UNDERSTANDING THE WISDOM OF THE HORSE: AN ATTORNEY WELL-BEING RETREAT

SEPTEMBER 10th to 14th, 2025

Welcome to Imagine Equus Farm and our one-of-a-kind horse retreats for attorneys.  This retreat will offer you an opportunity to work with horses and donkeys doing Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning (EFEL). Everything has been designed to take you away from the stress of your work and be all about you. That can take many forms… Discovering ways to find joy in your work again… Reconnecting with your inner wisdom… Figuring out ways to make space for you in the midst of intense trial work or non-ending billable hours. We will take this opportunity, away from the rest of the world to relax, open and revitalize your energy in ways you didn’t think possible:

This unique attorney Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning (EFEL) retreat will be held on beautiful 28 acre  Imagine Equus Farm in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. We sit in the heart of the Tryon area horse country and are surrounded by many fabulous wineries. The timing of the retreat is such that you should catch the beautiful activity filled almost Fall season.  This retreat is designed to rejuvenate and revitalize you. (The working attorney you and the inner you.)  More than R&R, this retreat will immerse you in the world of the horse.  You will come away with a whole new connection and respect for equines and their innate wisdom.​  More than that, you will have an opportunity to see and understand how some of that horse knowledge can empower you in your life and work, and be able to live a more peaceful life.

Your retreat will be led by EFEL Facilitator Kim Kupferer, who is also a 35-year legal practitioner. Ms. Kupferer has been a trial attorney at the highest levels and therefore understands the daily demands and the depth of what our work in the legal field can take out of us. She also understands what a powerful difference an inspired and well balanced attorney can make in the the world.

So why an EFEL retreat?  Well, first horses are awfully cool to be around.  The work we will do with the horses is “experiential” in nature.  That means you learn by doing and engaging rather than being told or talked at. No lectures here.  This retreat is not about riding the horses either. Rather, it is about finding ways to connect with them- to understand them at a different level. Why might you want to do that?  Horses are amazing communicators. They have an incredible ability to stay present and read energy.  As such, they are also wonderful teachers to help us develop an ability to be really present, be aware of, and read, incongruity in ourselves and others and be overall more centered and grounded.  Horses are generous teachers, and if we listen, they can help us with our inner balance and overall well-being.

During our retreat time we will be spending time with horses and donkeys.   However, since all of the work with the equines is groundwork, no riding skills or previous horse experience is required.

90% of communication is non-verbal.  As lawyer’s we all know how important non-verbal communication can be whether examining a witness on the stand, choosing a juror or being the midst of a mediation.  This retreat is designed to heighten that awareness. Through our work with the horses, we will look at ways to tap into our innate wisdom and intuition to connect non-verbally.  This skill is critical to being a successful attorney and the horses are masterful teachers.  As prey animals horses have a keen awareness and rely on the non-verbal for their safety, herd dynamic, interaction and day to day living.  Because their energy is so present, they are able to read incongruity in a heartbeat.  Through daily experiential learning sessions with the horses we will work on our own abilities to be fully present, congruent with our own desires and our actions, and become aware of the ways we, and others, communicate non-verbally.  Part and parcel to the nonverbal communication, is also developing an awareness of our own energy and how it impacts us and others.  We will therefore also focus on modulation of our energy and recognition of that of others.

As professionals, we are expected to constantly give, without notice to the impact it may be having on our psyche or self.  For those who have not done the intense work of lawyering, it is difficult to understand all of the ways we are required to push ourselves, often beyond what is comfortable, reasonable or healthy.  We are oft required to do all-out battle in courtrooms or otherwise in situations that are draining and difficult.  Then once that case is finished, a dozen others are waiting and ready to go.  After years, or even a short time doing lawyering work, we may find the work we once loved as either being a drag or having completely drained us.  Are you exhausted?  Have you lost your sense of purpose as your work has shifted and you are no longer fighting the good fight you thought you would?  Are you tired of all the conflict and looking for another way of being and doing your work?  Or, are you simply looking for additional ways to heighten your skills.  If so, this retreat may be just what you need to revitalize your love for your work, your body, spirit and mind.

While we will spend the majority of our days doing experiential work with the horses and sessions related to that, there will also be a focus on care of you.  We understand the daily pressures and amount of ones self lawyers constantly give to others.  Therefore, at this retreat there will also be a component of caring focused on you.  You will experience a healing session from a Reiki Master or other healing practitioner.  Your accommodations will be peaceful and relaxing cabins or the chalet, where every detail has been designed with your comfort and serenity in mind.  The food you eat will be organic, local and fabulous.  Time will be built into our days such that you have time to rest, relax, ponder or just wander the woods and beautiful property.

Beyond the equine experiential work, this retreat will give you the added benefit of an opportunity to connect with the land, the animals and the outdoors.  You can use this time to replenish yourself and get grounded in a tranquil, peaceful setting.  At Imagine Equus Farm you can turn off the hustle and bustle of the rest of the world and let the focus be you.

We have created this very special horse retreat specifically for lawyers to give you an opportunity to not only learn about communication and leadership on a deeper level, but also to provide you with an experience to deepen your well being that can incorporate into your every day life.

Space for this retreat is very limited.

​Registration below.  For more information contact us.

​THE SCHEDULE

Day 1   2 pm             Arrival.  Settle into Accommodations.

5 pm            Group Meeting & Welcome Dinner.

Day 2   9:30-4:30     Experiential Work with Horses and Sessions

Day 3   9:30-1:30     Experiential Work with Horses and Sessions

1:30-5         Afternoon of Integration

Day 4   9:30-4          Experiential Work with Horses and Sessions

6 pm             Closing Celebration Dinner

Day 5   9:00-12       Final EFL session & Wrap up           Departure

​Each full day a healthy & delicious lunch will be served at 12:30. There will also be breaks and snacks. Times listed here may not be exact as we at times will need to be flexible as we are doing the experiential work.  During our down time, there will be plenty of time to explore the wonderful creeks, woods and even our little waterfall on the 28 acres of Imagine Equus Farm.

Attorney Retreat Tuition:

$2369. without lodging         $3099. includes 4 nights lodging

​Retreat Package Includes Program, 4 Nights Lodging (September 10th, 11th, 12th & 13th) All Materials and Retreat Activities, Daily Lunches and Snacks,  Opening Night and Closing Celebration Dinner, Healing Reiki Session, All of the Donkey Love You Can Handle.

Extra days may be added to your stay before or after the retreat for $185 a night.

​Please note that fees do not include transportation or meals other than those indicated above.

​Cancellation Policy: Cancellation up to 60 days prior to the event start date results in a credit of half of the retreat tuition.  There is no tuition credit for a cancellation 60 days or less before the event start date.  Because we keep our retreats very small we also need to keep our cancellation policy tighter.  Please note a registration must be submitted and accepted in order to confirm your space in our retreats.

​​Reiki sessions at Imagine Equus Farm will be a quiet time to deepen one’s connection to the power and wisdom of stillness. In peaceful pastures renewed strength grows.

​If you would like to join this retreat fill out the registration below.  We will then set up a call to discuss any questions you may have.  Once your registration has been approved you will receive a tuition request that will complete the registration process.  Your spot for the retreat is reserved once payment has been received.