03.29.11
NEW BLOG SITE FOR 2011!!
GO TO www.cindybranham.com/tuckersmustangs for the new 2011 Cindy Branham Blog!
Go to www.cindybranham.com for more information on Cindy Branham’s training program!
02.17.11
Cindy Branham with Madison’s American Idol preview
This week has been great!! Valentines week 2011! My husband and I have been together for over 20 Valentines Days, and this year was so wonderful. I am a very special woman to deserve a man that gives me unconditional love and trust…..Trust is the key to any relationship that thrives and grows into a stronger bond. Without trust things fall apart. Trust is an earned privilege. Earning it can be pretty easy if you take the time to develop it; re-earning trust takes forgiveness and unconditional love from the party you hurt. Can you remember when you were a little child and trusting someone or something wasn’t so hard? Our young hearts were open to a loving relationship and we longed for bonds that we thought were unbreakable. As we grow older past pain overwhelms our desire to bond and sometimes we are too afraid to even let someone in to trust. Fear and frustration replaces our natural emotions to be one with someone. If we let these emotions control us our world is full of misery and pain. We have to be a person that can be trusted and we have to trust those we love. Wild mustangs are a beautiful example of unconditional love and trust: Fear of the unknown overwhelms them at first site of the human; however they are open to and silently searching to trust us. If we make ourselves worthy of their trust, their unconditional love will overwhelm us and a bond is formed that can be amazing. If only we could be like we were as little children again or even like the wild horse that has fears, but is willing to make ourselves venerable so that we can trust and find unconditional love! God offers us the gift of everlasting life and eternal unconditional love. John 3:16 For God so LOVED the world, that He gave his everlasting Son; that who so ever believes in Him, will not perish, but have Eternal life! This week’s video is a reminder to me of what I was like as a little girl. No worries as long as I was on the back of a horse! Watch as my four year old daughter rides TQ and sings a song to him. Also see Madison and Tucker the Mustang share a touching moment. Hope you all had a great Valentines Week!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdPw-JyDfhQ
Sponsored by: Tucker Trail Saddles www.tuckersaddles.com Go to www.cindybranham.com for more information on how you can Release the Possibilities with Your Horse! Luke 18:27
02.09.11
WINTER TRAIL RIDING WITH CINDY BRANHAM
We had a little break in the cold and snow with a 55 degree day here in Kansas! So, trail riding we went! It was so nice to have a little sun on my face and four legs underneath me. We had a great time working on hill work and transitions. Come on the trail with us and watch this video as I work with CC Metzler and his Mustang mare Shelby. She wanted to rush and run up and down the hill, instead of listening and quietly walking. We worked on the 1,2,3, stop lesson and she and CC did great! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIOZ4vd9EDU
Sponsored by: Tucker Trail Saddles www.tuckersaddles.com
Go to www.cindybranham.com for more information
01.30.11
Tucker the Mustang “Spa Day” A day in the life of a Adopted Amercian Mustang
The Mustang Bond is UNBELIEVEABLE!
Ever wonder if the life of a mustang would be better if he stayed in the wild? Check out this weeks video blog of Tucker the Mustang hanging out with me on one of my lesson days. You just might be surprised how great his life really is.
I have been doing some research into the history of the American Mustang and how this legendary horse became such a vital influence in the history of the United States. It amazes me how many historians validate the important role these horses played in laying the foundation of freedom we have today. As I look into the past I see a vast disagreement between Americans on how important the American Mustang is. Many still feel they are a nuisance and that they have become a in-bred misfit that is plaguing our free range lands. It is so unfortunate to me that this “information” is being spread throughout the equine world even today. Our American Mustangs are smart, healthy, and more genetically strong than many of our domesticated horses. They can be trained to do just about any sport in the Equine world and become amazing partners and friends. I am going to continue to try to raise awareness of this mis-understood breed of horse and fight for them. I believe many of them have a place in our hands as great personal mounts; however I also believe that some of them need to have only a place in our hearts and continue to live off the land that was their’s before it was ours. We need to ensure a great life for Wild and Gentled American Mustangs.
