The 2025 Equine-Facilitated Learning Retreat:
Braving & Belonging

October 17th-19th, 2025
@Braving Star Farms
(1 hour NE Houston)

“To brave the wilderness and become the wilderness
we must learn how to trust ourselves and trust others.” 
-Brené Brown, Braving the Wilderness

Retreat Schedule

Day 1 Friday October 17th, 2025
3-3:15pm Check-In @ Braving Star Farms in Cleveland, TX
3:30-4pm Mandatory Orientation
4-6pm Opening gathering
6:15-6:45pm Dinner
7-8:30pm Evening Activity

Day 2 Saturday October 18th, 2025
8-8:45am Breakfast
9am-12pm Morning Gathering 
12:15-1:30pm Lunch
2-6pm Afternoon Gathering
6:15-6:45pm Dinner
7-8:30pm Rest & Play Time

Day 3 Sunday October 19th, 2025
8-8:45am Breakfast
9-11am Closing gathering
"Horses live in the present moment and bring themselves into relationship authentically. Horses are highly attuned to human emotions and challenge us to stay congruent with our feelings when relating with them. In return, they offer us non-judgmental and honest feedback, and teach us to be more aware of the connections between our mind, body, and emotions through our breath and body sensations. This allows us the opportunity to make contact with ourselves and our environment and relate to others in a different way."
Source: The HERD Institute® Website
Discover more: 
​Here are some articles written about equine-facilitated learning and related experiences that you may enjoy reading.

MEET YOUR FACILITATORS

Lee Ann Hilbrich (she/her) LPC-S, is an author, a SoulCollage® Facilitator, and a Qi Gong and Yoga Teacher. She is certified in Equine-Facilitated Learning by The HERD Institute® and is a Daring Way Trained Facilitator of Brené Brown's work.

The herd at Braving Star Farms is made up of Francis (pictured), Donkey, and a painted mare named Dragon. There is also a flock of friendly chickens and a trip of goats.

Braving Star Farms is located about an hour northeast of Houston. There are ponds to relax by, forests to bathe in, and a labyrinth to walk.

REGISTRATION

The 2025 Equine-Facilitated Learning Retreat:
Braving & Belonging 

"True belonging doesn't require us to change who we are. It requires us to be who we are."
-Brené Brown, Braving the Wilderness 

The retreat starts on:
Friday October 17th, 2025 at 3pm 
​​
The retreat finishes on
Sunday October 19th, 2025 at 11am

The retreat cost is $555 ​
and it includes:​

•​3 days with the incredible gifts animals and nature have to teach us. There will not be any equine riding, only a variety of experiential activities in nature.

•In addition to lots of equine interaction time, creative elements such as SoulCollage, and mindful breath and movement opportunities like Qi Gong, will be woven throughout the experience.

•Processing of the trust that one has with oneself, as well as with others. BRAVING is an acronym by Brené Brown representing the seven components of trust: Boundaries, Reliability, Accountability, Vault, Integrity, Non-judgment, and Generosity.

•Exploring self-belonging and cultivating practices and support for true belonging.

•2 nights at the retreat cabin

•5 delicious meals 

•I am a LPC-S and this retreat is potentially appropriate for 4 CE Hours
Registration Deadline:
​10/6/25 or whenever retreat is sold out (2 spots available)

Braving & Belonging Retreat

$555.00
Add to Cart

Equine-facilitated learning retreat

*If you invite someone who has never been to Braving Star Farms, and they sign up for this retreat, you get a $50 credit toward your next event or retreat at BSF.*

Braving Star Farms 
​Photo Gallery

“All of us will spend our life constantly strengthening our back, softening our front, and trying to listen to the whispers of our wild heart.”
-Brené Brown,​ Braving the Wilderness

Braving Star Farms
​FAQ

Food Preferences/Allergies
Meals will be made from local and organic sources as much as possible, and will be mostly plant-based. When you register please specify any food preferences or allergies, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. If you are staying at the retreat cabin there is a full kitchen available, as well as a Keurig with K-cups for regular and decaf coffee, and an assortment of tea bags.  

