At Grit & Grace we believe that horses are sentient beings and great teachers. Being in the presence of horses can be healing and calming. We are trained in natural horsemanship, meditation and yoga modalities. All of these disciplines are very compatible, and can come together in an organic way to promote health and wellness for both the participant and horse.


Giuliana Marple

Giuliana’s passion for horses began as a young teen growing up in Italy. Through her personal experiences and through watching the experience of others, she has come to believe that the horse is a mirror to the human soul. She continues to be a committed student of this magical creature. Under the tutelage of masters, and by her own gifts, Giuliana has gained an understanding of the art of natural horsemanship and the relationship between the horse and its human counterpart. She is devoted to facilitating this connection for others.

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Kaitlin Phelps

Kaitlin began riding almost as soon as she could walk. Growing up on a ranch, she had plenty of opportunities. She grew up competing in 4H, barrel racing, watching Monty Roberts and Martha Josey. It wasn't until life presented her with challenges that she truly began to lean on the healing powers of horses. With 30+ years of horsemanship, she feels called to help others heal and find solace.

Michele Marconi

Michele Marconi has been involved for many years at the S. Giuliana Hospital in Verona, in equestrian rehabilitation projects for adolescents with psycho-social discomforts. He is the promoter of a research project, for children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder and has published a book titled "Riding the Blue" on equestrian rehabilitation. He is also engaged as a teacher at the training school "La Melagrana"-Padua, at the University of Verona and Venice and he is a member of the national board "We Animal" for the human-animal relationship.

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Nicole Lunt

Nicole has been practicing Yoga for 35 years in all its forms. In 2016 she become a certified teacher and received her 200 RYT training from Denise Druce with Yoga Assets. During her training she fell in love with the chakras and the vital prana life which led her to Reiki Energy Healing. Nicole's joy for life and people is infectious! Nicole runs a successful yoga studio in Fruit Heights, Utah - Divine Yoga Studio

Sara Barnett

Sara has been a fan of horses since a very young age. Her passion for all animals and nature runs deep. She holds a degree from the University of Utah in Health Promotion. Sara has a gift when interacting with animals and people alike.

Jim Culver

The intersection of horsemanship and communication/leadership is where Jim finds his passion for both learning and teaching. Jim has spent the last thirty-plus years working as an educator and guide, including stints with the Nature Conservancy and NOLS. He began his horse journey when he was 7, and has since gained experience in many different aspects of horsemanship - Western and English riding, horse shoeing, colt starting, horse packing, driving teams, and equine bodywork. He feels fortunate to have learned from renowned horse people such as Martin Black, Jim Masterson, Buck Brannaman, Jim Hicks, and Micaela Love. In 2018, Jim was invited to give a TedX talk on what he had learned from horses about communication (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayNSk9hQE2o). He has also assisted in facilitating leadership and communication seminars with teams from NASA, the US Naval Academy, GOOGLE, and the Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program. Jim was born in Charlottesville, VA, but fell in love with the West at an early age ‘from watching too many John Wayne movies and Gunsmoke episodes.’

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Andrea Carver

Andrea Carver is an Intuitive Craniosacral Therapist, a licensed Massage Therapist, a certified Meditation Teacher and Speaker. At the heart of her work as a therapist is a spiritual understanding of the unlimited potential for growth of the human spirit.

  •  8/23/2024 06:30 PM - 8/9/2024 08:30 PM
  •   Eden, UT, USA

An evening for ages 13-18 in the presence of horses to inspire teens to live confidently. Disconnect from the outside world and focus on the present moment through a series of equine experiences on the ground. Gather by the fire and connect with each other at the end of the evening. Being with horses can help boost self esteem, teaches problem solving and creates mindfulness and emotional intelligence.

  •  8/22/2024 06:30 PM - 9/26/2024 06:30 PM
  •   Eden, UT, USA

Adopt a horse: An introduction to horse care and equine experiences. Learn to view the world from a horse's perspective and to be present. Participants will choose a horse and learn to care for it. Activities include: grooming, walking the horse, round pen work, and various experiences on the ground that will teach trust, respect and boundaries.

  •  7/13/2024 03:30 PM - 7/13/2024 09:00 PM
  •   Eden, UT, USA

Spend a day connecting with each other through meditation, yoga, equine assisted activities, line dancing, singing, dinner, sitting by the fire and sound bath.

