Healing the invisible wounds of soldiers: Giuliana Marple’s mission with Grit & Grace Horses and Impronte Equine

At Fieracavalli Verona earlier this November, horseshowjumping.tv had the honor of speaking with Giuliana Marple, founder of Grit & Grace Horses, an equine-assisted therapy organization based in the United States. Giuliana’s work has touched the lives of many, especially military veterans seeking healing from the trauma of war. In addition to her U.S.-based efforts, she has extended her mission internationally through a unique collaboration called Impronte Equine, based in Italy.

While Grit & Grace Horses focuses on equine-assisted therapy and natural horsemanship to support personal healing, Impronte Equine emphasizes increasing awareness of the horse’s role as a sentient being capable of transforming human well-being. Together, these initiatives reflect Giuliana’s global vision of leveraging the horse- human bond to enhance emotional, relational, and mental health.

Grit & Grace Horses, an equine-assisted therapy organization: transforming veterans’ lives

Founded in the United States just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Grit & Grace Horses provides a safe space for individuals to reconnect with themselves through the wisdom of horses. Giuliana began her work with veterans, helping them heal the invisible wounds of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and emotional disconnection.

“Veterans often carry scars—both seen and unseen— that make it difficult to trust and connect,” Giuliana explains. “Horses, with their ability to mirror human emotions, offer a powerful path to healing. They don’t judge or discriminate; they simply respond to authenticity.”

In Grit & Grace Horses sessions, veterans learn to build trust and connection through groundwork, mindfulness, and emotional awareness. The process helps participants not only bond with the horses but also rediscover a sense of calm and purpose.

“Horses don’t care about titles or rank,” Giuliana says. “They teach us to be present and genuine, which is a transformative experience for many veterans.”

One veteran participant described his experience as life- changing: “The horse didn’t judge me for what I’d done or what I felt. It just stood with me, and for the first time in years, I felt peace.”

Impronte Equine: building bridges between the U.S. and Italy

In collaboration with Dr. Marconi, a psychologist in Verona specializing in adolescent therapy, Giuliana co-founded Impronte Equine to bring equine-assisted therapy to a broader audience.

The mission of Impronte Equine is to raise awareness about the unique qualities of horses to improve individual well- being. This initiative goes beyond viewing horses as animals for competition, recognizing them as sentient

beings capable of enriching human life with new meanings and benefits that positively influence emotional, relational, and mental health.

“Our mission is to increase awareness of the horse’s ability to enhance human well-being,” Giuliana explains. “Horses are not just competitors—they are sentient beings who offer immense emotional and mental benefits.”

Through this initiative, Giuliana and Dr. Marconi aim to bridge the gap between the United States and Italy, combining psychological expertise and equine therapy to foster healing across cultures.

“Impronte Equine is about creating a dialogue between nations and methodologies,” Giuliana says. “It’s an opportunity to share the healing power of horses with a global audience.”

Two missions, one vision

While Grit & Grace Horses operates primarily in the U.S., providing direct equine-assisted therapy to veterans, Impronte Equine focuses on advocacy and education in Italy. Together, they reflect Giuliana’s holistic approach to equine therapy, grounded in her belief in the horse’s capacity to heal and transform.

“Horses have taught me to embrace stillness, patience, and connection,” Giuliana shares. “Whether it’s through Grit & Grace Horses or Impronte Equine, my goal is to share this wisdom with others, helping them find clarity and strength through these magnificent creatures.”

Healing through the wisdom of horses

For soldiers who have faced the horrors of war, Grit & Grace Horses offers more than therapy—it offers a lifeline. Giuliana’s dedication to helping veterans find peace and purpose has created a sanctuary where horses and humans come together to heal.

“The horse doesn’t see your scars,” Giuliana says. “It sees your potential, and it helps you see it too.”

For those in Italy, Impronte Equine complements this mission by raising awareness of the horse’s role as a teacher and healer, creating a bridge that connects international perspectives on equine-assisted therapy.

The power of connection

Various experiences , including the one with Taylor Campbell during Fiera Cavalli Verona, that we will share with our readers in our next article, like so many others, reinforced Giuliana’s deep belief in the transformative power of horses. “Moments like these remind me why this work is so vital,”she reflects. “Horses don’t just heal—they inspire and empower. They show us our inner resilience and help us rebuild what we thought was lost.”

Through Grit & Grace Horses in the U.S. and Impronte Equine in Italy, Giuliana remains dedicated to creating environments where individuals can rediscover themselves through the quiet wisdom of horses.

“Every time I see someone reconnect with a sense of hope through the presence of a horse, I am reminded of the profound importance of this work,” she shares. “It’s not just about healing—it’s about reclaiming strength and finding the courage to move forward.”

For Giuliana, these moments highlight the extraordinary potential of the horse-human bond to create lasting change, a mission she continues to pursue across continents and cultures to promote equine-assisted therapy.

Photos provided by Giuliana Marple

Valentina Sozzi Senn

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