– Rao Caballo –
Horse Medicine Initiation
Understanding Horses begins within You
20th till 24th of Mai 2026
11th till 15th of November 2026
at the Natural Park Sierra de Grazalema in Andalusia, Spain
by Metsa Yaka
(for an intimate group of max. 4 participants)
This Retreat is not about learning techniques – it is a initation into a way of being with Horses and all Animals.
If you truly want to understand Horses, there is no way around understanding yourself.
Through self-awareness, presence and inner alignment a deeper form of communication, authentic relationship becomes possible.
Horses do not respond to what you do – they respond to who you are. They reflect you inner state, your clarity and truth.
This Retreats invites you into a deeper relationship with Horses – one that cannot be learned through techniques, but only experienced through awareness.
This Retreat is about:
- Deepening your perception of the Horse language
- Intuitive and energetic communication
- How Horses reflect your inner state
- Developing clarity, presence and grounded awareness
- Meeting and moving through internal blockages that affect connection
This work combines direct experience with Horses and deep inner process.
You will spend this time in close connection with Horses and other Animals, expierencing them as guides and teachers.
This space is intentionally held to allow a deeper inner process to unfold – through presence and awareness for you to meet what arises.
Shamanic Plant Medicines, such as Cacao and Rapé are supporting your process of initation – helping you to open, release and access deeper layers of perception.
The path with Horses is not seperate from your own path – it is a direct reflection of it. True connection with Horses begins the moment you stop trying control and start becoming aware. This is where real conversation begins.
This space is for you if you are willing to:
- look beyond techniques
- take responsibility for your inner world
- meet yourself honestly
You don’t need to arrive as someone else, only willing to meet yourself as you are.
The Retreat takes place in a quiet natural environment allowing you to step out of distraction and into deeper presence.
If this resonates with you and you are ready to explore this path you are more than welcome to join this Retreat.
I look forward to welcome you in our herd.
With love… Metsa Yaka & Family
Retreat Content
They are not trained to perform, they respond authentically to your energy and teach you through their language and the medicine they hold.
2. Fundamentals of Communication
The foundation of communication is based on energy and body language, focusing on becoming more present with ourselves and developing a deep understanding of our energetic and physical bodies.
A communication is already happening by just being in the environment of horses. Horses are incredible sensitive to energetic vibrations in their field and they are “reading” constantly their surrounds, so they are “reading” us. A horse can hear the heartbeat of a human from over on meter away, while already sensing and feeling the energy of the person long before that – from that moment on communication has already begun.
If we can bring our mind, emotional body and physical body into harmony, based in the right intentions, we will radiate a clear, tustworthy and understandable energy as the core for communication. They can learn us profound lessons about true connection, authentic relationships and conscious leadership.
These wonderful beings teaches us to become more present, clearer and refined with ourself and our expression, bringing our physical-, energetic,- and mental body into alignment, so that they work in harmony.
The Horse with its highly sensitive nature is the first to perceive our emotional body. From the moment we interact with Horse, it will always mirror our energetic system in its behaviour.
It will reflect our inherent, deep-seated issues, our blockages and unresolved trauma. This enables us to pin point on what we have to work on in order to heal and grow from it.
Horses have a incredible compassionate, non-jugdemental nature toward us humans and a Horse always is seeking your highest potential in you – your authentic power.
On a spiritual level, the Horse acts as a guardian of your heart´s path, symbolizing freedom, guiding you towards your authentic strength, while also connecting you more deeply with your intuition and sensitivity.
If you are ready to embrace it, it will guide you on the profound and meaningful journey to your true Self, your deepest desires and dreams, so you may deeply heal and return to inner harmony.
Cacao Breathwork Ceremony
Cacao Ceremonies are originated all the way back to the ancient Mayan and Aztec traditions of Central and South America, where the spirit of Cacao, known as Mama Cacao, was honored and invoked in sacred ceremonies.
Her medicine was revered for opening the heart, bringing clarity, restoring inner harmony and connecting us to the wellspring of our creativity. The heart-opening essence of Cacao has the power to unlock states of pure euphoria, releasing emotions long held within. It invites us to connect with our higher Self, our inner wisdom and the loving energy flowing through our bodies, while gently calming the mind.
For centuries, Cacao has been used as a sacred tool for healing the mental, physical, and spiritual body.
Through “Conscious Connected Breathing“, we transcend the limitations of the mind, increasing the flow of oxygen to the brain and throughout the bloodstream.
This breath activates our neural pathways and releases hormones such as Anandamides, often called the “Bliss Hormones”, guiding us into a space of profound peace. From this place of connection and relaxation, stress, anxiety and repressed emotions can be released and our awareness and creativity are heightened. In the stillness, we come into a deep sense of inner peace, love and compassion, allowing our true being to emerge.
