Taressa Rankin Horsemanship: TR Horsemanship LLC

Taressa Rankin Horsemanship: TR Horsemanship LLC Offering clinics, lessons, & training for connection, confidence, and clear communication. Welcome to Taressa Rankin Horsemanship: TR Horsemanship LLC.
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This page is simply a way to collect my horse related experiences: videos, pictures, learning experiences, observations, progress (possibly set-backs too), and a way, for anyone interested, to follow me in this journey. TR Horsemanship offers clinics and personalized learning sessions in the realm of horsemanship. Mini Biography of Taressa Rankin:
Taressa Rankin was practically destined to be with

horses... She was riding with her parents as an infant, and nearly riding independently by age three. If Rankin ever doubted herself around horses, her father's advise would be, "The ground will always catch you." Thankfully, over the years, Rankin has attained horsemanship knowledge which has given her the confidence in her horses and herself so that the ground doesn't have to catch her very often though ���. Rankin was raised competing in local speed events. Her first job was at Uncle Ike’s Trail Ride’s in Branson, Mo, where she worked as a trail guide and ranch hand. Rankin attended Missouri State University, where she attained a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in 2013. Rankin also became a PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, and worked in the therapeutic riding industry for three years. Throughout the years, Taressa married Chais Rankin. The couple has three children, whom Taressa chooses to stay home with and raise and home school, while also pursuing her horsemanship goals. While Rankin had been around and ridden horses her entire life, it wasn't until 2014 that she discovered the art of natural horsemanship, and practically became obsessed with the idea. She grew in that interest and became intrigued by the field of competitive trail obstacle courses in the Fall of 2015. For her second sanctioned obstacle event ever, she competed in the ACTHA (American Competitive Trail Horse Association) Great American Trail Horse Festival. There, in an event with nearly 300 competitors, she won the title of "All Around High Point." Rankin continued developing horsemanship knowledge, and decided to challenge herself again by signing up to compete in an Extreme Mustang Makeover (EMM) in 2016. Although she had very limited knowledge on starting horses, and had zero experience with Mustangs, Taressa was excited and motivated for this challenge! In this competition, trainers have 100 days to train a completely unhandled Mustang. At the end of the 100 days, trainers compete in specific classes to show the ability of the American Mustang. The Top Ten from the preliminary classes are selected to then compete in a freestyle event. Rankin made it to the Top Ten, to then place 5th overall from the freestyle performance. The journey only developed more passion for horses, and especially unleashed a passion for the American Mustang. Taressa is now a Trainer in the Mustang Heritage Foundation’s Trainer Incentive Program (TIP), which gentles Mustangs to help find them adoptive homes. Rankin continues to compete in EMMs when life aligns to do so. Rankin realizes that horsemanship is an ever learning journey, with more to be discovered and refined daily. She hopes to share her knowledge and passion with enthusiasm, while also continuing her personal growth in the field of horsemanship.

Carla brought her handsome boy, Teardrop, to me for a month of training in June. I took this screenshot a couple weeks a...
08/25/2024

Carla brought her handsome boy, Teardrop, to me for a month of training in June. I took this screenshot a couple weeks ago, and asked if I could share on my page. She says that her and Teardrop are clicking like never before! The real cool thing is, is that Teardrop is 24! Carla has had him most of his life, and has done a fantastic job caring for him as he ages. Fun fact, Teardrop is the oldest horse I’ve had come in for training.. I was actually nervous about it.. but he did wonderfully, and it was so enjoyable to see his desire to still learn how we could communicate better. Carla came for weekly lessons, and is putting the knowledge to good practice, continually benefiting their healthy relationship.

07/27/2024

Axl had been in right at about 6 weeks of training with me in this video. I hauled him to Von Holten Ranch for his first time. He’d never seen obstacles like this, and I worked with him just one day prior on a few things. He sat in a stall overnight, then allll day (because I was busy judging). When I got some slow time that evening, I got him out of his stall, tacked up, went right to the course, and took this video. He showed up, calm and connected, right away. He’s such a level headed horse! It’s long, but there’s value in the raw, real, unedited..

