FAQ

A week-long Catholic therapeutic equine-assisted retreat integrates professional psychotherapy, spiritual elements rooted in the faith, and interactive equine therapy to help participants address personal challenges such as childhood wounds, trauma, grief, or anxiety within a safe and predictable setting.

The program includes daily group and individual therapy sessions to explore emotions and build coping skills, hands-on activities with horses that facilitate self-awareness and healing through non-verbal insights, attendance at Mass for spiritual renewal, and scheduled rest periods for reflection and integration.

This balanced approach fosters deep interior work while nurturing the whole person—mind, body, and soul.

Adults seeking deeper integration of faith, mental health, and personal healing—especially those navigating grief, trauma, anxiety, burnout, or major life transitions.

No. All equine interactions are ground-based, fully guided, and accessible to beginners.

The retreat is rooted in Catholic anthropology, sacramental life, prayer, and moral theology, with spiritual direction and therapeutic practices aligned with Church teaching.

You will have access to daily sacraments, counseling from therapists rooted in the anthropology of St. John Paul II and spiritual direction with priests who understand and live the integration of psychology and spirituality.

Horses are highly attuned, relational animals. In a therapeutic setting, they help participants become aware of emotional patterns, boundaries, trust, and presence—often more quickly than talk therapy alone.

Yes and no. This retreat can serve those who have been in therapy for years or who are just beginning their journey to self-awareness. Every person’s needs are different; we will meet you where you are.

Yes. Our three therapists and our equine therapist are all licensed in the state of Wyoming. That means there are four licensed therapists, two priests and a certified CatholicPsych mentor on staff to serve 15 retreatants.

No horseback riding is required; activities are gentle and adaptable.

There is no cellular data in the middle of the Wyoming so you will be totally offline on this retreat.

Black Elk staff will coordinate transportation to and from the Yellowstone Regional Airport in Cody, WY to the ranch. The ride takes approximately one hour.