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Lupine Horsemanship - Vanessa Shultz

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Lupine Horsemanship - Vanessa Shultz

Thorough—Correct—& Humane horse training, with the horse’s well being at the core of the program.

06/24/2025

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” – Anaïs Nin

06/14/2025

Break. It. Down.

No, this isn’t a cue to bust out a dance move—unless that’s your thing.

What I’m talking about is breaking down the ask.

We often hear things like:
• “My horse doesn’t like to be sprayed with fly spray.”
• “My horse is afraid of the hose.”
• “My horse panics around clippers.”
• “My horse won’t cross water.”
• “My horse is afraid of insert anything.”

And yet, we still tend to rush straight to the end goal.
Spray the fly spray. Use the clippers. Cross the water. Get it done.

That’s our predator brain at work.
We live in a world of black and white—task and completion. We want things done efficiently, and we expect that logic to carry over.

But your horse doesn’t see the world that way.
They’re a prey animal.
And prey animals don’t assume the best—they scan for the worst.

To us, the fly spray is a tool. To them, it’s a threat.
To us, clippers just buzz. To them, they hiss, vibrate, and approach like a predator on the prowl.

If your horse bolts when the spray bottle is being sprayed two feet away, why would they tolerate it right on their skin?
If they react to the sound of clippers across the aisle, what makes us think pressing them to their body will be any better?

Break. It. Down.

Stop focusing so much on the outcome that you skip over the process.

Train the space around the thing first.
• Let them hear it.
• See it.
• Get near it.
• Be near it without added pressure.

Then work in layers—soft, fluid, and consistent.

When we give the horse time to process each step—when we build confidence through small, digestible pieces—we create trust.
That trust gives them the bravery to try.

But when we jump ahead, rushing them before they understand, we betray that trust—and confirm their fears.

So if your horse is afraid of something?

Break it down.

Let them understand before you ask.
Let them prepare before you push.

That’s how you build a willing partner instead of a reactive one.

06/12/2025

Lack of solid training is the problem.

Horses end up in bad ways, in poor situations, being blamed, being abused, being neglected, and being shipped off to unfavorable endings—and a lack of solid training is a huge part of the problem.

My life is full of horses who come to me with a long grocery list of issues.

We take on buckers, bolters, rearing issues, difficulty being caught, can’t tie, kicked the farrier, attacked their owners, aggressive, flat out dangerous—and the list goes on and on.

These horses that come into our lives aren’t bad.
They aren’t evil, rotten, or junk.

They’re incredibly misunderstood. For their fault lays not in their control—they’re severely under trained.

Most of the horses that come our way can be helped with thorough training. Starting with a groundwork program that helps create well rounded horses.

They can be helped with routine, structure, and guidance.

They behave how they do because no one gave them the proper tools to know otherwise. And no one is communicating with them in a way that they understand.

If we want to do right by our horses, by any horse. We will train them well.

06/11/2025

“When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.”
— William Arthur Ward

06/06/2025

The danger of adventure is worth a thousand days of ease.” — Paulo Coelho

06/04/2025

When did leadership become such a dirty word?

A leader to me is someone who is reliable, safe, and clear in their intentions.

Over the years the idea of leading our horses has been tainted by bad eggs who disguise bullying and breaking horses down as leadership.

You can lead a horse with clear principles and intent all the while still maintaining ethical practice and empathy. You can give a horse instruction, guidelines, and direction—all the while still being their friend.

Horses find peace in structure and leadership. If it’s done correctly.

Part of the art of working with horses who are in a bad way is knowing the right amount of balance. Knowing that you can be a horse’s leader and still remain ethical and kind.

Abandoning our horses mentally and emotionally in an attempt to be compassionate is unfair. Leaving our horses in a state of panic or uncertainty in an attempt to preserve our relationship with them is harmful. Horses want safety. Horses find safety in good leadership.

If we wish to be kind and empathetic to our horses, we must lead them. Correctly, consistently, and with empathy always.

05/29/2025

“Little by little, a little becomes a lot.”
—Tanzanian Proverb

05/27/2025

Our office view this morning!

When a horse comes to us for riding or to be started under saddle, they get a ton of hauling experience. We haul to multiple different arenas and trails.

We really find this to be an instrumental piece in helping these horses be confident and well rounded riding partners.

05/26/2025

Today, we vow to honor the brave souls who gave everything so we could live in freedom.
Memorial Day is not just a long weekend or the start of summer — it’s a time to reflect on the incredible sacrifice made by the men and women who laid down their lives in service to our country.

To the families who carry the weight of that loss every day, your loved ones are not forgotten.
And to all veterans who have served with courage and integrity — thank you. Your sacrifice will never be taken for granted.

We remember. We honor. We are grateful.

05/23/2025

“Honor where you started. Celebrate how far you’ve come.”

05/12/2025

Progress doesn’t always look like perfection.
Sometimes it’s a horse taking one deep breath… an exhale, a softened eye—or standing quietly for one more second than yesterday.

We celebrate the small wins—because those are the building blocks of lasting change.

Trust the process. Trust the horse.

05/07/2025

Now Accepting New Equine Clients
(Spots fill FAST—message to reserve!)

Specialized, ethical horse training wity heart— horses who need a second chance, a strong foundation, or just a little extra understanding.

We offer a deeply individualized, natural horsemanship-based approach designed to work with your horse—not against them. Whether you're working with a Mustang, rescue, or a horse struggling with trust or trauma—this is for you.

Areas of Focus Include:
• Bureau of Land Management Mustangs
• Rescue & Trauma Rehabilitation
• Confidence Building & Desensitization
• Trail Riding Prep
• C**t Starting
• Problem Solving (bucking, bolting, loading, etc.)
• Groundwork, Communication, and Relationship Building
• Horsemanship Lessons (All Ages & Levels)
• YES, Gaited Horses Welcome!

Thorough. Kind. Effective.
Only a few horses taken on at a time to ensure every horse gets the time and attention they deserve.

Spots are limited—and they go quickly.
DM or comment “INFO” below and we’ll reach out directly!

Let’s help your horse become their best self—inside and out.

Address

Staunton, VA

Telephone

+15404872796

Website

facebook.com

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