Creative Insights

A Women's Retreat in Partnership with Equus Insight

Immerse yourself in a coach-led, one-day equine-assisted learning retreat designed to foster deep connections, encourage reflection, and ignite creativity through the transformative power of nature and animals in Washoe Valley.

Join Us on November 15th to Inspire, Reset, and Refresh Your Creative Spirit!

Are the holidays a whirlwind of doing, buying, and endless scheduling? What if you could begin the season feeling nourished, fulfilled, and creatively inspired this year?

Join us for a unique day of personal exploration with Hest Creative and Equus Insight. This immersive women’s retreat blends experiential learning, equine-assisted education (plus interaction from other animal coaches), dance and movement, mindfulness, art, and coaching—all set in nature and surrounded by a supportive community. It’s a day designed to energize your soul and spark your creativity. Step into the season feeling refreshed, connected, and ready to thrive!

What to expect

  • ❊

    Escape from Every Day

    A full day to nourish your soul, removed from the distractions of busy life, caregiving, work, and all the other responsibilities that diminish our creativity.

  • ✾

    Try Something New

    Opportunities to observe, reflect, meditate, move your body, and connect with others. Our agenda includes unique practices to inspire growth, community, and healing.

  • ❉

    Connect with Nature

    Experience Nature Coaching, which has proven benefits such as reducing stress and anxiety, enhancing clarity and focus, and improving mental health and physical well-being.

  • ✿

    Boost Your Creativity

    Creativity is a skill that can be developed through engaging in creative activities such as movement, painting, and personal expression. This retreat will help you do just that!

  • ✺

    Experience Animal-Assisted Education (AAE)

    AAE involves integrating animals into educational settings to improve learning, emotional development, and social skills. We will explore this form of therapeutic learning throughout our time together.

  • ❀

    Find Community

    We are facing an epidemic of isolation, which has inspired us to organize this retreat. Our goal is to unite people for heart-centered conversations through shared experiences.

Our Vision

Equus Insight was the creative vision of Melinda Blackwell in 2009.

Initially serving underprivileged youth and local businesses, the organization’s mission was to train modern leaders and teach teamwork in a dynamic world driven by a culture of technology. With her extensive background in education teaching at local Reno schools, Melinda poured her creativity, thirst for knowledge, and passion into crafting Equus Insight’s first chapter. Equus Insight was joined by friend and co-facilitator Fran Melino, a longtime horsewoman and former professional dancer.

After a brief pause due to the pandemic, Equus Insight has been revitalized with renewed energy, welcoming Equine-Assisted Educator and ICF-Certified Professional and Executive Coach Hannah Waen, ACC, to the herd. With fresh perspectives, a deepened commitment, and innovative ideas, Equus Insight is excited to embark on a new, vibrant next chapter dedicated to empowering our community through purposeful change.

This retreat serves as a fundraising mechanism to relaunch our equine-assisted offerings. We are starting slowly by adding individual coaching sessions, and we hope to offer team and group equine-assisted coaching soon! As a retreat participant, you can receive perks (such as $100 off your first private equine-assisted coaching session) to help us bring this vision to life.

We believe everyone is a leader, and horses can help us step into ownership roles in our personal lives, communities, or workplaces.

Equus Insight and Hest Creative are proud to be certified partners of HorseDream and part of EAHAE International!

Who can benefit from this retreat?

This retreat was designed to benefit female entrepreneurs, creatives, artists, mothers, and anyone entering a new phase of life.

November is a great time to take a break, reflect on your growth, and set goals for the future. If you're looking for a peaceful space for self-reflection, a day to rejuvenate your soul, or an opportunity to try something new and enriching, Creative Insights is the perfect retreat for you. No horse experience is necessary to participate fully in our activities. You don't need to be a dancer, artist, animal lover, or nature enthusiast, but you do need to come with an open mind and an appreciation for the value of creativity. We all have inherent creativity, but it's a skill that requires nurturing. Like building muscles, the most creative people engage in creative practices daily. This retreat will help you kick-start your creative habit.

