Ace is a 13 year old gelding who returned to us nearly 10 years after he and his brother were sold. The book He Came Looking for Me shares the message God has for each of us, that no matter how hopeless our circumstances appear, Jesus will deliver us to our mansion in heaven just as He promises in John 14.

Both Ace and his brother (Shiner)  came home with both physical and emotional issues. After the two boys gained enough weight and healed from their obvious sores, I rode them both a few times just to take stock. Shiner was a bundle of nerves and couldn’t walk two steps in any one direction, but he wasn’t dangerous. Ace, on the other hand, got in a few bucks and a couple of  kick outs during the first 10 minutes of walk. Stop. Walk. Turn right. Walk. Stop. Walk. Turn left. Stop. No pull and no pressure, yet he let me know he was NOT happy. But why wasn’t Ace happy?

Over the next few years I catalogued Ace’s reactions and progress. Was his deal a CAN’T or a WON’T? I could never be 100% sure.

Equally Yoked – Adversity and Opportunity

Ace and I had to wait to begin our real work together until I was physically capable of my part of the process. With a new knee I began working with Ace in earnest. What a conundrum he has turned out to be! Shiner came as an unbalanced personality, but with completely different issues than his brother. Shiner tells his side of the story in the book and I tell mine. We know that Shiner’s story has brought at least one soul back to Christ and now I’m beginning to understand why Ace was part of the package.

Ace in a balanced moment.

“I must not forget to thank the difficult horses, who made my life miserable, but who were better teachers than the well-behaved school horses who raised no problems.” Alois Podhaisky

Ace bears the permanent scars of previous lessons. His beautiful profile is marred by a huge lump where someone used some type of “training device” to control his head. Whatever happened, he remembers – and not fondly.

Ace was a perfect gentleman the first few rides. I didn’t ask much and he was obviously pretty content with that level of commitment. Then I began asking for a tiny bit more precision. He objected in a mild way, not unexpectedly, and we continued. I discovered quickly that a one-rein emergency stop on Ace could lead to the Emergency Room so I was slowly trying to teach him a half-halt as a back-up in case the word WHOA didn’t work.

When I started riding him, Ace would panic at the word, WHOA. He planted feet, threw his head up in the air, and turned into a stone horse. After the first week I had that pretty much fixed. Ace would stop easily and softly, exhale and drop his head. I eagerly looked forward to the next week.

Crisis of Worthy Leadership

By the end of the second week I found myself on a big red horse that either wouldn’t or couldn’t respond to my voice, leg, or rein cues. Gone was our working trot and framing gymnastics from the week before. Ace had “left the building.” It took me a few minutes of real finesse to find a momentary halt in Ace’s forward movement letting me swing down from the saddle. As I led Ace back to the barn I mentally scrambled for the right thing to do. Some action was required if I wanted to remain the leader who controlled Ace’s feet, ’cause I sure wasn’t gonna get it done from the saddle without a heavy hand or going to war.

I opted for driving Ace. We went into the covered area at the end of the barn, I tied his stirrups down and ran a longe line through each one to the snaffle, and Mr. Ace learned to ground drive. After 20 minutes he was settled and I rode him through the basics before putting him away.

Shiner’s issues were fairly straightforward to diagnose and address. Ace has overcome a number of problems and those that remain are not as easy to catalog or describe. Regardless of one’s level of expertise or understanding, there is always a next step ahead; a challenge to master and a new lesson to learn. During prayer I asked God for direction. What tactics should I use to move Ace forward without sacrificing the quality of our relationship or behaving in any way other than as a worthy leader? Was Ace’s behavior evidence of an unwillingness or an inability?

Memories of training horses with internal scar tissue came to my mind, and how I had to devise exercises and methods to break the fibrous tissues apart in order for the horse to move properly. An inability to pick up a left lead wasn’t an unwillingness in one chestnut filly I rode 18 years ago, but an internal restriction invisible from the outside. I remembered horses with all kinds of emotional problems and how each one required a different touch and program. I was also reminded of how God broke through my own scar tissues, both emotional and physical.

Working with Invisible Scars

Ace is here to teach me more about relationship with God. He is here for Baber who has a special affinity for him; he is here so that I can become a better and more worthy leader for those who live with scarred or damaged personalities or loved ones with physical issues.

Able and willing is a much different goal when one has a less than pristine canvas upon which to paint. I’ve had my share of issues over the decades and made it out of circumstances many others did not. In every instance God was there to lead me out into the brilliant and secure light of His love.

I may know a lot about working with horses, but I know there is a whole lot more to learn. Ace is not my problem, he is my opportunity.  He is a gift from God, a blessing intended to serve me and then allow me to serve others by passing along the blessing. Stay tuned.

