And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full (1 John 1:4).
Friday, June 26, 2009
Jordan Valley Horse Expo 2009
And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; (Exo 35:31) And he hath put in his heart that he may teach...(Exo 35:34).
Wade has been given gifts in understanding and knowledge of horsemanship, far above the average cowboy or horse person. These skills are gifts from God, and are to be used for the benefit of others.
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:10, NIV).
Wade is also a natural teacher. He recently got the opportunity to instruct a horsemanship clinic at the Jordan Valley (Oregon) Horse Expo. Ann Rutan is the South Mountain Cowboys 4-H Club leader, and did a fantastic job organizing the Horse Expo. The free program included educational presentations made by a horse chiropractor, a veterinarian, brand inspectors, and a horseshoer. There was even an awesome tri-tip dinner for all to enjoy!!
In the evening, Wade and John Schutte co-taught a horsemanship clinic that included both basic principles from the "Foundation for Perfection," and cow working for the more advanced riders. A great time was had by all the participants and many lessons learned!
Thank you God for giving us the gifts to serve you.
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it (Ps 90:17).
(Thanks to Ann for being our special Owyhee Country correspondent!)
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| Photo by Ann Black Rutan |
Wade has been given gifts in understanding and knowledge of horsemanship, far above the average cowboy or horse person. These skills are gifts from God, and are to be used for the benefit of others.
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:10, NIV).
 |
| Photo by Ann Black Rutan |
Wade is also a natural teacher. He recently got the opportunity to instruct a horsemanship clinic at the Jordan Valley (Oregon) Horse Expo. Ann Rutan is the South Mountain Cowboys 4-H Club leader, and did a fantastic job organizing the Horse Expo. The free program included educational presentations made by a horse chiropractor, a veterinarian, brand inspectors, and a horseshoer. There was even an awesome tri-tip dinner for all to enjoy!!
In the evening, Wade and John Schutte co-taught a horsemanship clinic that included both basic principles from the "Foundation for Perfection," and cow working for the more advanced riders. A great time was had by all the participants and many lessons learned!
 |
| Clinic participants - Photo by Ann Black Rutan |
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| John Schutte teaching cow work - Photo by Ann Black Rutan |
Thank you God for giving us the gifts to serve you.
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it (Ps 90:17).
(Thanks to Ann for being our special Owyhee Country correspondent!)
Labels: discipleship, horsemanship, Wade
Friday, May 22, 2009
On the Road for the Summer
Wade and Amaia are in Idaho for the summer. They loaded up nine (yup, nine!) horses and headed to Homedale, which will be their base "camp." Here's Wade checking out all the features on the "new" trailer he bought. Looks like they're ready to hit all the brandings and do some day work!One of the first stops was the Jordan Valley "Big Loop" rodeo. Wade was up Friday afternoon in team roping and Big Loop (horse roping). Ty was there as well. They all enjoyed the chance to see friends and family, and catch-up after a busy winter of hard work.
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| Photo by Ann Black Rutan |
Wade has a particular call to minister and witness for Jesus Christ at rodeos and to cowboys. He has God-given gifts of horsemanship, roping, and bronc riding that allow him to travel and meet many who might not step foot in a church. Here is his expanation of his calling.
The Lord opened my eyes and showed me a vision concerning the hearts of the men behind the bucking chutes. The Lord showed me how many of them had received a little spark for Him, but the spark had never been fanned giving it the opportunity to grow. He told me to "fan the flame." The Holy Spirit is like a mighty wind and will bring life to a tiny spark, igniting an all-consuming fire. As the Lord began to speak to me giving me direction for my life, I became sanctified by the word of God, "For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer" (1 Tim 4:5), and empowered by the Holy Spirit. "For you shall receive power after the Holy Ghost has come upon you" (Acts 1:8).
God has not called me to preach the Gospel, but to demonstrate the Gospel. I am only called to prepare the way for the Teacher. I am called to help people come into the fullness of the New Covenant and be taught by God. I am called to introduce people to the Holy Spirit and God has showed me He will do the rest. Just like a person must prepare a colt before he can start to communicate with them, I am called to show people how to prepare themselves so that they may start communicating with God. God wants to communicate with us, we just need to be "willing" and then able. It is so simple; the same things that hold us back from communicating with our horse are the things that hold us back from communicating with God.
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| Photo by Ann Black Rutan |
We are all directed to be ministers of Christ, each in his own way, according to his own gift, "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (1Pe 4:10-11).