I can vow that my adopted mustangs are happy. They have life-long care of their physical and emotional needs. Maybe even a little spoiled; but well loved. If they had a choice to be back in the rugged wild, I believe they would choose me. I would love to help more of you find this spectacular bond that can be discovered between mustang and human. It should be on every horseman’s bucket list! “Adopt a Mustang”.
Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU_wRbfWG54
To see Tucker the Mustang “Spa Day” A day in the life of a Adopted Amercian Mustang
Sponsored by: Tucker Trail Saddles Go to www.tuckersaddles.com
Stay tuned next week for the next part of my Groundation Mini Series! www.cindybranham.com
01.18.11
Tucker the Mustang & Cindy Branham “Groundation” Part 4, Shoulder Over
BRRRRR…. Winter can get a little long in Kansas…. The winter blues start to get me this time of year, I try to focus on Spring being just around the corner. The horses seem quiet to, waiting to frolic in the fresh green grass of spring…..oh, soon it will come. Then I will probably be wishing for some quiet time in front of the fire:). My 2011 calendar is really starting to fill up with exciting events and opportunities for you! check out my schedule http://www.cindybranham.com/2011Calendar.html. Looks like fun, huh? Extreme Cowboy Clinics, Extreme Makeover For your Horse Course, RC Extreme team, and more! I so look forward to working with many of you and your horses! See, I already feel better!
Groundation Part 4, Shoulder Over
This weeks video is the next part in my mini clinic series, “Groundation”. Part four is Shoulder over. How many times have you been leading your horse, he spooks at something behind you and pushes into you, practically running you over, trying to get away from the unknown monster behind him? Well, this groundwork lesson is taught to your horse to establish a should over cue. It teaches your horse that when you apply pressure to his shoulder he should instantly move it away from you.
After you have already established the first three steps, “Go Forward”, “Disengage Stop”, and “Back Up”, you are then ready to move on to the “Shoulder Over” lesson. Ask your horse to Go forward, when he is consistently going forward, you will then change your focus to the inside shoulder, moving toward your horse and tapping the inside shoulder. The instant the shoulder moves away from you, you release the pressure and allow the horse to move back to the circle moving forward. Disengage stop. Then before you send your horse off again, focus on the inside shoulder moving away from you and then to the circle. Many times when you send the horse, the horse crowds past you to the circle. This lesson is meant to teach the horse to move away from you to the circle. Pretty soon you will establish a soft connection to your horses shoulder that can move him away from you, when you ask, with little pressure on the lead rope. Go to the video blog to help you understand step x step this important lesson in ground work.
Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIfItuSFoyI for Groundation, Part 4, Shoulder Over video.
Go to www.cindybranham.comto find out how you can “Release the Possibilities…” with your horse.
Sponsored by: Tucker Trail Saddles www.tuckersaddles.com
01.13.11
Tucker the Mustang & Cindy Branham “Groundation” Part 3, Back Up
Snow, snow, cold and more cold. BBBRRRR! I have been spending allot of time in front of the fire place and not in the barn. Winter is a great time to brush up on your horsemanship skills by reading a good book or researching training techniques. I have really been enjoying the time with the family, but I am ready to get back in the saddle. Ma be the temps will be above 20 degrees tomorrow.
Back Up!
This weeks video is a continuance of my Groundation Series. Part 3 is the “Back Up”. Backing up for the horse is not a natural move for them. Very rarely do you see them back up when they have a choice to move in the other 5 directions. So, the horse quickly resists backing up from pressure from us. Whether on the ground or in the saddle, backing up can be frustrating for both horse and rider. So, step x step lessons plans are the way to communicate to the horse what we want.
After your horse is moving forward consistently, disengaging and stopping well, then it is time to introduce back up. I sometimes might start back up right away if the horse I am working with is really pushing and trying to run over me. It is a foundation lesson that is essential to you being safe. After asking the horse to disengage stop, you then take the slack out of the lead rope, walk towards the horses inside shoulder and ask the horse to back up, if he still does not back up, you ask also with your whip tapping the horse on the inside chest or shoulder. You are looking for the horse to move back softly and with out resistance. When the horse stops pushing back on you and dragging his feet, he will take a step or two back softly. You immediately want to release the pressure to reward the horse for giving you the right answer. As the horse gets better and better, he will actually keep backing out of your space after you have released the lead rope.
