Life moves on. Troubled times can come into our lives, and yet life keeps moving on around us, even if we are having turmoil in our personal life. My family this week had a major crisis with my Daddy’s health. It has been very hard to see through the struggles and feel God’s “refuge and strength”, I always re-read my previous blog each week before I write the new one, and if I would of know the “fear and struggles” that would be in my soul and life this week, I wonder if I would have wrote those words last week. Being one of God’s children means that we do not just speak His truth, but try to live it to. As I read my blog from last week, God spoke to me through my own words. Is that even possible??? Our God is good, even when life seems really bad. I am trying to hold on to his “refuge and strength”, I know all of us face things in our lives that take us by complete surprise, we think we know how bad things might get and when things get worse than that, it feels like we are in a nightmare, however, God knew my path before I took it, He knew my Daddy would have his health struggles and he knows how the future will enfold. I am going to rest in my words of last week and quote scripture again,
Psalm 46:1 (NRSV) “God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble.”

As life moves on I have an exciting announcement that Tucker the Mustang, has once again made it to the finals of ACHTAS AMERICAS FAVORITE TRAIL HORSE 2012. The contest is a little different this year. It will air on www.actha.tv only and Cindy Branham and Tucker the Mustang will be on Week 2, May 22, 2012. Please VOTE MUSTANG, TUCKER THE MUSTANG!!

Also, there is still a few days left to vote for Tucker the Mustang as “The Worlds Most Beautiful Horse” if you go to http://www.amerequine.com/worlds_most_beautiful_horse_contest.aspx
We so look forward going to the EXCA Nationals in Fort Worth, Texas at the AmerEquine Exposition, Marketplace, and Music Festival the first weekend in June!! If Tucker makes it into the “The Worlds Most Beautiful Horse” finals he and I could get a chance to showcase our “Free Style” program again!! So VOTE MUSTANG, TUCKER THE MUSTANG!!

TUCKER THE MUSTANG, SPONSORED BY: Tucker Trail Saddles www.tuckersaddles.com
Go to www.cindybranham.com for more information on Clinics & Training Sessions

What are troubles? What troubles you? What troubles your horse? Fear is the source of being troubled. If we are always looking at the “what ifs”, then we will never be blessed by the “it did” in our lives. Being troubled robs us of joy in our horsemanship and our lives. I work with my students to teach them to teach their horse step x step lessons that build control and trust between horse and rider. This gives a foundation to build confidence in and out of the arena to instill a trusting and working partnership between horse and human.

Psalm 46:1 (NRSV) “God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble.”
This past week Tucker the Mustang and I went on the Roy Freys Cattle drive. This is an annual event and the second time Tucker and I have gone on the 9 hour trek taking cattle from Winter to Summer pasture in the Kansas Flint Hills. A cowgirl recognized Tucker right away, but didn’t recognize me. She came up to visit with me about my horse and realized it was the same mustang and rider from last year. She said I looked so different from last Spring. I asked her why she thought that and her answer surprised me. She said last year I was so withdrawn and distant. That I seemed “troubled” about something. “Very Unhappy” is what I recall her saying. She wondered if it was that I was in so much pain last year. She then went on to ask me what I was doing different in my life that I could seem so renewed. I told her that God had blessed me with my new knee and that He had given me back my joy and peace. From that conversation my thoughts starting processing what she had said. I had no idea that my “troubles” were so obvious to those around me, even though I tried so hard to hide my pain and fears deep down in my soul. I realized that my “troubles” were controlling my horsemanship and apparently my life. It can be so hard to allow God to take the reins when we are stuggling with physical and emotional pain. I thank God for the blessings he has given me and for being my refuge and strength, in the hard times and the good times. I am so glad this beautiful Cowgirl shared with me her heart and helped me to see the renewel of my soul from the outside looking in. I only pray that I can shine with God’s joy in the troubled times as well as the good times.
Check out Tucker the Mustang Trail Cam at the Roy Freys Cattle Drive! He is quite a cow horse!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqxA5Lm8JUk&feature=youtu.be
Special Thanks to Rex Buccman who instructed us on Ranch cattle work, sorting, and driving. And to Roy Freys Western Lifestyles for sponsoring this annual event!!
Tucker the Mustang & Cindy Branham also sponsored by: Tucker Trail Saddles www.tuckersaddles.com
Go to www.cindybranham.com to learn how you can “Release the Possibilities” with you horse!!

Ps 13:5,6
But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
 ⁶    I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

 How do you relax?  I know many of us our horses are our “out” of life’s stress and chaos.  Horses give us a window to our soul to be refreshed and renewed.  I have had so much fun spending the majority of my training time with Tucker the Mustang.  Not just riding, but grooming and simply watching him graze on a warm Spring afternoon.  God has truly blessed me with my renewed strength and stamina and I am so thankful to Him for allowing me to live my dream.  He has given us the gift of the horse and He wishes us to understand that the true renewing of our heart and mind comes from a closer relationship with Him!  It will always amaze me the similarities to training horses as to the Holy Scriptures and how God works in our lives to makes us into the people we long to be.  

 Ps 20:7
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Sponsored by: Tucker Trail Saddles www.tuckersaddles.com  

Driving Willow

I started working with Willow advancing her ground work lessons into long lining/ ground driving.  She has struggled some with having to give in to the pressure of the bit and also move forward and not resist.  As you watch the video you will see her progression from rearing and fighting to moving forward and giving in to the pressure. 

