Horse Speak® All-Inclusive Retreat

Guests stay in comfortable log cabins on either side of the river which are situated for privacy and to afford magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.

Meals are taken in the main lodge and particular attention is paid to the cuisine and wines served.

• Overview:

  There are over 120 riding horses on the ranch, consisting mainly of Arabians and Quarter Horse crosses (14-16hh). The Arabian horses are raised and trained exclusively for the use of the guests, who often like to visit the mares and foals. The ranch also has some excellent Welsh ponies for children. The horses are trained western and are used to being neck reined; they do not go on contact. All guests are asked to post the trot and to stay in two point or galloping position for the canters and when climbing hills. This is important to us as it keeps the horses from getting sore backs. Those who do not comfortably adapt to riding in this manner will be kept on slower rides.

• Equipment Required:

  Helmets are required, there are some available to borrow.

• Horse Breeds:

  Arabians, Quarter horses and draft crosses

• Trip Pace:

  Slow to moderate, to suit riders

• Tack:

  Western saddles with snaffle bits

• Weight limit:

  The ranch has a limited number of horses for riders over 180 lbs.

• Hours of Instruction:
  5 per day
• Instruction and Training:
  Laura Wilsie is the Co-Founder of Horse Speak and the Business Manager for Wilsie Way Horsemanship. Utilizing her many years of business management and customer service experience, she keeps the ball rolling behind the scenes. Her lifelong love of horses was re-ignited when she started volunteering at a local horse rescue, adopted a PMU filly and met Sharon Wilsie, the Founder of Horse Speak. She has been with Sharon since the inception of Horse Speak, traveling to every clinic and training since the book’s inception in 2016. Laura has worked extensively on editing all three books, is the executive producer of filming for Horse Speak and has assisted Sharon in Teaching. She knows Horse Speak inside and out! Heidi Potter is an internationally known and respected Trainer, Instructor, Clinician and Author who shares over 50 years of horse experience. Heidi was blessed to have learned Centered Riding directly from neighboring friend, mentor and founder, the late Ms. Sally Swift. As a martial artist Heidi was inspired by Centered Riding’s inclusion of Traditional Eastern Philosophies to help riders of all levels and disciplines improve self-awareness, balance, comfort, confidence and communication. In her Holistic Horsemanship Training Program Heidi is committed to addressing the horse’s needs first by sharing the concept of doing things “with” the horse versus “to” the horse, thus creating calmer, safer and more enjoyable experiences. In 2016 she began studying equine behavior and language with Horse Speak founder Sharon Wilsie. As a Senior Horse Speak Instructor Heidi finds great joy in helping to bridge the gap in understanding between horses and their humans. Heidi enjoys trail riding and competing in Western Dressage with her Cheval Canadian Horse Riley and spending time with family and friends at her Southern Vermont farm, The New England Center for Horsemanship. For more information about Heidi and her work visit www.heidipotter.com
• Types of Instruction:
  Centered Riding Instruction, Clinics and Lessons, Horsemanship Skillbuilding

There are no separate activities planned for non-riders, who can take advantage of this unique location to fly fish, hike and visit with the ranch animals. With a rental car the town of Dubois is about 40 minutes away.

Hadley teaches four flowing yoga classes a week in the ranch’s yoga yurt, Monday and Wednesday afternoons, Friday mornings, and Saturday afternoons. The classes are designed to stretch the muscles that typically become sore during riding. They are friendly for people without much (or any!) yoga experience, but they also offer something to the more experienced yoga practitioner.

At the ranch. We can provide details for services for transportation from the Jackson Hole airport or the Riverton airport.