This retreat has passed. Please click here to go to our Upcoming Retreats Page to view future retreats.
Includes 1 Participant Spot (One Horse)
1st-Time Horse Owners Retreat: Introduction to Horsemanship
Are you a first-time horse owner eager to learn the basics of handling, grooming, and riding safely? Our First-Time Horse Owners Retreat is designed just for you. Over 5 days and 6 nights in the picturesque surroundings of Southern Mississippi, you'll enjoy lodging in peaceful cabins, cowboy quarters, or a beautiful western-style hotel. Choose from one of our Paso Finos, Quarter Horses, or bring your own horse.
This retreat covers fundamental horsemanship skills, from safe horse handling to proper nutrition. You'll participate in groundwork and horsemanship sessions, horse soccer, and even explore the world of trick training. Whether you're in the saddle or on the ground, this retreat offers the perfect introduction to your horse ownership journey.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN A RETREAT?
Enjoy our picturesque ranch nestled in the gently rolling hills of beautiful Southern Mississippi.
- 5 Days And 6 Nights Of Lodging
- Stay In Our Peaceful Cabins, Cowboy Quarters, Or Beautiful Western-Style Hotel**
- Hookups For RVs, Campers, And LQ Trailers
- Stabling And Stall Care Of Any Horse Or Horses You Bring
- Amazing Home-Cooked Meals Each Day
- Entertainment And Fun (Everyone Knows We Can Throw A Party!)
- Horsemanship Education With Michael Gascon (The Horse Guru)
- Education On Safety And How To Read Horses
From general horsemanship and trail riding to retreats focused on confidence, colt starting, or advanced riding, you’ll have the opportunity to relax as much as you want and to learn as much as you want.
Possible Horse Retreat Topics And Education Opportunities May Include, But Are Not Limited To:
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Trick Riding/Roman Riding
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What Are The Different Retreat Types?
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1st-Time Horse Owners: Handling / Grooming / Riding Safely / Nutrition
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Confidence Retreats: Walk / Trot / Optional Cantering In Games / Recovering Confidence
- Intermediate Retreats: Walk / Trot / Some Cantering
- Advanced Boot Camp Retreats*: Walk / Trot / Canter / More Advanced Work*
- Competitive Rider Retreats*: For the more Advanced Rider that takes horsey games SERIOUSLY / Cantering *
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Gaited Retreats: Additional Classes Focusing On Gait Work / Correction / Refinement
- Cattle Retreats: Cutting / Reining / Roping
(*Must have attended a past retreat or been through our Horse Help Course program)
**Accommodations:
- Cabins: 1 Queen bed and Private Bathrooms
- Hotel Rooms: 1 Queen Bed per room and 2 Shared Bathrooms for the 4 Rooms
- Cowboy Quarters: 2 Queen Beds or 4 Twin Bunk Beds, all with Private Bathroom
Located on the Ranch at 270 H Burge Road, Poplarville, MS 39470
This retreat has passed. Please click here to go to our Upcoming Retreats Page to view future retreats.
Includes 1 Participant Spot (One Horse)
1st-Time Horse Owners Retreat: Introduction to Horsemanship
Are you a first-time horse owner eager to learn the basics of handling, grooming, and riding safely? Our First-Time Horse Owners Retreat is designed just for you. Over 5 days and 6 nights in the picturesque surroundings of Southern Mississippi, you'll enjoy lodging in peaceful cabins, cowboy quarters, or a beautiful western-style hotel. Choose from one of our Paso Finos, Quarter Horses, or bring your own horse.
This retreat covers fundamental horsemanship skills, from safe horse handling to proper nutrition. You'll participate in groundwork and horsemanship sessions, horse soccer, and even explore the world of trick training. Whether you're in the saddle or on the ground, this retreat offers the perfect introduction to your horse ownership journey.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN A RETREAT?
Enjoy our picturesque ranch nestled in the gently rolling hills of beautiful Southern Mississippi.
- 5 Days And 6 Nights Of Lodging
- Stay In Our Peaceful Cabins, Cowboy Quarters, Or Beautiful Western-Style Hotel**
- Hookups For RVs, Campers, And LQ Trailers
- Stabling And Stall Care Of Any Horse Or Horses You Bring
- Amazing Home-Cooked Meals Each Day
- Entertainment And Fun (Everyone Knows We Can Throw A Party!)
