Retreats
A Tacktics retreat is not a spa weekend. It is a day or weekend where you do real work - on yourself, your relationships, or how you lead - in one of the most beautiful and unexpected settings in the Midwest.
Set on 200 private acres of rolling hills, woods, and river in Galena, Illinois, every retreat is facilitated by certified Equine Assisted Learning coaches. The horses are part of the experience - and they have a way of cutting through what a yoga class or journaling session alone cannot reach.
You leave with specific skills, a clearer sense of direction, and amazing memories! No horse experience required.
Fewer than 20 guests
Every retreat runs with fewer than 20 guests, with a facilitation ratio of roughly 1:8. Small groups mean more individual attention, more honest conversation, and a fundamentally different dynamic than a conference-room experience. You will not be lost in a crowd!
Breakout options
Retreats are built around the equine assisted learning sessions - but there is more than the arena! Breakout options include guided hikes on the property, creative workshops, yoga/pilates, line dancing, journaling, and culinary experiences.
Lasting Growth
Tacktics retreats are not designed to feel good in the moment and fade by Monday. Every session is structured around specific skills and behavioral changes. What you practice here, you can keep practicing at home. Our facilitators make sure you leave with the tools to do that - not just the memory of a good weekend.
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.
Airports:
Galena is conveniently located just 30 minutes from Dubuque (DBQ) Regional Airport, which offers daily flights to and from Chicago O’Hare. Alternatively, there is Cedar Rapids, IA, Madison, WI, and of course, Chicago O’Hare, IL.
Join us!
The Retreats
Women's Wellness: Summer Day Retreat
Spend a perfect summer day in the fresh air surrounded by horses, great food, and incredible women! Whether you're coming with friends or treating yourself to a day away, our Women's Wellness Summer Day Retreat is designed to help you step away from the busyness of life and enjoy a day that's equal parts relaxing and up-lifting. Spending the whole day in nature, you'll experience a unique mix of movement, connection, and creativity.
Couples Day Retreat
Couples, break the daily routine this August and spend the day on private 200 acres of countryside. Spend time connecting not through candlelit dinners or crowded experiences, but through shared challenge, play, presence, and a little bit of dirt on your boots!
Set against our open fields and the warm August air, this one-day retreat is designed for couples who want something not only meaningful, but a bit adventurous too.
Spring Women's Wellness Retreat
Ready to break free and take lead in your life? The Tacktics Women’s Wellness Retreat is a weekend devoted to uncovering and empowering your authentic self. With the help of horses, nature, and our group of supportive women, you will find yourself being present in each moment and focusing on who you are. Immerse yourself in three days of breakthroughs, life-changing transformation, and a whole lot of fun! Leave refreshed, ready to take control and lead the life you desire.
Couples Day Retreat
Grab your other half and step onsite at Tacktics to join us for a one day retreat curated just for the two of you! This retreat is built to offer couples a day to unplug, unwind, and re-center together. Life is known to pull us in different directions, get us swept up in the details and the “busy work”. We invite you to step away from life’s demands for the day, and come together for an equine retreat you both will love. This style of retreat was highly requested, and is crafted with thoughtfulness and purpose. Retreat couples will get to experience stepping into a quiet, restorative space where connection, communication, and trust come to life—through the gentle presence of the horses and the beauty of the rolling Galena countryside. Guided by Tacktics’ certified Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) facilitators, you and your partner will…
The Lasting Leadership Retreat
Embark on a journey of leadership transformation with Lasting Leadership, a unique retreat that pairs profound lessons from equine-assisted learning with insights from a global leadership coach & consultant. Set against the tranquil backdrop of nature, participants will explore the complexities of effective leadership through immersive experiences. A dynamic & unique leadership retreat that promotes lasting growth…
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…
Build your own
Bring your group to Tacktics and we will build the day or weekend around you. Companies, leadership teams, women’s groups, friend groups, sports teams, nonprofits - we’re happy to host you.
You tell us your goals, your groups size, and your budget. We handle the rest! Facilities are exclusive to your group for the duration. Everything from the arena sessions to the culinary experiences is customized. No generic packages, no sharing the space with strangers.
Build your retreat with us to:
-
![]()
GROW
Discover our extensive range of Equine Assisted Learning workshops and courses, training soft skills specific to your needs. Internationally certified.
-
![]()
REST
From the peaceful swing of the hammock, to the fire-side adirondacks, you’ll find plenty of serene areas to rest throughout the property.
-
![]()
CREATE
Embrace your creative side through a selection of available classes, from painting to leatherwork, or even a perfume class with Scent Workshop.
-
![]()
COACH
Choose from a number of guided personal growth opportunities onsite, including coaching from certified emotional intelligence coaches.
-
![]()
REFLECT
Slower rhythms and change of routine creates a great time to reflect on things that are important. Make a workshop of it by adding a journaling class.
-
![]()
NOURISH
Enjoy locally catered meals throughout your retreat. Upgrade to a farm-to-table, chef curated meal for the ultimate culinary experience.
-
![]()
EXPLORE
Guided hikes around our private 200 acre property will provide exploration of nature, history, and wildlife. Admire everything from the views to the century old homestead ruins.
-
![]()
CONNECT
In a fast paced world of technology, emails and video calls, your group retreat will foster real human connection again.
-
![]()
ENJOY
Don’t compromise between the small comforts and the elevated moments. Enjoy coffee, teas, water, and curated snacks throughout the days. Top it off with special mocktails, s’mores, or charcuterie to close out the day.
-
![]()
RECHARGE
Eliminate distractions, noise, deadlines, and the four walls of your office to recharge. Find grounding, peace, and your center again to be your best for you, the people you lead, and the people you work for.
-
![]()
EXPERIENCE
Our retreats focus on experiences. From the arena with the horses, to the air pistol target range, your group will bond, learn, and grow together, while having fun!
-
![]()
PRACTICE
Start your day with guided yoga, or perhaps evening line dancing is more your pace. Classes are for all fitness levels.
Backed by science. Powered by the horse.
the hosts
Join Cathy and CJ, the mother-daughter duo behind Tacktics.
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 they hold allows them access to building-block programs that have had multiple college studies, companies, and individuals assess and evaluate the credibility of how 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
“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
“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 Retreat
“It has been a long time since I’ve had that many a-ha moments. Thank you!”
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!
Host a retreat with us:
Want to bring your group to Tacktics? Contact us and we will be in touch to discuss your goals, dates, and what we can build for you. Custom retreats are available for groups of any size.