Life Lessons From a Horsewoman -By Jamie Lynn

06/14/2024

Perspective and gratitude are everything. Period. 🖤🐴

09/07/2023

04/14/2023

Dear Cowgirl,

You do not have to have it all figured out.

Darling friend, you have time.

I know it feels like everyone else is eons ahead of your personal journey right now- even as you feel so overwhelmed...but I promise those feelings are not unique.

Others expectations of your life do not have to dictate your path.

Others are not ahead and you are not behind.

We are all simply on the paths meant just for us. Unique paths that can sometimes feel overwhelming.

I promise we are all on the same journey.

We are all just attempting to do our best, and you are not behind.

Dear Cowgirl, slow down, breathe.

Trust. You have time. ©Adrianbbrannan 💕



Buy the book: www.buckaroogirl.com

03/24/2023

Dear Cowgirl,

I hope you know what freedom is.
True freedom.

I hope you discover the joy of saying “no” and
choosing to say the “yes” that will change your life for the better.

I hope you don’t let anyone sabotage your joy.

I hope you wander a long time, and joyfully get lost along the way.

I hope you wander with someone wonderful.

And know what it is like to discover the joys of exploring alone.

I hope you break negative family traditions that have never been healthy, but were simply accepted.

I hope you do everything in your power to hold onto the memories that make you giggle, kiss someone wonderful and quit jobs that slowly stifle your soul.

I hope you sing a little louder, dance like a maniac & never let getting knocked down stop you from getting what you want.

And may you always ride nice horses.💕©Adrianbbrannan
⁣



Buy the book: www.buckaroogirl.com

03/08/2023

We should be cheering for each other.
There is no shortage on success.
If someone is succeeding, celebrate them.
If it can happen for them, it can happen for you.
You will need a cheering section too.
Encouragement is the best fuel for one another.
Attitudes are contagious, don’t forget it.
Team work makes the dream work.

10/17/2022

The only job that starts at the top is fence post diggin'

10/03/2022

La teorÍa del Trapecio
Hay varias herramientas excelentes que puede usar para entrenar tu ojo y ver el equilibrio y la estructura general de un caballo. Uno que ha estado con muchos entrenadores y criadores es la teoría del "trapecio".

El Diario solicitó a tres profesionales de la industria de Cuartos de Milla que lo explicaran: AQHA Professional Horsewoman June Warren de Yukon, Oklahoma; Carol McWhirter de Doniphan, Nebraska; y Philip "Vic" Clark de Shelby, Ohio. Ellos colaboraron en una conferencia sobre el tema en el 2005 All American Quarter Horse Congress. Desafortunadamente, June murió en 2010, pero vale la pena transmitir su sabiduría, así como la de Carol y Vic.
"El trapecio me dice si un caballo está realmente equilibrado", dijo June. "Es más probable que un individuo equilibrado tenga buen movimiento, habilidad atlética y solidez".

Cuando busque el trapecio de un caballo por primera vez, intenta dibujarlo en tu mente o una buena foto tomada de perfil en una superficie plana o use una regla para marcar sobre el caballo.

09/16/2022

higginsii, better knows as the is one if the coolest , from our
In our fishing adventures a friend pulled in this beautiful whole shell. If you look closely, you can see where the formed.
Several species that live in our fresh water do in fact produce pearls.
These little wonders ha e been over harvested and depleted due to the that wreak havoc on the and the

09/07/2022

Dear Cowgirl,

Please choose happy every time.

Please choose forgiveness when possible and detachment when needed.

Please choose what makes you feel true joy and fulfillment over what popular culture says is “cool.”

Please remember there is beauty in a simple quiet life and adventure is created, not discovered.

Please embrace your unique purpose with pride and bravery even when intimidated.

Please remember your boundaries.

Please remember you are more than your past, capable of more than you think and worth fighting for.

Every time. 💕 ©Adrianbbrannan

www.buckaroogirl.com

08/16/2022

Spirit learning how to trailer load with Jamie Lynn today :) easy peasy learning how to figure it out himself! Thanks guys :)

07/21/2022

I need this shirt

Make a statement with one of Rodeo Road Boutique's 100% original designs! Bella Canvas unisex tee. Fits true to size

07/12/2022

For my horse peeps. I found this interesting!