“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.” – Matthew 4:16

Drive-by shootings follow a similar pattern: A car comes up to the subject, the car slows enough for the shooter to aim, a shot is fired and connection made, and the car speeds off once more.

Drive-by relationships involve people who meet up with each other, slow their schedules down enough to make a quick connection, then speed off again in their original direction of travel.

The speed at which the world operates has increased to a fever pitch. I admit that I usually try to squeeze the most out of every nanosecond. When I reheat a cup of coffee in the microwave and set the timer for ONE MINUTE, I immediately try to figure out what I can accomplish in the next 60 seconds. Half the time I get busy doing that little bitty project and completely forget I have coffee in the microwave.

At some point I remember and scurry back to the microwave. I set the timer for ONE MINUTE. And the cycle repeats.

Is silence appealing or appalling?

How long has it been since you walked a lake shore without a cell phone? Wrote a letter? Read a book in the quiet of an evening with only the chirp of a cricket or bird song to break the silken silence? Do such interludes of peace sound appealing or appalling?  Do you hunger for the luxury of time or do you get antsy after the maddening vacuum of the first 20 seconds?

Are you pleased with the quality of your relationship with those you love most? Spouse, children, parents, friends, pets or horse — how about God? If you can’t stand being alone in the quiet it’s a good bet you and the Lord may be sharing a drive-by relationship.

Most of us have experienced conversations with someone who wouldn’t or couldn’t give us their complete attention. Can you remember standing face to face with someone who responded to you verbally but kept looking over your shoulder for someone a bit more important or interesting to speak to? Most of us have been on both ends of that drive-by experience. Today it’s far more likely to be conversing with someone who refuses to stop texting or checking Facebook and email on their smart phone.

Is your online status more important than real relationships?

Your friend from the gym may not be able to give you her complete attention because she’s busy telling all her online friends that she’s meeting you. Some people read about God in their Bible while waiting for the microwave to ding, but never take a moment to stop everything else and simply seek His presence. Surely we need to devote more than the time it takes to heat a cup of coffee if we’re going to spend time with the Creator of the universe. So… we resolve to get to it when we have more time available.

Someone once said that it is easier to be busy doing God’s work than to be quiet in His presence.  Multi-tasking should be a solitary pursuit. When you divide your focus between interaction with someone else, your social media, and some task or other – you are promoting just one more drive-by relationship. How often do you multi-task when spending time in God’s presence? Are you looking for someone a bit more important or interesting to speak to?

Why don’t you put a cup of coffee or tea in the microwave and set the time for ONE MINUTE. Use that time to watch this 60 second  Amazing Grays Ministry video –  What one thing is more important than anything else in building great relationship?

Watch…  

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For more information about Amazing Grays, Amazing Grace: Pursuing relationship with God, horses, and one another, click the BOOKS tab at the top of this page or visit Amazon.com.

Red kettles are synonymous with the Salvation Army’s mission to feed and care for destitute and homeless people. Perhaps the red buckets of Happy Horse Haven Rescue (HHH) north of Goldthwaite TX  will evoke the same response in horse lovers everywhere one day soon. Many horse rescues work feverishly across these fruited plains to provide safes place of recovery and peace for horses in need, but I doubt many have a more devoted and hard-working staff.

The Red Bucket Brigade feeds horses with practiced precision

The line of red buckets in the image above isn’t the entire story. This is only one pasture. Each bucket is filled with a quality feed, set up in a line, then with amazing speed and precision the red buckets go over the fence to the horses lined up on the other side. The staff at HHH is pretty savvy about horse behavior, so there is always an extra bucket or two ready for a horse who is pushed away from its bucket by a more dominant herd mate.

How many people does it take to steward 148 acres without a tractor, individually feed and personally interact with more than FIFTY HORSES every single day, know each horse by name and personality, keep up with new rescue demands, stay abreast of the welfare of horses already adopted (35 last year), maintain social media, and conduct meaningful fund raising activity? At Happy Horse Haven Rescue the answer is — ONE.

Safe and secure at Happy Horse Haven Rescue

Sound impossible?  The horses will be looked after, but what precious time remains may not be sufficient to do the executive work of raising awareness and funds.

Shari Frederick, founder and self-described “head pooper scooper”, recently invited Amazing Grays Ministry to visit the rescue and work with a few resident horses with bonding or trust issues. Before moving on to my round-pen meetings, Shari took me and my husband and I on a walking tour to meet the residents of HHH; dogs, donkeys, and horses – lots and lots of horses.

