Slow down.
Breathe deep.
Come back
to yourself.

Mindfulness, horses, and room to simply be.

Explore experiences Cleveland, Alabama

Leslie & her horse · Photo: Even In The Rain Photography

Recently featured inMeditation Magazine

A different kind
of connection.

You don’t have to do more here. Just arrive as you are. Let the pace of the herd, the open sky, and a little time outdoors make room for something quieter.

Ground-based experiences. No riding required.

Find your way here

Small moments.
Meaningful experiences.

Time with horses. Time in nature. Time to notice what you need.

A quiet moment of connection beside a horse at the ranch
Connection begins with being present.
Individual & group sessions

Learn alongside the herd.

Explore communication, boundaries, trust, and self-awareness through non-ridden equine-assisted learning. You’ll work on the ground, at a pace that respects both you and the horse.

Ask about a session
Mindfulness & meditation

A softer place to land.

Guided meditation, mindful observation, gentle somatic practices, and time among grazing horses. An invitation to settle into the present, without needing to get it perfect.

Find a mindful moment
One, two & three days

Stay a little longer.

Retreats bring together the herd, nature, mindful movement, expressive art, drumming, and shared reflection. Ask Leslie about a retreat for you or your group.

Now booking Spring 2027 Meditation & Mindfulness Retreats

  • Equine Assisted Energy Work
    • Clearing with Frequency
    • Reset with Rhythm
    • Heart-Centered Meditation
    • Somatic Meditation
    • Mindfulness Meditations
    • Sound Baths
    • Reiki
  • Morning Lakeside Meditations
  • Mindful Nature Walks
  • Forest Bathing
  • Yoga, Goat Yoga & Yoga with Horses
  • Drum Circle
  • Expressive Art Creation
  • Fireside Reflection
  • Yurt Tent Glamping, near the horses or lakefront
Explore a retreat

Meet Leslie Diodato

It started with
a moment of peace.

“In the midst of family turmoil and career burnout, being outside with my horses brought me peace.”

That experience became the beginning of Neigh-ture. Leslie trained as an equine-assisted learning facilitator to help others discover connection through horses and the natural world.

Today, our nonprofit’s mission is to support mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing through equine-partnered learning, nature experiences, retreats, and community programs.

Help make these experiences possible
Leslie sitting quietly in an Adirondack chair beside her black horse by the lake
Leslie, in her element. Photograph by Even In The Rain Photography.

Unplug & connect

Less hurry.
More here.

Sixty acres of meadows, pastures, lakes, and wooded hills. Gather for a bonfire, make something with your hands, or spend an afternoon looking up.

A quiet ranch lake reflecting wooded hills at dusk
Quiet by the water Catch-and-release fishing
A warm evening fire beside a wooden chair overlooking the pasture
Good company, open sky Bonfires, drumming & group camping
Sunlight on a woodland river surrounded by leafy trees
A little farther into nature Riverside trails coming spring 2027

The heart of Neigh-ture

Different personalities.
The same big welcome.

Blackie, Nellie, Stormy, Maria, Bella, Friday, Ooga, Gunner, and Pilot. Our horses and donkeys are partners in the experience, each with their own pace and personality.

Meet the herd
Members of the ranch herd gathered in the pasture beneath a sunset sky
Evening with the herd at Neigh-ture.

Kind words

In their
own words.

What guests and retreat participants have shared after time with Leslie and the herd.

“A lot of fun and very relaxing!”Guest review
“I took a group of women from Sisters United Recovery and everyone really enjoyed it as well as benefited from it so much. Leslie and her team and her horses were amazing!! We even had one lady that had a fear of horses and she was able to overcome that fear. We look forward to more sessions and the healing that will come from it.”Guest review
“I’ve had several sessions with Leslie, and I would like to express what an amazing experience each has been. The setting and the atmosphere are the perfect environment for healing. The horses are incredible, as well. I am and will always be grateful for Leslie. 🙏🏼❤️”Guest review
“I really enjoyed the session we had with Leslie! It was calming, engaging and so fun to have the horses around us! I don’t enjoy being closed off indoors so being outside with the horses yet using that energy to work on myself and meditate was very rewarding and new! Loved it! 😍”Guest review
“I’m definitely going to invest in more of these sessions in the future. This was a first for me with equine therapy and for about two weeks leading up to this event my right eye had been twitching all day every day and I noticed by the end of the day with the meditation session and the whole equine therapy my right eye hadn’t twitched the whole day until I got to my moms house that evening and felt her forehead to see that she was sweaty, cool, and clammy. And my right eye hasn’t twitched as much since so it definitely helped lower my stress levels a bit.”Participant comment
“I really enjoyed the meditation. It is really hard for me to stop the noise in my head and this did seem to quiet it some. Hopefully this will help me to slow my racing mind!”Participant comment
“It is truly a valuable opportunity to spend time in such a manner and be present to fully experience and appreciate it.”Participant comment
“This taught me so much! Thank you for what you do!”Participant comment
“I think this is a great way to start the retreat.”Participant comment

