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Lupine Horsemanship - Vanessa Shultz

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Staunton, VA
Lupine Horsemanship - Vanessa Shultz

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

07/09/2026

Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.
-Brené Brown

07/02/2026

“Simplicity, patience, compassion.
These three are your greatest treasures.
Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
you accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world.”
-Lao Tzu

07/01/2026

Listen with curiosity. Speak with honesty. Act with integrity. The greatest problem with communication is we don't listen to understand. We listen to reply. When we listen with curiosity, we don't listen with the intent to reply. We listen for what's behind the words.
-Roy T. Bennett

06/30/2026

Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them; and each mind perceives a different beauty.
-David Hume

06/29/2026

Caroline & Justin getting after it bright and early to beat the heat this week.

06/28/2026

Follow your heart, listen to your inner voice, stop caring about what others think.
-Roy T. Bennett

06/25/2026

VSH Redi To Rumble 🔥 stunning guy with a great brain. Someone needs to scoop this guy up!

05/21/2026

Despite what you’d imagine, we actually aren’t magicians. We also, aren’t some bronc stompers looking for a thrill.

It’s a common misconception where folks assume that because we train so many mustangs and feral horses that we are some thrill seeking trainers, with no fear, and a magic wand.

The secret to the success we have with horses that many trainers don’t even want to “mess with” is a combination of experience, groundwork, empathy, confidence, discernment and enthusiasm. Also, resilience. I don’t get tired of hitting the same wall with a horse and trying to find a new way. It doesn’t frustrate me or make me want to quit.

If your horse comes to us with no life experience or behavioral issues—we aren’t fixing that with some magic potion or with a sticky ass and bravery. We don’t buck horses out. We don’t blow horses up.

It is a compliment and an accomplishment to me to work with horses that a lot of trainers don’t want to. I love them. I love the puzzle. I love trying to crack the code to what is going on, to piece together the brokenness in front of us, and help these horses know a better way. Just as it is to take a horse with minimal life experience and have the honor to move them through so many of their FIRSTS.

There’s a lot of brain power that goes into these horses. I’m thinking constantly about them. I can see their expressions, feel their energies, and their behavior. It replays in my mind like an old school movie.

I do this all day long, dissecting the interactions and making sure I’m not missing something. It’s obsessive.

To be honest, we get a little offended when people assume we have the success we do because we are using some fearless and risky approach. We aren’t just hopping on these horses and hoping for the best.

We are evaluating them. Looking at their whole picture, finding holes and issues in the foundation and rebuilding.

When something comes to us that’s a more sensitive animal, needs more time than others, or perhaps just cannot handle being pushed a little further—despite the goals or ideals of the owner, despite Caroline’s confidence and even my own pride—we don’t push horses to appease people. We don’t force horses to points of mental overload and risk injury or bad experiences, to make people happy.

I am giving that horse what is in their best interest. I am going to override the human’s wants to protect the horse’s best interest. That is me, that is the core of my program and this business. Before all things—we love and respect the horse more.

This doesn’t mean horses don’t get healthy doses of pressure. This doesn’t mean they don’t come here and get challenged and grow.

It just means that when they’re being challenged or being put in situations where they are under pressure—they will actually learn and retain the outcome.

Not become blown up, bracey, reactive, insecure and dangerous. Not become unpredictable.

The longevity of the horse’s mind and body is at the top priority.

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.

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Staunton, VA

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+15404872796

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