Every introduction included the horse’s name, story, and a brief overview of its personality and challenges.

Beauty dressed in plain Texas clothes

I don’t know if it was Plato or other social commentator of the day who first recognized need as a prime generator of creativity, but if it is true that necessity is indeed the mother of invention then Shari Frederick may be Mother Superior.

Some folks like to support causes that are classy, well-marketed, and the darlings of the media. Just ‘Think Pink‘ and you’ll know what I’m talking about.  Glossy wrappers don’t necessarily mean that what lies underneath the smooth layers isn’t worthy, but some challenges are so great there isn’t room in the budget for coordinated clothing, equipment, or back drops for pre-scheduled photo ops.

At HHH the only obvious coordination I saw were stacks of matching red buckets and the design of horse shelters. Shari is a master of re-purposing materials to make improvements at HHH without having to fork over funds that could be used to feed, care for, and sometimes train rescue residents. No longer needed storage containers have been modified and placed in a neat row to protect feed and provide shelter for horses.

If you look closely at the photo at the end of this article you’ll notice that the fence is not one simple line of pipe rails. Shari designed the alley where the Red Bucket Brigade musters daily with evenly spaced gates that create a long row of small pens when closed. The entire rescue is an ingenious work in progress designed to make caring for large numbers of horses safe and possible.

Seeking Connection, Safety, and Relationship

Coco, a beautiful gray quarter horse mare, had absolutely no history with humans before coming to HHH as an 8 or 9 year old.  Shari believes it was divine intervention that made it possible for me to meet Coco in a large arena area used as a paddock without any other horses to distract her. Coco wouldn’t allow anyone to walk up to put a halter on her, so getting her into the round pen was our first goal.

Coco may think I’m nuts, but she’s paying attention!

While my husband and Shari chatted outside the arena I began the slow process of finding a beginning with Coco. She quickly learned that all she had to do was look in my direction. Then to stop and look. Then to turn and look. In less than 10 minutes Coco made her way through the open gate into the small pen next to the arena.

Coco is hungry for a meaningful relationship. She is open and searching for someone to bond with. Perhaps you know someone like that?

After the first of two or three planned sessions with Coco we  gave her a bucket of water and left her grazing before moving on to another part of the rescue to work with a young paint filly at the opposite end of the emotional spectrum from Coco.

And then it began to rain…

Calling the Red Bucket Brigade to Attention

The opportunity to work one-on-one with the horses ended, but under Shari’s direction I was privileged to work with the Red Bucket Brigade. Once every horse in the big pasture had a bucket (in addition to free choice hay) we carried buckets to several other paddocks with smaller groups of horses and then moved back up toward the house. Shari finished feeding everyone and we went in to lunch and thick towels to dry sopping hair and change shirts.

The rain was determined to win the day. Shari, Baber, and I enjoyed lunch and learned more about one another. There are far too many interesting notes and details about Shari Frederick, her experiences, and the horses than I can cover here. Please visit her websites, learn more about the rescue, and if you have the opportunity to support her efforts — make a small donation or drive on down to Goldthwaite and muster in with the Red Bucket Brigade yourself.

Saying Good-bye to another Amazing Gray horse

Before leaving to drive back up to Weatherford, Shari made a point of asking me to say good-bye to Coco. How many people do you know who are concerned about being polite to a horse? Well, there’s one just north of Goldthwaite. Coco was relaxed and made immediate eye contact with me when I entered the pen with her.

Shari and Lynn at a tree carved into horses heads.

There’s a really good reason we only have six stalls – we have six horses. If there were an empty stall in my barn there was a good chance a beautiful gray mare named Coco might have moved to Weatherford.

Visit these websites for information, scads of photos, and to connect with Shari and the horses. Her Facebook wall is updated daily with horse, visitor, and volunteer activity. You can spend hours just looking at photos!

Happy Horse Haven Rescue

Shari Frederick on Facebook

Red Bucket Ministry at Happy Horse Haven Rescue

One of our barn cats frequently slips in through the dog door to sleep in the tack room. Little Grace is one of those personalities who is the complete opposite of what her name implies. During her first 6 years Grace was more like an attack cat if your name was Don (seriously) or she didn’t think you were giving her enough attention.

But that’s not the “grace” we’re going to talk about today. Some horses seem to have real difficulty staying focused, consistent, or have what seems like a major case of bull-headed resistance. Every “No” your horse gives you is caused by one of two situations; he is either unwilling to do as you ask or is unable to comply. When asked, most owners are certain their darling equine’s response is not that he can’t, but that he WON’T!

