Connection begins with mutual understanding
Grey Equus Connected Horsemanship, LLC helps individuals build meaningful partnerships with their horses through a deeper understanding of the horse and how they influence their horse's behavior.
About Jackie Shapaker
Jackie's lifelong passion for horses began at age eight, encompassing riding and groundwork. Her equestrian experience includes hunters, jumpers, a brief time in eventing, and a current focus on dressage. Driven by a desire for more ethical horse handling, Jackie embraced natural horsemanship 25 years ago and has since dedicated herself to understanding equine cognition, emotions, and responses. Complementing her horsemanship, she also studies and practices mindfulness.
Beyond Grey Equus, Jackie works at Helping Horse Therapeutic Programs, teaching adaptive riding, managing the First Responders & Veterans Program, and leading the Horse Training/Conditioning team. She holds certifications as a PATH Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning and Natural Lifemanship Level 1 Training. Jackie currently trains in dressage with Kris Daniel and Rebecca Nelles, regularly attends horsemanship clinics, and receives yoga and wellness coaching from Claudia Chambers of yRespira.
Services
Lessons
Both ground and riding lessons are available. Since I believe in a ground up approach, I recommend starting with ground lessons. I focus on establishing a strong bond and mutual understanding between you and your horse, promoting a harmonious partnership that lasts a lifetime.
Evaluations & Goal Setting
Evaluation and Goal Setting sessions are available without the horse to establish where you are in your horsemanship and to help make a plan for reaching your goals.
Workshops
Coming soon!
Testimonials
Working with Jackie has completely changed my life. I was nearly ready to give up on myself and my mare before my trainer suggested we work with Jackie. Taking time to learn the basics of connection, groundwork, and truly understanding my horse has changed everything. I feel like a better horsewoman, rider, owner, friend, and person. In five months of working together, I can say that this is the single best investment I've made in my five year journey of owning my horse. It has truly been a pleasure.
If you haven’t been lucky enough to meet and work with Jackie Shapaker on your horsemanship journey, then now is the time! I am a lifelong horsewoman, and it’s been my absolute privilege to get to work with her these past two years. Jackie brings a singular dedication to connecting horses and humans in a mutually respectful, informed and joyful way. Though her horsemanship toolbox is already vast, I greatly admire her interest in continuing to educate herself, always staying current in the latest discoveries in best practices for horse training and understanding the horse brain. That curiosity and passion for all things horse is such a huge benefit and gift to her students. Jackie not only has the depth of knowledge, but is incredibly accessible and collaborative in her instruction. She beautifully blends connecting with your horse and with yourself, creating so many opportunities for growth inside and outside of the arena. I'm incredibly grateful for her coaching, advice and friendship and highly recommend her as an instructor.