Labels: bronc riding, discipleship, horsemanship, Ty, Wade
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Branding
Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep....(Exo 9:3).
One of our favorite "chores" is branding. Friends and neighbors come to help, and we get to have a part social, part recreational day while getting the needed work done.
Branding starts with gathering all the cows and calves, and then sorting the calves away from the cows. Sorting is fun work when it's done horseback. We run the cows through the chute and vaccinate them. Then the branding fire is started up, cinches checked, ropes uncoiled and swung, and the branding begins.
Branding is important, not only for the brand, which is the only legal identification for cattle, but also for the vaccines that the calves get. Waiting too long to brand can result in some sickness in calves that haven't been vaccinated yet. This year we kept having to put branding off due to wet, snowy, and rainy weather. You can't brand a calf if it is wet! Fortunately we haven't had much sickness in the calves, so the delay didn't seem to hurt. We finally got a beautiful, sunny day.
Since we had waited a while to brand, some of the calves were pretty big. Heading and heeling worked well for the bigger calves, and reduced the amount of help needed on the ground. Calves that were smaller were heeled. Two "wrestlers" on the ground were needed for the calves that were heeled. Each calf got two vaccines and any other individual attention it needed, along with its permanent brand.
Good horsemanship on the part of the ropers is important. That means watching the calf carefully and slipping your dally if it starts to choke. Being able to move your horse in any direction willingly is also important, for the welfare of the calves, but also to avoid a collision with the ground crew.
There is really much more to good horsemanship at a branding than you might imagine. Stockmanship by the ground crew is critical. Making sure that each calf gets all of the shots it needs, and that they are administered correctly, is important. Being able to work quickly so that the calves are not restrained any longer than necessary is also part of the ground crew's job.
Proper branding etiquette involves each roper also taking a turn "wrestling" or being part of the ground crew. That way everyone who wants to gets a chance to do the fun job, and improve their horsemanship skills and their horse.
Branding is fun, and would be impossible without neighbors and friends being willing to help! This makes me think of Paul's instructions to us about working together and helping one another.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another (Rom 12:10). That there should be no schism in the body; but the members should have the same care one for another (1Co 12:25). Nothing through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others (Php 2:3-4).
One of our favorite "chores" is branding. Friends and neighbors come to help, and we get to have a part social, part recreational day while getting the needed work done.
Branding starts with gathering all the cows and calves, and then sorting the calves away from the cows. Sorting is fun work when it's done horseback. We run the cows through the chute and vaccinate them. Then the branding fire is started up, cinches checked, ropes uncoiled and swung, and the branding begins.
Branding is important, not only for the brand, which is the only legal identification for cattle, but also for the vaccines that the calves get. Waiting too long to brand can result in some sickness in calves that haven't been vaccinated yet. This year we kept having to put branding off due to wet, snowy, and rainy weather. You can't brand a calf if it is wet! Fortunately we haven't had much sickness in the calves, so the delay didn't seem to hurt. We finally got a beautiful, sunny day.
Since we had waited a while to brand, some of the calves were pretty big. Heading and heeling worked well for the bigger calves, and reduced the amount of help needed on the ground. Calves that were smaller were heeled. Two "wrestlers" on the ground were needed for the calves that were heeled. Each calf got two vaccines and any other individual attention it needed, along with its permanent brand.
Good horsemanship on the part of the ropers is important. That means watching the calf carefully and slipping your dally if it starts to choke. Being able to move your horse in any direction willingly is also important, for the welfare of the calves, but also to avoid a collision with the ground crew.
There is really much more to good horsemanship at a branding than you might imagine. Stockmanship by the ground crew is critical. Making sure that each calf gets all of the shots it needs, and that they are administered correctly, is important. Being able to work quickly so that the calves are not restrained any longer than necessary is also part of the ground crew's job.
Proper branding etiquette involves each roper also taking a turn "wrestling" or being part of the ground crew. That way everyone who wants to gets a chance to do the fun job, and improve their horsemanship skills and their horse.Branding is fun, and would be impossible without neighbors and friends being willing to help! This makes me think of Paul's instructions to us about working together and helping one another.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another (Rom 12:10). That there should be no schism in the body; but the members should have the same care one for another (1Co 12:25). Nothing through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others (Php 2:3-4).
Labels: Amaia, God, horsemanship, Wade
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Foundation to Finish Clinics
Beginning summer 2009, Training for the Cross will offer custom clinics combining Horsemanship and Discipleship training. We are willing to travel to your location to organize and present the "Foundation to Finish" program tailored to your specific needs.