Last weekend I was privileged to be the head judge for CT2V Country Tough Trail Versatility, at Von Holten Ranch. I so e...
07/17/2024

Last weekend I was privileged to be the head judge for CT2V Country Tough Trail Versatility, at Von Holten Ranch. I so enjoy supporting this fantastic organization. It promotes practical, well rounded, healthy horsemanship, and it’s fun! The general format of CT2V is that it has a ranch horsemanship pattern, a trail element (with six natural trail obstacles throughout), and an obstacle course element- which is generally on Von Holten Ranch’s mountain trail course (nothing too crazy, but still great). There are also in hand elements. I would love to see CT2V grow into other areas, which is an option. So, if you know of a curious host with facility potential, reach out to Brandy and David (the owners) to consider ways to expand it.

Photo of Stormfly and I (sweaty pits and all) riding after mostly everyone had left Sunday. As a judge, I always try to ride elements of the pattern I’ll be judging. I also always ride the obstacle course after judging it (I can’t prior, because the course isn’t known to me until the day of). It usually keeps me humble, helps me to empathize, and also helps to keep my standards fair (at least that’s what I strive for).

07/12/2024

Mylo is a super cute Criollo that is in for training. He’s been here a little under a week, and is quickly figuring out how we can communicate well together. He’s also trying to get used to the chaos of these little critters called children, that ride weird things with wheels, known as bikes, all over! 💛

♥️♥️♥️
07/04/2024

♥️♥️♥️

Proud to be an American

Stormfly has me questioning the decision of trying a protein lick tub. Molasses and mouth fly swatting has her looking a...
06/25/2024

Stormfly has me questioning the decision of trying a protein lick tub. Molasses and mouth fly swatting has her looking all sorts of beat up! And this is her good side.. 😅

This fun and handsome fella is on his way to California. Woody loaded right up the ramp into the big semi trailer, and b...
06/02/2024

This fun and handsome fella is on his way to California. Woody loaded right up the ramp into the big semi trailer, and backed into his stall like he’d done it a hundred times.. He didn’t even squeal at the horse next to him (which is something he rather enjoys). He did super, like he knew he was loading up to go “home.”

I’m so excited for his new owner. I’ve done my best to discuss Woody’s fun personality to any potential buyer, and his owner seems eager to experience it, and let him continue being his full self!

I’ve never been an in between broker/agent of a horse sale, but the process went well. The seller and buyer were a joy to work with. I’m praying for safe travels for Woodrow! & I’m wishing all the best for him and his new family!

05/29/2024

Bandit went home last week after a month of training. He came with the goal of needing to “slow down.”He is such a good boy, but creating connection was difficult. It took every bit of the first few weeks before he started looking forward to working with me, rather than just tolerating me. I absolutely love liberty circles, to use drive and draw, and balance communication. Here’s Bandit “slowing down,” and staying connected. Oh, and he is 20! Teaching connection with communication will continue to help reduce anxiety, and help him find people more predictable through these principles. I’m so glad his owner invested in creating this foundation.

Chais did good. I mean he might’ve had a little help 😉, but it was my son, Cuylar’s, idea to gift them early for Mother’...
05/12/2024

Chais did good. I mean he might’ve had a little help 😉, but it was my son, Cuylar’s, idea to gift them early for Mother’s Day (instead of my birthday next month). The clarity of cues that correctly used quality spurs offers is 🤌.. I’m only sad I didn’t wear boots to church, and opened these in the van, so I can’t try them on right away 😅😅😅.

Woody just keeps getting more and more gorgeous! He’s still looking for his confident and ambitious person to match his ...
04/25/2024

Woody just keeps getting more and more gorgeous! He’s still looking for his confident and ambitious person to match his personality, and guide him to excellence. He already excels under saddle, while still very young and moldable.

https://www.dreamhorse.com/ad/2269403.html

Taressa May Rankin

Packing up and going away with a few horses for work, even for a single night, is a lot of work.. but oh so worth it. Ha...
04/16/2024

