @laimaceramics to get a feel for the rhythm of the place and the herd.
Spend three transformative weeks immersed in the rhythms of horse life in rural Latvia.
This immersive horsemanship retreat is designed as a deep, experiential course. With daily individual lessons, quiet observation time, and gentle participation in horse care, you are invited to slow down, listen, and become part of the herd — not as a worker, but as a present, attentive human.
You’ll stay in a private room in our family home and naturally become part of the daily life of our small, conscious horse project. The atmosphere is intimate, calm, and deeply personal — offering space to reconnect with yourself, with nature, and with horses in a meaningful way.
The focus is on understanding horses through feel, observation, body awareness, and subtle communication, rather than performance or pressure.
This is a custom-made, one-person-at-a-time offering. The cosy, family-like setting allows us to truly meet your needs and adapt the experience to your level, whether you are a complete beginner or already have experience with horses.
This retreat takes place in a holistic heart-space designed for recharging, grounding, and creative renewal. It is a deep dive into a sanctuary I have created here — in the middle of nowhere, which has become very much somewhere.
You are invited to experience a different way of being with horses — beyond riding — rooted in relationship, trust, and mutual respect.
“When all the needs of the horses are met, we can begin to talk about interacting with horses in an authentic way.
When we realise the need for the horse to become a willing participant in a relationship, we can begin the path towards true partnership.
Ask yourself not what the horse may do for you, but what we can offer to the horse.”
— Laima
Our horses are cared for through a gentle, preventative approach that prioritises balance, observation, and natural wellbeing.
Balanced nutrition
Horses receive high-quality hay and oat straw in slow-feeding nets to support healthy digestion. Diets are individually balanced with natural minerals and supplements.
Natural deworming & detox cycles
We work with natural herbal protocols, aligned with lunar cycles, supporting the horses’ systems gently and preventatively.
Calm, clean environment
Horses live in small, stable groups where they can move, rest, and interact naturally. Daily routines prioritise hygiene, airflow, and emotional balance.
Observation as prevention
Through daily presence, we learn to notice subtle changes — appetite, posture, mood, movement — and respond before imbalance develops.
This approach creates a peaceful, trusting herd. By participating in daily care, students learn how thoughtful management prevents many of the issues common in conventional stables.
Included are 5 individual lessons per week, alongside observations and free time spent with the herd throughout the day.
Possible topics include:
Communication through body language, breath, and intention
Intrinsic motivation and movement science
Liberty training
Training for relaxation and nervous system balance
Groundwork exercises
All sessions are horse-led and horse-centred, adapting to both your level and the needs of each horse.
Read the story of each horse in our blog here.
This is not work in a traditional sense, and there are no performance expectations. Instead, it is an invitation to slow down, observe, and learn through presence — becoming familiar with the rhythm of the herd and the subtle language of horses.
Depending on the day, the season, and the needs of the horses, this time may include:
Walking the herd to their large paddock and accompanying them across the open landscape
Spending quiet time with the herd in wide, open pasture, observing interactions and social dynamics
Simple grooming and body care
Practicing calm, mindful hoof picking
Working gently with sure-foot pads to support balance and body awareness
Standing, breathing, and being — allowing trust to form without agenda
Participation is adapted to your experience level and physical capacity, and no prior horse knowledge is required. Over time, this daily contact creates a sense of familiarity and ease — both for you and for the horses.
Through daily care you learn:
Rhythm and consistency — horses thrive on predictable, calm routines
Confidence through repetition — your body language softens and clarity emerges
Belonging — over time, you are no longer an observer, but part of the herd’s daily life
9:00-11:00 Morning horse care (2 hours)
11:00-14:00 Lunch and rest / personal reflection / you may add optional pottery lessons
14:00-15:00 Afternoon individual lesson (5x individual sessions per week)
Private room in our family home (bedding, towels, Wi-Fi included)
15 individual horsemanship lessons over 3 weeks
Daily access to the herd and learning environment
There is a shared kitchen for self-catering, as well as several excellent cafés and restaurants within 5–20 minutes by car.
A rental car is recommended, as we are 7 km from the nearest shop. However, it is possible to manage with public transport, occasional taxis, or shared grocery trips with us to local town Bauska.
Read travel and arrival tips here>
• Adults seeking deeper connection and understanding of horses
• Artists or creatives seeking grounding time in nature
• Students of horsemanship or equine studies
• Beginners welcome with open mind and physical readiness
• Confidence and skill in horse handling and groundwork
• Understanding of horse psychology and herd behavior
• Experience in stable management and horse care
• Self-awareness through mindful interaction with horses
When
This retreat is offered between September and May. Dates are arranged individually — please get in touch to enquire about availability.
Where
The retreat takes place at my paddock-paradise farm in the Latvian countryside next the pottery studio, approximately 1 hour from RIX airport.
By Whom
The retreat is led by me, Laima Piliņa — training horses and being trained by horses since 2016. The work here is shaped by lived experience, long-term relationships with the herd, and a listening-based approach to horsemanship.
This is a one-person-at-a-time offering, and places are limited.
If you feel drawn to this experience, please write to laimaceramics@gmail.com and include:
a short note about your previous experience with horses
your intentions, goals, or questions for this retreat
If it feels like a good mutual fit, you’ll receive confirmation and be invited to reserve your place.
Full reservation terms are available via the Terms & Conditions page.
You’re welcome to follow along on @laimaceramics to get a feel for the rhythm of the place and the herd.