Have you ever asked your horse,

• “Why are you being so stubborn?”
• “Are you really this stupid?”
• “You could do this yesterday, did you have a brain transplant overnight?”

Each question implies that your horse is being a pain in your saddle-sitter just to be annoying. Why else would he act this way if it isn’t simply to be difficult and try your patience? Here’s where it pays to step back and think about what’s really happening, or what really ISN’T happening.

Why do you train your horse? Is mastering specific maneuvers or skills your primary goal, or are you building a foundation of relationship that increases faith in your worthy leadership? Faith grows every time you figure out what’s bugging your pony and provide a solution. It’s an odd coincidence that when Grace enters your revolving door of character, Frustration and his buddy Temptation somehow find themselves pitched out to the curb.

Temptation is the first guest Frustration invites to any party. Grace may be the last guest to arrive, but she will always stay until the dishes are washed, the trash emptied, the barn swept, and you’ve had a moment to put your feet up on a bale of hay to visit quietly before calling it a day.

Your horse’s behavior may reflect your own

Let’s assume that your horse has been distracted, forgetful, or obtuse more than once. One of the great blessings of life with horses is the opportunity to learn more about the state of our relationship with God. Issues we have with our horse often reflect problems we have with God — or He has with us.

After a delightful ride a while back I dropped Bo’s bridle and walked over to the tack room to hang it up. When I came out I realized that Bo was parked about 10 feet down the barn aisle from the tack room door. Bo was standing peacefully with eyes and ears focused on what I was doing. Why should I carry the saddle so far when Bo was already wearing it? I looked at Bo and used a small gesture to ask him to come on over to me.

Bo’s feet didn’t move. How odd, I thought. I took a good look at him. Bo was comfortable, attentive, relaxed, happy – and continued to stand perfectly still. I asked again, adding a voice command to my gesture. Bo saw me, heard me, and was perfectly focused. But Bo didn’t move an inch.

What in the world is wrong with him? Bo is always obedient. Bo is my guy. Why is he being so stubborn? He knows exactly what I want and he knows that I know he understands perfectly… yet he isn’t doing as I ask? WHY?

Lightning bolt moment of revelation

The Holy Spirit joined us in the barn to point out that Bo was doing to me exactly what I have done to God. How many times has God looked at me and wondered the exact same thing? Lynn knows what I want and she knows that I know she understands perfectly. Yet she isn’t doing as I ask. 

Every one of us has woken up and met God one morning appearing to be stubborn, stupid, or with a completely different mental outlook than we had when we finished our bedtime prayer the night before. On such days, do you behave that way on purpose? Are you simply trying to be difficult?

If you’re not pushing God’s patience for the sheer fun of it, perhaps your less-than-responsive behavior is the result of the pressures, sores, cares, or circumstances of recent hours or days. I have been reminded more than once that I, too, have a problem with distraction or old habits that stubbornly refuse to die completely. I like to think my ears are wide open and waiting to hear the small voice of the Holy Spirit whenever He speaks. Sometimes I’m wrong.

Human nature, assumptions, and motivation

Human nature looks at the odd, rude, or inattentive behavior of others and automatically assigns a motivation to it. The interesting thing about this is that the motivation we assume causes the behavior in question just happens to be the reason we would do the same thing. This built-in characteristic is instructive in more than one way. It explains why we condemn some who do not deserve our reproach and why we err on the side of forgiveness at other times.

Instead of trying to understand our horse’s behavior we often jump immediately into blame, frustration, or attack mode. (Rather like our own diminutive little Grace the cat.) In other words, we come to the barn with no grace in our saddlebags. Before you let your emotions run wild, dust off your worthy leader hat and pay attention.

Was your horse confused? Comfortable? Rebellious? Distracted? Insecure? Friendly? Moody? Hungry? Did you ask him to do something you haven’t practiced for a while? Were you rushed, out-of-balance yourself, distracted, comfortable, moody, or less than precise in how you communicated with your horse? Was your horse unwilling, unable, or simply mentally absent? (Which could be evidence of either inability or unwillingness.)

The Golden Rule of Christian Horse Training

Do unto your horse as you would have God do unto you. God is the Author of patience and grace. Ask yourself why you aren’t always perfect in your own response to God. Why aren’t you consistent 100% of the time? Why are you understanding and merciful to a stranger Monday but judgmental on Tuesday? Is the problem your mournful “I can’t” or emphatic “I won’t”?

What might God question about your own behavior? Ask your horse. Horses are faithful to treat us exactly as we deserve unless we are gifted with unmerited equine grace. God knows our hearts, yet He forgives and corrects us again and again. When Jesus says “Come,” do we? Every time? Immediately? Without question?