If you would like to discuss the potential of a "Foundation to Finish" clinic for your barn, ranch, group or association, please contact us at Training for the Cross.
If you would like to discuss the potential of a "Foundation to Finish" clinic for your barn, ranch, group or association, please contact us at Training for the Cross.
Labels: Amaia, discipleship, God, horsemanship, Ray Hunt, Ty, Wade, worship
Friday, April 17, 2009
Finding My Line......
 | Photo by Sean Sperry/Bozeman Chronicle |
On the occasion of passing my comprehensive exam and thesis defense for my MS degree in Equine Science, I thought I would reflect on my thinking at the time I applied for the MS program, and on what's to come in the future. Here's the essay I wrote to accompany my application to graduate school.
Historically, higher education is not something that my family has strived to achieve. I am a sixth generation rancher from southwest Idaho, and I come from a long line of distinguished horsemen. I have been raised on ranches and horses have not only been a valuable tool for my family but part of our livelihood. My great-grandfather ran more than 1,000 head of brood mares and the Black family has always taken pride in raising quality horses. My maternal grandfather took pride in riding quality horses as well and has had a substantial impact on the equine industry. It has always been a desire of mine to follow in my family's footsteps. Not only is the equine field something that I am familiar and comfortable with, it is part of the fiber that makes me the person I am.Times have certainly changed from my grandfathers' and father's eras when it comes to the need for higher education. The equine field has shifted from agricultural to recreational. The opportunities for an individual with higher education in the equine field far exceed those that were available to past generations. Both my maternal grandfather and my father have traveled around the world educating people about their horses. Education is something that has always been a passion of mine. It has only been recently, however, that I have discovered I can take this passion and teach something that I have always loved.
I came to Montana State University on a rodeo scholarship and enrolled in the Equine Science program. I admit my initial incentive was primarily based on rodeo opportunities rather than academic goals. However, it did not take long in the Equine Science program to discover that I had made the correct decision, regardless of my original motivation. The Equine Science program offered me something far more valuable than athletic competition in rodeo ever could. The education I received from the program far exceeded my expectations and it was through the program that I discovered the possibility of teaching as a career.
Teaching is something that I have always loved to do and have been told I have a natural tendency for. Whether it was helping someone with homework, demonstrating a wrestling move, or showing someone a rope trick, I have always enjoyed the role of a teacher. However, before coming to MSU I didn't think teaching would ever become my career. After coming to MSU and taking classes in Equine Science, I realized I have discovered an area that I enjoyed learning about enough to make it a lifetime career in some capacity. I am also enjoying the opportunities I have been granted to teach a few classes at the univeristy level. Through teaching these classes I have discovered the equation for my future career: My passion for education and my innate love of the equine field create a career path I can follow for a lifetime.
So, now that I've passed this milestone on my path, where do I go now? I am going to tell you a little secret that the Lord showed me about how easy it is to find God's will for our life. I hope you are ready for this; it is the easiest concept and yet the most difficult task I have found in my life so far. Here is the secret to finding God's will for our life: Quit looking to where you think God wants you in the future and start looking to where God wants you today. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (KJV). Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (NIV, Matthew 6:33-34).
Historically, higher education is not something that my family has strived to achieve. I am a sixth generation rancher from southwest Idaho, and I come from a long line of distinguished horsemen. I have been raised on ranches and horses have not only been a valuable tool for my family but part of our livelihood. My great-grandfather ran more than 1,000 head of brood mares and the Black family has always taken pride in raising quality horses. My maternal grandfather took pride in riding quality horses as well and has had a substantial impact on the equine industry. It has always been a desire of mine to follow in my family's footsteps. Not only is the equine field something that I am familiar and comfortable with, it is part of the fiber that makes me the person I am.
I came to Montana State University on a rodeo scholarship and enrolled in the Equine Science program. I admit my initial incentive was primarily based on rodeo opportunities rather than academic goals. However, it did not take long in the Equine Science program to discover that I had made the correct decision, regardless of my original motivation. The Equine Science program offered me something far more valuable than athletic competition in rodeo ever could. The education I received from the program far exceeded my expectations and it was through the program that I discovered the possibility of teaching as a career.
