Help the Horse Stay Legged Up and Responsive

Hello fellow horsemen,

For the avid horse owner/ lover, our horses are never far from our thoughts. However, when faced with 100 degree temperatures, some of us find ourselves less than enthused at the idea of saddling up and going for a joy ride. We should all be mindful of the fact that in less than two months, the weather is going to break and we are all going to want to take those horses out and get to riding again.

The best shot we have at an enjoyable fall riding experience is to help the horse stay legged up and responsive throughout the year. There is a lot of training that can be done with our horses through the summer that will help the horse deal with the fall riding both mentally and physically. If you would like suggstions as to what things I recommend, blog back and ask me! I'm here.

Let's all try to have our horses a little more prepared for what we will be askng of them this fall. It will make a better riding experience for both horse and rider!

I hope you find the harmony you seek!

Mule

Spring branding at the Flake ranch

Hello friends,   To all that came out and participated in the branding, I want to thank and commend you. The cattle were handled appropriately, the attitudes were phenomenal, and the work got done with some decorum!  To all of you that didn't make it, you missed out on a beautiful and rewarding day. The branding was a tremendous success! No one was hurt, no stock was hurt and everybody became more well rounded while they had a big time!!! I especially want to thank Maggie and Bill Flake for being such gracious hosts and for entrusting myself and Jay Hillman with their spring herd work. I believe this is going to become an annual event that will soon become very talked about in this region!

Welcome 2009!

Horsemen and friends,

I hope this chilly time of year finds all of you healthy and warm. I am greatly enjoying the comforts of an indoor arena at the "Aaron Thornbrugh Horsemanship Center" in Sonora. A fellow could get spoiled pretty quick to being out of the wind! I want to thank all of you for contributing to and participating in the success of 2008. It was a tremendous year for Aaron Thornbrugh Horsemanship. As a result of the momentum built in 2008, I feel that 2009 needs to be a year of transition and advancement. I decided it is time to take my life and horsemanship beyond some of its lingering obstacles and I have taken action on that very plan in several ways.

In 2009,

• I have moved to a ranch with an indoor facility to accomodate students in daylight or dark and without regard for weather


• I have recreated the safe, beautiful round pen that some of you have enjoyed at my winslow facility


• I am adding an "A-pen" for teaching a horse defensive cow work


• I will be having longer colt starting and cow-working clinics at the ATH Center because the new facility has a "Bunk House" that will sleep 6.


• Two DVD's are going to be in production for 2009. "Colt Starting" and "Reasonable Round Penning"


• My first book is going to a publisher in January of 2009


• We are going to be kicking off a progressive, month lesson called "The Ride" in several arenas in Arkansas and Oklahoma.


• Ranch roping and stockmanship clinics have been added to the list of clinic topics.


• I will be doing an authentic spring branding at the Flake Ranch in April and a round-up and sorting at that ranch in the fall.


• We have scheduled at least two clinics per month for the entire year.


• The web-site is going to get a fresh face and the energy in it will be a reflection of our excitement for and dedication to you!


• ATH Center is going to be helping students develop their interests in Ranch Horse Versatility competitions


• I will be appearing at horse expos in various states. (These appearances will be posted on the event schedule when they are confirmed.)


• A monthly "Reata roping" practice/ competition is in development for the ATH Center's 200'x300' outdoor arena


• And I am going to be continuing my pursuit of "The making of a bridle horse" by going out to Helena, Montana to spend time with Californio bridle horseman Dave Weaver and his wife Gwynn Turnbull Weaver in July. (I am a student as well!)

It is going to be an exciting and progressive year for Aaron Thornbrugh Horsemanship and all who participate in it. I am anxious to see what 2009 has in store for us all!

I hope you find the harmony you seek!

Mule

Great First Ride

The new facility in Springdale was certainly off to a great start in 2009 with a wonderful group of riders and friends who enjoyed a super potluck lunch, a fun trail ride and working some cattle. The group photo shows 17 riders and there were several others lined up along the fence engrossed in conversation who did not get into the photo. I believe we had a good 25 riders and several others joined the fun who didn't happen to bring horses. Thanks to all who came out for a wonderful day, we were blessed with unseasonably warm weather and it was just great to meet so many new friends and ride with several old friends. We hope your new year got off to as great a start as ours did! More details about the new facility and upcoming events will be posted soon! ~ Laurie