{"id":9479,"date":"2021-11-25T10:27:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-25T15:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vacayou.com\/magazine\/?p=9479"},"modified":"2025-11-14T23:22:57","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T21:22:57","slug":"miraval-berkshires-equine-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vacayou.com\/magazine\/miraval-berkshires-equine-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"Miraval Berkshires: Finding Yourself Among the Horses and Hay"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sprawling hills and rolling green valleys? Check. A rustling wind that swirls the warmly colored autumn leaves? Check. The gentle neighing of horses breaking through the stillness? Check. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wait\u2014horses? At a destination spa and resort? Yes, very much yes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Horse encounters are a core component of the \u201cLife in Balance\u201d philosophy at the quintessential New England-styled Miraval Resorts & Spa <\/a>in the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Horse
Courtesy Nancy Monson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A unique offering among spa destinations, the Equine Experience program was first established at Miraval\u2019s Tucson property 25 years ago. The idea behind this experience is that learning to communicate and work with horses would be an exercise in mindfulness and self-discovery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wanting to challenge myself and overcome my fear of horses, I had attempted to take an Equine Experience class in Tucson several years ago. Unfortunately, I wasn\u2019t able to secure a spot since the sessions are very popular. (I signed up for ziplining instead, which was just as intimidating to me and ultimately amazing).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Horse Encounters at Miraval Berkshires<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apprehensive but still curious, I jumped at the opportunity to visit Miraval Berkshires for their \u201cJourney to Self\u201d horse experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Fence
Courtesy Nancy Monson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Cottage
Miiraval Berkshires cottage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After leading me, my pilates instructor Martina Sprague and another guest to the stables, horse facilitator Jen Leahey explained that we would be embarking on a symbolic  \u201chero\u2019s journey” by leading a horse through a spiral labyrinth obstacle course. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The journey, of course, is modeled on classic works of literature like The Odyssey <\/em>and Dante\u2019s Inferno<\/em>, as well as pop-culture books and movies such as The<\/em> Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Wizard of Oz <\/em>and Star Wars<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In these stories, the hero is typically forced to leave home and is guided through a journey by a mentor, facing challenges, temptations and setbacks. Ultimately, said hero is transformed and returns home as a more evolved person.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning to communicate and work with horses is an exercise in mindfulness and self-discovery.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Transformation and evolution are just the ticket at Miraval Berkshires. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, Jen had us do a silent meditation to focus on a personal challenge we wanted to face in our journey. We were to write the challenge down on a piece of paper that would be placed in a pouch under the horse\u2019s neck and would travel with us as we moved through the obstacle course and into a corral that contained a burning cauldron. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the spirit of autumn, we were then to retrieve the paper and burn it in the cauldron and thus release ourselves from the challenge. Had we been taking the two-hour class in the spring, we would have focused on planting a new intention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Journey
Martina Sprague and Maple \/\/ Courtesy Nancy Monson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Equine
Nancy Monson, Martina Sprague and Maple \/\/ Courtesy Nancy Monson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Equine Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Martina bravely volunteered to go first. She carefully approached Maple, the rescue horse who was to be our guide, from the side and shoulder as instructed by Jen. Horses can\u2019t see you if you stand in front of them, as their eyes are on the sides of their heads.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jen told us that our goal was to get the horse to work with us and acknowledge us as the leader. And since horses are natural followers, this would make Maple feel safe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Maple was having none of it. Martina tried pulling gently on the reins, while Maple ignored her and continued intently munching on her breakfast of hay. When Jen asked Martina why she didn\u2019t want to pull the horse away more firmly, Martina replied, \u201cShe\u2019s hungry. I understand that. I\u2019m hungry, too.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Equine
Courtesy Nancy Monson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Horse