Steeldust was a scion of the Quarter Horse, a race who, figuratively, could trace one side of the family to the Mayflower and the other to Spain.

07/01/2022

This is pretty of my favorite picture sequences of introducing saddle, mounting and instructions from above to a to a young horse.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10220069018328024&id=1001482441

06/24/2022

06/03/2022

# lakemichigan you beauty.
I am simply blown away by the beauty here. What an inspiring place to find my voice.

03/31/2022

03/25/2022

Enjoying some sunshine

03/24/2022

Is peer pressure in the horse world the reason for the lack of safety?
I have had a few interactions with students over the last week that had me ask myself this question.
I deal with safety and confidence issues on a daily basis, and much of the time I look for the mechanics behind what a rider or handler is doing that results in unsafe behaviour. Much of the time I am reiterating what I have already taught the student, and I do understand that it takes repetition for new behaviours to become second nature, so I try to patiently correct the person and encourage them to get repetitions in place.
It has, however, been a theme through my career that students are bullied and flooded with unsolicited advice by more conventional riders. The riders offering this advise normally have far worse issues to deal with with their own horses, but use "their experience" as a tool to pressure the student.
"Just get on and ride!", Hospital or back on", and "Falling off is just a part of riding horses" are some of the things that get forced onto riders trying something differently.
None of these statements have any virtue. I know those taught this way will tell me that if you don't get back on immediately you will have a permanent fear of horses. This is simply not true. Getting back in to a dangerous situation after you have just been hurt is more likely to cause compounded PTSD than it is to increase your bravery, but the biggest fault with this mentality is that it reinforces the habit of not addressing what went wrong. There is always a reason for a fall. If the horse bucked, spooked, reared, bolted.. anxiety or pain are likely the reasons. This needs to be addressed before a rider gets back on.
I have a long list of regular students that are either coming back to riding after years of not wanting to do it, or were on the brink of quitting, because of these "mottos "of the equestrian world. I have students that have taken years to rebuild their confidence after they got back on after a fall, only to end up in the hospital after remounting. It is just plain lack of common sense.
So, why do others pressure people on a different path to do what they do?
From safety point of view, you will hear them saying things like: "well I have done that my whole life and I am fine". These are the same people who post meme after meme about their daily regiment of ibuprofen and how long it takes for them to walk up straight after getting out of bed.
Someone making an effort to be safer makes them subconsciously feel that they need to defend what they have always done. This, as always, comes down to cognitive dissonance. Someone else having success doing something different challenges their core beliefs and our brains are wired to defend those core beliefs for fear of having to relearn everything we know.
This also applies to welfare issues. For example, someone considering a horses anxiety, pain or natural needs will highlight that they may not be considering those crucial aspects. Without saying a word to them, they may feel under attack out of sheer guilt. What better way to defend themselves from your non-existent attack that trying to discredit science.
I recommend finding a supportive group of people that follow the same principles as you do, and running your doubts by your instructor. I realise the number of instructors offering empathetic training techniques means many people get occasional in person lessons and regular online lessons, but trust me, your horsemanship instructor has heard every bullying tactic in the book 1000 times and can reassure you. Even with this it takes a fair amount of willpower and resilience to stand up to these attacks. These viewpoints still exist purely because they have been oppressively protected in the face of overwhelming evidence that they have no place in the modern world...Your resilience and asking for support could be the thing that helps make them an embarrassing memory, rather than a continuing safety concern!

03/10/2022

I love being on the road!

02/19/2022

Recently there have been dozens of posts on social media about how "I can control a 600kg animal, and you think you scare me sort of thing." Remember, horses always operate best as our partners.

Control is undoubtedly an aspect of what we need to do to keep ourselves, those around us, and our horses safe. However, IF YOU ARE ONLY MANAGING TO CONTROL YOUR HORSE, I encourage you to take a different look at how you are approaching life your time together. If you are only managing your SURVIVAL IN THE SHOW RING, YOU ARE ON BORROWED TIME. The time you spend preparing your horse for exciting events should include plenty of communication skills instead of control mechanisms.

Horsemanship is about communication between you and your horse. It is about being reliable enough to consistently communicate that you will keep your partner safe no matter what. By improving communication, you demonstrate apparent boundaries and expectations of this partnership.

To brag that you can control such a scary beast might be your ego talking. Ego has no place in horsemanship. Punishing a giant animal that is afraid, in pain, confused, or stressed out will get you nowhere.

Assuming that punishment for your perception of misbehaviors gives you the upper hand is lunacy. They are 3 to 10 times bigger than us and far more substantial than we ever could be. Punishment for the sake of punishing will eventually come back to haunt you.

Horses only ever give us responses and feedback based on their perception of safety and understanding. When your horse pins his ears, bucks, rears, spooks, bolts, refuses, or avoids things, IT IS ONLY FEEDBACK ABOUT WHAT THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND.

Listen to your horse when you are having difficulty.
Take that feedback your horse gives and analyze the response given.
Chose thoughtful compassion and real solutions instead of making the horse your opponent. A partnership has no place for a combative attitude.

If you are on the journey to being the best horseman you can be, take that feedback as a message that you need to communicate more, dominate less, and try a little softness for your partner.

Come to think of it, try this approach with all of the relationships in your life. No dog, human, or horse thrives well punishment and manipulation.
• Have a great week-Jamie

02/17/2022

What did you learn today... don't let your saddle get cold.

02/09/2022

Me: sitting in the corner on the floor.
Josh: Are you comfortable over there?
Me: As comfortable as I can while avoiding my problems.

02/01/2022

https://www.facebook.com/1001482441/posts/10223808145603869/

This is the purpose behind my work. Could not be more proud today!

01/27/2022

results.

12/14/2021

“The Mustang” is a film I have wanted to watch for years. I finally got to sit down and watch yesterday.
The film is about a severely hardened convict and his story of how a horse in the inmate rehabilitation program of prison helps him find redemption. While the plot and story were good and the point that horses teach and heal humans was spot on, the horsemanship aspect was a little cringe-worthy.
However, the movie reminded me that my work is so often about helping humans heal and grow, not just horses. Though my 1st passion is helping troubled horses, my 2nd passion is helping people facilitate their growth through horsemanship. More often than not, I help horses and their people overcome the things that hurt them together.
As I watched the movie, I asked myself about the redeemability of people. Are horses and humans redeemable after trauma, poor quality lives, and bad decisions?
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-the-body/201910/when-trauma-gets-stuck-in-the-body
Visiting with 1000’s horse lovers across the world, I am frequently asked about seemingly unredeemable horses. Most people believe that difficult horses and difficult people cannot change. A convict and a lousy horse will always be troubled and set aside or passed down to someone with more brutal hands and hearts.
Anyone willing to help a horse’s life change can accomplish great things with the right help and relentless determination.
I believe that any person can change if they want to. If a victim of the worst abuse can rise and make a life for themselves or a convict can turn his life around, anyone can. The thing is, they have to make that choice to find help and build beyond what they already know. Nobody else can do it for them.
My feelings on the subject could be pretty long-winded. My job is to help horses and their people understand, communicate and ultimately heal from trauma. Many horses are tossed to the wayside when their damage outweighs their value to a human or society.
Humans withdraw and become dysfunctional due to untreated mental health issues and cease participating in society in healthy fashions. When people choose to ignore their trauma, they are likely to become self-destructive, often causing more harm to themselves and the people around them.
My experience shows that a holistic approach can improve any horse’s life. It is critical to move them past the trauma that caused the trouble and offer them a better environment to operate within. Most horses that I help were just given a bad deal without feeling.
Given the suitable modality, horses can heal and move on when we choose to intervene on their behalf. Horses do not possess the ability to hold a grudge. Once they have been helped and redirected, they can move on.
Only human brains hold grudges and blame while misdirecting the accountability for getting better. Horses want to find a state of calm, and they don’t resist help once the true root of their trouble is addressed. It’s a matter of how much time, effort, and resources a person is willing to invest that determines the success or failure of the resulting work.
By: Jamie Lynn
Author, Horsemanship Made Simple – Life Lessons From a Horsewoman

12/11/2021

Saw one of the best sequels to a childhood favorite. So much fun