Packing up and going away with a few horses for work, even for a single night, is a lot of work.. but oh so worth it. Haul out experiences provide such great opportunities for horses. It also usually requires us to be quite humble as trainers.. As hauling green horses into public, can maybe not be perceived as the norm for professional trainers to be seen on out and about on.. Von Holten Ranch provides an excellent, stimulating, but not completely overwhelming, welcoming environment for all levels of horses in training. I truly appreciate their facility and operation!
I was able to take Woody and Fergus, two young horses in training, along with my steady girl, Stormfly. We taught a CT2V clinic Saturday, and filled in any other time riding the training horses and socializing.
I’m still actively training, just not so actively promoting on here. 💛
Woody, pictured, is available for purchase. View his profile and updated video here:

https://www.dreamhorse.com/ad/2269403.html

04/11/2024

Anyone else, have a husband that thinks he’s funny, and you get “short” with a sharp “What?!” response sometimes..
If you can’t hear him well, he’s saying, “Excuse me, Miss. Excuse me. I have a questionnnn.”
In his defense, he has to interrupt me riding to get words in sometimes.. In my defense, many times he’s just being ornery and picking on me.. For this important interruption, he was inquiring about boat cover straps😅🤣. Side note: I didn’t have Woody setup great for a stop, but he sure did good regardless.

03/19/2024

Here’s a compilation of photos and videos of Woodrow, aka Woody, and some of his time with me in training. While it’s a long video, it’s so much shorter than it could be 😅.
Woody’s owner is planning to begin looking for his next home soon. Woody is a draft cross, specifically: Percheron, Quarter, Arabian, and Friesian. Foal date: 5/15/21. He’s gorgeous, and his mane and tail just keeping filling in more and more.

Woody is young, with a solid mind, and has experienced a good, solid, healthy start. He will line up/sidepass to a mounting block or panel to be mounted. He has ridden on dozens of trails, solo, and with others. He is very used to and okay with dogs all around (he kind of enjoys them). He understands getting off your leg, independently for forequarter and hindquarter yields, or putting them together for side passes and half passes. He can line up and stand to open gates under saddle. He can two track, and understands simple lead changes. Woody can also stop nicely by seat, and has a smooth back up. He has tracked four wheelers and been roped off of (dummies). He has dragged tires (sometimes with kids riding the tire and playing in it) at all gaits. He has been stood on multiple times, had us slide off his bottom, and just generally wollered by myself and kids, without minding at all. He has been ridden double. He bridles like a dream, and looks forward to the bit being in his mouth (the drawback is that sometimes he enjoys it so much, it takes him a second to think “softness,” because he’s mentally playing and okay with pressure☺️). He doesn’t just tolerate things, he really accepts them.. and rather enjoys watching and interacting with our family shenanigans.

Woody understands some liberty work, both on the ground and ridden. He has been ridden bridleless in the round pen, and done great, but isn’t quite mature enough for bridleless in larger areas.. He could get there with the right continued guidance. He’s a very curious horse, and a bit emotional, squealy, playful with other horses. He also has a busy mouth, that loves to chew on things (other horses tails, lead ropes, easy to reach manure forks 🤪). He’s a very confident horse, and while beginner riders and kids have ridden him safely, he will need a confident, clear communicating, handler and rider. I recommend at least three lessons with me (included).

Woody is 16.1 hands, and growing! He’s such a friendly guy, and always happy to work! He has ridden through cows several times, and would probably enjoy pushing them. He starts rides excited, and ready to go, and becomes mellow fairly soon after. He has a fun energy, that, while confidently independent, accepts guidance, and feels reliable and safe once you know him. He’s not a reactive horse, and while he understands and can be soft and responsive, he likes to ask if he has to do things: So, he needs someone that can clearly hold him accountable to what he’s capable of, while also appreciating his try. He has also started learning to lay down, and though not crisply responsive yet, he understands and will lay down when asked.

Woody had a thorough and balanced dental exam in July of ‘23, along with a chiropractic exam. He has received barefoot trims so far, and does well on various terrain (including gravel roads).

He will be in the mid five figures range. Proudly owned by Steve Atwell.