What to Bring 
-Closed toe shoes as you will be walking across uneven pasture and there is always a chance of snakes in the area.
-For equine activities you must have outdoor work boots that have a substantial toe, preferably go above the ankle, and can get muddy. 
-Please be prepared to remove your shoes for indoor spaces. Bringing a pair of slip-on shoes or slippers is convenient.  
-Please wear comfortable clothing you can move in for any physical activities such as Qi Gong that may be used for grounding and/or container-building activities.
​-A journal and pen
-Check the weather before coming and plan to bring items needed such as sunscreen, sunhat, insect repellant, raincoat, galoshes, or a winter hat and gloves.
-If you are staying at the retreat cabin, pack a swimsuit for the hot tub/pool if desired. You may also want earplugs and a flashlight/headlamp. Your bedding and towels will all be provided. 
-Any snacks that you would like to have.
-Do not bring valuables, drugs, or alcohol. 

Getting Here 
Braving Star Farms is located an hour northeast of Houston in Cleveland, TX. The address and more details will be sent upon completed registration and payment.
If you are flying in for the retreat, IAH is a a little bit closer than HOU, but either airport will work.
If you are staying at the retreat cabin please contact me if you are interested in extending your time at the cabin either before or after the retreat.
Please note the retreat cabin is not handicapped accessible. 

Internet/Phone Access 
Since you will be in the country you may not have a good signal and it may be challenging to make phone calls or check emails. There is NO WIFI. If your phone service is with AT&T, you should be okay. Hopefully you can enjoy the opportunity to disconnect.  

Cancellation Policies 
If you need to cancel your spot in the event/retreat and the registration deadline has not passed, I can offer a refund (minus a $50 non-refundable registration fee) if I am able to fill your spot from the waiting list. If I am not able to fill your spot, I can offer you a credit for a future event/retreat based on the timeline below:
     If you cancel more than two months prior to your scheduled event/retreat, 100% of your event/retreat fee, minus a $50 rebooking fee, can be applied as a credit towards a future event/retreat, which must be used within one year. 
    If you cancel your event/retreat within two months of your scheduled event/retreat, 75% of your event/retreat fee, minus a $50 rebooking fee, can be applied as a credit towards a future event/retreat, which must be used within one year. You will forfeit 25% of the price you paid for the event/retreat.
     If you cancel your event/retreat within one month of your scheduled event/retreat, 50% of your event/retreat fee, minus a $50 rebooking fee,  can be applied as a credit towards a event/future retreat, which must be used within one year. You will forfeit 50% of the price you paid for the event/retreat.
     If you cancel your event/retreat within two weeks of your scheduled event/retreat, you will forfeit your entire event/retreat payment.
     I am also happy to transfer your spot to someone else who is able to take your place in the scheduled event/retreat with no transfer fee regardless of when you cancel, as long as registration for the event/retreat is still open. In this case, you will need to find the new participant yourself and receive reimbursement directly from them. The transfer has to be completed before event/retreat registration closes. 
     If the event/retreat does not meet the minimum number of participants, or in the case of a natural disaster, COVID-related closures or surges, or any other unforeseen reasons to cancel the event/retreat, I reserve the right to make any changes necessary to the event/retreat. In this case, I will offer you a full refund and/or the option to book another event/retreat. However, I will not be responsible for any changes made to your airfare or travel arrangements. For peace of mind, I recommend purchasing "cancel for any reason" trip insurance in case cancellations or changes arise.

Registration Help 
Please email me if you need a payment plan or a deposit option. Limited partial scholarships are available for BIPOC, LGBTQ+ participants, or any in need of financial assistance. Email me to apply. At this time, Daring Discoveries' partial scholarships are only available to participants who have not received one in the past.

Missed the retreat or can't attend?
​Check out these anytime individual and couple equine offerings,
​as well as other upcoming retreats.