August 12, 2008 by Smokie.

Hello Friends,

This will be the last time that I talk to most of you for a while so I thought I’d tell you a little story about life and horses..

Sometimes in this business you run into a horse that is just too mean, too broncy or just plain too much horse for you to handle.. And you know in your heart that this is the one that you just can’t gentle.  It could be your lack of experience, confidence in your self or maybe your just plain scared. You might say to yourself that all you have to do is cowboy up, get your mind in the middle, get on, and things will work out, but that is not usually what happens. More often then not you wind up in a crumpled pile wondering where you went wrong.  The better choice would have been to seek out the people you trust with the wisdom to teach you what you need to learn to make you a better horseman and be able to go back into that round pen with the tools you need to get back on and enjoy the ride with your new four legged partner. That’s something I learned while enjoying the airtime I’ve had coming off some horses that were too tuff for me to handle…and before I became that crumpled mess of course!

As in horses, sometimes that can happen in life as well.. And right now in my life I am trying to come to grips with a whole herd of the biggest, meanest, scariest bunch of broncs that one man has ever had in his round pen.. And if I don’t find a way of gentling these guys there’s not going to be much of a round pen left to come back to. I know that I do not have the knowledge or the wisdom to get this job done on my own, and I’m too old to cowboy up and hope for the best, or ride out the storm.. So I have to go to the mountain and seek the wisdom I need to get back into that round pen we call life. And hopefully then when I get back to the ranch, I’ll be able to enjoy the ride again..

Take care my friends and “Just Ride”

Smokie

Somehow I’ve also managed to delete almost all of my horse friends email addresses so if you don’t mind please e mail all of our friends and let them know that their still in my mind just not on my computer.. Thanks

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

July 23, 2008 by Smokie.

hello friends,

Here’s something that might give you some pause for thought.. Please let me know what ya think.. I also want to let you know that the new round pen video is at the printer and should be back in a few weeks! Stay tuned…

Here ya goooo..

The keys to being a good horseman and trainer…

  Not long ago my apprentice ask me the question… “ What is the most important thing you can teach me to become a good trainer and horseman?”  It took some thought, sole searching, and recollection of the things I’ve learned over the years to give her an answer but here goes…

Through the years, I’ve come to realize that the keys to being good with horses does not lie entirely in the sums of acquired knowledge of training principals, or the tutelage received from the all knowing masters of horse training. The keys to obtaining the level of wisdom and to truly be one with the horse come from the deepest darkest parts of your sole and your experiences in life. It is how you see, interact, and judge, your self, your horse, and others, against the perceived realities of the world around you. And how you manage the turmoil within yourself.  This is how the horse will see you, respond, and work, (or not work) for you.

Horses are remarkable creatures in that they can look into the eyes of you, “The predator” and instantly know if they can trust you with their life. They will not prejudge or hold a grudge if they cannot.  They will willingly accept you as the leader if you have their respect and their confidence as the protector of the herd, their life, and their existence on this earth.

People that have not had or lived through a profound life changing or emotional experience and know the true meaning of what life is all about, cannot become true horsemen.  If you do not know, or haven’t seen your life for how truly simple it is, and cannot give a part yourself, or your knowledge, without judgment, for the betterment of the others in the heard, you cannot appreciate or comprehend what it takes to really know the horse.

I’ve talked with horseman and women that truly have a gift with horses. Virtually all are at peace with themselves and all creatures, including the rest of the bipeds.  All have witnessed and faced death, the miracle of life, and they know that it all can change in an instant. One bad kick, bad argument, bad war, relationship, or decision made for some self-serving mission or concept of reality.

The horse is one with his herd and his environment.  He will do his part to continue his existence and that of his species.  It’s a simple forgiving life.  The horse has no concept of human emotions.  He knows nothing about love, revenge, hate, time, responsibility, perfection, prejudice, or production.  He knows only two… The only two perfect unchanging concepts of emotion and human reality, living and dieing. These two concepts manifest themselves in the horse as “forgiveness and fear”.  Trainers or horse people that base their training on other human concepts will not succeed in training or horsemanship.  If they cannot accept and let go of their distrust, anger, jealousy, control, and preconceived ideas of life, love, sacrifice, time, and how we live life on this earth, they will never know or experience a true willing partnership with the horse or the humans in their lives.