02/20/2024

Clancy’s second ride, and first ride loping. He’s already figuring out stopping and backing by seat and voice cues alone. 🥰

02/06/2024

A little funny clip I made of throwing a saddle on Woody. The camera angle doesn’t do justice to his size, but when you see my hat disappear as I go to the other side, you can get a better idea of how tall he is..

02/05/2024

Clancy’s second time with a saddle on, and second time ever asked to come over to the mounting block (1/31/24). 💛

02/01/2024

Yesterday we practiced roping the dummy from Woody for the first time. I was gifted this roping dummy, which is just so cool! Woody did so well learning something new.. I got to practice my own patience through my frustrations… And these kids of mine.. I am so grateful for them.

01/31/2024

This big, goofy guy is always super excited about getting bridled.. even when I’m clumsy with tack, and he has to practice patience. 😅🥰

01/02/2024

Playing with the young fella that’s in training. The winter layers had me lacking my normal grace (insert sarcasm 😉), but here are some fun clips from the session.

12/31/2023

Prayers for real peace and divine direction to everyone this upcoming year!
Some ways I have peace are:
-Through seeking Jesus.. From the more scheduled type interactions that help hold me accountable, to the more “in the moment” instances where the Holy Spirit comforts and guides..
-Try to freely admit to mistakes (esp to our kids), and seek to be better moving forward. It’s so nice to not have to be “right” all the time, and actually helps to build credibility to when you are in the right.
-Don’t take “it” too personal, but know when to reflect for needed personal improvement..
-Balance when to set boundaries and disconnect from unhealthy situations.
-Practice gratitude.
-Find joy in watching others do well.
-Healthy, open, productive, confrontation.. I don’t love all confrontation, but I am a direct, to-the-root, type of person.. Try to be a peace maker, not a false peace keeper.
-I listen to audiobooks.. from sci-fi crazy stuff, to sweet Christian stories, to romance, and self-help.. I’m all over with what I like to listen to.
-And last, but definitely not least, horses.. All things horses. From scooping p**p and trimming hooves, all the care taking, to training, and enjoying all weather trail rides, I love allllll the feelings. Horses require so much hard work, and planning, life structures I value. Horses also hold so much emotional purity, requiring us to really be in the moment. Many life values can be observed, learned, and applied when interacting with horses..

Here’s a simple clip from one of those peaceful, solo, cold weather trail rides.. 🩶

Happy Thanksgiving, ya’ll!I’m not that great about sharing many updates on my page, but just know, I’m thankful for your...
11/23/2023

Happy Thanksgiving, ya’ll!
I’m not that great about sharing many updates on my page, but just know, I’m thankful for your support on this journey! 💛

Hey guys! In 2016, I picked up my first two TIP Mustangs. Throughout that journey, one was so special, that I began to c...
10/16/2023

Hey guys! In 2016, I picked up my first two TIP Mustangs. Throughout that journey, one was so special, that I began to call her “Story,” as it seemed like she would have a whole book to write.

Story has since been with her loving, adoptive family, that I’ve become close friends with, over the years. She has been sooo loved.

Story recently experienced a traumatic incident (unknown cause), where she self amputated her tail. The direction and unknown costs associated with this incident lead Story to continuing her “story,” at this special rescue. If you’d like to support her treatment and direction, you can see the details attached.

Yesterday, I bartered a horse lesson for some local honey, and that is just so cool to me! 💛 🐝 🍯
10/14/2023

Yesterday, I bartered a horse lesson for some local honey, and that is just so cool to me! 💛 🐝 🍯

For the last few years, I have began working more and more with “local horses.” Mustangs are so special to me, and have ...
10/05/2023

For the last few years, I have began working more and more with “local horses.” Mustangs are so special to me, and have a special place in my heart. I absolutely love mine, and I hope to work with more wild ones, eventually. However, I drifted from wild Mustangs because I realized a practical need for good horse training with my “neighbors;” people who already had horses that needed positive direction.

It seemed more beneficial for my local horse community to invest in them, rather than bring in new horses, that the general population may or may not be ready for. I try to go with the flow of doing the “next best thing.” Sometimes it’s nice to be reassured in that direction. Plus, I’m still getting to work with some amazing horses, and some fun variety!

