FAQ and A: Most Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

When does the WQ Horse Adventure begin and end?
The Adventure begins on August 20th at 12:00 noon with registration and lunch. You can get a flight in on Sunday night or get one on Monday but be sure you can get to Peaceful Valley by 12:00 noon on Monday so we can start the Adventure. You will want to have some snacks for the day because we go right out to the horses when you arrive. We will end our Adventure by noon on Friday so arrange your fight to depart after 5:30 pm. We’ll go for our morning ride and play with the horses on Friday before you leave so you want plenty of time.

How many WQ participants will the Horse Adventure include?
This adventure is available to only 20 participants. Women's Quest will provide expert staff, guides, wranglers, horses, tack and rain gear. We’ll even provide the cowboy boots. We will break the riding groups up based on ability levels so each person can ride at the pace at which they are comfortable. We’ll typically break the group in two each day with half spending the morning with Mary Ann Simonds learning Natural HorseWomanship with the other half going out for a trail ride. Then we switch it up in the afternoon. This gives you all day to play with the horses. The trail rides will be 5 women with one wrangler so you’ll have plenty of space to go your own pace.

Do I need to have horseback riding experience to participate in the Women's Quest Horse Adventure?
No. The horses have been trained to perform well in the backcountry with a novice rider. The guide, wranglers, and Women's Quest staff will accompany you and supply you with information and help you whenever you need it. However, we do recommend that you prepare physically for this retreat as much as possible. You can help break your "seat" in with some concentrated hours on your bike, and by building the adductor muscles of your inner thighs in the gym. We recommend that if you have an opportunity to ride a horse before this retreat, that you do so as much as possible.

What will the accommodations be like?
We will be staying at Peaceful Valley Ranch which is one of America’s premier resort destinations and one of Colorado’s oldest and largest guest ranches. The area is filled with rushing rivers, 13,000 foot peaks of the continental divide and some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere on earth. Women’s Quest will be staying at the Cimmaron Lodge which is a cozy western chalet beside the St. Vrain River. We take all the rooms and have the place to ourselves. Each western style room has 2 Queen beds and one large bathroom.

What will the food be like?
We are very lucky to be able to bring you healthy meals three times a day. Breakfast will have cereals, yogurt, eggs and toast while lunches and dinners will have fresh veggies, salad bar and some kind of protein. One night we take a wagon ride up to the top of the mountain for our cookout overlooking the Continental Divide. We can accommodate most food allergies so just let us know ahead of time.

 What will the weather be like?
They say in Colorado that if you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes, as the weather changes rapidly. Dress in layers so you can cool off and warm up as needed. Expect the days to be sunny and mild, with temperatures in the 50’s and 60s , and the nights to be chilly with temperatures in the 40s. It is not unusual to receive intermittent afternoon showers or frosty nights.

What is a typical day?
We will rise and shine around 7:00 and start the day with our yoga to Awaken the Senses. After yoga we eat a hearty breakfast and be on our horses by 9:00 am until around 1:00 or so. We flip flop the groups so you will either ride in the morning or the afternoon. While the others are out riding you will be busy playing with your horses in the arena learning Natural Horsemanship or your Horse Reflection.

One day we will have an all day ride. We will typically have lunch out on the trail and then have the afternoon to get a massage treatment or soak in the pool and hot tub and then before dinner we will do an hour and a half of yoga to loosen you up from the day of riding. There are lots of hiking trails right out your front door so if you want more outdoor activity you can hike in your free time.

What is there to do if I arrive in Boulder early or wish to stay later?
Arrive anytime on or before the arrival date, and/or leave on or after the departure date. There are many interesting sights in and around Boulder like mt biking, hiking, and OK shopping. If you like to shop there is the famous Pearl Street Outdoor Mall which is tons of fun in the summer with street performers, music and great food. If you choose to come in early you can stay in Boulder and the Estes Park shuttle will pick you up at your hotel at 11am.

 How will the altitude affect me?
The two major influences at higher altitude are decreased oxygen density and decreased humidity. The most important thing you can do to minimize the effects of altitude is to DRINK A LOT OF WATER! If you fly, be sure you drink enough water on the airplane and sleep plenty the week before the retreat. Try not to drink much alcohol or caffeine as well. The air is a little thinner in Colorado, so we will be sure to ease you into the daily exercise routines.

 Will I need extra money?
You will need extra money for your massages plus any wine or beer you want at dinner. It is customary to tip your wranglers for their great service. Most WQ participants bring a check packed in their gear to be given to the wranglers when we depart Friday morning.

 Women's Quest Horse Adventure Reservation and Cancellation Policy:
A $250 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration. Your spot is not reserved until we receive your deposit. The balance of the payment is due 60 days prior to the Retreat. If you need to cancel anytime between 60 days and 15 days prior to the Retreat, 50% of the payment, less the deposit, will be refunded. We are not able to provide refunds for cancellations less than 15 days prior to the Retreat. Please note that injury or illness does not disqualify you from the cancellation policy. We are unable to transfer deposits and/or payments from one year to the next. We reserve the right to cancel any Retreat and will not be responsible for travel or other costs incurred by you as a result of any cancellation. In the unlikely event that a Retreat is cancelled, we will promptly refund any money you have sent us. We reserve the right to change or amend this policy at anytime.

Travel Insurance?
We all know things happen. Whether it's before your trip, in transit, or during your retreat so Women's Quest strongly recommends you take out travel insurance. Travel insurance policies can vary on their coverage so please make sure you understand their coverage if you have to cancel, travel delays and cancellations, medical coverage, emergency situations and other areas of interest to you. You can get an online quote by clicking here!

Our travel agent Heather works with a travel insurance group and will be happy to talk with you about putting travel insurance in place for your trip. Heather can be reached at 303 381-7423

"There is no end, believe me, to the happiness your body is willing to bear."
--Mary Oliver