Video blog:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w66cwj_0hk&feature=youtu.be

Psalm 32:9
Amplified Bible (AMP)

“Be not like the horse or the mule, which lack understanding, which must have their mouths held firm with bit and bridle, or else they will not come with you.”

As Willow continues her progress in becoming a trusting partner again, she has struggled with resisting the pressure of the bit and reins as they ask her to follow their lead.  As I worked with Willow on her first Long Lining/Driving lesson I saw a little bit of myself reflected back.  She so wants to trust completely and be free of everything that is holding her back; and yet she holds on to her fear and resists the offer of a release from the pressure.  She hasn’t quiet realized yet that it is easier to follow than it is to be dragged kicking and screaming.  Sometimes I am little more like Willow, when I walk with God.  Willow and I must learn to follow and trust with our whole hearts. 

Proverbs 3:5
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Summing Up my passion!

Rescued pinto/arabian and adopted mustang compete in “Chase the Equine Dream”, by Chase Dodd at Equifest of Kansas. www.chasedodd.com  Cindy Branham shares these great success stories and including the Adoption of a BLM mustang from the Hutchison Correctional Facility! www.cindybranham.com Cindy Branham sponsored by Tucker Trail Saddles

Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdEiejaP8N0 to watch video

"It's Never to Late"

Proverbs 15:4
A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit.

How many time have you found yourself frustrated with your horse?  I have and many times I have regretted getting frustrated and yelling at my horse.  Yes, I to am human.  Now it doesn’t happen very often, and when I feel myself getting frustrated I will take a break from training and cool off and re-think the step x step plan to help the horse understand what I want her to learn.  Horses are not vindictive and only want to find the right answers, we must remember that and keep our frustrations out of training. 

When dealing with a horse that has had there spirit broken down, it is even more important to have a gentle hand and gentle voice when working with them.  Not to say that I won’t add pounds to the pressure I am using in training the horse, but I will always be aware of how very sensitive the broken and fearful horse can be and only use enough pressure to get the response that I want and then give the horse a release from the pressure to reward the horse. 

Willow is doing quite well.  Janelle is learning the Ground Work Foundation and then continuing Willows training with the Ground Work program.  Ground work establishes a trusting partnership between horse and human.  It is one way to start getting the horse to use it’s mind to understand what we want and helps the horse learn to trust again.  By moving the horses feet and then controlling the direction and speed, we are able to help the horse focus not on fear, but on the task at hand.  This then gives the horse a clear direction and a clear correct answer which helps the horse see the reward and let go of her fear.  It also demonstrates to the horse that we are her trusted leader and that we will be some one she can follow and depend on. 
Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TscLONwx7vI&feature=youtu.be to watch video blog

We have great responsibility when working with our horses.  They do not understand our fears and our anger.  We must take them for the gentle spirits that they are and mold them into obedient and trusting partners without damaging their spirit.  I see so many trainers that look at the horse as an object or a machine with one purpose and that is to obey and follow commands.  There is no “relationship” and the horse becomes a blank slate of emotion that seems to have its spirit erased.  This is not how God made horses and this is not how God made us.  God made both humans and the horse to be a “herd/family” being that need each other to survive.  Not only physically, but emotionally as well.  God can use us to help heal the broken horse and He can use us to help heal the broken spirit of his children as well.  We just have to be open to God’s forgiveness and be a vessel of His healing power to others. 

Proverbs 17:22
A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Sponsored by: Tucker Trail Saddles www.tuckersaddles.com

www.cindybranham.com

In the first few weeks Willow was here at R&D Ranch, I spent a lot of time working with her in her stall teaching her to face me and relax to my touch.  Even though she was so very afraid, she was still looking for a way out of her fear.  I offered her that way out. It wasn’t by forcing her to the ground or forcibly trying to contain her fight, it was by giving her the opportunity to relax and follow, instead of resisting and fleeing.  The horse will always look for the opportunity to not be afraid.  Fear isn’t fun for any of us.  Giving the horse the opportunity to not be afraid opens a door to a trusting partnership. 

In the first few months of Willows time with us she gradually became willing to be handled by the R&D Staff just haltering her and moving her back and forth from her stall to her turnout.  This doesn’t sound like much in the training end of things, but this little bit of a routine really helped Willow learn that humans arn’t just about making her do things she didn’t want to do. 

When rehabilitating the abused and un-trusting horse it is important to not rush the process, but also remember to keep the work consistent.  This helps the horse find balance between work and play and that humans can be trusted.  Consistency in repetitions is how horses learn.  So having a step x step lesson plan will help you stay consistent with your horse and build a trusting partnership. We are to be the place of refuge for our horses and a shield to protect them from harm. 

2 Samuel 22:31 Amplified Bible (AMP) 31As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried. He is a Shield to all those who trust and take refuge in Him.

Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXRoJ4zCODQ&feature=youtu.be to watch the video blog of me working with Willow in her stall in the very beginning of training. 

A special thanks goes out to my student, Alaina who spent a lot of time with Willow.  Alaina helped me start Willow’s ground work program and helped build Willows trust.  Willow would not be doing as well as she is today, if not for Alaina’s help. 

Go to www.cindybranham.com to find out how you can build a trusting partnership with your horse!!

Sponsored by Tucker Trail Saddles www.tuckersaddles.com