With that in mind, here are some messages I received this week, from two horse owners that have had their horses with me:

“Definitely driving up into that flection lookin a lot better! You are making it happen, bringing the magic! Seems you have a nak for slowin down and figuring out the stumbling block that keeps him from moving forward instead of just blowing through it, and leaving behind important life changing steps for some one else to deal with later.”

“Thank you so much, and thank you for the videos, and just for taking such great care and time with Flurry. I’m so happy how she has turned. I’m so glad Brandy hooked me up with you, because I was so done at the point!! You restored my hope, and let me know not every horse person is out to just make a buck.”

*Photo of the two very different training horses, while on a haul out camping trip, getting some exposure at Von Holten Ranch.

08/30/2023

A funny clip of when a young horse in training thinks, “What is straight? And why would we not turn and enjoy all of this beautiful grass?!” over and over. Lol.

When the handsome, 15.3, two year old fella in for training gets a bath.. 😍
08/24/2023

When the handsome, 15.3, two year old fella in for training gets a bath.. 😍

08/09/2023

The process of teaching a horse to go through a gate starts off so slow. It’s not about the gate: It’s about the communication and patience for the understanding of correct individual steps/body yielding. This was Doc, and our first time going through a “gate” together. He needed to understand taking one specific, guided, step at a time, and pausing. That’s really it. The sequence and flow comes with refinement.

Doc went home about a month ago, but I’m just now really getting internet and technology to work together where I can share better. He was such a fun horse!

07/30/2023

From dangerous, explosive, behaviors, just a couple of weeks ago.. to now loping ba****ck on a trail ride. 💛
Here is a quote from the owner, “I was so at a loss, and just so upset, and just defeated, and done, at the point she came to you, with the whole horse industry… So, thank you so much for all your help, and getting her back on track and going in the right direction… It means so much to me.”

07/20/2023

I made this training video for an owner a few weeks back. I thought I’d go ahead and share a glimpse of my process for building confidence. I wish I had started recording the video sooner, but since I didn’t, it is what it is, and can still be educational.

Flurry came to me after having been at three other trainers. The weekend before coming to me, she had done some very dangerous, explosive, behaviors with her owner, who had just picked her up from three months with her third trainer. I am her fourth trainer.

This horse’s nature seemed so calm and relaxed, that the explosive behaviors really surprised me. She had blew up on a trail ride, due to hearing a water bottle on her back, and she had nearly seriously injured her owner in another incident. With me, when ponying for the first time, she’d be ponying along super, then she’d explode up, and nearly rear over backward. This happened repeatedly. Thank God for my good pony horse (Lucy was amazing), who kept things dallied her very best, and kept Flurry from probably killing herself (Lucy holding her, kept her from rearing over backward). My hip took a serious beating.. but things like this are exactly why I pony.. even a horse that’s been at other trainers for monthssss.. Ponying, esp on trails, is a great way to see where a horse is at, their holes, their positives, etc., and it’s a practical form of health insurance for myself.

My first thought in seeing Flurry’s unpredictable behavior was “pain.” I know I can sure react sporadically when I’m hit with a sharp pain. The owner was wonderful to work with, and I scheduled a chiropractic appointment and a dental exam. Flurry was out in multiple places, and had never had a dental. She was sharp, had wolf teeth, and one was broken, which could’ve been causing extreme sudden pain. After pain was addressed, we moved on to the training aspect.

She also had major training holes. She either just didn’t know things, or she’d been taught to tolerate instead of accept and work through fears. So, while we’ve came a long ways in the last few weeks, I thought I’d go ahead and share the importance of how things are introduced initially to build confidence. If you do this correctly at first, you’re doing more than building confidence with any one “thing.” You are actually teaching your horse to trust you.. which makes introducing all new things simpler.

Leather gloves and chinks ain’t for the looks on a Missouri summer day. They’re about being prepared: to protect your bo...
07/06/2023

Leather gloves and chinks ain’t for the looks on a Missouri summer day. They’re about being prepared: to protect your body, allow you to do a better job training, and to save some heartache when necessary. It’s better to have them and not need them, than to not have them and wish ya did. ☀️

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