Wellness Retreats with Horses

Announcing a Transformative Retreat with Equine-Assisted Healing in Sao Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

(November 12-19-2026 - dates to be confirmed )

Registration opens soon for my November restorative experience on the Azores island of Sao Miguel, Portugal. Get on the waitlist.

The Azores offers an unusually rich mix of volcanic landscapes, geo-thermal hot springs, ocean wildlife, lush forests, and charming towns.

A scenic view of a large lake surrounded by green hills and mountains with a blue sky above.

A landscape featuring a large lake surrounded by green hills and mountains, with a grassy field and cows grazing in the foreground.

A church at the end of a cobblestone pathway lined with tall trees and flower bushes, with lampposts on each side.

Five people riding horses along a grassy lakeside with a forest in the background.

Scenic view of green rolling hills, farmland, a lake in the distance, and forested mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

Scenic view of a coastal village with white houses, churches, and lush greenery overlooking the ocean.

Get deep. Get healed. Get grounded.

Centred around psychotherapy and the healing power of the horses, this wellness retreat will ensure that your healing experience is a true adventure.

What you can expect at our retreat:

Immerse yourself in Portugal:

Shared accommodations for 6 days
Transportation from the airport to your hotels
Buffet Breakfasts
Fabulous local cuisine
Local dining experience in Furnas
Day trips and transportation to local villages.
Guided meditation, grounding activities, beach sunsets, forest paths, and wellness workshops rooted in the island’s lush landscapes
Deepen your experience with optional 1:1 wellness sessions (additional cost – not covered by insurance)

Connect with nature and yourself on a different level:

Explore the island with Denice and the horses of São Miguel
Move and unwind with yoga and embodiment workshops inspired by the ocean, volcanic hills, and natural rhythms of the Atlantic sea.
And enjoy the simple joys in between—local food, warm geo thermal springs, ocean views, and unforgettable moments shared with the group.

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Reconnect to your true self in the most unexpected ways.

This retreat is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to indulge your feelings and senses. Reconnect with yourself and others through equine-assisted healing and yoga at a luxurious location. You are worth the investment in yourself.

Find a deeper sense of self and more reasons to celebrate you.

Picture this…On the lush island of São Miguel, where ocean mist meets emerald hillsides, this retreat invites you into a slower, more spacious way of being.

Each day blends equine‑assisted therapeutic experiences with the natural rhythms of the Azores—warm mineral springs, volcanic lakes, coastal trails, and the grounding presence of horses who help us soften and open.

Our time together is crafted to support emotional release, nervous system regulation, and a deeper sense of belonging—to yourself, to the land, and to a community of others walking their own healing paths.

With a small group and a trauma‑informed approach, you’ll be held with care as you explore what’s ready to shift, heal, or be reclaimed. This is a retreat for anyone longing for renewal, clarity, and the quiet kind of transformation that happens when nature, horses, and intention come together.

Come as you are. Leave with more spaciousness, steadiness, and connection.

Learn more about our upcoming retreats.

Get on the waitlist

Meet Your Host

Registered Psychotherapist, Denice Muzzatti

As your host and Registered Psychotherapist, my mission for the retreat is transformation and healing in collaboration with the horses.

If you’re an adventurer seeking a therapeutic experience, join us on this retreat of a lifetime in Portugal. Ride your feelings, open your senses, and get ready to live your most authentic life.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENICE

ITALY 2023

Watch our Italy 2023 Video

MANY HOURS SPENT TALKING AND LAUGHING

“I experienced healing in many ways, in particular during sessions with Denice and the horses. Denice is amazing at running therapy sessions with the horses, guided by what each participant feels they want and need to work on. I had no prior experience with horses, but immediately felt comfortable with them, as well as a sense of connection and comfort. I found the horses to be very intuitive to my feelings. At one point I just hugged one of the horses, and felt a great sense of release. The support of the other women who were all dealing with their own unique issues was also very therapeutic. Many hours were spent talking and laughing after a delicious meal, and wine of course!

My favourite parts of the retreat were the sessions with the horses, connecting with the other women, and a day trip to Assisi. There was a lot of free time to explore the beautiful venue, spend time in nature and with the animals, and journal or read a book in the gorgeous accommodations. Pictures do not do the venue or accommodations justice!”

— Anita

A scenic view of an ancient European village at sunset, featuring stone buildings, a prominent church tower, and a landscape of fields in the background, with birds flying in the sky.

Interior view of a historic cathedral with ornate, colorful vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows.

Close-up of a white horse's face focusing on its eye and part of its head, with a blurred darker horse in the background.

Outdoor table with various pasta dishes, bread, salad, and condiments against a stone wall.

A CONNECTION TO MY BODY, SOUL AND MIND.

