Enjoy an Extraordinary Adventure at the Nokota® Horse Conservancy
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2026 Nokota Horse Conservancy Retreat
June 6 - 8, 2026
Overview:
When is the last time you:
- were awestruck and totally at peace?
- started each day full of enthusiasm and slept deeply at night?
- experienced a profound connection to animals and nature?
Join us at the Nokota Horse Conservancy from June 6-8 2026 for a unique retreat that is both playful and practical. Spend three days immersed in a semi-feral herd of more than 100 horses living on hundreds of acres of pristine prairie. Effortlessly mingle with the mares and foals, yearlings, and mature stallions in their natural environment as you learn herd dynamics. Master the art of non-verbal communication as you become aware of your own breath, movement, and intentions, while you simultaneously interpret the nuances of each horse’s behavior. Rediscover what it feels like to be aligned in your body as you wander over varied terrain and joyfully climb to new heights. Develop a deep appreciation for stewardship of the land and the symbiotic relationship of the horses to it.
Your Guides:
Carrie O’Neill, a member of the Nokota board who connected with a stallion at the NHC in 2019 and brought him home to her retreat center in Connecticut, will teach participants how to work effectively with the universal language of all species, energy and intention. As an animal communicator, reiki master, and retreat facilitator, Carrie is able to foster deeper connections between humans and horses, as well as guide people back to hearing the deep wisdom of their own hearts.
Shawna Lichtenwalner, a member of the Nokota board who has gentled most of the current horses in the herd, will help participants understand herd dynamics as well as the unique characteristics of the Nokota breed that are shaped by living on hundreds of acres of prairie with limited human intervention. Shawna knows almost every horse in the herd and is able to promote intimate interactions that otherwise would not be possible, such as identifying mares that would likely be comfortable with participants approaching their young foals.
Victoria Gladman, a Nokota preservation breeder and expert in both equine and human bodywork and myofascial release, will help participants discover where they are holding tension in their bodies, how that tension affects communication with horses and humans, and how to release it. Victoria also will teach participants who have their own horses or work with them to see where horses are holding tension and share simple techniques to shift it.
Paul Silbernagel, NHC’s herd manager, and owner of the land on which the NHC horses live, will take participants on a detailed tour and discuss management and stewardship of the land and the Nokota herd.
Judy Onufer, a member of the NHC board, will share her expertise in geology and her extensive mineral and fossil collection, as well as identify any geologic treasures participants find on the prairie. She also will offer an early morning sunrise pasture tour.
This retreat is perfect for:
Anyone drawn to the magic of horses, especially those who have always wanted to spend time with a wild herd. The NHC horses are technically semi-feral, not wild, because they do have some human support, including hay to supplement them in severe winters. They share many characteristics of fully wild herds but one trait they don’t share is fear. Since the NHC horses have always been treated with kindness most are quite curious about humans. You do not need any prior horse experience to join the retreat.
Horse owners who want to improve their non-verbal communication or deepen their connection with horses. Interacting with more than 100 horses of various ages and temperaments over three days is a masterclass in communication that allows you to rapidly refine your approach.
People interested in purchasing a Nokota horse in the future, There is no better way to get to know the Nokotas than by spending some time in their natural environment. It is not uncommon for retreat participants to fall in love during a retreat and want to bring a horse home. It should be noted, however, that since the goal of the NHC is to preserve this rare breed, only carefully selected horses are available for sale each year.
Logistical Details:
The price of the retreat is $960, which includes breakfast each morning, daily lunches, and one dinner. Other dinners, travel, ground transportation, and lodging are not included. The NHC is located in Linton, North Dakota. The closest airport is Bismarck, which is approximately 1 hour away from the NHC. Local lodging options in Linton include The Cobblestone Inn, Don’s Motel, or camping.
Since we will be observing the herd on the prairie rather than in fenced spaces, we will be walking to/from the herd every day and we will spend considerable time standing. The distance will vary based on the herd’s location but please plan to walk 2-5 miles per day (for reference, a 5-mile walk is roughly 10,000 steps).
Space is limited. A nonrefundable registration deposit of $300 holds your place, with the balance due by May 6, 2026. Please contact Carrie O’Neill at 203-803-8333 or [email protected] with any questions.
