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Lupine Horsemanship - Vanessa Shultz, Staunton, VA (2026)

04/08/2026

I hope you find a trainer that truly cares about your horse.
Not for their ego or their pride, bragging rights, or ribbons.

I hope your trainer loves your horse and considers their well-being.

I hope they advocate for your horse, and encourage you to do the same.

I hope that they see when your horse needs less, or needs more.

I hope they can see when your horse might be in pain or have a medical condition.

I hope they are humble and aren’t afraid to ask for mentorship.
I hope they constantly are willing to learn.
I hope they are tough at the right moments, and soft at all of the others.

I hope they are willing to invest hours upon hours, with the same enthusiasm they started with. Sometimes with little to no reward.

I hope they can laugh and joke in times of frustration.
I hope they can correct or discipline—without an ounce of angst in their heart.

I hope they know that they can hold the horse’s fate in their hands.
How the horse’s first “new” moments are so vital.

I hope they care when your horse needs more time, even if it makes them seem less skillful.
I hope they care when your horse needs a smaller goal, because their goal for today was too big.
I hope they are willing to throw away everything they think they know—when the horse needs a different way.

I hope your trainer considers the horse a friend.

I hope your trainer will work for the horse, not the people, the money, ribbons, glory, or pride.

I hope your trainer will forever be an indebted student of the horse.

I hope that your trainer loves what they do and feels honored to do it. ♥️

04/05/2026

Maybe we just get back what we put in?

The horse is a constant return of what we are willing to put in.

A horse’s brain operates more like a muscle than the human brain which is very complex. So essentially, the more we exercise a horse’s mind in a particular manner, the stronger that attribute gets.

I was thinking about this today.

We had a horse come in in the past that we were told was not social, was a recluse, wasn’t a people oriented type of a horse.

That’s fine, there a many like that and that’s quite alright.

When I was working with this horse upon his arrival, he repeatedly made an attempt to connect with me.

He would place his nose on me, or extend his head forward to touch my body, my tools, to just try to comprehend what I was doing.

Each time he made a connection to me, I pat his neck, or touched him physically. Scratching his neck. Rubbing his forehead. Around the ears, you know? The itchy spots.

Our first session was a lot of me softening the horse, seeing his familiarity with my tools, seeing what he knew and what he didn’t. Basically—I just wanted to know where to start.

This was a horse that had only been in work for about 6 months to a year. Up until then, had no handling or familiarity of people. At all. But at this point he knew how to ride.

I noticed in this session, this horse kept trying to connect with me. To touch me, to see what I was, to figure out what I was all about. Each time he did, I reciprocated. If you’re uncertain about me, I’ll let you have the time to see what I am. I’ll show you that I’m a friend.

The next day, as I went to fill up water. He spotted me from across the pasture and met me at the trough. He stayed a while until I finished my work. As I walked away, followed me about 200 feet.

I finally turned around to see a very inquisitive horse standing right beside me. I reached up and gave him a good rub.

Within a matter of days, this supposed antisocial and aloof animal was just about as in your pocket as I’d respectfully allow.

It was a light bulb moment for me. These horses are giving back to us what we are encouraging, building on, and acknowledging.

This wasn’t a disconnected or super independent horse. This was a horse that makes attempts to connect, and no one was reciprocating.

We have so much power to influence these animals.
We really are getting back what we are giving.

04/03/2026

At their worst.

I’m very much not a very big social media person, sometimes I feel it can be so superficial. If you know me, you know that the last thing about me is superficial or surface level.

I see it all over social media, trainers and owners posting horses at their absolute worst moments. Then the progression of the horse along the way.

It’s a great way to market.
It’s a great way to document.

I also see trainers who are overstimulating horses, pushing them to these extremes, recording it. Villainizing these animals just to make themselves look better, for a better “before” comparison. Labeling flight instincts as aggressive, dangerous, etc. Labeling fear and reactivity as “crazy” or belligerent behavior.

Sure— a flight animal can be dangerous… but painting horses out to be antagonistic?

I hate that.

There’s a reason I don’t record my sessions. There’s a reason Caroline and I don’t record these horses at their worst.

And upon watching these videos it opens my eyes to how much we actually see in our work. We work with horses with many issues. Completely feral, reactive, buckers, rearers, anxious horses. And the VERY, VERY rare “aggressive” horse.

And guess what? We don’t razz them up just to get the “WOW” content and praises for the after update.

We see the behavior and help the horse find a better way.

The internet is forever. That’s not how I want anyone to remember the horse. Including me.

We often have to put negative moments and behaviors to the back of our minds so that we can see the horse standing in front of us.

I have always loved the saying “the horse needs a lawyer” by Tom Dorrance. It’s actually one of my favorite horse quotes, if not—my absolute favorite.

I believe accepting the title as a trainer or a horseman puts us in the seat of responsibility of protection of the horse.

The Horse needs more advocates.

The more we focus on the good, the better the horse gets.
A horse’s well-being to me, is worth far more than marketing or likes on a reel.
I can do without.

04/01/2026

Knowing when to quit is just as powerful and beneficial as knowing when to push.

Yesterday we did a first ride on this little mare, who came to us with very minimal handling to be started under saddle.

He first ride yesterday was simple. Walk, trot, canter. Caroline in the saddle and me driving and redirecting her on the ground.

Caroline’s duty is to be brave, fluid, and non-emotional. My duty is to keep the horse engaged and directed. To help the horse stay in a thinking mindset and not become reactive. To keep Caroline and the horse safe. It was a very short and simple ride.

We could’ve asked for more, Caroline is a sticky rider and this little mare has had the groundwork for it. But, we didn’t. We left her feeling super confident so that today, we can push for more.

