Simply Be — A horse-assisted retreat in Andalusia

Five restorative days with horses, nature and personal guidance—created for German-speaking guests who want to reconnect with themselves.

A different kind of retreat

At Finca Mariposa, five days away become an invitation to pause, listen and reconnect. Guided encounters with horses are combined with reflection, relaxation, nourishing food and unhurried time in nature. You do not need to perform, explain everything or follow a fixed path. You can simply arrive as you are.

Depth without pressure

Everything is designed to help you feel safe, supported and free to experience the retreat in your own way.

Personally guided

Individual and group sessions leave room for your experiences, questions, needs and personal boundaries throughout the retreat.

Grounded and respectful

Every encounter with the horses takes place from the ground, with calm guidance and without performance expectations.

Space between sessions

Rest, nature, nourishing meals and unstructured time help you process experiences without moving immediately to the next activity.

A small, trusted group

With a minimum of four and maximum of eight participants, the retreat remains personal, attentive and connected.

A retreat for where you are now

You do not need to be facing a crisis or have a clearly defined goal to join this retreat. You may simply feel that it is time to pause, look more closely at what is happening within you and create space for something new. The retreat meets you where you are, without expecting you to have everything figured out.

Feel exhausted, overwhelmed or constantly tense
Experience anxiety, inner restlessness or compulsive patterns
Find it difficult to release control or trust the process
Want to strengthen your confidence and sense of personal agency
Feel disconnected from yourself, your body or what you truly need
Are approaching a turning point or considering a new direction
Want to recognise recurring patterns and explore different responses
Long for meaningful time away with rest, depth and fresh perspective

You do not need to arrive with a diagnosis, a finished story or a specific problem to solve. Curiosity and a willingness to meet yourself honestly are enough.

The horse as your co-coach

Horses respond immediately to body language, intention, energy and presence. They do not judge, diagnose or expect an explanation. They simply react to what is happening in the moment.

That honest response can make patterns visible that are difficult to notice in everyday life. You may become aware of when you withdraw, take control, hesitate, set a boundary or struggle to trust yourself. The horse communicates through attention, movement, closeness and distance, offering direct feedback without using words.

There is nothing you have to make the horse do correctly. Instead, you are invited to notice what happens when you become clearer, soften your control or change your inner position. This can help you move away from overthinking and towards feeling, awareness and trust.

Professional knowledge and experience

Katti’s approach is shaped by her training as an equine therapist, further coaching education and something no qualification alone can provide: lived experience.

She understands that life does not always follow a straight or easy path. Experiences with fear, difficult decisions and challenging periods have taught her to listen carefully, avoid quick judgements and meet people as equals.

Her role is not to stand above you or provide ready-made answers. She creates a respectful space in which you can explore what is present, discover your own insights and move at a pace that feels right for you.

A flexible rhythm, shaped around the group

There is no rigid timetable that you have to complete. Each edition is adapted to the people taking part and what emerges during the retreat. The elements below create a supportive framework, while leaving enough room for rest, spontaneity and individual needs. The detailed programme is available on request.

Horse-assisted group sessions

Experience the dynamics between horses and participants in a small, trusted group, with space for observation, reflection, connection and new perspectives.

Individual horse-assisted sessions

Your individual session focuses on your personal themes, needs and intentions. Each exercise is adapted to you, the situation and what feels appropriate at that moment.

Mindfulness and reflection

Guided mindfulness, relaxation and meditation exercises help you slow down, notice what is happening within you and give your experiences space to settle.

Practical insights for everyday life

You receive accessible prompts and practical methods that can help you carry new awareness and personal insights into your everyday life after returning home.

Rest and personal time

Not every moment needs to be filled. You have time to withdraw, enjoy the Finca, reflect, rest or simply do nothing for a while.

Massage and relaxation

A massage offers a moment to release physical tension, settle your nervous system and receive care without needing to achieve or explain anything.

Time by the Mediterranean

A shared trip to the coast brings fresh air, a change of scenery and an opportunity to experience Andalusia beyond the Finca.

Shared meals and evenings

Fresh meals and relaxed evenings bring the group together naturally, creating room for conversation, laughter and connection outside the guided sessions.

Included in your retreat

Five carefully supported days with space for personal development, rest, good food and meaningful connection.

Five-day stay at Finca Mariposa
Accommodation
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Horse-assisted group sessions
Individual horse-assisted session
Mindfulness and relaxation exercises
Meditation and reflection
Practical methods for everyday life
Massage
Shared trip to the Mediterranean coast
Personal time and space to rest
Relaxed group evenings
- Nerja bus station pickup and drop-off

A peaceful finca in the hills of Andalusia

Finca Mariposa lies between the Andalusian mountains and the Mediterranean coast, surrounded by open views, fruit trees and the sounds of nature. It is far enough from everyday life to help you truly slow down, yet remains accessible from Málaga Airport.