Teaching is something that I have always loved to do and have been told I have a natural tendency for. Whether it was helping someone with homework, demonstrating a wrestling move, or showing someone a rope trick, I have always enjoyed the role of a teacher. However, before coming to MSU I didn't think teaching would ever become my career. After coming to MSU and taking classes in Equine Science, I realized I have discovered an area that I enjoyed learning about enough to make it a lifetime career in some capacity. I am also enjoying the opportunities I have been granted to teach a few classes at the univeristy level. Through teaching these classes I have discovered the equation for my future career: My passion for education and my innate love of the equine field create a career path I can follow for a lifetime.
So, now that I've passed this milestone on my path, where do I go now? I am going to tell you a little secret that the Lord showed me about how easy it is to find God's will for our life. I hope you are ready for this; it is the easiest concept and yet the most difficult task I have found in my life so far. Here is the secret to finding God's will for our life: Quit looking to where you think God wants you in the future and start looking to where God wants you today. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (KJV). Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (NIV, Matthew 6:33-34).
Labels: God, horsemanship, Ray Hunt, Wade
Monday, March 30, 2009
Prayer for Ray Hunt
I read this prayer at my grandfather's funeral in Texas.
Lord,
We gather here today to celebrate the life of Ray Hunt. As we come together for this celebration I would like to thank You for the many gifts you have provided for the occasion. I thank You for the gifts you gave my grandpa that he was able to share with the world. Gifts applied to horses but applicable to life as well. Through Grandpa's teachings, people around the world saw how man and horse could truly become one, and I thank You for this gift. I thank You also for the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ that through His death and resurrection and believing in Him, man and God can also truly become one.
I thank You for the gift of feel, timing, and balance You gave my grandpa to show the world, the gift that could never be comprehended by head knowledge but had to be experienced between man and horse. Through this feel, timing, and balance man can communicate with the horse and keep them in our perfect will. I also thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit that too can never be comprehended by head knowledge but has to be experienced between man and God. Through the Holy Spirit we may learn to feel of You and learn to stay in Your perfect will.
Lord, I thank You for my grandpa and the gifts he leaves behind for me and for the world. I thank You that his teachings not only taught me how to feel of the horse and to have unity with the horse, but also taught me how to feel of You and to have unity with You.
I thank You for the many gifted people that have gathered here today to celebrate the life of Ray Hunt. I pray that these people would learn from my grandpa's teachings, what You have taught me. That is, the gift of applying Tom Dorrance's and Ray Hunt's teachings to their life and to experience "True Unity and Willing Communication between God and Man."
I thank You for my grandpa, Oh Lord.
I pray these things in Jesus' Holy name.
Amen.
Labels: God, horsemanship, prayer, Wade
Monday, March 2, 2009
Ye are of God, little children....
and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).We had a great first Training for the Cross horsemanship event! Despite a chilly evening, the attendees enjoyed Wade's parables used to explain how to start eliminating resistance, and get their horses to willingly submit their driving factors.
Wade started with a brief description of his "Foundation for Perfection" program, and included many side by side comparisons of the relationship between our horse and us, and the relationship between us and God. He stressed that the three causes of resistance were self-preservation, lack of communication, and disobedience. And that both we and our horses are driven by self-preservation, and seeking comfort and companionship.
The riders started with ground exercises to begin learning the mechanical aspect of a Solid Foundation of Maneuvers. All participants did a great job of learning and practicing Stage 1, stopping forward motion and pivoting around the inside front foot. Stage 1 is the first step towards willing submission by the horse, where after initial contact, the horse willingly performs a task on a loose rein, and with no leg pressure.
Wade demonstrated total submission in his horse by laying the horse down completely, and compared it to our total submission to God. He pointed out the Greek word "worship" means to prostrate oneself before God.
The Sunday evening horsemanship meeting is going to be a regular event! Sundays at 6 pm, Wade will be available to help you with your horse at Kountz Arena. We hope to see you there! A big "Thank you!" to the Kountz family for the use of their arena!
Labels: horsemanship, Jan
Thursday, February 26, 2009
First Horsemanship Event of 2009
This Sunday, March 1st will be the first TFTC horsemanship event for 2009. Wade will teach the "Foundation for Perfection - Learning to Eliminate Resistance When Doing a Job" program for working with horses. The program will begin at 6 pm at Kountz Arena on Stucky Road in Bozeman, MT. Afterwards there will be time for fellowship and to hear a brief introduction to the "40 Days to the Trainer" bible study program. Bring your horse for a great experience! We'd love to see you there!
Labels: horsemanship