“Grace” isn’t just something we say before a meal. Bring grace with you to every lesson with your horse. You will be a far better leader, your horse will improve more quickly, and God will smile.

Saul of Tarsus was a dangerous man.

Christians who crossed his path were persecuted, trampled, and killed. What caused the miraculous transformation that resulted in the ‘birth’ of the Apostle Paul? Relationship with the only One who could touch his soul – Jesus Christ.

The object of Paul’s ministry was not sharing the wonderful change in Saul or fascinating details of his conversion. The only message Paul preached was right relationship with the only One who is able to touch a soul and leave peace, joy, and confidence where once there was only anger, angst, and fear.

The miracle that produced the Apostle Paul from the rogue Saul, testifies to the truth that the most vile scoundrel may be brought into a commitment that transcends life itself through right relationship with the One who is able to produce fruit from a barren tree. Paul’s purpose was not to showcase what he was capable of doing or how great he became personally. Paul came to teach relationship. Paul came to share Christ.

Disguised or Transformed?

Too many horse trainers (and preachers) try to produce a result that will amaze their friends or serve as a marketing tool to attract new customers (congregants.) Neither of these goals is worthy if the horse in question is an outlaw in need of redemption. The only goal of a worthy leader is to bring the horse from a place of darkness into light, and from being lost to coming home.

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. ~ Philippians 1:6

Like New Creations in Christ, dangerous horses are transformed from the inside out. Rogue horses aren’t changed by a layer of sugar coating or by hiding a deep desire to escape beneath layers of practice and repetitive exercises. The remodeling process that transforms even the most rebellious horse (or human) is the limitless commitment of one who is able to complete such a good work. Successful remodeling projects require the removal of everything dirty, broken, sordid, ugly, unreliable, or dangerous until only that which is solid and pure remains.

What to do when your horse isn’t your equine soul mate

Not every talented and dedicated trainer will be able to reach the soul, heal the spirit, and transform every rogue horse. But there will be one who can. There were a number of horses I had over the years that did not respond to me as I hoped. Rather than fail them I let them go to another trainer who could make the right offer of leadership in the way that particular horses needed to receive it.

Many rank horses can be trained to be useful by most good and caring trainers, but simply being useful is not the same as being made new for either rogue horse or sinful human. Nothing is impossible, but not everything is possible with every horse-human combination and Jesus Christ is the only One able to reform a human outlaw.

Don’t beat yourself up if you have a horse that you are unable to reform. Become more able by learning new skills before making things worse or bless that horse by letting it go to someone who is able to meet its needs. The horse in your pasture today could be the very one someone else has been looking for and the once-in-a-lifetime equine partner you’ve dreamed of may be nearer than you think.

Redemption – Reformation – Remodeling

Redemption by faith in Jesus Christ produces fruit from the barren tree of rebellion against God. The proof of such reformation is good works and service to Christ. Rank horses may be remodeled and changed from dangerous outlaws into reliable and amazing creatures, but it the sole miracle of Christ that does not simply remodel men and women – He completely alters who and what they are. The transformation is supernatural, eternal, and impossible for anyone other than Jesus Christ.

The fine print in the redemption of any outlaw through right relationship is the willingness, endless commitment,  and ability of the one who comes to save.

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He Came Looking for Me is a true story of hope and redemption. Read more here…  

The Priefert Bale Ring is pictured here, but was it the best? Read on.. .

There are benefits to feeding round bales without a net or ring if you’re lucky enough to have a plentiful supply at little cost and you need to fill in some bare spots in big pastures. When we baled our own hay and needed to seasonally supplement grazing, we strategically placed round bales to prevent erosion on steep slopes and to cover places in the pasture that had been disturbed, leaving large bare places. Our pasture is no longer that big and we don’t bale our own.

Which Round Bale Ring is Best for Horses? reviews the styles, materials, assembly, and safety factors of a variety of hay rings on the market today.  Before the launch of Christian Horse Training, practical articles like these appeared on my other website. Future articles will originate on Amazing Grays Ministry, home of CHT. This article only addresses hay, not other feeds used in addition to roughage.

The article is just one click away, but here’s a bit more about the information it includes…

Round Hay Bale Rings – Comparing Waste, Safety, Convenience

There is a difference is the amount of waste between hay rings, and more importantly, huge safety issues. Our first ring was a very popular brand and quite pricey, but every one of our six horses had a cut on his or her chest in the same place – all the time. We changed bale rings and the wounds disappeared.

How do you determine the best diameter hay ring for your particular circumstances and why does the diameter matter?  The diameter affects the amount of waste, the potential problem of horses getting after each other around the ring, and how easy it is to use a hay net. Read the full article for more.