Learn to forgive yourself, your horse, and others for their imperfections. Do not fear yesterday or tomorrow. Or get balled up over those things that you cannot change, were unsuccessful, needs more work, or simply forgotten.  Just be patient, and live for today, the best way you can. Be in harmony with yourself, your horse, and the others you share your life with. Have no regrets, and expect no more in return.

Trust the horse and the human to give the same of him as he sees in you and your lives will be better for it…

Then you will be on your way to becoming a horseman. At peace with yourself, your herd, and the world we live in… like your horse.

I’m not a true horseman yet but I work on it every day and I hope this helps you along the way.

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

July 4, 2008 by Smokie.

Hello Friends,

Sorry its been a while since I’ve posted any news. Things have been busy this summer with the video project, clinics and working horses. I wanted to let you know that the new training and horse buying videos will be available soon! I am just waiting on the cover art for the round pen video then it will be off to the company to make copies.. I think it turned out very well and hopefully will give you all another tool of education in your box to help you with your horses. The buying your first horse video filmed at the clinic should also be finished up soon. This will be a 2 DVD set as I couldn’t get all the info I wanted to give you on to one disc! Look for them on the web site in the coming weeks. I will be at Farm Tech Days in Greenleaf WI on July 15,16& 17 so if your in the area drop in and say Hi! Some of you had mentioned that you would like to see more question and answer stuff here on the blog. I think we can make that happen.. I’ll start the the blog this weekend and we’ll see how it goes.. But don’t be upset if it might take a while for me to get to it! The horses gotta come first! Have a great 4th of July and we’ll talk to ya soon!

Best regards and “Just Ride”

Smoke

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

May 6, 2008 by Smokie.

Hello Friends,

I am still not sure if anyone is even reading these posts I put up here… But, I wanted to let you know that the interview I did with Rick Lamb for “The Horse Show” was just posted on his website! Take a listen and let me know what you think. Also, we had a great weekend with Andy Curry and Sue Robertson filming two training videos. One is on buying the right horse, and the other on round pen work. They will hopefully be available in June. If you are interested in ether of them let me know now so I can get an idea of how many to order.. AND PLEASE…. send me your comments!

Best regards and “Just Ride”!

Smokie

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

April 10, 2008 by Smokie.

Greeting Friends,

I now have available a limited number  number of my brother Bucks’ ground work book. It is “Bar None” the best book out there to get you started off on the right track..I had a hard time getting these and it cost more than I’d like but I am selling them for $17.95 plus $2.50 shipping and handling. That is still 2 bucks cheaper than you”ll find anywhere else! So if you want one, don’t wait too long..

Best regards and “Just Ride”

Smokie

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

April 3, 2008 by Smokie.

Hello Friends,

Seems like spring has finally got to the north country and things are getting busy.. I just wanted to up date you on a few things we have in the works.. I will be conducting a Free clinic on what to look for when buying your first horse on May 3rd. This clinic is being conducted in conjunction with the filming of a new DVD on this topic and one possibly two more DVDs on basic round pen work and another yet to be determined depending on filming time. I am looking for first time horse buyers, or horse owners that perhaps made the wrong choice when buying their horse to participate in the clinic and the filming. Anyone interested in attending needs to contact me at 920-532-0307 soon beacause space will be limited.

With any luck these new DVDs and a couple of new books on training will be available on my web site soon!

I am also looking into making my book, “Whisper This…” available as an ebook at a reduced price for those of you that don’t have a big book self! My problem is I do not have the expertise on the dang computer to do it. So if any of my friends out there have some words of wisdom or knowledge of the ebook world and how to get this project up and running please give me a call or drop me an e mail..

That’s about it for now so it’s back to riding those new colts!

Best Regards and “Just Ride”

Smokie

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

January 30, 2008 by Smokie.

Hello All,

Here is a letter I received from Steve DePriest in Colorado. It is interesting in the fact that it truly typifies why I wrote “Whisper This…” and my hope to help people become more educated and safer horse enthusieist.  Here ya go!

