
What is Horse Guided Empowerment®?
Horse Guided Empowerment® is a unique, experiential approach to personal growth and healing that takes place alongside horses in a safe, supportive environment. No riding experience is needed—in fact, there is no riding at all.
Horses have an incredible ability to respond honestly to what we are feeling and communicating. Through guided interactions, they help us recognize patterns, build confidence, strengthen relationships, and reconnect with ourselves in ways that are often difficult to access through conversation alone.
As a certified Horse Guided Empowerment® Coach, my role is to create a safe, compassionate space and gently guide the experience. The horses are our partners in the process, offering honest, present-moment feedback without judgment. Together, we create opportunities for insight, growth, and meaningful change.
“The horses are our partners, teachers, and guides.”
— Christina Marz, Creator of Horse Guided Empowerment®

Horse Guided Empowerment® sessions take place outdoors in nature alongside a small herd of horses living naturally together. The horses are free to choose how they participate, allowing authentic interactions to unfold in a way that cannot be forced or scripted.
Rather than riding or learning horsemanship, you’ll be invited into a series of simple, guided experiences with the horses. Their honest, non-judgmental responses often bring awareness to patterns, emotions, strengths, and opportunities for growth that may not be immediately visible in everyday life.
Sessions can support individuals, couples, families, youth, and teams who are seeking greater self-awareness, stronger relationships, increased confidence, emotional resilience, or a deeper connection with themselves and the natural world.
No previous horse experience is required. People of all ages and backgrounds are welcome.
The physical and emotional well-being of both people and horses is always our highest priority. Every session is designed to honour the horses’ needs while creating a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for each participant.

Hi, I’m Shauntelle.
I’ve loved horses for as long as I can remember. What began as a childhood passion has grown into a lifelong journey spanning more than 40 years.
Throughout my life, horses have been some of my greatest teachers. They have helped me navigate life’s challenges, reconnect with myself, and discover the incredible wisdom that animals offer when we slow down enough to listen.
As a Certified Horse Guided Empowerment® Coach, former paramedic, regenerative farmer, and founder of Pend d’Oreille River Ranch & Regenerative Farm, I bring together my passion for people, horses, nature, and experiential learning to create meaningful, one-of-a-kind experiences.
Together with our gentle herd of rescue horses, I offer sessions designed to help people build confidence, strengthen relationships, gain clarity, reconnect with themselves, and experience the calm and perspective that horses so naturally inspire.
Sessions are by appointment and take place on our peaceful 320-acre off-grid ranch just 20 minutes south of Salmo, British Columbia, nestled in the beautiful Pend d’Oreille Valley.
In addition to individual and group Horse Guided Empowerment® sessions, we’ll also be offering seasonal retreats and immersive experiences on the ranch.
I look forward to welcoming you to the herd.

Every Horse Guided Empowerment® session is unique because every person—and every horse—is unique.
Our herd lives together as horses were designed to live—with freedom, choice, companionship, and room to roam. This natural way of being is an important part of every session, allowing authentic interactions to unfold without force or expectation.
Our horses are all rescue horses, each with their own unique story, personality, and life experiences. Like people, no two horses are alike. Some are naturally curious and eager to connect, while others are thoughtful, playful, gentle, or quietly observant. Together, they each bring something different to the experience, and we honour them as willing partners rather than animals expected to perform.
We’ll begin by spending a few quiet moments in nature near the herd, allowing ourselves to slow down, become fully present, and leave the busyness of everyday life behind. Together, we’ll set an intention for your session—something you’d like to explore, better understand, or move toward. This intention becomes a gentle guide for our time with the horses.
From there, I’ll invite you into a series of simple, ground-based experiences with the herd. There is no riding, no pressure to perform, and no expectation that you know anything about horses. The horses are free to choose how they participate, creating authentic interactions that cannot be scripted or forced.
Some sessions involve quiet observation. Others may include walking with a horse, standing alongside the herd, or engaging in thoughtfully guided activities. Sometimes the horses come to us immediately. Other times, they choose to remain at a distance. Both are meaningful. We honour the horses’ choices, trusting that their responses are part of the experience and often offer valuable insight.
Throughout the session, I’ll gently guide you in noticing what the horses may be communicating through their behaviour, body language, and interactions, and we’ll explore how those observations may relate to your intention and your life.
We’ll finish with time for reflection and conversation, giving you an opportunity to integrate what you’ve experienced and consider how you might carry those insights forward into your daily life.
Most people leave feeling calmer, more grounded, and more connected—to themselves, to the horses, and to the natural world around them.

Horse Guided Empowerment® is for anyone looking to reconnect—with themselves, with others, or with the natural world.
Sessions may be especially meaningful for:
• Individuals navigating life transitions
• Parents and caregivers
• Children and youth
• Couples and families
• Professionals experiencing stress or burnout
• First responders, veterans, and healthcare workers
• Those seeking greater confidence, resilience, or self-awareness
• Anyone who simply feels called to spend time with horses in a meaningful way
No horse experience is necessary.

Horses are masters of awareness.
As prey animals, their survival has always depended on noticing the smallest changes in the world around them. They constantly observe body language, facial expressions, posture, breathing, movement, and even subtle changes in tension and emotion. This remarkable sensitivity allows them to respond honestly and immediately to what they perceive.
Research into human–horse interactions suggests that spending intentional time with horses can support mindfulness, emotional awareness, stress reduction, and overall well-being. Scientists are also exploring how humans and horses may influence one another through physiological synchrony—such as changes in heart rate and breathing—during calm, connected interactions.
One of the most remarkable aspects of working with horses is that they often reflect what we bring into the moment. Rather than judging or analyzing us, they simply respond to what they observe. This honest feedback can help us become more aware of ourselves, our emotions, and the ways we relate to others.
For me, this is where the true magic lies. Horses invite us to slow down, become present, and show up authentically. When we do, they often respond in ways that are both surprising and deeply meaningful.

Horse Guided Empowerment® sessions are available by appointment throughout the year.
Location
Pend d’Oreille River Ranch & Regenerative Farm
248 Pend d’Oreille Road
Nelway, British Columbia
Nestled on our peaceful 320-acre off-grid regenerative ranch just 20 minutes south of Salmo, you’ll experience the quiet beauty of forests, fields, wetlands, and our herd of rescue horses in their natural environment.
Session Length
Approximately 60 minutes.
Investment
Individual Session: $100
Group, family, and team-building sessions are also available. Please contact me for customized programming and pricing.
Booking
Email: shauntelle@penddoreilleriverranch.ca
Please note that all participants are required to complete a waiver before their session.

Do I need horse experience?
Not at all. Horse Guided Empowerment® is designed for people of all experience levels.
Will I be riding the horses?
No. All sessions take place on the ground.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothing appropriate for the weather and sturdy closed-toe footwear.
Are the sessions private?
Yes. Individual sessions are one-on-one unless you’ve booked a family, couple, or group session.
Is Horse Guided Empowerment® counselling or therapy?
No. Horse Guided Empowerment® is a coaching and experiential learning process. It is not psychotherapy or a replacement for medical or mental health care.
How long is a session?
Approximately 60 minutes.