Equi-Yoga
Horses have carried people through history and have been your partners along the way. It's only natural that they accompany you in your journey of self-discovery. Equi-Yoga borrows asanas (poses) and breathing techniques from yoga and translates them into the saddle.
You begin this program on the mat creating a foundation of breath and learning the asanas. As you move to the saddle, your horses stand patiently, often breathing and stretching with you, as you begin to find a flow. When you are ready to advance, the horse walks out on a lounge line as you match your rhythm with the animal.
This unique technique highlights many trouble areas, such as the neck, shoulders, arms, seat, and legs. It brings awareness to your balance and strength, essentially because your mat is moving at its own pace. By adding the equine element to yoga, the equestrian will learn to adjust to new situations with breath and suppleness, reevaluate the body cues to keep clear communication, and build a deeper connection to your horse.
This discovery can be utilized to enhance your riding and your yoga practice. Marty Whittle, the founder of Equi-Yoga, explains that it helps you explore your body from the inside out.
Horse riding
Unlike many outfitters who ride in the same area, Enchantment Equitreks takes advantage of New Mexico's diverse landscapes and terrain by trailering out to a new trail each day. They load horses, tack, picnic, and clients and drive 20-45 minutes to the riding destination.
Some days, you will be galloping through the sandy arroyos of a painted desert. The next day, you will scale alpine forests and Enchantment Equitreks loves to splash through the waters of the Rio Grande river. You do not camp out in these places but return back to the ranch where a hot shower, a hearty meal, and a soft bed awaits.
Itinerary
Day 1
- Arrival and settle into the ranch. Time permitting a short ride on the property.
Day 2
- 07:00 45-minute morning Vinyasa
- 08:00 Breakfast at the main house
- 09:00 Departure from ranch to rid
- 10:00 In the saddle. Ride 2-3 hours, with snacks on trail
- 14:00 Lunch at the ranch
- 15:00 - 17:00 Free time
- 15:00 - 18:15 Unpack your bags Yin
- 19:00 Dinner
Day 3
- 07:00 45-minute seasonal Vinyasa
- 08:00 Departure from the ranch to ride
- 09:00 In the saddle. Ride 3-4 hours. A 30-minute break for breakfast on the trail
- 12:00 Lunch at the trailhead
- 13:00 Drive back to the ranch
- 12:00 - 16:00 Free time. Possible visit to Walking In Circles Rescue
- 16:00 - 16:15 Yin for a deeper seat in the saddle
- 18:00 Dinner
Day 4
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 09:00 - 11:00 Equi yoga
- 12:00 Lunch at the ranch
- 13:00 - 19:00 Visit Madrid & Santa Fe. Dinner at Cowgirls
Day 5
- 07:00 Vin to Yin
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 09:00 - 12:00 Free time
- 12:00 Lunch at the main house
- 14:00 Departure from ranch to ride
- 14:00 - 18:00 Ride with an hour of riding meditation
- 19:00 - 19:45 Yummy hips Yin
- 20:00 Dinner at the ranch
Day 6
- 07:00 Morning Vinyasa
- 08:00 Breakfast at the main house
- 09:00 Departure to ride
- 10:00 In the saddle. Ride for 2 hours
- 12:00 Lunch on trail
- 13:00 Ride 1 ½ hours
- 15:00 Back at the ranch
- 17:00 - 18:15 Yin and Reiki healing
- 19:00 Dinner
Day 7
- 07:00 Vin to Yin
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 09:00 - 12:00 Free time
- 12:00 Lunch at the main house
- 14:00 Departure from ranch to ride
- 14:00 - 18:00 Ride with an hour of riding meditation
- 19:00 - 19:45 Yummy hips Yin
- 20:00 Farewell dinner
Day 8
Horse riding requirements
This program is for yogis of all levels and intermediate/advanced riders. Safety is their number one priority. Enchantment Equitreks is not a nose-to-tail dude ranch but an equine adventure business. All of their horses have been trained in trail riding skills and manners; however, they do have a mind of their own.
To thoroughly enjoy your stay, it is required that your riding ability be at an intermediate level due to the terrain and lengths of the rides. All riders are asked to be comfortable at a walk, posting trot, and strong canter on trail within a group, as well as mount/dismount the horse unassisted. Riders do need to be physically fit enough to be in the saddle 3-4 hours, 10-15 miles a day.
If you do not feel that you meet this criteria or do not ride regularly, but are still interested, riding lessons are strongly suggested. This will help you to be more confident and comfortable in the saddle. They will give riding tips and suggestions on trails to keep you safe, however they do not give riding lessons.
Horses
While Enchantment Equitreks is dedicated to providing you with an amazing experience, they are also committed to healing their horse community. All of their ranch horses are originally from a rescue and have been expertly re-trained as experienced trail horses. They continue their work with the rescues through their foster program.
Enchantment Equitreks prescribes to a natural training method, a philosophy of working with horses based on the horse’s natural instincts and methods of communication, with the understanding that horses learn from pressure and the release of pressure. They believe that spending ample time with the horse to gain their trust is paramount in turning these animals around.
Many of their horses come to the rescue not only with malnourished bodies but also broken spirits. Their program concentrates on slowly rebuilding the horse physically and mentally through a relationship built on trust, respect, and understanding. Their core ranch horses have been through their training program and have blossomed into healthy and happy horses who love their job. The Foster Program allows them to reach even more animals who need a second chance, a little time, and a lot of compassion.
Their horses range from 14 -16.2 hands tall, 7-30 years old. The breeds range from Quarter Horse, Paints, Appaloosa, Thoroughbred, and Grade.