Dear Smokie,

You don’t know me but I feel like I know you. I’ve  just got finished with your book and enjoyed it VERY much. I’ve also read your brothers books and took some of his clinics over the years. I am the quiet fellow in Bucks’ book “Believe”, pages 11-12.

I  owe you many thanks for your book, especially pages 6-10. I got crushed by one of those colts who had the misfortune to have a dingbat mother and a rattlesnake daddy. I was foolish and believed that there was no such thing as a bad horse. Whoops! Thank you so much for explaining it to me in plain english. Thank you, Thank you, etc,etc,etc! I hope you have another book in you. I am waitiing for your next one with bated breath. Or worms on my tongue!

Thanks again,

Steve DePriest

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

November 16, 2007 by Smokie.

Hello friends,

I just wanted to update you on a few things.

If you didn’t get the October issue of the Western Horseman magazine, I have attached a copy of the article for you to read about “Whisper This”

I have also just started something new called the HORSEMAN’S SERVICES SCHOLARSHIP PROJECT. Since I have been donating a portion of the proceeds from my book to the Wisconsin Horse Council, Equine Foundation Scholarship Fund anyway, I thought that I could do even better by starting this project. I am seeking the help of my friends who have read my book, businesses, and anyone else… To become my partners in this project. For individuals buying the book you will be donating a portion to the price to this scholarship fund.. (And Thank YOU!) For any business that will purchase my book and carry it in their store, I will list them as a partner in my project on my web site and do everything I can to help them promote it through book signings and advertising. AND… I am not going to take any money for doing it! You see for me, it truly is about educating people about horses and what comes with it.. So if I can get the word out, print more books for folks to read and get a kid in school thats what I want to do. So please help me spread the word and give something back.. Thanks a lot! Smokie

Here is the article from the Western Horseman..

Whisper This: Not to Your Horse, to Yourself

Smokie Brannaman

ALL TOO OFTEN, Author Smokie Brannaman writes, he’s seen what he calls a “Black Beauty Fantasy” that ends up in… “broken bones, broken dreams, broken bank accounts and unbroken or ruined horses.”

To keep such scenarios from recurring when a wannabe rider steps up to horse ownership, Brannaman wrote Whisper This, his brief, common sense book on horse ownership, which he describes as a “no bull” book for horse and rider. Did I mention the author is blunt and plainspoken?

Readers looking for the fantasy horse experience probably will not appreciate all of Brannaman’s opinions: said opinions might hit too close to home. However, other readers and riders likely will wish their nerve and forthrightness was on par with the author’s.

And, yes. Brannaman is “the not-so-rich-and-famous brother of one of the finest clinicians and horsemen in the country, if not the world”

-FS.

Bunkhouse review, Western Horseman Magazine, Oct 2007

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

October 2, 2007 by Smokie.

Hello friends,

Here’s a letter I recieved from my new friend Micheal Martin Murphy.
A great singer and fellow horseman. Love that song “Wildfire”

Regards, and "Just Ride" Smokie

Smokie,

I loved the book! It’s so practical, and down-to-
earth; a real breath of fresh of air and dose of reality in the
midst of all the “new age” horse stuff that’s going on. Some of that
stuff gets a little too weird for this cowboy!

My family ranch in Wisconsin, The Rocking 3M Ranch, is deeply
involved in equestrian activity of all kinds. We are breeders,
horse trainers, and  competitors- as well as the show business
activities that I do. We mainly show Paint and AQHA horses
though we do work with some pony  breeds and draft horses,
mostly in Working Cow Horse Events. Our oldest daughter,
Jessica, is studying to be a Large Animal Doctor at
UW- River Falls, and is the one who is most motivated about Paint
Horses. Our middle daughter, Sarah, spent all Summer working for Bill
Freeman in Texas, and has huge talent as cutting horse competitor.
She came within one point of the Superstakes Finals on her first
competitive ride! Sarah is also a very talented cowgirl poet. Morgan,
my youngest daughter, buys-trains- sells ponies( she does very well-
and is the most naturally talented rider in our family) and is
attracted to the farming side of agriculture, too. She is currently
working for, and being mentored by, an excellent dairy operator in
our area.

