Cindy Branham & Tucker Trail Saddles' Supreme Extreme Mustang's

From the very beginning of my life, I knew was going to be working with horses.  Some might say my first word was neigh!!  As different Seasons of my life have blossomed horses have been the vibrant bloom that stands out the most.  What is it about horses that attracts us so?  The last several years of my life, the season has been rather dry and cracked.  Pain really started to shadow the joy that horses give me.  Pain can come in so many different ways,   Physically and emotionally.  Fear is the scar that is left on us as we try to look past and heal from the pain.   Fear and pain effect all aspects of our lives and can be the crutch that keeps us from reaching our goals and dreams.  Fear not only impacts our lives, but our Equine friends to.  As I work with so many humans and horses I see so clearly how much our lives can parallel with the horse.  Take for instance the wild horses I start.  Fear of the unknown, a self protection and self preservation is the first emotion these wild horses express when faced with their first humans.  This is a natural response.  How we as the human respond to this first emotion is how the wild horse will choose to react. 

Many times when we are introduced to a fearful horse whether wild or domesticated; we have the tendency to think if we can contain them physically, we can control their reaction.  Unfortunately this usually fills the horse with more fear and produces a reaction of resistance and fight.  With some understanding of the horses flight response and their need to follow and trust we can teach the horse to trust and obey without loosing any of their spirit and heart. 

I would like to introduce you to Willow.  Willow is a middle aged black and white pinto mare that was rescued from an unfortunate situation.  She was born to a world that didn’t give her what she deserved.  She was sold to a human that had good intentions when sending her to a trainer; however the trainers heavy hand and predatory training methods couldn’t break her will or spirit.  She was named “un-trainable”  and destined to be labeled as a dangerous and bad horse.   She learned to be evasive and to defend herself if she couldn’t first run away from humans.  Fear overwhelmed her and she lost all  trust in the human race.  Then came Vickie Jonson, a human that had a heart and plan to help this lost and fearful mare find her faith again.  Vickie spent a year slowly gaining this mares trust.  However, Vickie needed to move on with her life and could not take this horse with her, she needed help and contacted me. 

When I first saw her, she was standing in the corner of her stall, eyes wide and shaking because of the strangers in her barn.  I can only imagine what goes through a horses mind after they have been so badly mis-treated.  After about 45 minutes of my pressure and release work, I had her haltered and on our way to a bigger paddock where I could move her feet a little more.  I decided after working her for another hour or so that she was not beyond healing and that she had a chance at recovery. 

I receive countless offers of free horses all the time.  I am so concerned of this epidemic of so many un-wanted horses, trained, un-trained, abused and problem horses.  We as humans have a responsibility to protect the horses we personally own, and teach all those around us of the need to adopt unwanted horses.  I can not take them all in as I have to be responsible myself for the horses in my own family.  However, if we work together to educate the horseman of today of humane and gentle training practices and of the need to find loving and responsible homes for the unwanted horses we can together interrupt the cycle of abuse and irresponsibility.  I have a passion for the American Mustang and all the un-wanted horses of today and I invite you to continue to follow my journey with “Willow” as she goes through this healing process.  Next week you will get to meet my friend Janelle Wells who has committed to help Willow heal.  I believe this horse was meant to be a beacon for the abused horses out their that haven’t been given a chance.  “Willow” means healing and so she will.  You can heal to, I know I am not just physically with my knew knee, but emotionally and spiritually as God leads me into this new Season of my life. 

Go to   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSmdZ5lf8K8&feature=youtu.be   to  meet Vickie Jonson and “Willow” and see her first day here at R&D Ranch on this weeks video blog!!

Thank you Bill & Sharon Reed of the R&D Ranch www.randdranchllc.com for becoming partners with me to ensure “Willows” recovery!!

Tucker the Mustang Update……………………
I also wanted to introduce you to a very special little boy. 

This little boy is Tucker the Mustang’s biggest fan!  Being just 3 years old,  “Cruzi” needs a goodnight story to put his mind at ease and be ready for sweet dreams.  So his mom and grandma plug in You tube and find his favorite horse “Tucker the Mustang” videos every night!!  He is a little cowboy that is dreaming of his very own “Tucker” some day.  Here is what his Grandma had to say, ” I spoke with my daughter last night to tell her Cruzi was going to be on the blog and she said Cruzi also watches the movie Spirit 5 times a day and calls the horse Tucker. His latest phrase is Tuckers a mustang!!! He watches your training videos so much that when he comes to my house and plays with my  6 dogs he put a leash on them and plays like he doing long line work. He takes the empty cardboard rolls from Christmas paper and makes the dogs jump them like those things horses jump…. I could go on and on ….”  I am so glad Tucker the Mustang has inspired this handsome young cowboy.  Don’t miss your opportunity to continue to follow “Tucker the Mustangs” Trails of Training as he will be the vocal point of 2012!!  He is one of the most personable horse’s you will ever meet and he is such a ham!!  Can’t wait to spend more time on his back this year!!

Go to www.cindybranham.comfor the 2012 Cindy Branham Clinic Schedule!!  Find out how you can have Cindy come to your barn or you come to her so she can help you “Release the Possiblilities… Lk 18:27 with your horse!!

Thank you to Tucker Trail Saddles for their sponsorship of Cindy Branham and Tucker the Mustang!! Go to www.tuckersaddles.com to find your perfect trail saddle!!