The Daring HERD®
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Courage, Compassion, and Connection Retreat

Dr. Veronica Lac and Lee Ann are both Certified Daring Way™ Facilitators and have designed these unique Daring HERD® Equine Facilitated retreats and workshops. These retreats utilize The HERD Model™ and are influenced by Brené Brown's research on shame and vulnerability.

​6 hours of Continuing Education are potentially available under
The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council guidelines.

To bring a private group for team building or training contact us.

"Heroics is often about putting our life on the line. Ordinary courage is about putting our vulnerability on the line. In today's world that's pretty extraordinary.” 

-Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection

“Boundaries are a prerequisite for compassion and empathy. We can’t connect with someone unless we’re clear about where we end and they begin.”

​-Brené Brown, Atlas of the Heart

“Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” 
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-Brené Brown, Atlas of the Heart

How does Equine-Facilitated Learning work?

"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
There will not be any equine riding, only a variety of experiential activities in nature. If you decide you do not want to go into the equine area you can still participate from outside the arena.  

Here are some articles written about equine-facilitated learning and related experiences that you may enjoy reading.

KIND WORDS

"The setting was just perfect for the group to be able to not only engage with one another but provided a safe space for us to "connect." I loved the way Lee Ann presented the material and allowed us to share with everyone our thoughts and feelings after each experience. I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to be a part of this."
-Kristi Wagner, San Antonio with Rise Recovery
"I really enjoyed the structure and flow of the retreat. Not only was the environment beautiful and relaxing, the food prepared for us was delicious. Lee Ann was really in tune with our groups needs, and it was great that she shared her own personal journey with us."
-Jason Nunez, San Antonio with Rise Recovery

ABOUT THE DARING HERD™

Dr. Veronica Lac (left) is the Founder and Executive Director of The HERD Institute®.  She is also certified in Brené Brown's work. 

After Lee Ann Hilbrich got certified in Equine-Facilitated Learning (EFL) thanks to the The HERD Institute®, she was immediately excited about integrating EFL into her offerings.

As it turned out, Veronica had long held a vision of creating The Daring HERD®, and together they have collaborated to bring it out into the world. ​At this time Lee Ann and her herd are facilitating the experiences. ​
"HERD stands for Human-Equine Relational Development. At The HERD Institute®, we pride ourselves on the compassionate and relational way we work with both horses and humans."
​-Dr. Veronica Lac​

MEET YOUR FACILITATOR

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

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.

RETREAT REGISTRATION 

is closed for 2024
​
Click here to get on the 2025 WAIT LIST

Day 1 Courage: Thursday March 21, 2024
Day 2 Compassion: Friday March 22, 2024
Day 3 Connection: Saturday March 23, 204

$150 per day (9am-4:30pm)

If you are interested in staying at the retreat cabin and having meals provided contact me for pricing. 

Registration deadline: 
​*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

Braving Star Farms
​FAQ

Food Preferences/Allergies
If you are staying at the retreat cabin, 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. There is a full kitchen available at the retreat cabin. 

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. 
-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. If your phone service is with AT&T, you should be okay. If you are staying at the retreat cabin there will be a cellphone at the cabin for all participants to use if needed to make a call or to briefly hotspot, but please know there is no WIFI. Hopefully you can enjoy the opportunity to disconnect.  

Cancellation Policies 
If you need to cancel your spot in the event/retreat, 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. In this case, you will need to find the new participant yourself and receive reimbursement directly from them. 
     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.

CHECK IT OUT:
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Upcoming events at Braving Star Farms

Upcoming certification & events at The HERD Institute®