  •  6/15/2024 10:00 AM - 6/15/2024 02:00 PM
  •   Wanship, UT, USA

HORSES AND WELLNESS 06/15/2024 10:00 AM Wanship, UT, USA Slow down and improve how you connect with yourself and others through the power of horses. Come experience a day of meditation with these generous and brave animals. Through breathing exercises and mindfulness practice with the horses, you'll learn the importance of self-awareness and living in the present moment. No horse experience is necessary, just an open heart! This is not a horseback riding class. Class Sections For Horses And Wellness: The Healing Power Of Horses (LLHL 138)

  •  6/12/2024 10:00 AM - 7/17/2024 10:00 AM
  •   Eden, UT, USA

Adopt a horse: An introduction to horse care and equine experiences. Learn to view the world from a horse's perspective and to be present. Participants will choose a horse and learn to care for it. Activities include: grooming, walking the horse, round pen work, and various experiences on the ground that will teach trust, respect and boundaries.

  •  3/23/2024 10:00 AM
  •   Wanship, UT, USA

Slow down and improve how you connect with yourself and others through the power of horses. Come experience a day of meditation with these generous and brave animals. Through breathing exercises and mindfulness practice with the horses, you'll learn the importance of self-awareness and living in the present moment. No horse experience is necessary, just an open heart! This is not a horseback riding class. Class Sections For Horses And Wellness: The Healing Power Of Horses (LLHL 138)

  •  3/25/2023 10:00 AM - 3/25/2023 02:00 PM
  •   Blue Sky Auberge, Wanship, UT, USA

Horses and Wellness: The Healing Power of Horses ~~~~~Jim Culver and Giuliana Marple~~~~~ Slow down and improve how you connect with yourself and others through the power of horses. Come experience a day of meditation with these generous and brave animals. Through breathing exercises and mindfulness practice with the horses, you'll learn the importance of self-awareness and living in the present moment. No horse experience is necessary, just an open heart! This is not a horseback riding class. Class Sections For Horses And Wellness: The Healing Power Of Horses (LLHL 138) Spring 2023 Section 1, Starting on: 03/25/2023 This is an in-person class and limited to 12. Students will be notified of exact location one week before class. Class begins at 10am. Please allow time for travel. Date(s) Day Time Location 03/25/23 S 10:00 am -2:00 pm SLC UT Tuition: $69.00 + Special Fee: $45.00 = $114.00

  •  3/3/2023 12:00 AM - 3/5/2023 08:39 PM
  •   Blue Sky Road, Wanship, UT, USA
  •  9/24/2022 09:00 AM - 9/24/2022 12:00 PM
  •   Huntsville, UT, USA

Slow down and improve how you connect with yourself and others through the power of horses. Experience a day of meditation with these generous and brave beings. Through breathing exercises and mindfulness practice with the horses, you will learn the importance of self-awareness and living in the present moment. No horse experience necessary, just an open heart. This is not a horseback riding class. ~$189

  •  11/11/2021 12:00 AM
  •   Red Lodge, MT, USA

Spend three days with us in beautiful Montana! We will meditate in the presence of horses, practice yoga daily, spend time doing ground work and hands on exercises with our magical friends. Learn the myriad of lessons that the horses can teach us and the application of those lessons in our lives. Let's celebrate life together! “Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.” – Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

  •  7/31/2021 12:00 PM - 7/31/2021 01:00 PM
  •   Huntsville, UT, USA

Join us in one-hour-long deep-breathing guided meditation outside with the horses.

  •  7/9/2021 12:00 PM - 7/11/2021 12:00 PM
  •   Huntsville, UT, USA

Join us in the pristine mountains of Ogden Valley. Huntsville is one of Utah's best-kept secrets. A small town and the perfect playground for adventure seekers. We will spend three days and two nights at the cozy and beautiful Compass Rose Lodge. In our retreat you can expect to meditate in the presence of horses, practice yoga daily, spend time doing ground work and hands on exercises with our magical friends. Learn the myriad of lessons that the horses can teach us and the application of those lessons in our lives. Let's celebrate life together!

  •  5/15/2021 03:30 PM - 5/15/2021 07:00 PM
  •   7700 East 500 North, Huntsville, UT, USA

Slow down and improve your connection with yourself and others through the power of horses. Come experience a day of meditation with these generous and brave animals. Through breathing exercises, yoga and mindfulness practice with the horses, you'll learn the importance of self-awareness and living in the present moment. No horse experience necessary, just an open heart! This is not a horseback riding class.

  • Eden, Utah, United States