Lead Mare Wisdom
A women’s weekend
In service to feminine leadership and belonging.
April 25–26 | Ojai, California
We’re so glad you’re here.
We invite you to say yes to a weekend of slowing down, stepping into a different rhythm, and spending time in a field that tends to reveal more than words can. Over these two days, you’ll be part of a small group of women gathering at a private horse sanctuary in Ojai. Together, we’ll explore what becomes possible when attention returns to the body, when presence replaces effort, and when leadership is experienced through relationship rather than force.
There is something unique that happens in the presence of horses. The nervous system settles. Attention sharpens. The body begins telling the truth.
Horses respond immediately to what is real. Subtle shifts in presence, tension, or clarity are reflected back in ways that are often surprising and deeply clarifying. Throughout the weekend, you’ll have the opportunity to observe the herd, engage in guided interactions, and experience both group and individual time with the horses, supported by thoughtful facilitation.
Alongside the work with the herd, this weekend is also about the experience of being together.
Connection with a circle of thoughtful women.
Conversations that open something inside you.
Shared meals, time to reflect, and space to simply be.
On Saturday evening, we’ll gather for dinner at the sanctuary, followed by optional time on the property with access to a sauna and cold plunge for those who want to continue relaxing and connecting under the Ojai sky.
What to Expect
This is an experiential, embodied, and relational weekend.
There will be moments of guided facilitation, moments of reflection, and moments where insight emerges naturally through experience. You’ll be invited into both group practices and individual exploration, including one-on-one time with the horses and support from facilitators throughout.
No prior horse experience is needed. All activities take place safely on the ground and are guided with care.
Event Details
Dates
April 25–26, 2026
10 am to 5pm
Exchange
$550
Location
Ojai, California
Private horse sanctuary
(The address will be shared on this page with you prior to the event.)
Schedule Overview
DAY ONE — ARRIVAL & ATTUNEMENT
10:00 – 1:00 | Morning Session Focus: Slowing down enough to perceive, letting the body lead before the mind organizes meaning
Landing in the Body + Meeting the Herd
Opening circle (orientation + intention setting)
Nervous system grounding + somatic arrival
Introduction to herd dynamics + lead mare archetype (light teaching)
Guided herd observation (witnessing without agenda)
First relational exercises (presence, pacing, proximity)
Individual + group reflections
1:00 – 2:00 | Lunch - Unstructured time to integrate, connect, and soften
2:00 – 5:00 | Afternoon Session Focus: Noticing what happens between you and others, Letting the horses reveal what’s usually invisible
Relational Awareness in Real Time
Paired + small group exercises (human-to-human attunement)
Ground-based horse interactions (invitations, not control)
Exploring: where you overextend, where you withdraw, where you hold or release authority
Horses reflecting group dynamics in real time
Facilitated group dialogue + integration
6:00 - onward | Dinner and sauna hang time
DAY TWO — EMBODIMENT & EXPRESSION
10:00 – 1:00 | Morning Session Focus: Leadership as responsiveness, not control, feeling how the group reorganizes around clarity
Claiming Space + Responsive Leadership
Re-grounding + group coherence practice
Movement-based exercises with the herd
Taking initiative inside a shared field
Practicing: clear direction, listening while leading, adjusting in real time
Rotating roles (leader / responder / witness)
1:00 – 2:00 | Lunch - Rest, reflection, connection
2:00 – 5:00 | Afternoon Session Focus: Experiencing leadership as something collective, leaving with a felt sense—not just insight
Integration + The Shared Field
Group constellation-style exercise with horses + participants
Naming patterns that emerged across the weekend
Integration dialogue (what shifts when we’re together?)
Closing ritual with the herd
Personal reflection + embodied takeaway
Meals
Lunch will be served both days.
Dinner on Saturday evening will be shared at the sanctuary, followed by optional time on the property to relax and enjoy the space together.
What to Bring
• Comfortable clothing you can move in
• Closed-toe shoes (required for safety around horses)
• Sun hat and sunscreen
• Water bottle
• Journal and pen
Lodging
Lodging is not included in the retreat registration.
Ojai has a range of nearby accommodations including boutique hotels, inns, and Airbnbs. Many attendees choose to stay within a short drive of the sanctuary.
Where to stay:
Ojai Valley Inn — luxury, full spa, beautiful grounds
Caravan Outpost — modern, nature-forward airstream stay
The Capri Hotel — stylish, relaxed boutique
Ojai Rancho Inn — casual, community feel
Hummingbird Inn — simple, walkable, charming
This is your space to begin connecting with the other women who will be joining.
If you’d like to share an Airbnb, coordinate rides, or simply get to know who else will be there, feel free to post and reach out here!
Food & Exploring Ojai
If you’re arriving early or staying a bit longer, Ojai has a lot to offer.
Places to eat:
The Dutchess — beautifully curated, elevated casual
Farmer and the Cook — organic, grounded, local
Rory’s Place — intimate, thoughtful dining
Nocciola — warm, Italian, cozy
Ojai Rotie — easy, nourishing, delicious
Things to explore:
Ojai is known for its natural beauty, relaxed pace, and creative spirit. Many participants choose to arrive early or stay an extra night to enjoy the area.
Some favorite local experiences include:
Los Padres National Forest — hiking + wide open space
Ecotopia Matilija Hot Springs — wild, earthy soaking
Ojai Valley Trail — biking + walking
Bart’s Books — outdoor bookstore magic
Ojai offers a rare blend of nature, creativity, and spaciousness. It creates the perfect environment for the kind of reflection and connection this weekend invites.
About the Facilitators
Matisse Williams is a writer, facilitator, and horsewoman exploring the intersection of myth, motherhood, and the living intelligence of nature. Her work brings together equine wisdom, systemic constellations, and feminine leadership, guiding others into deeper relationship with land, lineage, and the unseen.
Guliz Unlu: Horses have been my greatest teachers, shaping my understanding of movement, trust, and healing from an early age. My journey began with vaulting and intuitive horsemanship, later evolving into competitive riding, rehabilitation, and eventually, equine-facilitated healing. A pivotal moment with a horse named Z led me to study Bowen Therapy, animal communication, and consciousness-based medicine, deepening my ability to listen beyond words. Now, alongside my herd, I teach presence-based facilitation, ethical equine partnership, and the transformative power of horses as co-facilitators in healing.