Today, she had another ride WTC. Learning leg and rein cues. Understanding how to move out with rider direction. Overall, knowing that the rider on her back is no big deal, and that forward motion is good.

Now it’s time to get out of the round pen and build her confidence up in various environments. The arena, the fields, the trails.

Sometimes good small moments build for bigger successes tomorrow.

03/16/2026

Just a quick update for all of my training clients with the storm moving through today.

All horses are checked, fed, and settled. The property is secured to the best of ability. We are stocked up for water, supplies, and fuel. We have everything we need in the event of an emergency.

I’ll continue doing checks throughout the day and tonight to make sure everyone stays safe and comfortable. If anything changes or any horse needs extra attention, I’ll contact you immediately.

Your horses are safe, cared for, and being watched closely. ❤️ Stay safe everyone.

03/14/2026

If you care about a horse, train it well. Give it solid understanding. Teach it to handle well, pick up its feet, be respectful, be patient—at the very least.

Throughout my journey with horses I’ve always been pulled and drawn to those who are “misbehaved” or “naughty”.

Perhaps it was something that I saw in them, I could see in myself.

They weren’t acting poorly, they weren’t out to get the people around them—they just didn’t know a better way. Horses learn through experience. Experience can be positive or negative. Same with the results of that experience. We can teach them good or bad behaviors through our actions, big or small.

What I noticed in the horses that behaved unfavorably, they all had something in common—lack of quality training and understanding.

I’ve always been involved in horse rescue from the day I got my license and was able to volunteer for nonprofits and looking back, sticking my 16 year old nose where it didn’t belong.

I wanted to help the equine community see that these horses were greatly misunderstood and undertrained.

But mostly, I wanted to give a voice for these horses that maybe I didn’t feel I could give myself.
I wanted to repay them for what they had given me throughout my childhood and continue to give me everyday—a purpose and a place to be wanted.

Everyday in my work I meet people who love horses, who love their horses, who love all horses. They show them love by pampering them, working their lives away for them, giving them treats and luxury services.

Despite this, many still fail to realize that the greatest gift of all to ensure their safety and comfortability, is quality training.

Educate yourself as a horse owner or equestrian, understanding equine body language and behavior. Not from what your childhood instructor told you 30 years ago. Gather new information. Follow good clinicians and horsemen and women—Be open minded.

“Evidence Based Horsemanship” by Martin Black and Dr Stephen Peters is one of my favorite reads. Purchase it, read it, study it, know it.

Everyday I get to call my passion my job. I don’t train horses because of the glory, money, or because I didn’t have any other aspirations.

I do this because I am indebted to a creature that has given me so much that I could never repay them for. I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to give back to them what they have given me.

I will give horses a chance that no one else believes in.
I will give them foundations that will follow them wherever they go.
I will teach them and guide them to be likable and enjoyable.

I will expect them to meet standards that will help keep them safe for their time long after me.

I think about this every time a horse comes and goes from my program. There are many I fall in love with and I know I’ll just be a chapter in their journey.

I know how important it is to make that chapter count…for their own good.

I take my role in their life seriously because I can either attribute to their comfort or direct them toward a path of hardship.

Train your horses well, give them the benefit of the doubt, understand their minds, find equine professionals who feel the same…

Expect them to be great… believe they can be great… and take your role in their live’s seriously.

03/09/2026

Caroline and Rudy on this beautiful day. Ride #9 for this guy!

03/03/2026

Dreaming of warmer days! ☀️

We are steadily booking through 2026, and availability is becoming limited. If you’re considering sending your horse to us this year, now is time to reach out!

We keep our program small and individualized so each horse gets the time, consistency, and attention they deserve — which means spots go quickly.

Through, correct, and humane methods. Please private message us or call Vanessa directly at 540-487-2796

03/01/2026

Our duty is to discover a horse’s shortcomings and help to conquer them.
To bring them to their darkness and illuminate it.
The more we challenge and push our horses to choose confidence, softness, and to work from a place of understanding the more reliable they become.
The more well rounded they are.

We should find their resistances and teach them a better way.
Horses show resistance from lack of understanding and lack of knowing. Lack of experience. Or lack of good experience.

If we spend our encounters with them seeking to pardon them of what makes them uncertain or uncomfortable, we are robbing them of the opportunity to feel peace in their own skin.

Horses want safety, to make that truly possible they need confidence.

Challenge your horse. Allow them to make mistakes, and encourage them to seek the correct answer. Encourage their curiosity. Encourage their decision making.

We have to give these animals more credit for their ability to adapt, to improve, and to learn.

02/26/2026

Ride #2 for this 4 year old. We strive to get them out of the arena ASAP!

02/23/2026

The 2026 season is already gearing up to be a busy one here at Lupine Horsemanship. So, we will be looking for a working student!

Duties:
• Grooming/bathing
• Retrieving horses from turnout
• Picking paddocks

This is honestly a fun opportunity for someone who wants more hands on experience in a friendly and welcoming environment.

Ideal candidates would be:
• Honest
• Patient with horses, if you do not have the patience to work around feral, timid, undertrained, or traumatized horses. Don’t reach out. We have zero tolerance for that.
• Self starters

Candidate would have opportunity to learn the ins and outs of a training business and receive lessons on the ground and in the saddle.

We work hard but we also have a great deal of fun. Hours can be flexible.

***Ideally I would like to opportunity to go to an ambitious child or teen who has the drive and determination to learn, but not the resources. Though other inquiries will be followed up with.

Staunton, VA

Lupine Horsemanship - Vanessa Shultz

04/08/2026

04/05/2026

04/03/2026

04/01/2026

03/16/2026

03/14/2026

03/09/2026

03/03/2026

03/01/2026

02/26/2026

02/23/2026

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