Take some time and watch this short video as I explain each detail and position of you and your horse as you work together on “Back Up”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQgAzmjLYTU
Go to www.cindybranham.com for more information on how you can “Release the Possibilities…” with your horse!
Sponsored by: Tucker Trail Saddles www.tuckersaddles.com
01.09.11
Cindy Branham & Tucker the Mustang “Groundation” part 2 Disengage Stop
Wow, the New Year is off to a good start. I am getting geared up for a busy season and very excited about 2011. It has been pretty cold in Kansas, but we have had a mild winter so far. I look forward to the 6 inches of snow we are expecting in the next couple of days! Snow Day!! Snow men building and snow ball fights!! Sounds great!
I have been spending the last couple of days checking out the 2011 Supreme Extreme Makeover Mustangs available for adoption for the next Supreme Extreme Makeover Contest! Wow, some really beautiful choices. How will we choose? Mark your calendars for April 16Th, the live RFDTV adoption! And of course you will be able to follow the next chapter in my mustang makeover program! I will blog from start to finish! We will be going after a combined purse of $200,00.00 However, my main goal is to save another mustang, my motto is “lets save one mustang at a time.”. I have been reading the biography of Wild Horse Annie and I am amazed of how just one very passionate women lead the campaign to protect our wild horses. I only hope I can influence the world to that these horses need to be preserved and honored for their part in the history of our countries freedom. They are indeed an historical icon and have so much value to us and our children and their children. Wild Horse Annie has truly inspired not only me, but a nation! Lets not forget all the work she did and stay focused on keeping her dream alive! Stay tuned to learn more about the legendary “American Mustang”!
Continuing my mini series, Groundation, part 2 is all about control. Ultimate control means we can stop our horse. If we can stop him, we are safe. Stopping starts with a “disengage stop” from the ground. If we can control the hindquarter of the horse, we can control the whole horse. So, after being successful in getting the first step of ground work accomplished, “Consistent forward Movement”, then we go on to “disengage stop”. Disengage simply means stop. So, as the horse moves forward around you, you can use the natural confirmation of the horse to get control. When the horses nose is bent far enough towards his tail, his forward movement must stop and he must move his hindquarter away from his nose. So, as we send the horse around say to the left getting consistent forward movement, we then change our focus to the horses tail.
Position for you when asking for the disengage stop
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- Position for you when asking for the disengage stop
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- Horses inside, left leg is stepping infront of outside hind leg
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- Horses front feet will then stop and then the hindquarter stops
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- Releasing the pressure of the rope tells the horse he did what we wanted
We push the lead rope to the tail and step toward the tail. As the horses nose comes towards you the hip will swing away from you.
The horses inside hind leg will step in front of his outside leg and underneathth his belly. As the front feet stop the hind end will follow and then stop. When you release the pressure of the push of the lead rope, the horse knows that the right answer was to disengage his hindquarter and stop.
Releasing the pressure of the rope tells the horse he did what we wanted
Remember repetition is the key to training and the most important part is being consistent with how you ask each time. In my video blog this week I broke the lesson down in to steps to help you understand the disengage stop, Cindy walks you through step x step what you need to do and what to look for in your horse in a correct disengage stop. This stop on the ground will transfer to the saddle and give you an “emergency” break. It also will be the foundation for guiding the horse and later for the correct lead. Disengage stop is the firm foundation that your safety is built on.
Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLQT90V4mns to watch “Groundation” step 2 Disengage stop mini series!
Go to www.cindybranham.comto purchase Cindy’s complete “Groundation” DVD Series! Release the possibilities…Lk18:27
Sponsored by: Tucker Trail Saddles www.tuckersaddles.com
12.29.10
Happy New Year! Highlights of 2010!