When is the last time you:
- were awestruck and totally at peace?
- started each day full of enthusiasm and slept deeply at night?
- experienced a profound connection to animals and nature?
Join us at the Nokota Horse Conservancy from June 6-8 2026 for a unique retreat that is both playful and practical. Spend three days immersed in a semi-feral herd of more than 100 horses living on hundreds of acres of pristine prairie. Effortlessly mingle with the mares and foals, yearlings, and mature stallions in their natural environment as you learn herd dynamics. Master the art of non-verbal communication as you become aware of your own breath, movement, and intentions, while you simultaneously interpret the nuances of each horse’s behavior. Rediscover what it feels like to be aligned in your body as you wander over varied terrain and joyfully climb to new heights. Develop a deep appreciation for stewardship of the land and the symbiotic relationship of the horses to it.
Your Guides:
Carrie O’Neill, a member of the Nokota board who connected with a stallion at the NHC in 2019 and brought him home to her retreat center in Connecticut, will teach participants how to work effectively with the universal language of all species, energy and intention. As an animal communicator, reiki master, and retreat facilitator, Carrie is able to foster deeper connections between humans and horses, as well as guide people back to hearing the deep wisdom of their own hearts.
Shawna Lichtenwalner, a member of the Nokota board who has gentled most of the current horses in the herd, will help participants understand herd dynamics as well as the unique characteristics of the Nokota breed that are shaped by living on hundreds of acres of prairie with limited human intervention. Shawna knows almost every horse in the herd and is able to promote intimate interactions that otherwise would not be possible, such as identifying mares that would likely be comfortable with participants approaching their young foals.
Victoria Gladman, a Nokota preservation breeder and expert in both equine and human bodywork and myofascial release, will help participants discover where they are holding tension in their bodies, how that tension affects communication with horses and humans, and how to release it. Victoria also will teach participants who have their own horses or work with them to see where horses are holding tension and share simple techniques to shift it.
Paul Silbernagel, NHC’s herd manager, and owner of the land on which the NHC horses live, will take participants on a detailed tour and discuss management and stewardship of the land and the Nokota herd.
Judy Onufer, a member of the NHC board, will share her expertise in geology and her extensive mineral and fossil collection, as well as identify any geologic treasures participants find on the prairie. She also will offer an early morning sunrise pasture tour.
This retreat is perfect for:
Anyone drawn to the magic of horses, especially those who have always wanted to spend time with a wild herd. The NHC horses are technically semi-feral, not wild, because they do have some human support, including hay to supplement them in severe winters. They share many characteristics of fully wild herds but one trait they don’t share is fear. Since the NHC horses have always been treated with kindness most are quite curious about humans. You do not need any prior horse experience to join the retreat.
Horse owners who want to improve their non-verbal communication or deepen their connection with horses. Interacting with more than 100 horses of various ages and temperaments over three days is a masterclass in communication that allows you to rapidly refine your approach.
People interested in purchasing a Nokota horse in the future, There is no better way to get to know the Nokotas than by spending some time in their natural environment. It is not uncommon for retreat participants to fall in love during a retreat and want to bring a horse home. It should be noted, however, that since the goal of the NHC is to preserve this rare breed, only carefully selected horses are available for sale each year.
Logistical Details:
The price of the retreat is $960, which includes breakfast each morning, daily lunches, and one dinner. Other dinners, travel, ground transportation, and lodging are not included. The NHC is located in Linton, North Dakota. The closest airport is Bismarck, which is approximately 1 hour away from the NHC. Local lodging options in Linton include The Cobblestone Inn, Don’s Motel, or camping.
Since we will be observing the herd on the prairie rather than in fenced spaces, we will be walking to/from the herd every day and we will spend considerable time standing. The distance will vary based on the herd’s location but please plan to walk 2-5 miles per day (for reference, a 5-mile walk is roughly 10,000 steps).
Space is limited. A nonrefundable registration deposit of $300 holds your place, with the balance due by May 6, 2026. Please contact Carrie O’Neill at 203-803-8333 or [email protected] with any questions.