“I needed something different beyond my traditional therapy. Something not confined to a room. I’ve heard working with horses can help you take control of your nervous system and I know that taking chances is how you grow so I decided to give it a try.

It’s amazing what can happen in a short time. The horses have an overwhelming sense of calmness and they reflect your emotions. They force you to be present. They helped me look internally and self-reflect. Working with Denice and the horses, the connections with the other participants, and being surrounded by nature allowed me to destress and embrace the culture of Italy. I felt a connection to my body, my soul, and my mind. I also felt spiritually very connected. It made me realize how connected and similar we all are.”

— Mary

Person holding a large wooden bowl filled with fresh green figs outside.

A swimming pool surrounded by stone paving, with lush green bushes and trees on a hillside in the background under a clear blue sky.

Five women are raising glasses for a toast at an outdoor gathering under a vine-covered pergola, with a table set with water pitchers, glasses, and plates.

Two horses grazing in a field of white daisies under a partly cloudy blue sky.

Three women sitting at an outdoor table under a grapevine canopy, engaged in reading, writing, and using a phone, with a stone house in the background and a dog lying at the table's edge.

Close-up of a Bernese Mountain Dog looking intently outdoors.

A yoga or meditation class setup with nine mats on wooden floor, each with a white pillow and a small orange yoga block. There are large windows and a glass sliding door, providing natural light, with a balcony outside. Near the window, there are pil

A woman sitting on the ground with two brown horses near her, one resting its head on her lap and the other near her. The scene is outdoors with greenery in the background.

**Italy Retreat 2023**
**a magical experience.**

Experience forest bathing, psychotherapy sessions, or even wine tasting — every day is an adventure.
Morning yoga + group breakfast
Relaxation time by the pool
Lunch with the group
Group workshops with the horses
Optional sunset hike or relaxation time
Pizza making and bonfire with the group

Meet the Horses

The horses of Monestevole, Italy were our teachers (and our friends). Each of these divine beings had a unique way of guiding our healing journey, connected to their own experiences living wild in the Umbrian mountains.

Sumi

Freccia

Yakul

TRIP OF A LIFETIME

“I decided to go on this retreat because I knew my friend really needed it, and the truth is, I needed it just as much. Some highlights of the trip were getting to know the other beautiful souls I was with and also getting to know all the staff, Anne, and her family. We felt like family. We all ate the most delicious food together outside under the grape vines – it was so magical.

My favourite part was being around the horses and having Denice guide us. To be in the presence of such authenticity changed me. I am overjoyed that I gifted myself this retreat because I knew I needed it and am worth it. I experienced such healing being in a beautiful place and sharing my story with amazing human beings who graciously held space for me. I came home with such a sense of peace and deep friendships. The connection we shared was unreal and surprised all of us. It was a trip of a lifetime and one I will not forget!”

— Lisa

Accommodation

Our Retreat in Monestevole, Italy

'Mon-es-tay-vo-lay' is a charming 15th-century restored stone estate that welcomes you to this vibrant, green corner of Italy.
Every room is adorned in a traditional and luxuriously rustic Italian style, from the bedrooms to the stone hallways and open kitchen.
Views of the vineyard, lush hills, and playful horses catch your eye as you pass by each window.

In this setting, it's impossible not to feel connected to nature. To feel invited by it. And to feel that same connection to the people and the world around you.

Visit the farm animals, enjoy a refreshing swim in the saltwater pool, and laugh out loud with new friends while you enjoy dinner outside... consider this your new home. By the end of your visit your hosts will feel like family.

A bedroom with rustic decor featuring a wooden bed with a white bedspread, a black and white geometric rug, a small bedside table with a lamp, open French doors leading outside, exposed wooden beams on the ceiling, and a stone wall.

A rustic bedroom with wooden beams on the ceiling, a large wooden bed with a pink bedspread, matching nightstands, and a vintage mirror with candelabra. There is a small window with open shutters and a radiator beneath it.

Bedroom with a white bed, two folded towels on top, a small wooden bedside table, a painting of animals on the wall, a small lamp, a window with open shutters, a colorful rug on the floor, and exposed wooden beams on the ceiling.

A cozy rustic bedroom with a four-poster bed, wooden beams on the ceiling, stone and wooden elements, a window with natural light, and vintage furniture.

A rustic bedroom with a single bed covered with a beige bedspread, a bedside lamp, wooden beams on the ceiling, and sheer curtains dividing the space.

A SOUL-SEARCHING EXPERIENCE

“This experience allowed for self-care and the gift of self-love and appreciation. Thank you so much Denice for guiding & accompanying me along the way. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

— Samantha R.

“An amazing soul-searching experience with an incredible group of beautiful strong women. Thank you Denice for a truly unforgettable journey.”

— Mary D.

Our European Retreats are set with intention and designed for healing and connection.

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