After a session

What guests told us.

Answers from our participant surveys, in their own words.

What they valued most

“Shifting negative energy and stress and helping to be present and in the moment”

“I was not prepared for my mind to go the places it did. Memories popped up that I had not thought about in a long time and I will cherish that.”

“The fact that everything just faded into the background. It was very peaceful and relaxing!”

“Learning about meditation and how the horses read our energy”

“Appreciating the value of possessing knowledge that facilitates a connection with a horse is truly remarkable.”

“Seeing how the horses responded to our calm and peace”

Clearing my mind / Being present · Horses · The peace and guidance · All · Relaxing · Relaxation · Peace and being in the moment · Peaceful time · Peace · Learning to calm myself · Meeting the other participants was a highlight. · The peace that it brought · Love the horses and Peacefullness

What they’ll do differently

“Well, it definitely helped give me a confidence boost after getting to let go of some stressors and traumas I had been carrying for too long. Just going to continue to forming healthier habits for myself and only accepting positive energy around me and try to be less negative as well. That’s hard to do sometimes, but it’s way more important than you might realize.”

“I am not sure but I took some valuable insights with me from the experience. I don’t know how that will play out but it’s something I have been considering since I left the event.”

“Nothing differently, but rather enjoy the moment and seize the opportunity to gain further insight into horses in what I will pursue.”

“Make a goal to try and meditate with the Holy Spirit once a day. Just be present with Him without the pressure of saying anything”

“Make time for myself to hang out with my horses more and just be with them and see where my mind takes me”

“I will set time aside for me to just breathe and relax.”

Incorporate more deep breathing into everyday life. · Take time during the day to de-stress · Allow myself more time to relax · Take more time for myself · Be present in the moment · Breath work more often · My heart meditations · Calming breathing · Stay more present · Be more mindful · Come back more · Slow down! · Keep peace · Meditate · Breath

Additional comments

I loved it. · Thank you! This was wonderful · This was amazing · Was wonderful · Thank you!

A place for more of us

A little care
goes a long way.

We’re working to make these experiences available at reduced or no cost through donations, sponsorships, grants, and community fundraising.

Your support helps care for the herd and opens the gate for people who might otherwise be unable to come.

Welcoming veterans, first responders, people in recovery, neurodivergent individuals, youth, seniors, and anyone seeking connection.

November14Saturday · 2026

Come celebrate with us

Opening Day Festival
& Fundraiser

Meet the herd, make art, enjoy yoga and fishing, join the drum circle, and stay for live music. Bring a lawn chair and make a day of it.

$10 admission · Children under 10 free
Ribbon-cutting at 9 AM · Festival 10 AM–7:30 PM

See the day’s plans

Curiosity, with care

Why horses?
Why nature?

We value the experience, and we value honest questions about the evidence behind it.

Mindfulness & meditation

Research shows mindfulness and meditation can help ease stress and anxiety and support better sleep.

Read the NCCIH overview
Time in nature

A large study of nearly 20,000 people found that those who spent at least two hours a week in nature were more likely to report good health and wellbeing.

Read the research in Scientific Reports
Learning with horses

Equine-assisted services offer opportunities for experiential learning and connection, and research reviews describe promising benefits for participants.

Read the research review

Your next quiet moment

Let’s find
your way here.

Tell Leslie a little about what you’re looking for. Whether it’s a personal visit, a group retreat, volunteering, or sponsorship, we’d love to hear from you.

205-446-5994Connect@NeightureWellnessRanch.orgCleveland, Alabama

Please contact us before visiting for availability and arrival directions.

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