Equine Guided Growth
If you are stressed to breaking point and desperately need to get away from it all, then pack your bags and join me here in the sun-blessed south of France, for a transformational retreat.
 Bonjour, I’m Margaretha and with me in the picture is my soul-mare Belle. I live in the south of France, 90 minutes north of the Spanish border, in the foothills of the mighty Pyrénées mountains, in a 200-year-old French farmhouse with a small herd of free-range Friesian horses, where I host residential retreats, including the confidence-boosting and stress-reducing Connect with Horses to find out how to Live Your Best Life and the Reconnect with Nature, with yourself and with others by Walking the Camino de Santiago retreats. I am also the author of 4 books, all horse-inspired, life-enriching and subtly French-flavoured. |
Choose from 5 unique residential retreats lasting from 5 – 14 days, as well as 1 virtual retreat:
| Re-connect with Yourself, with Others and with Nature during a self-discovery pilgrimage on a Walk the Camino de Santiago Retreat | More Info |
| The New You: Detox Your Body Detox Your Mind with Intermittent Fasting Weight loss Retreat | More Info |
| Midlife Renaissance Retreat – Making the Second Part of Your Life the Best Part of Your Life | More Info |
| Connect with Horses to discover how to Live your Best Life Retreat – dramatically lower your stress levels with the help of Horses | More Info |
| Write Your Own Story while walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostella Retreat | More Info |
| Claim and Create Your Magical Future Wellness Retreat (virtual) | More Info |
| The Best is Yet to Come: Reinvent Yourself on a Christmas/New Year Retreat | More Info |
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Brandnew in 2022: Overnight with Friesian Horses and the Made-with-Love Breadbaking Ceremony on Sunday mornings
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Testimonials
Spending time in nature and moving during hours in the forest or in a field helped me see where I wanted to move in my life. I gained clarity about my direction, my projects and desires in different areas of my life. I got very enthusiastic and I love that feeling! During the evenings we shared dinner and had very interesting conversations, you gave me new ideas and new points of view that were really enriching. I liked listening to your wisdom and exchanging with you. Thank you for this experience! Barbara M.
My stay with you at your beautiful home exceeded all expectations. We had three wonderful days walking the Camino on routes that benefitted from your extensive knowledge of the area to take in all the beautiful surrounding scenery and adjust to a relaxed pace of life. You were an excellent and welcoming host and I am looking forward to returning to your little sanctuary of rest and relaxation. I really enjoyed our visit to you and have come away feeling the benefits. I enjoyed our conversations and your great insights, I think I can safely say that Nikki and I both managed to answer some of the questions that were playing on our minds and are now feeling that we’re on the right track for future successes in our lives. I really hope we can join you again and in the meantime wish you all the very best for your busy summer. Anna W.
I want to thank you for the space and opportunity that the retreat provides. Unlike many other retreats, it did not feel austere or limiting (nor overwhelming), but rather gave me physical and mental space to explore, to have interesting conversations, read, relax, rest, and reset. It provided the right balance in terms of what I needed spiritually and materially, and I hope to be able to do it again. Josh K.
I’ve been wondering where to begin with thanking you for the wonderful experience at your place. It was such a valuable time for me, ranging from being immersed in the gentle beauty of the French countryside, getting a taste of the Camino, to your hospitality, openness and the privilege of getting a small glimpse into your remarkable life journey. And, of course, the horses, cats and huge hound are a bonus!! Hopefully, I will have another opportunity to visit Esprit Meraki some time in the future! Lausanne O.
Thank you for a great experience, I feel very much at peace and calm. I learned new meditation techniques and so much more from you and your lovely animals. The horses are such noble creatures, I enjoyed spending time with them and learning how they communicate. Your cats are so loving and of course the naughty and sweet Arcadi! Even though I am jetlag I am so thankful I could travel to France and experience this retreat, it was a soul and heart-changing trip. Your house, your kindness and your hospitality will always be in my heart. Adriana V
A walk in nature and more!
I wanted to be in nature and walk the compostelle in ease. I’ve walked it before, staying in different villages each night and this time I wanted to just stay in the same place each evening, giving me more liberty in taking my time walking and being able to go at my own pace. I liked that I had my own room and the food was vegetarian. I was able to profit from the program of a woman who was working with the horses; I did the meditation portion of her program in the evening with her. I was able to also profit from the program of a woman who came later as she was doing the intermittent fasting, which I chose to participate in and found I enjoyed very much. In fact, I’ve continued this practice since I’ve left! Margaretha was the warmest, kindest person. She opened not only her home, but her wisdom and experience. She tailored the program to my needs and to the weather. During the time there, she offered me other opportunities to enjoy the area, including a couple of restaurants and people in the community. It was personal, intimate, and everyone became your friends. In fact, that was you felt in a relatively short period of time; that you were staying with a friend. Everyone was on their own personal journey and through sharing over meals, we all were able to profit from the counsel and wisdom of Margaretha.
A valuable, enriching, and highly enjoyable experience. Highly recommend. Karen L. (from Bookretreats.com)
Thank you so much for 5 lovely days. I am really glad that I made this trip. My time there was super precious and I know this is one of a kind. The travels were worth it. I left with a much clearer and more focused mind. Thanks again! Karine K
A walking wonderland! I went on this retreat to reset and escape hectic city life for a few days. I liked that it was a well-balanced program. It was amazing to experience part of the Camino, and we walked through some breathtaking scenery. But there was also time to relax too, I read two books! And we did some yoga, meditation & breathing exercises. I came back feeling energised but also gained some clarity over some things I’d been wrestling with. The host is wonderful. We had some lovely chats over dinner. I can’t recommend her highly enough. Nikki S.