Ease and convenience of use is important to us since we are a rather mature couple (we’re getting old.) One ring is far EASIER to use than the others. There is also a difference in cost. Following the article are links to bale rings, hay nets, and two additional articles: (1) comparing hay nets and (2) estimating potential savings using round bales.

Good stewardship begins in the barn!

 Read Which round bale ring is best for horses?  

Beginning round pen training is done at liberty, with no halter, line, or tack on the horse. There are many ways to balance a horse, correct a canter issue, or introduce collection, etc. from the ground in a round pen.  Since you can’t build on a foundation that doesn’t exist, your first goal is to get your horse to focus on YOU and not confuse the issue with the pressure of a bit, reins, cavesson, girth, or rope.

God Sense:

God doesn’t rope or drag us to obedience; He calls us with grace and saves us by faith. The purpose of beginning round pen training is to begin building a foundation of faith so your horse may overcome his prey nature.

Unbreakable Rule #1 – Know what you want before you ask your horse to move and when he does it right QUIT asking.

Horse Sense:

I’ll share the two very simple goals of round pen work and the basic method for accomplishing them. There are only two reasons why your horse doesn’t do everything you ask; he is either unable or unwilling. This basic truth is covered in all three ministry books and in many articles. If you need a refresher on the subject, subscribe to this website by putting your email address in the box on the upper right and download the free ebook or,

Check out this article: Who’s the Leader, You or Your Horse 

Only two things matter when you begin playing with your horse in the round pen: FOCUS and FEET.

First Step in Round Pen Exercise – leave the horse alone

The first step toward gaining focus is to do NOTHING except get the horse into the round pen and pretend to ignore him. Horses I work with in clinics don’t know I exist until after I observe them in the round pen first. Your horse already knows you, so just put him in the round pen without a halter and close the gate behind you as you exit.

Unbreakable Rule #2 – If your horse isn’t calm and balanced you can’t move forward.

Let your horse nurdle around in the pen until he is calm. There are some horses that are traumatized by simply being in an unfamiliar round pen or surrounded by strange sights, sounds, or smells. Don’t put your horse in a place you think will frighten him. It’s fine if he’s a little snorty or nervous, but it is NOT good leadership to dump your horse into a trap he thinks may be life threatening.

Enter the round pen when your horse is calm and again, do nothing.  Many horses think they have to start running around frantically the minute they enter a round pen. It takes a lot of time and great patience to convince a horse he doesn’t have to run if that’s the only experience he’s ever had. I want the horse to calmly wonder, “Hmmm, wonder what she’s doing here?” Curiosity is far better than fear or aggression.

Review  Day One – How to establish leadership in the round pen with your horse 

How can I tell where the horse is focused?

Horses don’t hide comic books inside their school books or mask their emotions. Since horses don’t pretend it’s not difficult to figure out what holds your horse’s attention.

All eyes and ears on the same thing!

Where is your horse looking? Where are his ears directed? A horse’s ears are like radar – always trained in the directions of greatest interest or importance. All you have to do is follow his eyes and ears to know what has his attention. Many times your horse will have his ears turned in different directions. That’s fine as long as one is turned toward you.

Your initial goal is to get one eye and one ear interested in you. Start small. Learn to read your horse and ask for very little at the beginning. You can ask for two eyes, the horse to face you, come, or answer more precise questions later. First… you need an eye and an ear. DON’T try to keep his focus at the beginning. Your goal is simply to GET it. See Rule #1.

Once I have the horse’s focus I will ask him to move his feet. The instant the feet do as I ask I quit asking. Likewise, the moment the horse’s attention leaves me my sole priority is to get it back? How do I get it back? By asking his feet do something other than what they are doing at the precise moment I lost his attention.

When and how should I ask my horse to move his feet?

It is time to move your horse’s feet when:

1. You lose his attention
2. He gives you the “pony finger”,  or
3. If he stalls out and just looks at you as if to say, “Okay, so I’m looking at ya, whatcha gonna do now, Bigshot?”

In any of these 3 instances, direct your horse to move his feet the opposite way they were going the moment his ears left you, he gave you “attitude”, or he dared you to come up with something new.

If your horse was moving left ask him to move right. If you were bouncing a whip on the ground and he moves away keep bouncing until he stops. If he walked up to you when you told him to stay or stop, ask him to back up a step. If he backs up on his own, drive him forward. If he was standing still when you lost his attention or got “the pony finger”, send him out at a brisk trot.

Success secret:  Only ask your horse to do something when you are 98% sure he will do it. You lose a ton of leadership credibility if you ask your horse to do something and he says, “No” and you can’t fix it.