Retreat Hosts

  • Executive Coach and Equine-Assisted Educator

    Hannah Waen is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coach Federation (ICF) with a background in brand strategy, marketing, and graphic design. Since 2020, she has been coaching entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, creatives, and rising managers in her business, Hest Creative, after earning a Graduate Certificate in Executive and Professional Coaching from UT Dallas. Hannah is passionate about helping clients find greater meaning, overcome mindset blocks, and reshape their personal brands with confidence. Hannah is a lifelong animal lover who is a passionate equestrian. She’s also an Equine-Assisted Educator, partnering with Equus Insight to facilitate unique coaching experiences.

  • Teacher and Equine-Assisted Educator

    Melinda Blackwell spent her career as a local school teacher, but her passion for animal-assisted education sparked after 9/11, when she witnessed the profound healing power of animals for those seeking deeper meaning and connection. Combining her teaching expertise with her love for horses, she founded Equus Insight, offering underserved youth and corporate groups life-changing experiences through equine-assisted learning. After temporarily closing during the pandemic, Melinda is excited to relaunch her business and host transformative retreats like this one!

  • Dancer and Equine-Assisted Educator

    Fran Melino began her career as a professional dancer, where she cultivated a deep connection to movement, art, and expression. A lifelong horsewoman, she now partners with Equus Insight as an equine specialist and animal care expert, ensuring the herd remains happy, healthy, and well-fed. Fran is passionate about guiding retreat attendees in discovering the joy of movement and dance, regardless of their experience or training. With a BA in Theater and Dance, along with EAGALA and EAHAE certifications as an Equine Specialist, she believes that healthy movement is vital to thriving, even when it may seem out of reach.

✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

  • This retreat is limited to 10 participants and will take place on November 15th in Washoe Valley, Nevada. Please plan to arrive around 8:30 a.m. to settle in and enjoy some refreshments. Throughout the day, several breaks and a catered lunch will be provided. The event will conclude around 4 p.m. The specific address and further details will be shared after enrollment, but anticipate a 20-30 minute drive from Reno or Carson City. If you are attending from outside the area, we can provide lodging recommendations.

  • This retreat will occur outdoors and inside our covered and heated classroom. Please come prepared with layers, a warm jacket or raincoat, and sturdy boots (such as hiking or riding boots). While November is usually beautiful, there may be rain, so be prepared. If it does rain, we will adjust our activities accordingly. Our facility is rustic but has running water and a plumbed bathroom. We are located in a private area with a micro-farm that borders Washoe Lake State Park.

  • Upon arrival, we will provide a light breakfast buffet including coffee, pastries, and other items. Throughout the day, there will be snacks and drinks available. Lunch will be locally catered. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions during registration, and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

  • Our retreat setting is rustic but well-maintained. Closed-toe shoes are required, and good tread (such as hiking boots) is recommended. We can accommodate a range of disabilities or mobility restrictions, but please be aware that some of our time will be spent hiking in the neighboring parkland on dirt trails. If you have any questions about access, please don't hesitate to contact us!

  • Please plan to bring:

    • Lots of layers, including a warm waterproof jacket, warm hat, and gloves.

    • Sunhat and sunscreen

    • Sturdy boots with tread

    • Waterbottle

    • Journal and pen or sketching supplies

  • An overview of our agenda includes:

    • Arrival/Check-In Refreshments

    • Opening Circle and Saftey Agreement

    • Guided Nature Hike (Hopefully Seeing Wild Horses!)

    • Dance/Creative Movement Workshop

    • Partner Trust Activity

    • Lunch Break (With time to socialize or find a quiet space to relax, journal, sketch, or meditate)

    • Guided Equine-Assisted Learning Activities with our equine coaches and assorted farm animals

    • Closing Circle and Reflection

Have additional questions?

Please email us.

Register

$475

Retreat +
Refreshments

Invest in your future.

Give yourself a day to recharge and reconnect with what matters most through experiential learning.