This year has been truly amazing. As I look back over this past year what stands out is all the people who surround me to help me try to reach my dreams. Really it makes me feel selfish as sometimes it seems everyone is there to help me and I am not giving enough back. I am so grateful to so many people in my life. God has truly blessed me with a wonderful family and friends.
My goal for my business in 2010 was to travel as much as possible to try and push our business into more of a National level. We worked hard, traveled allot of miles and met some really great people and horses. It was a fun and exciting year. My goal for my personal life was to try to balance my work and family and spend more time being a mom and wife to my family. I enjoyed spending more time making sure dinner was on the table and pursuing a one on one relationship with each of my children. Ryan and I got to spend allot more time together, even if it was working. It still seems that the business out weighed that balance though.
As I planned my year, 2010, my focus was on making opportunities happen and pursuing possible leads to help my career become more successful. I had a open heart to God and asked Him to help me search. You know what I found? What God showed me? His plan is not for me to pursue success and search for open doors to find His will in my life and business. He showed me from so many different situations and places across the nation that I am to ask Him, “What are you doing here, in this present moment in my life, and how can I be of complete service to you, to fullfil your purposes and your plan.” This change of thought process isn’t easy for a hard working and very driven person focused so hard on a successful career. However, as I get older, I have started to realize how fast life goes by and how if you are not careful we will miss it. What is our purpose here on earth? I look at my children and God speaks to my heart and tells me that they are a major part of my purpose, and for a short time period in my life. I will always be an influence in there life, but only a direct one for a short time. Being a wife is for a lifetime of purpose. What a blessing to know that, and yet if I don’t make that a priority in my life, then not only my life is effected, but my children’s to. Those two things in my life are easy to figure out, as God has made that purpose for our lives crystal clear. What about the rest of my world? What is His purpose for me? Clearly he has gifted me with my horsemanship abilities and wants me to use them for His will. Does “success” play a role in that purpose? What truly is “success”? So, I find myself searching for Gods voice, instead of searching for the path. Building a trusting partnership with my horses isn’t easy. It takes time and commitment to spending time with them. Not only teaching them, but spending time with them, getting to know them and earning there trust and focus. We can learn so much from the horses, they mirror us. Who we are as people, will be who we are as horseman and how we relate to our horse is how we relate to people. I have realized that the time, thought, pursuit, and energy learning and growing to be a better person to my horses could be an outline of what I should be doing in my life with the people around me. If I take the time and thought to pursue a relationship with each of my children, my husband and the people I love, then I will be earning there trust, giving them my energy, and ensuring a lifetime of trusting and loving relationships with them. Clearly my focus can not be to become “successful” in my business. In my business if I take the time to pursue a relationship with each of my clients, showing them Gods love, and truly caring for them and there horses, I will be doing Gods will because He will show me what my purpose is in that present moment in my life, and how can I be of complete service to Him, to fullfil His purposes and His plan.
Amazing Grace
A defining moment in my life in 2010, was kneeling on my knees across my Tucker, infront of thousands of people, praying one of the most sincere prayers of my life. Amazing Grace was playing in the background, tears were running down my face, and I told God, “God I would love to win this, the money, the prestige, the honor, but not if it isn’t your plan, I give myself to you, my horses, my family, everything. Its ok if I do not win, you take the reins of my life, of my world, I want to honor you.” You know how the competition turned out. So was I devasted, like I have felt in the past? No, I found a peace that passeth all understanding. This new found peace has been a basis of my “searching” for Gods voice in my Life. It is like I see everything around me in a new light. Gods grace and beauty is all around me. In His horses, His children, His creation, beautiful grace.
God has been speaking to me, He doesn’t want me to quit on my career, He just wants my focus to be different. I am not thinking it will be easy to stay focused on His work around me, but with His help I am going to try. Instead of “balancing” my career and family, in 2011 my goal is to make them first, right after God in my life. So, you might see them more with me when I do travel from home. You may see less of me, if they can not come. God will be my guide and he will present doors for me to walk through, it doesn’t really matter where that door leads, I will just follow His voice and try to do his service. As for my horses? God continues to use them in my life and those around me everyday. God made me for them. Well, maybe He made them for me, to teach me how to be his servant, submerged in His grace. Every mustang I compete on I have given a verse to represent the journey that I have with them. Tucker the mustangs verse is, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understandings, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” Prov. 6:17
Thank you so much to so many people in my life! This special video is highlights of our 2010 season! It is a tribute to my horses, my students, my sponsors, and my support team! The Lord has blessed us with so much! sponsored by Tucker Trail Saddles Happy New Year! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9yr2tUBCOE
Go to www.cindybranham.com to find out how you can join me in 2011, and “Release the Possibillities” with your horse.