In the simplest terms, have him do the opposite of whatever he was doing when you realized he was doing wrong. Before you get to this point you must understand and be able to apply pressure where, when, and how in order to get your horse to move his feet the way you direct.

Unbreakable Rule #3 – If you aren’t making progress or your horse is escalating in anger, fear, or frustration, STOP what you’re doing and break things down to a smaller step. Repeat until you get the right response.

In early lessons you won’t push for more than one or two new responses. Know what your goal is before entering the round pen. Once you accomplish it – or fail miserably – QUIT. Your horse can recognize a failure of leadership instantly. The moment he crosses into distress from fear or anxiety he’s got your number. Quit long before that happens and think about your goal and whether the horse is unable or unwilling to do as you ask.

Unbreakable Rule #4 – Most emotions except love do not belong in training sessions.

The Holy Spirit speaks in a still small voice and so should you. You can’t yell or beat a horse into faith and you can’t work with a horse that is highly emotional. When you get frustrated, get out. If you get mad, get out. If you get overwhelmed, get out. Hopefully it is love that motivates your commitment to follow the rest of the unbreakable rules.

Recap of Beginning Round Pen Training

1. Work at liberty without any tack or halter.
2. Know exactly what you hope to accomplish before entering the round pen; be prepared to change the program if your horse isn’t responding as you hoped.
3. Always start every lesson with an unruffled horse.
4. Your only goal at this stage is FOCUS. Work to get one eye and one ear directed at you.
5. The moment you lose your horse’s focus move his feet in the opposite way they were going when he broke his attention on you.
6. Know what movement you are asking for and QUIT asking the moment you get it.
7. Don’t ask for something you aren’t 98% you can get.
8. Always give the horse the benefit of your doubt.
9. Leadership promises freedom from anger, aggression, and anxiety. If you or your horse begin to get emotional it is YOUR responsibility to return everyone back to a calm peaceful state.
10. If you don’t get the results you expect, break the lesson down into even smaller steps until you get a “Yes.”

The most difficult skill horse trainers must learn is what to ask for and when to quit, which brings us to -

Unbreakable Rule #5 – End every lesson with a horse that is happier and more confident than when you began.

You should always put your horse up or out in a better frame of mind and spirit than you found him. If you master the philosophy and application of round pen training you will be among the most elite trainers in the world and will be a worthy leader deserving of your horse’s faith.

Question? We’re here to help.

*     *     *     *     *

 More on Unable and Unwilling:

2 Reasons Why You Fail and 3 Reasons Not to Make Excuses –  http://lynnbaber.net/2012/01/2-reasons-why-you-fail-and-3-reasons-not-to-make-excuses/

An Unteachable Spirit – short post on Bible and Bit  -   http://bibleandbit.com/?p=800

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• Do you harbor any doubt about your faith in Christ – or His in you – that you haven’t been able to admit to anyone?
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• What practical and timely messages does the book of Revelation have for you today?
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• Is that still small voice telling you to walk more closely with Christ, but you don’t know how?
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3 Messages of “Rapture and Revelation:

Why do you believe?

1. This is the End Time.
2. The King is coming.
3. A decision must be made.

Be sure to have your Bible handy so you can look up the scriptures referenced throughout the book.

It isn’t my job to tell you what to believe, but I was asked to challenge you to know WHY you believe what you do. This book is not going to get an immediate Amen! from everyone. It isn’t intended to. In fact, it if were immediately popular it would simply be “more of the same.” The purpose of Rapture and Revelation is to lead Christians to question their personal definition of truth  analyze their place in the world, and to take full responsibility for the state of their relationship with Jesus Christ.

“Rapture and Revelation has not been written for the reader who wishes to have his or her ears tickled. There are plenty of Christian books and e-books catering for that, but not this one. It is a book-study offering simple truth about the times we’re living in, but it’s also a challenging book, leaving no room for the reader to express anything but “yes” or “no” for their answers and decisions. No room for fence-sitters! End times books can be confusing and controversial. Rapture and Revelation is not one of them. That’s why it should be in every Christian’s possession.” – Roger Williams

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Snaffle Bit – a simple definition

A snaffle bit does not use any leverage.

That’s it.

“Cowboy” snaffle that is not a snaffle

Most people think that a snaffle bit is a bit with a broken mouth piece, like the bits in these two images. The Tom Thumb bit, commonly called a cowboy snaffle bit isn’t a snaffle at all. It has a broken mouthpiece, but that has nothing to do with whether a bit is a snaffle or not.