Horse facilitator Jen Leahey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, and with persistence, she was able to overcome Maple\u2019s resistance. Martina led her around the barn through a large metal ring, a shower curtain and other obstacles before moving to the cauldron and burning her written challenge.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I went last, having proclaimed my anxiety about the experience multiple times. Having watched the other two women struggle to get Maple to go with them, I figured talking to the horse would be my brilliant shortcut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Ground<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In retrospect, this was idiotic, although I thought I was being quite brilliant. Jen explained that it wasn\u2019t working because I was asking for a partnership from an animal that doesn\u2019t speak the same language. Ahem, well, yes, I see that now\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Horse<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In any case, I was finally able to get Maple going with me by pulling hard on the reins. This seemed slightly contradictory since we were supposed to be doing the task together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We went around the obstacle course with little incident. Jen even said I turned the horse beautifully when Maple didn\u2019t follow me as I wanted. I slipped once when Maple tried to high tail it back to the hay, but held my ground and led her to the cauldron, where I released my challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afterward, my heart was racing with a combination of anxiety and exhilaration as we discussed our journeys. Magically, all three of us felt transformed by our brief but powerful joint experience. Our small group allowed us to bond and share our innermost feelings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Equine<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Stone
Courtesy Nancy Monson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Horse
Courtesy Nancy Monson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Martina remarked that Jen had created a very safe space for the three of us. She also appreciated the idea of psychologically releasing yourself from challenges and troubles through the exercise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it turns out the exercise actually had a lasting effect on her. In the weeks after the experience, Martina told me that she felt lighter and more mindful of her feelings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Mindful Pace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Martina began asking herself when she got upset, \u201cHow is it serving you to hold onto these feelings, this anger, this resentment, this episode?\u201d In most cases, she realized it wasn\u2019t serving her well, which allowed her to let go of the negative emotions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For me, the experience was profound. I was able to conquer my fear of looking like a fool in front of others. My written challenge was to participate in the exercise even though I was terrified of the horse and afraid of looking incompetent.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I often avoid physical activities because I don\u2019t feel confident about my physical prowess and appearance. That said, I also worry too much about what others will think of me.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Horse<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And yet, others are in the same space usually\u2014as we discovered that day. They\u2019re far more concerned about their own challenges than taking the time to label me a buffoon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s a powerful lesson, I\u2019d say. I still don\u2019t want to go horseback riding and I am still scared of horses\u2014they outweigh us ten times over and Maple\u2019s head was huge\u2014but I felt the connection, both with the horse and with the other women. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I might even be inclined to try some of the other Equine Experiences at Miraval Berkshires, which include one where you paint on the side of a horse, using it as your canvas. I\u2019m an artist as well as a writer, so you\u2019re talking my<\/em> language there!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note:<\/strong> Thank you to Miraval Berkshires for hosting the writer and Martina Sprague to experience the resort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Snapshot Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Miraval Berkshires incorporates equine therapy into its “Life in Balance” wellness philosophy through transformative horse encounters. The “Journey to Self” experience guides guests through a symbolic hero’s journey, leading rescue horses through obstacle courses while confronting personal challenges. Participants practice mindfulness by communicating nonverbally with horses, learning leadership skills and building trust. The session culminates in burning written challenges in a ceremonial cauldron for psychological release. This 25-year-old program creates profound connections between guests and horses, fostering self-discovery in the peaceful Berkshire Mountains setting.<\/summary>\n\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

About Vacayou<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At Vacayou [pronounced VACAY – YOU], we believe that travel has the power to change lives. The power to revive, rejuvenate and redirect your inner wellness warrior<\/strong>. And that\u2019s why we\u2019re here. Vacayou brings the world of wellness travel to you!

No matter how far or how adventurous, our team scours the globe to curate the best in wellness travel. However, the booking process can often be time-consuming and complicated. We\u2019ve simplified your search for wellness and active vacations<\/strong> with Vacayou’s Instant Book, so your dream wellness getaway is now just one click away<\/strong>.

Start the trip of your lifetime today with Vacayou<\/a>. We are here to help create a healthier global community through wellness and active travel.\u00a0

To keep up with the latest wellness trends and experiences, be sure to\u00a0subscribe to our newsletter<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sprawling hills and rolling green valleys? Check. A rustling wind that swirls the warmly colored autumn leaves? Check. The gentle neighing of horses breaking through the stillness? Check.  Wait\u2014horses? 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