Gentle Giants Gathering

Exploring Horse Connection and Togetherness

Join our herd for a day, and learn the principles of nature’s harmony in Realationship

  • come into close contact with an equine friend

  • learn how to change your personal state to affect relationship

  • develop a respectful bond between you and your horse

  • sense what it's like to be trusted by a gentle giant

  • connect with a group of supportive, nurturing women who accept you just as you are - a women's circle with so much more

Why horses?

When you see a herd of horses it can make your heart skip a beat. They hold a sense of embodiment in relationship to the land, skies and each other, which humans rarely carry with such ease.

The feeling of heart-rush, or heart change, that comes with the presence of horses offers ways into deepening your relationships, to land and skies, to other people and to yourself.

Some people will be fuelled by excitement and awe, others will feel fear and discomfort.

What’s in the way is The Way

What if I don’t know anything about horses?

You’re not required to know anything about Horses, or have a special connection with the graceful giants to attend. For most of us, horses are in our lineage; your ancestors lived in an era when horses were an integral part of life. For this time right now, with or without an ancestral rememberance; horses invite us to interelate on land and in nature with full embodiment.

what if I’m allergic?

People who know they are sensitive to horse hair are welcome to join the program. We can accomodate you (for example participating in equine activities without touching the horse) provided you agree to attend with your own anti-histamine medication.

If you’re anaphylactic, we will need to talk more. Email Hollie for more discussion.

What to expect

Trauma-informed, emotionally safe space to explore the rhythm of Womaning, for all ages and all stages. 

On Rainforest Country in realationship with the natural world in small groups of celebration.

Intimate connection with nature and women who are also making Big Wild Dreams real.

Day Retreats are one-day explorations in Self Crafting for women who desire to grow the edges and deepen personal development.

your group leader

Hollie Wildëthorn lives on the unceded ancestral land of the Dhurga speaking people of the Walbunja Yuin nation in south eastern so-called Australia. Her home (and Land where the Retreats are held) is at the foot of a mountain range that still holds the ancient whisperings of Gondwana. She lives with her family and a group of animal therapy assistants.

Hollie is a Psychotherapist, Clinical Counsellor and Coach with a background in natural and ancestral health, wellness, sacred space, martial arts and functional movement, conscious living and Women's Mysteries. She has a Certificate in Psychedelic Assisted Therapies.

Location

We meet on private property on Walbunja Yuin land at the base of the Budawangs, Braidwood. 

  • 90 mins from Canberra (closest airport)

  • 60 mins from Bateman’s Bay

  • 3 hours from Sydney

Samantha Hawker has been part of the Local Food Movement in this region for over a decade, with particular interest in indigenous land management, permaculture and food sovereignty. 

She believes in creating food that nourishes the body and soul, while nourishing the Earth and our rediscovery of the deep reciprocal connections that once were. Sam has a relationship with most producers who provide our food (including from The Wilde gardens).

Sam is our Retreat Caterer, and can meet most dietary requirements. She’s especially interested in educating people how to be in realationship with food, via production, season and story.

fully catered retreats with Kitchen Witch’n samantha hawker

Exploring living, being and staying well in relationship with the Self, others and the natural world. Teaching realationship skills for taking into everyday life.

Retreat Info

$210 for women

$175 for teen girls attending with mum/carer

  • 9am - 3pm

  • maximum 10 attendees in your group

  • note : this is a ground-only day - no riding

  • nourishing, ethical, local food catered

An approximate* timetable

  • 9am : meet and greet your horse

  • 10am : morning tea

  • 10:30am : presence and awareness session

  • 12noon : lunch

  • 1pm : horse walk session

  • 2pm : horse medicine expression session

  • 3pm : home time

* schedule could change due to attendee expertise level, weather surprises, horse welfare requirements, staff availability and other unexpected possibilities that befall the natural / farm milieu! 

Optional UPGRADES

select options on the booking form

Early Arrival or Late Stay

Arrive the night before afternoon and relax in the rainforest

and/or

Extend your stay the following night, wake up in the rainforest on Sunday morning

COUPLE WITH MOON CIRCLE

Women’s Circles at The Wilde often run in alignment with Day Retreats… couple the two events together and receive a discounted price

MIDGLAMP SETUP

Allow us to setup your campsite with our on-site equipment and luxury bedding, so that you don’t have to.

Everything you need waiting for your stay will be ready on arrival. includes a double swag, luxury bedding, extra blankets, ground mats, storage, lighting and a cover over everything to protect from the weather.

CREATE A LIFE THAT SETS YOU FREE

If you’ve never attended a Women’s Retreat, you could be unsure if this event is designed for someone like you?

You can find out more about the people Hollie works with here >>>

other invitations…