Riding Wild: A Journey to Healing and Empowerment
For those who are drawn to the healing power of horses and the transformative experience of riding, Riding Wild offers a unique opportunity for connection and self-discovery. Founded by certified Equine Guided Empowerment facilitator, Aniela Gottwald, Riding Wild is a nonprofit, trauma-informed collective that provides women-led equine retreats around the world. These retreats offer a mindful approach to riding, combining saddle time with breathwork, yoga, and somatic healing.
Aniela Gottwald believes that horses have a unique ability to communicate directly with our nervous system. They respond to the energy and emotions that we carry in our bodies, rather than the words we speak. This feedback can be transformative for women who are conditioned to ignore their intuition. By deepening our breath and relaxing into our bodies, we can create a deep connection with the horses and ourselves.
In the Eastern Sierra of California, Taren Maroun leads riders on a journey through the ancestral lands of the wild mustang. As a somatic trauma and attachment therapist, Taren integrates ceremonial breathwork, shadow alchemy, and equine-guided somatic reprogramming into her sessions. By allowing ourselves to fully inhabit our bodies and be present in the moment, we can regulate our emotions and reconnect with ourselves on a profound level.
This November, Candice Webster will co-host Riding Wild’s first five-day Horse Healing Safari in South Africa’s Plettenberg Bay. Candice believes that horses have a wisdom that goes beyond words, connecting us to the earth’s energy and the rhythms of our own hearts. The itinerary for the safari includes a healing ceremony with Candice and her herd, where the intuitive energy of the horses reflects each participant’s truth. This experience helps to regulate the nervous system, dissolve barriers to the heart, and encourage deep release.
Riding Wild offers a unique opportunity to connect with horses, nature, and your own inner wisdom. These retreats provide a safe space for healing, empowerment, and self-discovery. Whether you are an experienced rider or a novice, Riding Wild invites you to embark on a journey of transformation and connection.