The sacred Medicines of Cacao and Breath are a powerful combination, leading us into deep layers of healing and transformation, guiding us to a place of greater clarity, authenticity and profound connection.
* painted by Geenss Archenti Flores
Rapé Ceremony
Rapé (pronounced Hapee) is a sacred plant medicine, revered for its profound healing, purifying, and centering properties. For centuries, it has been used by indigenous tribes in Brazil, such as the Huni Kuin, Yawanawa and Nukini, as a tool for spiritual awakening and deep inner transformation. The indigenous peoples often sought Rapé before going out on a hunt, as a way to connect with the spirit of the animal, seeking allowance, guidance and harmony with the natural world.
Rapé is a finely ground mixture of Mapacho tobacco, combined with ash and other medicinal plants. It is ceremonially blown into the nose through a bamboo tube known as a Tepi. This powerful medicine works on both the physical and energetic levels, cleansing the body, clearing the mind, and purifying the consciousness. It opens the heart, calms the mental chatter, and clears the pineal gland, allowing for deeper spiritual connection and clarity.
Rapé is especially effective in supporting focus and concentration, making it an invaluable ally for meditation and introspection. It is often shared before or during other Plant Medicine ceremonies and rituals creating a sacred space of focus and presence or in a more elaborate individual ceremoy.
Inner Work Sessions
I support you in your inner process with approaches that help you go deeper and fully integrate what you experience.
Elements such as breathwork, body-centered practices, emotional processing, and mindful self-inquiry flow naturally – always guided by what arises within you and wants to be seen.
This is not about doing or achieving anything, but about creating space for what needs to be felt, understood and released.
The integration work is tailored to you personally, helping to anchor your experiences in a sustainable and meaningful way in your daily life.
Retreat Schedule
- Wednesday: Opening circle
- Thursday: Horse Session / Inner Work / Rapé Ceremony
- Friday: Horse Session / Inner Work / Cacao Breathwork Ceremony
- Saturday: Horse Session / Inner Work Session
- Sunday: Horse time / Closing sharing and departure (after brunch)
There will also be time for you to relax, enjoy nature or take a refreshing dip in the river.
Arival & Departure time:
- arrival is on Wednesday from 4 pm on until latest 7 pm
- departure is on Sunday after the sharing and brunch (approximately around 2 pm)
You are also welcome to arrive one day prior to the Retreat and/or stay one or a few days longer afterwards at our Retreat Oasis – Cinco Lunas.
Feel free to ask in advance, if you would like to book additional nights in our Guesthouse.
About us
Metsa Yaka
Metsa Yaka holds a clear and grounded space where what lies beneath the surface can be seen and felt.
With a precise ability to perceive patterns, blockages and unspoken dynamics within both humans and animals – often before they are consciously recognized – she supports others in coming into honest contact with themselves.
Her work brings attention to what is usally avoided: unresolved emotions, protective mechanisms and deeply rooted trauma.
At the same time she recognizes the deeper potential within each being – beyond conditioning and learned identity and supports others in reconnecting with their authentic expression.
Through her work with Horses, Animals and the Plant Medicine she translates subtle processes into direct, embodied experience.
This work is not about comfort – it is about honesty, precision and real transformation – not through force, but through presence, clarity and the willingness to meet what is true.
Levante
PRE Gelding – born 01.07.2014
Levante was my first own Horse and is with his fiery, more dominant and emotional nature, he is an incredible teacher in discovering the own passion and inner fire. He calls to stand in your authentic strength, with clear and healthy boundaries, so that he can respect, trust and follow. A horse of great intelligence, expression and sensitivity, Levante never fails to suprise with his creative ideas. He is always challenging me, urging me to push my limits and grow beyond myself.
With his presence, he is constantly reminding that true strength comes from authenticity and the courage to envolve.
He taught me the importance to release my suppressed anger and aggression so that I can access my authentic strength and to hold space for horses, allowing and helping them release their emotions and trauma, through the experiences he brought with him in his young age.
I love him for the fierceness he is carrying, but also for his sensitive and loving nature. When I look into his brown eyes, they remind me a lot of the gentleness of a deer.
I´m forever grateful to have such a strong, beautiful and magnificent horse on my side since 2017.
Dahlia
Conjunto Mestizo Spanish Mare – born 10.11.2012
The beautiful blond Mare… Dahlia is a horse with more introvert tendencies, also due to her past experiences. When she came to me, you could easily tell, that she was never allowed to show her opinion or express herself in the interaction with humans. The more she is coming out of her shell, she reveals her sensitivity and power that she has.
With her its all about inviting her with patience and lightness to open up. The key is to approach her with ease and joy, allowing the connection unfold playfully, letting her express herself freely in a space of trust and comfort.