The ring snaffle is a snaffle. It has the same mouthpiece as the Tom Thumb, but it is not leveraged. In other words, the reins attach directly to the mouthpiece.

Ring snaffle bit

  What is a leveraged bit?

A leveraged bit attaches the reins at a point away from the mouthpiece itself. Cowboy Snaffles usually have the rein attachment anywhere from 1 1/2 inches to more than 4 inches away from the actual mouthpiece itself. Other leveraged bit have shanks longer that 7 inches! That’s a whole lot of pressure.

The beauty of a snaffle bit is that the horse feels the exact amount of pressure on the bit that you put on the rein. If you use one pound of pressure that is exactly what the horse feels – one pound of pressure. Leveraged bits also use chin straps (curbs) which place pressure on the bottom of the horse’s jaw in addition to what is felt on the lips, bars, and tongue.

Does the curb strap influence whether a snaffle is a snaffle or a leveraged but? The simple answer is, “No.” Curb straps are often used on snaffle bits as a safety precaution to prevent the bit from sliding into or through the horse’s mouth. Curb straps have no influence on how a snaffle bit works. Snug curb snaps work like a vise, catching the horse’s lower jaw between the bit and the curb.

Snaffle Bit Quiz

Which of these five bits (A-E) are snaffles? You will find the answers after the photos.

A

B

C

D

E

Snaffle Bit Quiz Answers

• Bit A – Yes, it is a snaffle. This is a full cheek snaffle with a rubber mouthpiece that makes it far less severe.
• Bit B –  Not a snaffle bit. This is a gag bit and must only be used by the most experienced trainers. It is a bit that is used to make a point then put back into the tack room.
• Bit C –  Not a snaffle bit. This is a Kimberwick, a popular bit for huntseat riders. The reins attach to the ring but do not move and add leverage to rein pressure.
• Bit D –  Yes, it is snaffle. The mouthpiece is solid, but there is no leverage to the bit action. Reins produce a 1:1 ratio of pressure.
• Bit E –  Not a snaffle bit. I call this a Butterfly bit, but many incorrectly call it a snaffle. This is my favorite bit as a first step out of a snaffle into a leveraged bit.

How many did you get correct? Hopefully all five. If you have any questions, be sure to ask.

Confusion about Snaffle Bits, Faith and Works

Many folks are confused about the difference between a snaffle bit and one that is not. There is similar confusion about the relationship of faith and works. Why are people confused? It’s kinda like the confusion about bits with broken mouthpieces… both snaffles and leveraged bits have them. The important point is about the way the bit works.

People can demonstrate works without faith, but it is impossible to have faith without the fruit of works. Like the snaffle bit, the important thing isn’t the way it looks but the way it works.

• Does a broken mouthpiece mean the bit is a snaffle? No.
• Does being charitable, kind, or generous mean the person has a right relationship with Christ? No.

You can live your whole life well without ever knowing how to tell one bit from another. But knowing the difference between faith and works is of immense importance.

Blessings.

or Using Horses to Train Christians

There is as much difference between a Christian horse trainer and Christian Horse Training as there is between a Christian author and Christian writing. One describes the faith of the human while the other defines the work itself.

Natural Horsemanship relies upon a foundation of relationship with a horse rather than the use of domination. Christian Horse Training offers worthy leadership to every horse by applying a scriptural foundation and the principles of each trainer’s own walk with Jesus Christ. In other words, as Christ is the head of the trainer, so the trainer is the “head” of the horse.

Authority and Humility

The truly worthy leader has one foot solidly planted on equally balanced pillars of authority and humility. Every day will include a little humility; you can either plan for it or be surprised when it arrives.

Your level of success or failure working with horses is the best mirror of your relationship with Christ. A horse always tells the truth. Horses do not dissemble, spin or prevaricate and will always treat you as you deserve unless they grant you unmerited grace. Sound familiar?

Understanding Herd Behavior – Bible truths for Worthy Leaders

Great horsemen and horsewomen create relationships with horses using the principles of equine herd leadership. Success requires such leaders to understand the equine spirit, patterns of thought, and to both recognize and use body language as a means of communication.

Horses are born looking for leadership. Christian Horse Training does not seek to change the equine spirit but to enhance and elevate the wonder that is HORSE itself.

Great trainers walk among horses, understand the fears, temptations, and emotions of horses, and use that understanding to transform horses from reactionary prey animals into new creations of faith and fearlessness through relationship.

God sent Jesus to us for that same purpose. Jesus walked among us so he could understand our human fears, our human temptations, and our human emotions. No one will ever master what is possible through right relationship with Jesus Christ. The blessing is in the journey itself. The same is true of a life well-lived with horses.