Retreats
Gain insight, confidence, and tools to move forward in your authentic self at one of our life-changing equine retreats.
Experience the transformative and healing power of horses while being facilitated by our certified Equine Assisted Learning staff. Leave feeling renewed, restored, and re-equipped with skills to help you stay grounded and authentic to who you are in work, life, and relationships.
Fewer than 20 guests
Experience the benefits of small groups and receive individual attention you deserve with an average ratio of 1:8 (host/guests). No experience with horses is necessary, all levels are welcome.
Breakout options
Our retreats feature unique and engaging breakout options. Choose from multiple activities and workshops to bolster your growth journey.
Lasting Growth
Skills learned and growth happened at Tacktics is designed to stay with you and ignite lasting change. We will teach you what you need to know during your retreat with us, and equip you to sustain and maintain your progress when you get home.
The Location
All Tacktics’ retreats are held on our property in Galena, Illinois. Our secluded 200 acres of rolling hills, woods, and river lay quietly just 8 minutes from the famous and historic Main Street of Galena. Experience the wonder of the Driftless Region while you’re here, and roam the land left untouched by glaciers, with undulating terrain and beauty all around you.
Join us!
The Retreats
Embers: Women’s Retreat (combating Burnout)
Introducing: Embers. A productive retreat curated for you to reduce stress, learn to combat burnout, and clear your mind.
We live in a fast-paced world. Competitive careers and overall lifestyle cause us stress in every waking moment. Prolonged stress = burnout. Burnout can feel exhausted, lost motivation, empty, loss of personal identity, and struggling to cope and manage life’s demands. Embers has been thoughtfully crafted to not only…
Women's Wellness Retreat - Spring
Ready to break free and take lead in your life? The Tacktics Women’s Wellness Retreat is a weekend devoted to uncovering your authentic self. With the help of horses, nature, and our group of supportive women, you will find yourself…
Backed by science. Powered by the horse.
the hosts
Join Cathy and CJ, the mother-daughter duo behind Tacktics. But really, their horse herd’s the star of the show!
Cathy holds an internationally recognized certification in Equine Assisted Learning, and both her and CJ are Emotional Intelligence coaches. Each of them grew up around horses and have first-hand experience of the powerful healing and growth horses are able to provide.
When Tacktics was founded, it was key that all programs were to be grounded in scientifically tested activities in order to guarantee results for teams and individuals. The certification we hold allows us access to building-block programs that have had multiple college studies, companies, and individuals assess and evaluate the credibility of how it works, and why it works. All found that not only does it scientifically work, but the programs encourage lasting change, not just an in-the-moment experience.
Our retreats are not therapy, although you will find them therapeutic! We are skills development, so come join us to sharpen and grow your toolkit in skills to help you succeed in your work life, home life, relationship life, and most importantly, your relationship with yourself. That’s where it all starts!
Retreat Alums:
Alexis - Women’s Wellness Retreat 2023
“It was literally perfect in every way, shape, and form. My biggest takeaway from the retreat was trusting myself to make the right choice. Realizing I have everything it takes to be exactly who I need to be inside of me already!! I am already the woman I have been searching for!!”
Angie - Women’s Wellness Retreat 2023
“Thank you for having an amazing impact on my life this weekend. If you haven’t been to a Tacktics Retreat, you need to go! It was amazing! I went from not knowing what alignment felt like, to experiencing full alignment.”
Pat - Leadership 2023
“It has been a long time since I’ve had that many a-ha moments. Thank you!”
Host a retreat with us:
Let us plan your private custom retreat, or add a course with us to your current itinerary!
Fill in this quick form to get started
FAQs - Retreats
-
Not at all! We will meet you where you’re at and teach you all you need to know. All retreat guests are put through the same orientation with the horses, no matter their experience level.
-
We have a variety of horses, including miniature horses, that you will have the opportunity to work with. Your nerves are not an issue for us or the horses, so long as you are willing to learn, have an open mind, and find growth by pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone!
-
We offer 50% non-refundable deposits. Just pay the 50% at check-out to secure your spot, and pay the rest later!
-
Some retreats will include accommodation at a local hotel (please see specific retreat details). Others will not include that price and no, there is no accommodation onsite at this point.
-
Absolutely. Fill in the form linked below the FAQs and we can discuss a customized retreat itinerary within your budget!
-
The closest airports are: Dubuque Iowa, Cedar Rapids Iowa, Madison Wisconsin, Milwaukee Wisconsin, or Chicago O’Hare Illinois.
-
The VIP Package must be purchased ahead of time. VIP spots are limited and popular, so if you’re on the fence of upgrading we encourage you to hop in and secure your spot today!