Traveling to idyllic Indonesia to try out a new wellness craze where the therapist is your horse
That's what you call power: Traveling to one of Indonesia's idyllic islands for the latest wellness craze - where the therapist is...your horseJane Knight tries the equine therapy retreat "Retreat & Conquer" on the island of SumbaThe retreat takes place in the resort town of Nihi, where thatched-roof villas are built on a hill READ MORE: The ultimate ski hotel - inside Cheval Blanc Courchevel in France
A ripple of horses runs up the beach, kicking up the sand, wading through the shallows. My breath catches. I am moved by their grace, poise and freedom as they move along the shore with so much magic in their movement.
But c is more than that. My task, as I stand on the green and fertile hinterland above the sand, is to connect with one of them.
It's not easy. It feels like I'm watching an equine ballet with no obvious trail - but then I see it. The black pony looks intimidated by another horse, but with a jerk of its mane, it gallops towards the head of the column. Later, when the herd ventures up the hill and I can move among them, he lets me stroke his muzzle. I found my therapy partner.
I may be staying at one of the most beautiful wilderness hotels in the world, with its expansive beach wrapped along a tapestry of green vegetation, but this is no ordinary vacation. I'm on an equine therapy retreat, and Baloo, my chosen horse, is to help me on my healing journey.
It's already an adventure of reach Nihi resort – overnight in Bali, a one-hour plane hop east to Sumba Island and a 90-minute drive through villages of greeting locals before arriving finally to thatched-roof villas. No wonder they call it the edge of the wilderness.
A ripple of horses runs up the beach, kicking up the sand, wading through the shallows. My breath catches. I am moved by their grace, poise and freedom as they move along the shore with so much magic in their movement.
But c is more than that. My task, as I stand on the green and fertile hinterland above the sand, is to connect with one of them.
It's not easy. It feels like I'm watching an equine ballet with no obvious trail - but then I see it. The black pony looks intimidated by another horse, but with a jerk of its mane, it gallops towards the head of the column. Later, when the herd ventures up the hill and I can move among them, he lets me stroke his muzzle. I found my therapy partner.
I may be staying at one of the most beautiful wilderness hotels in the world, with its expansive beach wrapped along a tapestry of green vegetation, but this is no ordinary vacation. I'm on an equine therapy retreat, and Baloo, my chosen horse, is to help me on my healing journey.
It's already an adventure of reach Nihi resort – overnight in Bali, a one-hour plane hop east to Sumba Island and a 90-minute drive through villages of greeting locals before arriving finally to thatched-roof villas. No wonder they call it the edge of the wilderness.
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