My wife, Karen is the real driving force behind the horse side of the
Rocking 3M Ranch. That’s not to say that she doesn’t do an awfully
lot of work with our Texas Longhorn Cattle and other critters on the
ranch- and she loves them all.

We’ll be in touch soon, as soon as we hear from Mike. And regardless
of what happens with the event at Steven’s Point, I’m hoping that we
can get to know each other as time goes on.

Murph

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

September 18, 2007 by Smokie.

Greetings Friends,

Here is a letter I received from Mr. Billy Blackman a cowboy poet, author and farrier from Florida. I thought you might like to read it. Regards Smokie

Hey Smokie,

I finished up your book this morning around 5 am. I was up early to
 head up to the Florida-Alabama line to pick up a load of hay. Experts are
 saying, that because of the drought this summer, hay will be hard to
 find and harder to pay for by December. So I’m buying up ahead so our
 four horses will have something to chew on this winter.

I must say that your book should be a must-read for all who are
 thinking about buying a horse. You have hit the nail on the head, and on a few
 toes, I expect.

As a farrier, I keep about 400 horses trimmed, with a few coming and
 going all the time. Some of the new clients, and many of my established
 clients, would have saved themselves much grief, dents and money by
 following the advice in your book.

The farrier business is a little like some of your thoughts in your
 book: someone watches a video, or another farrier, and they decided they
 can do it too, decided without knowing the work involved, the dangers,
 the sore muscles and bruised toes.

I deal daily with horses of all breeds, disciplines, ages and
 dispositions. And yes, I’ve been kicked, bit, stomped and run over a few times.
 Thanks God no serious injuries. 

Back to your book….

As a writer I found your style quick and entertaining. Your information
 was on target and your timing was good.  I liked the length, too. And
 the ease of reading had me through it in three days, which is very fast
 for me.

And the message is one that needs to be preached from every sale barn
 in the country. The only problem is, how do you get this message out to
 folks while they are in the process of deciding to buy a horse and not
 after they have a mouth full of dirt or a hoof print on their back?
 That’s the big question.

We got into the horse business about 12 years ago when our little girl
 became interested. I had never been around horses before and didn’t
 know what to look for. We got lucky. Maverick, a mustang, 5-years old at
 the time, turned out to be the perfect horse for our child: well
 trained, soft eye, gentle…the list goes on.  He was also the patient horse I
 used to help me lean how to trim feet.  We have three other horses
 now: a Dash-For-Cash/Special Effort mare, a Hancock stallion and a grade
 filly.  All good horses.

I have had many professions in my 55 years: professional musician for
 15 years, newspaper editor for 18 years, award winning political (local)
 cartoonist, a worm counter, published writer, a logger, gospel bands
 driving people to the Lord and honky tonk bands driving people to drink,
 and other jobs sprinkled in (even once had a job digging to top off an
 occupied grave). A year ago I quit my air-conditioned, computer
 punching newspaper job and started my full-time adventure as a farrier. I
 have been trimming part-time for five years.

My sane friends ask my why? Most of them are non-horse people, so they
 don’t understand when I respond, “I’d rather be around horses than
 people,” or “I just got tired of the wanna be horses’ asses at the
 political meetings I covered as a reporter, and decided I’d rather be near some
 real horses’ asses.”

Anyway, I enjoyed your book, your message is one that needs to be heard
 and i will recommend it as required reading to anyone I meet who is
 thinking about buying a horse.

One other thing I found interesting in your book was when you talked
 about your wife going to a horsemanship clinic to help her overcome her
 fear of riding.  Well, believe it or not, I feel much safer being
 underneath a horse trimming his feet and on his back riding him.  I do ride
 Maverick some, but I, too, have this fear of riding. So, I will search
 out a horse clinic where maybe I can get some help with that fear as
 your wife did.

Let me know when you have another book out. I will buy it.  And if you
 ever come to North Florida, let me know.  I’ll do the same if I ever go
 up north (until I was 21, the fartherest point north I’d ever been was
 Dothan, Alabama, so I don’t get up that way much…but you never can
 tell.

Much success with your book and horse training

Sincerely,

Billy Blackman
Havana, Florida

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »