Blazin' Saddles

11/13/2025

Early giving is underway for Minnesota's Give to the Max Day! You can help support the ministry at Blazin' Saddles anytime between now and Give to the Max Day on November 20th.

Each year, Give to the Max invites everyone to invest in causes that match their values and discover new organizations doing work close to home and heart in Minnesota.

Here is the link for Blazin' Saddles:

Blazin' Saddles Horse and Bible Camps Mission Statement: At Blazin’ Saddles we have a passion for Jesus and horses. Our desire is to share the love of Jesus with those who come to the ranch.  We believe that our horses can help build trust and self-esteem, give hope and c...

11/12/2025

Training Tip Tuesday: Teach your horse to stand tied alone. It won’t hurt them to be away from their friends for a while. It will make them a better horse if you don’t give up and let them win!

It’s not uncommon to arrive at Blazin’ Saddles and see a horse or two or six tied to our hitching rail in front of the barn. No matter if it’s one horse standing alone or all the spots are full, they are expected to stand quietly and patiently no matter how long they are asked to stand there - no pawing and no throwing a fit. This doesn’t come naturally for horses, it is something that needs to be taught from a young age. They are herd animals, so they do not want to be separated from their herd.
I start doing this with our young horses from the time they are weaned. Our 2025 weanlings come in the barn most days and stand tied by themselves for half an hour to an hour so they learn to stand patiently and quietly away from their friends. A lot of them throw a fit the first time and paw and rear as high as the rope they are tied to will allow. Sometimes they are a dripping wet, sweaty mess from throwing a fit because they don’t want to be alone. When that is the case, I wait until they have a minute of standing still without pawing, I let their lesson be done for the day and take them back to their friends.
It’s very important to wait for that moment of doing the right thing. If I untie them when they are throwing a fit, they will learn that throwing the fit equals getting what they want – being back with their friends. If I wait until they are behaving the way I want them to, they learn that the good behavior (standing still) gets the reward. It’s just like teaching toddlers – give in to the bad behavior and they will do it every time or reinforce the good behavior and they learn to obey.
If I buy an older horse who hasn’t been expected to stand tied alone, the process takes a lot longer and there is a lot more pushback from the horse. I’ve had horses who have had to spend a good part of the day in the barn because they were throwing a fit for hours being tied alone. It can take a couple weeks for horses like this to finally stand tied alone without throwing a fit. Eventually learn to stand quietly and patiently if you stick with it.

11/11/2025

At Blazin’ Saddles we are thankful to have people share their horses with us when they need a retirement home. They spend the last years of their lives giving first rides to kiddos and teaching them the basics of riding. These old horses are worth their weight in gold. They become a special part of our family and are so special to the kids who spend time with them at camps and lessons.
The hard part is these horses have lived good lives and we love them so much that we must let them go when it’s time. When we see they don’t have the same spring in their step, they are weary and tired and their old bodies just can’t keep up with their heart. When the weight won’t stay on no matter how much we feed them and their bones begin to stick out. When their eyes look old and tired. When they come for their feed one morning and you look into their eyes and know they are telling you, “I don’t want to face the winter like this.”

We knew our Chance had come to this point and had to make the hard decision to say goodbye to this special boy today. We've had the privilege of having the past four summers with him. He has given many kids their first rides at Blazin’ Saddles. He has been patient, loving and had such a kindness about him. He had the most unique whinny that would make so many kids laugh.
Every morning, Chance would come into the barn to eat his large grain ration. He would be waiting at the gate for me and greet me with a nicker every day. The past couple of months, it would take him a long time to eat because he seemed to have lost interest in eating. I have an alarm that goes off on my phone every morning at 10 am so I remember to go back out and let Chance out of the barn. Tyla and Jace started saying, “It’s Chance o’clock,” every day when the alarm sounded. I think 10 am might forever be “Chance o’clock” and a good reminder of the time we had with him.

Hugs to all the sweet kiddos who also loved Chance and whose hearts will hurt knowing he won’t be at camps and lessons next year. Thank you for loving on him while at the ranch!

10/29/2025

Get Christmas photos checked off you list this weekend!! There are still a few spots left for adorable Christmas photos at Blazin' Saddles Saturday, November 1st.
Sign up here:
Christmas Horse Photo Shoot | November 1st, 2025 - Blazin Saddles https://share.google/gxsN9EeHC5Iq9BbXp

10/27/2025

The crazy wind kept us from riding the horses at the Little Brother Little Sister event yesterday, but we still had a great day at Blazin' Saddles! The twins loved the brushing and love from the kiddos.

10/27/2025

Blazin' Saddles twins are 6 months old today!! Its hard to believe they have come this far when I think back to when they were born and how the first week was a fight for their lives. They are truly little miracles that had a will to live! God is good!

Photo credits Alyssa Aune Photography

10/17/2025

Newsletters have gone out! Please let us know if you would like to be added to our newsletter list!

10/16/2025

Christmas photos at Blazin' Saddles with your favorite horse or pony!! November 1st!
Sign up at https://blazinsaddles.org/product/christmas-photoshoot/

10/14/2025

10/09/2025

Christmas Photo Shoot Fundraiser at Blazin' Saddles!
NOVEMBER 1, 2025 ~ 1-3 pm
Register for the photo shoot on our website and request your favorite horse for your photos. $150 ~ Each session yields a minimum of five edited photos by Alyssa Aune Photography that will be sent to you via email.

REGISTER HERE: https://blazinsaddles.org/product/christmas-photoshoot/

10/07/2025

This lone tree has stood strong in this field for as long as I can remember. This morning as I was doing chores, I watched the beautiful sun rising behind the lone tree and a verse from Judges 5:31 came to mind. "May they who love You be like the sun when it rises in its strength."

I think many of us sometimes feel like the lone tree. Maybe we feel alone in our faith. Maybe we feel alone in life even surrounded by people. Maybe we are in a season where we are physically very much alone. But for those who love God, they will be like the sun rising in its strength. The sun coming up behind the tree reminded me that I'm not alone and God gives me the strength I need for each day.

The next time you see a sunrise, may you be reminded of the strength you have when you follow Jesus and let Him be your strength. What a reminder of His strength and love we have at the beginning of every day. 🌅