We wanted to write you this message to say hello to you and to thank you again for a wonderful time that we spent with you, Belle, Aurore, Tess and Arcadie. We find you a very warm person. We enjoyed so much talking to you, chilling on your lawn, walking with horses and admiring the tranquillity of your place. We’re both very grateful to have met you. Please, say hello to Ed and Riet for us. It was wonderful to meet them, too. They’re a lovely couple and lovely people. Thank you for giving us the idea of thinking (and, even better, writing it down) about what we’re grateful for in our lives. We’ve completed the list of 100. I even added some more. 😉
We’re sending you kind regards from Luxembourg where you’re always welcome, whenever you decide to come visit. Nina B
My stay with Margaretha was so enjoyable. Learning how to overcome my weight problems permanently with intermittent fasting was invaluable. My goal is in sight. Walks along the Camino were delightful and relaxing. Looking forward to a return visit. M. Ede
A huge thank you for making my retreat so special, it was without doubt one of the best weeks of my life. The experience was truly life-changing! G Sugden
Thank you so much for allowing me into your home for the last few days. Your kindness, patience and generosity have touched me deeply. The time that Belle, Aurore and Tess let me spend with them and the lessons they taught me have been truly healing and extremely cathartic. You have created something really unique and magic here and I am in awe of the power of it. May it always bring you as much peace and fulfillment as it did me. With deep gratitude, A Campbell
“Thanks again for sharing your life with us! I had such a wonderful time at your place and in your company. I feel revitalised, relaxed and blessed. All the best and big hugs for you and all the cats, horses and dog.” E.G. Meijling
“A powerful and wonderful life experience, with caring guidance by Margaretha. One can truly experience a mindful meditation with the horses who are definitely spiritual. Also, your senses become reinvigorated with the beautiful food and wine, whilst sitting and listening to the unique sound of nature’s calmness.” S. Murphy
Thank you so much for a wonderful week. The way you welcomed me was heart-warming. I find myself often dreaming about your piece of paradise and all my new friends there. Margaretha- I learned so much for which I thank you! CM Munroe
My wife and I have spent 4 amazing days at Margaretha’s house and we had a bliss. She is such a warm person and it was so nice to talk to her over brunch and dinner. Her house is clean and it smells lovely. Every dinner that we had there was so very delicious! One can completely relax and unwind at Margaretha’s place as it is peaceful and filled with good energy. All her three horses are such gentle souls, even though they may seem veeery big. On Easter Sunday we had an enjoyable brunch with two of Margaretha’s friends, a lovely couple. There are so many vineyards within walking distance from the property so one can have beautiful walks. Besides these walks, there is also an option to walk a part (around 10 kilometres, maybe a bit more) of the Saint Jacques de Compostelle walkway. For those who like a bit of adrenaline, there is a city called Nogaro 3 kilometres away which is famous for its motorsport race track, called the Circuit Paul Armagnac. In short – we cannot but recommend visiting her oasis of tranquility. Igor S.
Thank you so much for the beautiful day on Saturday. It was a truly special and treasurable experience that I feel very lucky to have had. Your horses are such lovely characters and it was fun getting to know them a little. They have stayed in my mind. I would love to come back again…B. Gracias
I feel so incredibly lucky to have had this chance that worked out so amazingly in divine timing. I know that you are, yourself, going through a stressful time and so that is why I am even more grateful that despite that, you were there to help me through this transition. I am also inspired by you and how you have faced your challenges, and I appreciate so much that you are also so human, with vulnerabilities just like we all have. Thanks also for sharing these moments with me. A Alyahya
I will be eternally grateful for these memorable deep relaxing sincere moments of introspection with you & the horses. A real eye-opener! Thank you for everything. S Janssen
With so much uncertainty, it doesn’t make sense to plan any international travel just yet however painful that might be. It was because of that and my dire dire need to have a break that I did some research and the Universe pointed me in Margaretha’s direction. Not only did I have a truly wonderful time being totally looked after, but I have made a lovely new friend that I hope will be part of my life for a very long time. Margaretha offers a variety of retreat options and being the sole retreatant, I took a 10-day hybrid retreat with food, wine, walking, a weeny bit of yoga, some writing, horse stroking and as many interesting conversations as I wanted (or none if I wasn’t up for talking). I read (a whole book which I haven’t done for a very long time!), relaxed, slept and walked a couple of stretches of the Camino de Santiago. We visited a social community project where Margaretha volunteers (fantastic!) and I had lots of coffees and lunch with her friends. I even remember one saying “next time you come we’ll take you…” It was just what I needed to be made so welcome and spoiled. So a huge thank you Margaretha and to all the lovely people you introduced me to during my time in the Gers. If anyone is looking to catch their breath in a little corner of paradise with its own in-house angel, this is it. M Richards
I really needed the time to find myself again. After a few days there I started sleeping better, I feel more relaxed and I am dealing with my pain in a better way. Margarita was the best, she’s extremely accurate in what she does, great instincts. Definitely an experience that we should all have. Now I want to take my friend as well. I cannot express in here how much I learned about me and how to handle situations in my job. Laura R
Facilitating Magical Futures 