- Horsemanship Education With Michael Gascon (The Horse Guru)
- Education On Safety And How To Read Horses
From general horsemanship and trail riding to retreats focused on confidence, colt starting, or advanced riding, you’ll have the opportunity to relax as much as you want and to learn as much as you want.
Possible Horse Retreat Topics And Education Opportunities May Include, But Are Not Limited To:
-
Trick Riding/Roman Riding
-
-
-
-
-
What Are The Different Retreat Types?
-
1st-Time Horse Owners: Handling / Grooming / Riding Safely / Nutrition
-
Confidence Retreats: Walk / Trot / Optional Cantering In Games / Recovering Confidence
- Intermediate Retreats: Walk / Trot / Some Cantering
- Advanced Boot Camp Retreats*: Walk / Trot / Canter / More Advanced Work*
- Competitive Rider Retreats*: For the more Advanced Rider that takes horsey games SERIOUSLY / Cantering *
-
Gaited Retreats: Additional Classes Focusing On Gait Work / Correction / Refinement
- Cattle Retreats: Cutting / Reining / Roping
(*Must have attended a past retreat or been through our Horse Help Course program)
**Accommodations:
- Cabins: 1 Queen bed and Private Bathrooms
- Hotel Rooms: 1 Queen Bed per room and 2 Shared Bathrooms for the 4 Rooms
- Cowboy Quarters: 2 Queen Beds or 4 Twin Bunk Beds, all with Private Bathroom
Located on the Ranch at 270 H Burge Road, Poplarville, MS 39470
App section
The October 2024 Advanced Gaited Retreat was of one of the most challenging but fun experience of my lifetime. Michael and Kelsey are always looking for new challenges and they certainly made this retreat one of the best I have ever attended. I have attended multiple retreats and have loved every one of them. I have met a group of women who also love to learn at these retreats. The camaraderie is wonderful, the hotel/rooms are great and the food is yummy. I love that the entire family is involved in making each retreat a valuable experience. I love all the challenges from cattle sorting, soccer ball, thunder dome, obstacles and learning how Michael trains horses. My horse is such a well trained horse now and is a perfect horse at these retreats now. It certainly makes the long trip worthwhile. I highly recommend these retreats if you want to learn how to train your horse, meet new friends, and leave with a new sense of purpose.
What a glowing review! Thank you so much for all of your insight into the Advanced Gaited Retreat. We love hearing that you gained valuable training experience, friendships and leaving with more than you came with in the knowledge department!
I always enjoy the retreats. I have another scheduled in April 2025. It increases my knowledge and understanding of my horse and my insecurities. After I leave, I am more confident and have increased the bond with my horse.
We are already looking forward to having you back! Thank you for attending the Intermediate Retreat and we truly appreciate hearing that your confidence and relationship with your horse is stronger from it.
This is my second retreat, brought a friend this time. Made several new friends, learned a lot, had a Blast. Can't wait to go back.
This is what it the Intermediate Retreat is all about! Great camaraderie, and educating ourselves on all things horses! We look forward to having you again at a future retreat!
Driving across country to attend this retreat was one of the best decisions I've made. My 4-year-old filly learned leaps and bounds in the 5 days! It really built my confidence in training my own horses. I would highly recommend the Gascons and Horse Help!
We are so happy to have had you come across the states for the Advanced Gaited Retreat! Building confidence is one of the most important key things to move forward with your horse's training. Thank you and happy riding!
This experience is priceless!! The amount of learning information that you can soak in during these five days is incredible! The environment, opportunity and just everything about it is incredible! I’d recommend every horse owner, horse lover, horse enthusiast to attend at least one of these retreats!! I can’t wait for the opportunity to get back to Mississippi and visit! The Gascon family is so welcoming and knowledgeable! Thank you guys so much for such a wonderful retreat!
Wow, thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled that you had such a positive experience and were able to soak in all the knowledge and opportunities. It means the world to us that you found the environment so welcoming and enriching during the Intermediate Retreat. We can’t wait to have you back in Mississippi!