Dahlia is a wonderful teacher, guiding to simply “be” and allow everthing that wants to unfold to arise naturally from the present moment. And from that space allowing everything to flow with ease, embracing the natural rythm of life. She teaches you to connect with your intuition and let it lead and guide you.
Since October 2020 I´ve been blessed to have Dahlia as a powerful and interesting feminine presence in our lifes and I look forward to witnessing her continue to blossom more and more.
Amaro
Spanish Stallion – born in March 1999
Amaro came to us as a a rescue from one of our neighbours, an old man who had kept him him tied by his forelegs in a field for most of his life. In many ways, you could describe Amaro as a “raw” horse, one who had experienced little positive interactions with humans. His immense fear in any human interaction was a clear sign of his past. Amaro has a very wise and noble spirit, one that carries strength, endurance and dignity. He has a strong character an requires precise and respectful communication.
He teaches the importance of clear, calm, yet firm energy – something essential when working with him. He shows you, what a horse really needs to trust and follow you and that it is a blend of essential energies that is required to earn that trust. Through him you´ll learn to be more present, precise and subtle in your communication with horses through consciousness of your bodylanguage and awareness of your own energies.
Amaro is part of our family since December 2021 and I feel a deep sense of gratitude to have such a special and wise spirit by my side. His presence brings a lot of grounding and a quite dignity into my life.
Lucero
Shetland Gelding – born in 2001
Lucero is a true ray of sunshine – a happy, cheerful nature that lights up every space he is in. Very smart, affectionate and social intelligent, he is a little pony with a strong will. Always exploring new ways to achieve what he desires, which mainly involves a snack or a visit to Levante´s and Dahlia´s space. His intelligence is matched by his determination.
He is a great teacher to understand the importance of personal space and how to assert it. He insists that you can clearly communicate your boundaries, because otherwise he just would sit on your lap. Lucero has a adventurous nature and he is someone you can do a lot of fun things with and is always excited about new ideas. His ability to approach everyone with a trusting, curious and positive attitude is truly remarkable. With Amaro he is the sweetest duo you can imagine. They are the best friends and balance each other out perfectly in their own way. In fact, everyone of the family just loves Lucero.
He was gifted to me as present in October 2023 and truly he is a gift in all of our lifes. If he had a life motto, it would be: “Don´t worry, be happy.” – sometimes a good reminder for all of us.
Miyuki
Red Deer – born in May 2021
Yuki, our very special doe, is a true miracle. I raised her with the bottle after we found her caught in our fence. Unfortunately, she developed an infection on the second day, which weakened her immune system and led to impaired vision. Her musculoskeletal system is also not fully intact and I suspect that her mother left her behind due to her physical weakness.
Despite these challenges, she now lives a happy life with us in our little family. She follows me everywhere, goes for walks with us, and plays with Rayo. She is incredibly affectionate, but can also be quite territorial. Since she was raised among humans, she shows little of the usual shyness that wild animals typically have.
She is an amazing teacher when it comes to understanding what it truly takes to connect with a semi-wild being on an energetic and physical level. Her way of communicating is in many ways very different from what we know from more familiar animals.
On a spiritual level, the deer as a power animal holds a deep connection to nature and the spirit world. It invites us to trust our instincts and follow the path of our heart.
Yuki is cheeky, lively, and full of joy, and we do our best to offer her a life that honors her wild nature as much as possible.
Whenever I spot her between the trees, I am reminded of how special this life with a doe is and how deeply blessed I am to share my life with such a wonderful being.
Rayo
Mastin español – born in 2018
Rayo is the most amazing, social and loving protector you could ever imagine. He is a big, very sensitive bear who radiates an incredible sense of calm and safety. As a Mastín Español he is a independent dog, instinctively guarding the property and his family without needing guidance from humans. His social intelligence is astonishing. He helped dogs in their resocialization, protected baby kittens, Miyuki when she was a little bambi and he is doing a great job whenever he can in calming and comforting humans in ceremonies. Rayo is an emotional dog, often more sensitive than people realize and he always wants to be by your side to make sure that you are safe. He needs a lot of affection and love, which allows him to fully express his goofy, charming and playful nature too.
He teaches you to find a sense of security and self-confidence within yourself, approaching life with a calm assurance just like he does it. Rayo also brings many healing, masculine qualities with him.
I´m deeply grateful to have such a wonderful, great soul in my life and I´m very aware of the important role he plays for the whole family.
and all the Cats….
* purebred Andalusian mixed breed cats
My 13 cats form a wonderfully diverse and colorful cat family, each with their own unique character. They are all incredible affecionate and people-orientated, full of energy, like little uplifting, playful spirits leaving their paw prints everywhere. At the same time, they are highly attuned to the energy of the space and the people around them. They represent independence, intuition and curiousity, embodying the ability to navigate life with grace, relaxation and flexibility. As amazing companions, each one shows their own quirks and aspects of life and self.