Go to www.tuckersaddles.com to find your perfect trail saddle!
12.22.10
Cindy Branham “Groundation” Continued! How do I get my horse to “Go Forward”?
Merry Mustang Christmas!
So, this has been a busy week. We had a great R&D Ranch Christmas party at our house Sunday. It is so great to build friendships with all the horses moms, dads, and family’s. Working with people is my favorite thing to do. The horses need us to understand them better, so what better way to help horses then to work with there people. The close friendships I have developed are so precious to me and I am so blessed.
An update on Tucker the mustang! He is doing great! I have finally had time to start riding him again. I am taking it slow now filling in some of the process that got rushed during the 100 day training period for the Makeover. He is sassy and happy. It seems so amazing to me how my mustangs seem to settle into there new lives with contentment and peace. He truly seems happy to work with me when we train. He gets excited every time he sees me and tries to protect me from all other horses and people. He is learning he has to share me and be polite. I love his stunning presence and loyal heart.
I have decided to share with you some short segments from my “Groundation” DVD Series to help you further understand my Ground Work program. I hope these will inspire you to go out and work with your horse and further develop a trusting partnership with them. In this segment I breakdown how you divide the horse into specific parts to help you be more consistent in training. I also go into a little more detail into understand how the horse learns what the right answers are to the questions we ask them.
Watch video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAjEtLSzQvg&feature=youtube_gdata
Go to www.cindybranham.com for more information on Cindy’s complete training program and more!
Cindy and all her horses, including Tucker the Mustang are sponsored by: Tucker Trail Saddles! Go to www.tuckersaddles.com
12.10.10
Cindy Branham “Groundation” Ground Work Lesson #1: Consistent Forward Movement
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- “Consistent Forward Movement”
Christmas tree, outdoor lights, stockings, shopping, and more! This is the time of year if we thought we were busy before, then we are extremely busy now. Trying to find time to work with our horses can be very hard and the cold temperatures do not help either. So, what can we do to spend quality training time with our horses? Ground Work is a great plan! In just 15 to 20 minutes one time a week can improve the performance of your horse and you and your horses relationship. Over the next several weeks my video blog will feature a short explanation of the step by step simple “Groundation” program I offer. Groundwork is the key foundation to training and is essential to any training program. My groundwork program is a practical way to teach your horse what pressure is and how to find the release from it. It opens up the horses mind so they are ready to learn. It creates a trusting partnership that will ensure a successful training program in the saddle.
Consistent forward movement is the first step to ground work. Without movement, training is impossible. So we teach the horse to move forward from the pressure of the dressage whip and our body position. Teaching the horse this foundation lesson will lead you to be able to teach your horse how to load into a horse trailer, get on or over obstacles, and then will help the horse understand forward movement in the saddle. All you need is a rope halter, ten feet lead, and a dressage whip to get started. And you just might want to go to my website and pick up my Complete “Groundation” DVD series to help you step by step along the way. Or give me a call and we can work together with your horse helping you both to become trusting partners and to reach your goals. Lets start “Releasing the Possibilities” together! Go to www.cindybranham.com for more info on the DVD series.
Go to my video blog and watch this short video clip showing “Consistent Forward Movement”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KBL3cyTeGU Then get started with your horse!
Sponsored by: Tucker Trail Saddles www.tuckersaddles.comWin A Tucker Saddle! “Like” the Tucker Trail Saddles Facebook page and be entered to win a FREE Tucker saddle of your choice! Drawing ends December 15, so enter now at www.facebook.com/tuckersaddles
