HEARTS & HORSES: I CAN’T LIVE LIKE THIS ANYMORE
October 8-11, 2026
Swell Retreat | Castle Dale, Utah
For the woman who has lost herself holding everything—and everyone—together.
You may be the person everyone else depends on. You keep showing up, solving problems, carrying responsibilities and trying to hold everything together. But somewhere along the way, you stopped being able to depend on yourself.
Maybe you are exhausted from overgiving. Maybe you keep repeating a pattern you understand but cannot seem to change. Maybe you are struggling in a relationship, questioning your direction or realizing that the way you have been living is costing you too much.
You may not know exactly what needs to happen next. You simply know:
I can’t live like this anymore.
Hearts & Horses is a Christian-centered experience that combines faith, the SWELL Method, horse-guided empowerment and time in nature to help women reconnect with God, themselves and the direction they are being called to take.
Hearts & Horses is a three-day, three-night experiential retreat for women who are ready to step outside the noise, become curious about who they are under pressure and begin choosing a different way forward.
This is not simply a relaxing weekend away from your life. It is an opportunity to see your life more clearly—and decide how you want to return to it.
 
THE EXPERIENCE
Through the SWELL Method, horse-guided empowerment, horsemanship, light riding, personal reflection, nature and meaningful connection with other women, you will explore:
• How you respond when pressure shows up
• Fight, flight, freeze and please patterns
• The difference between responsibility and control
• Why survival patterns that once protected you may now be keeping you stuck
• Boundaries that protect connection without requiring self-abandonment
• Regulation, self-trust and intentional decision-making
• What belongs to you to change—and what does not
• How to lead your life from clarity rather than fear, guilt, pressure or habit
The horses offer immediate, honest feedback without judgment. They respond to what we bring into the relationship: our energy, clarity, boundaries, pressure, communication and ability to remain present. Working with them gives us a powerful opportunity to recognize our patterns and safely practice something different.
No previous horse experience is necessary. All horse activities are guided and designed to meet participants at their individual comfort and experience levels.
 
THE THREE-DAY JOURNEY
DAY ONE: SEE IT
What can no longer remain the same?
Step outside your normal routine and identify the pressure, relationship or pattern that brought you here. Begin recognizing what your life—and your responses—have been trying to show you.
DAY TWO: KNOW IT
Who shows up when pressure shows up?
Explore your fight, flight, freeze and please responses. Work with the horses to practice regulation, boundaries, communication, pressure and release, trust and personal responsibility.
DAY THREE: LEAD IT
What will you do now that you know what you know?
Move from awareness into intentional action. Identify the pattern you are ready to interrupt, the boundary or decision that must be addressed and the next steps required to begin leading your life differently.
You may not leave with every answer. You can leave more grounded, more connected to yourself and clearer about what comes next.
YOUR RETREAT INCLUDES
• Three full days of facilitated SWELL experiences
• Three nights of shared lodging at Swell Retreat
• Horse-guided empowerment activities
• Horsemanship, grooming and light horse care
• Light riding experiences (no experience necessary)
• Meals, snacks, and beverages
• Hearts & Horses workbook and personal reflection materials
• Retreat T-shirt
• Evening connection and integration experiences
• Personal 30-day action plan
• Post-retreat virtual follow-up gathering
PROGRAM INVESTMENT
Program Value: $2,700
Foundation-Supported Participant Rate: $697
Through the generosity of SWELL Foundation donors, sponsors and contributed resources, this experience is offered at a significantly reduced participant rate.
Payment plans are available.
Registration is limited to 16 women to preserve the personal connection, safety and small-herd experience that make Hearts & Horses so powerful.
After registering, you will receive a confidential participant questionnaire. This will help us understand what is bringing you to the retreat and prepare for your lodging, dietary, physical and horse-related needs.
IS THIS EXPERIENCE FOR YOU?
Hearts & Horses may be for you if:
• You know something in your life can no longer remain the same.
• You are exhausted from holding everything together.
• You have lost touch with your own voice, identity, needs or direction.
• You keep repeating a pattern even though you know it is not working.
• You are ready to examine your own responses—not only what someone else needs to change.
• You want more than temporary relief and are willing to take meaningful action.
• You are ready to invest in yourself and participate fully in the experience.
You do not have to be at rock bottom. You do not need to have everything figured out.
You only need to know that something needs to change—and be willing to begin.
Pain may have brought you here. Readiness will move you forward.
Reserve your place today.
Check In: 10 AM on 8 Oct 2026
Finish: 10 PM on 10 Oct 2026
Check Out: 11 AM on 11 Oct 2026
 
Private Lodging — $897
For women who need additional quiet, privacy or space to decompress, a limited number of private sleeping quarters are available. Porta potties, private outdoor shower and other facilities will still be shared.
Hearts & Horses is an educational and experiential personal-development program. It is not psychotherapy, medical treatment or a substitute for professional mental-health care.
 
***Off-grid glamping for lodging at Swell Retreat: no power, no HVAC, porta potties, and outdoor private shower OR shower at Swimming Pool 1.5 miles away.