Between Home & Wild | A Writing Retreat with Brianna Madia
A Creative Writing & Equine Therapy Retreat at Grace Reins
with Author & Desert Dweller Brianna Madia
An intimate retreat in Telluride, Colorado, led by Brianna Madia and Erin Cain, blending creative writing and equine-assisted reflection at Grace Reins. Through story, presence, and the quiet honesty of working with horses, participants are invited to explore the space between independence and belonging—and tell the truth of where they are now.
Dates: July 16–19, 2026
Location: Grace Reins | Telluride, Colorado
Group Size: 12–15 women
What to Expect:
Over three days, a small group of 12–15 women will move through a rhythm that is structured but spacious:
- Creative writing sessions with Brianna
Exploring memory, identity, place, independence, love, and the stories you’ve outgrown - Equine-assisted experiences with Erin Cain
Non-riding, reflective work with horses focused on boundaries, presence, emotional awareness, and relational patterns - Guided reflection + integration
Journaling, small group sharing, and quiet time to let things land - Unstructured space
Time to write, walk, rest, and be alone when needed
Your Investment:
This offering is priced exclusively for this 3-day retreat experience with 12-15 participants. See below:
$1,500 for the weekend (July 16-19th)
- Contact erin@gracereins.org for questions (Non-refundable, full payment is required to secure your spot.)
- We will include meals, snacks, teas, coffee, but bring your own water bottle!
Retreat Flow | General Itinerary
Friday, July 16 — Arrival & Opening
Late afternoon arrival and time to settle into the land
Opening circle and intention setting
First writing session: The Stories I Carry
Introduction to the horses
Shared dinner and evening reflection
Saturday, July 18 — Deepening
Morning writing: Place, Identity, and Becoming
Equine session: boundaries, trust, and emotional mirroring
Group lunch and time for rest or solo writing
Afternoon workshop: Rewriting the Narrative
Unstructured time in nature
Evening circle and integration
Sunday, July 19 — Integration & Closing
Morning writing: What I’m Taking With Me
Closing equine experience / silent reflection
Final circle and departure by lunch-time
Rediscover steadiness through mindful horse-led practice.
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Meet Your Retreat Hosts
Erin Cain | Equine Specialist
Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning | Artist & Writer
Erin Cain brings over 25 years of experience working at the intersection of horses, healing, and human development. As an Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning, her work is rooted in a deep respect for the intuitive wisdom of horses and the quiet transformations that emerge through presence. Trained in equine-assisted therapy and shaped by a lifetime of lived experience, Erin creates spaces where individuals can safely explore, feel, and reconnect with themselves. Her approach is both grounded and deeply intuitive — blending clinical understanding with reverence for the relational field between horse and human. As the founder of Grace Reins, Erin continues to steward a sanctuary devoted to restoration, resilience, and the remembering of wholeness.
Brianna Madia | Author & Desert Dweller
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor | Reiki Master Teacher | Meditation Guide
Brianna Madia has lived a life of relentless intention, traveling the deserts of the American West in an old Ford van. She made a name for herself on social media with her inspiring captions-cum-essays about bravery, identity, nature, and subverting expectations. She lives in Utah and Oregon and wherever the road takes her, so long as her five dogs Bucket, Dagwood, Birdie, Banjo, and Delilah are in the backseat. Her previous books, Nowhere for Very Long and Never Leave the Dogs Behind, were New York Times bestsellers.
Books by Brianna Madia Inspired by Her Journey
Homesick Nomad
In this reflective memoir, Brianna Madia explores the complexities of love, identity, and belonging while balancing the pull between freedom and permanence. Set against the backdrop of the desert and life on the move, the book examines what it means to crave adventure while also searching for stability, connection, and a place that finally feels like home.
Never Leave the Dogs Behind
A deeply personal memoir about grief, resilience, and rebuilding after heartbreak, Never Leave the Dogs Behind chronicles Brianna Madia’s life in the Utah desert as she navigates loss, public scrutiny, and isolation with the unwavering companionship of her four dogs. Honest and vulnerable, the story reflects on healing, survival, and finding strength in both nature and chosen family.
Nowhere for Very Long
A bestselling memoir that follows Brianna Madia’s journey living on the road in a van with her dogs, trading conventional expectations for a life shaped by freedom, uncertainty, and the vast landscapes of the American West. Through stories of adventure, solitude, and self-discovery, the book explores what it means to intentionally create a life rooted in curiosity, connection, and wild places.
Travel & Lodging in Telluride, CO