During the retreat, the finca becomes more than your accommodation. Terraces, pool areas, quiet corners and the surrounding landscape give you space to rest between sessions, share time with the group or enjoy a moment completely to yourself.

Katti and Rob live at the finca and offer the same warm but unobtrusive hospitality that defines every stay at Mariposa.

Comfort, nourishment and room to breathe

The group stays across two houses at Finca Mariposa. Depending on availability, you can request a private room or share a double room. Each house has a shared bathroom used by approximately two to four guests.

Meals are freshly prepared, varied and made with regional or local ingredients wherever possible. Vegetarian meals can be provided. Please communicate allergies and intolerances when booking so they can be considered carefully. Fully vegan catering is not currently available.

A supportive retreat, not medical treatment

This retreat can offer meaningful support, personal insight and new impulses, but it is not psychotherapy, medical treatment, psychiatric care or crisis support.

If you are currently receiving professional treatment or are uncertain whether the retreat is suitable for your situation, please speak with your treating professional and contact Katti before registering.

Before participation, you will be asked several confidential questions. These help determine together whether the retreat can offer you an appropriate and responsible setting.

Practical retreat information

Duration	Five days
Location	Finca Mariposa, near Nerja, Andalusia, Spain
Retreat language	German
Group size	Minimum 4 and maximum 8 participants
Minimum age	18 years
Horse experience	No horse or riding experience required
Working with the horses	All encounters take place from the ground; there is no riding
Accommodation	Accommodation across two houses at Finca Mariposa
Room options	Private room or shared double room, subject to availability
Bathrooms	Shared by approximately 2–4 guests, depending on occupancy
Meals	Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included
Dietary requirements	Vegetarian meals are available; allergies and intolerances must be communicated when booking
Vegan catering	Fully vegan catering is currently unavailable
Massage	One massage is included
Coastal excursion	A shared trip to the Mediterranean coast is included
Arrival	Pickup and drop-off at Nerja bus station are included
Rental car	Not required; optional if you want to explore independently
Dates	Current retreat dates are available on request
Price	Available on request
Deposit	30% when booking
Remaining payment	Due no later than four weeks before the retreat
Final confirmation	The retreat proceeds when at least four participants have booked
Insufficient participants	If the minimum is not reached four weeks before arrival, your deposit is refunded

Frequently asked questions

Is the retreat currently offered in English?

Not yet. The retreat and all guided sessions are currently held in German and are therefore intended for German-speaking guests. English-language retreats may be introduced in the future.

Do I need experience with horses?

No. You do not need any previous experience with horses or riding. You receive a calm introduction before the sessions, and every exercise is adapted to you and the situation.

Will we be riding the horses?

No. All encounters and exercises take place beside the horses from the ground. The retreat focuses on observation, presence, communication and personal awareness rather than riding.

What if I feel uncomfortable during an exercise?

You can pause or choose another form of participation at any time. Your boundaries are respected, and you are never expected to complete an exercise that does not feel right for you.

Is this retreat a form of psychotherapy?

No. The retreat offers guided self-exploration and personal development, but it does not replace psychotherapy, medical treatment, psychiatric care or crisis support.

Can I participate while receiving professional treatment?

Possibly, but please discuss the retreat with your treating professional and contact Katti before registering. Together, you can consider whether the retreat offers an appropriate and responsible setting for your situation.

Do I need to have a specific problem or personal goal?

No. You may join because you want rest, reflection or personal development. You do not need a diagnosis or a fully formed goal. Curiosity and a willingness to meet yourself honestly are enough.

Can I join the retreat on my own?

Yes. You are welcome to arrive alone, with another person or as part of a small group. Each retreat has a minimum of four and a maximum of eight participants.

Is a private room guaranteed?

Private rooms can be requested but depend on availability and the composition of the group. Shared double rooms are also available. Your preference will be discussed before your booking is confirmed.

Are the bathrooms private?

No. Each of the two retreat houses has a shared bathroom. Depending on the room allocation, a bathroom is generally shared by approximately two to four guests.

Are vegetarian or vegan meals available?

Vegetarian meals are available. Please communicate any allergies or intolerances when booking so they can be considered carefully. Fully vegan catering is not currently offered.

Do I need to rent a car?

No. Pickup and drop-off at Nerja bus station are included, and most of the retreat takes place at the Finca. A rental car is optional if you want greater independence outside the programme.

Is there a fixed daily programme?

No. The retreat follows a supportive framework rather than a rigid timetable. Its exact rhythm is adapted to the group, the weather, the horses and what participants need during that edition.

When will the retreat be definitively confirmed?

The retreat proceeds when at least four participants have booked. If this minimum has not been reached four weeks before arrival, you will be informed and your deposit will be refunded.

How does payment work?

A 30% deposit is required when booking. The remaining balance must be paid no later than four weeks before the retreat. The complete booking conditions are provided before you confirm your place.

Where can I find the price and available dates?

Current dates, availability, the detailed programme and the retreat price are available on request. This also gives you an opportunity to ask questions before deciding whether the retreat is right for you.