Cats are spiritual guardians that protect emotional and energetic well-being. They ar particularly sensitive to the energies of people and places, acting as energetic filters. On a spiritual level, they help us recognize and transform negative or blocked energies. They teach us to honor our own energetic boundaries and offer protection from negative influences.
What a blessing to have 13 of them… deeply grateful for Nuna, Raya, Soli, Pumba, Negrita, Cosima, Racoona, Osa, Balu, Keena, Pixie, Yatao & Lillemø – all the cutest, most beautiful, unique cats alive.
The Venue
Accommodation & board
We can offer different room options.
-
- a group dormitory (with 4 mattresses) with shared bathroom
- a single room (with 1,50 m double bed) with own bathroom in the room
- a single room (with 1,50 m double bed) with shared bathroom
- a private apartment (with single bed) with own bathroom and private kitchen
If you feel called to stay a little longer before or after the Retreat, it is possible to book additional nights at the venue upon request.
Just let us know in advance – we’re happy to arrange it for you.
Food:
You will enjoy healthy, delicious vegan food – breakfast is in self service.
Travel
Welcome to the Sierra de Grazalema
- Seville (110 km / 1 h 20 min by car)
- Jerez de la Frontera (90 km / 1 h 10 min by car)
- Málaga (140 km / 1 h 50 min by car)
Buses:
From the city of your arrival you can take a bus to Algodonales, where we will pick you up and bring you to our retreat place. The pickup from Algodonales is included.
Note that buses from Seville, Málaga and Jerez sometimes are only available in the morning or noon. If your flight arrives later in the day it might be that you need to take a taxi. Alternatively, you could arrive in Seville (or Málaga/Jerez) a day earlier and spend one night there.
- From Seville Airport you need to take a bus or a taxi to the Seville Prado San Sebastian bus station or the bus station Plaza de Armas. From there you have a bus connection to Algodonales. (usually only one bus in the morning at 9 am)
- From Jerez de la Frontera Airport you need to take a bus or a taxi to the Jerez main bus station. And from there you have a bus connection to Algodonales.
- From Málaga airport you need to take a bus or a taxi to Málaga bus station. And from there you have to check the bus connection to Algodonales. You may first have to drive from Málaga to Ronda and from there to Algodonales.
You can check your bus conecton here: https://www.checkmybus.com or here: https://www.omio.com/
(please note bus connections are sometimes only shown 2 weeks in advance)
Taxi:
The price of a taxi from Seville airport to Cinco Lunas is approximately € 140. From Málaga airport approximately € 170 and from Jerez airport approximately € 140. If several participants are arriving at the same airport, it’s possible to share a taxi.
Please let us know if this would be an interesting option for you, then we can connect participants who are interested in sharing a taxi ride.
Rental car:
You can also rent a car at the airport for more flexibility. The prices for rental cars are usually very affordable if you book early in advance.
You can find the best offers here, for example: https://www.doyouspain.com
Your Investment
€ 2,400 all inclusive
Your place in the retreat is secured with a €300 deposit.
The remaining balance of €2,100 is due two weeks before the start of the retreat.
4 Day Retreat
Group Dormitory
(with shared bathroom)
– still available –
with 4 individual mattresses and shared bathroom
6 Day Retreat
Single Room
(with private bathroom)
– on request –
with 1,50 m bed and own bathroom
6 Day Retreat
Double Room
(with private bathroom)
– on request –
with 1,50 m bed (for couples, family, friends)
6 Day Retreat
private Apartment
(as double room)
– on request
with own kitchen & private bathroom
6 Day Retreat
Single Room
(with shared bathroom)
– on request –
with 1,50 m bed and shared bathroom (example photo)
6 Day Retreat
private Apartment
(as single room)
– on request –
with own kitchen & private bathroom
- Individual and group Horse Sessions
- Guided inner work and reflection
- 1 Rapé Ceremony
- 1 Cacao Ceremony
- A small group (max. 4 participants) for an intimate and profound experience
- Full accommodation in shared room (single rooms available on request at an additional cost)
- Nourishing vegan meals
This Retreat gives you a deeply personal Initation into a way of being with Horses – a profound foundation for everything you want to develope with them.
The payment information can be found on our registration form by clicking the “Sign-in” button below.
Sign in
Research Study & Membership
All our retreats and ceremonies serve as research studies in order to explore and evaluate the positive effect of the used plants and practices as holistic healing techniques.
Our aim is to support the holistic healing of body mind and soul with alternative practices, to promote a balance in life and to support an alternative healthy lifestyle that is in harmony with our nature.
Our retreats, ceremonies and individual treatments do not replace any medical treatment.
To participate in our retreats / research studies, it is necessary to become a member of our association.
For this we also offer a free short-term membership. You can select your membership type later in the registration form.