WELCOME TO FLYIN' B RANCH

Flying B Horsemanship, who is it? What is it? Flying B Horsemanship was started by Mike Branch who was already operating a successful colt starting facility, but realized the need for more communication of the horse language he calls “Speaking Equus”, that needed to be passed on to the horse owners. Mike did show occasionally and even though he placed well and his daughter won the overall youth championship at the saddle club they belonged to. Mike witnessed many practices that were unethical and very demeaning to the dignity of the horse. Mike was also told by judges that because of a horse’s age they could not ride in a bosal or even a snaffle bit that the horse had to have a shanked bit even though the horse had not reached the development of true self carriage. Mike disagrees with this practice; he believes that any bit that is a leverage device is too harsh on a horse’s mouth unless they (the horse) have learned to carry itself in self carriage. But since those are the rules, then those are the rules, Mike has left the show ring. Since that time Jeanine Lowry, founder of the American Association of Natural Horsemen, has asked Mike Branch to serve on the board of directors, and also carry the role or title of Product Specialist. Mike is very happy to serve the community of “natural horsemanship” practice as he always keeps the dignity and fairness of treatment of the Equus in the forefront of his mind. Through the American Association of natural Horsemen, Mike will soon return to the show ring.

Mike Branch was also displeased with the practices of some trainers, and or the truthfulness of the so called training, so he began his own training facility, where he could do hands on training himself, where he has trained many different breeds of horses and uses the love and heartfelt affection with each horse, and no matter the breed Mike uses his method of “Equine Communication” on each horse developing both bond, and partnership with the horse, he then tries to cause the owners to understand what he has done and encourage them to continue this development. Since this development Mike has started horses and trained for notable Doctors, Veterinarians, and the “Hunter Jumper” coach for the University of Tennessee.

Mike has also done a lot of work for the department of the interior/ bureau of land management wild horse and burro program, where he wears many hats. Mike has fostered mustangs to be adopted out to other owners. Mike also serves as a BLM compliance agent, and travels as much as he can to do demonstrations with wild horses’ and burros at adoption sites, where he gentles horses’ and burros for the public and lectures on how and what to look for when selecting a wild horse. He is also very communicative to the public about what he is doing and why, while he is working with the wild horses. Mike usually has about one hour with each horse and many times has already had a saddle on the horse, and the horse accepting Mike’s leadership. Mike said one of most memorable experiences was a three year old gelding that was deemed “crazy” by an adopter and turned back in. Mike had the Mustang resting its head in his chest in thirty minutes. You can find his schedule on his web site if you are interested in coming to watch or adopt a wild horse or burro of your own.

Mike Branch also offers clinics on “Equine Communication”, as well as colt start clinics called “getting Started Naturally; your colts first ride”, and “Getting Started Naturally; taking the next step”, which is designed for the green colt just making the transition from the round pen to a larger area. Mike has also written a book on the “Getting Started Naturally; your colts first ride”, as well as produced a DVD to go along with the book, so that not only can you read about it but can see what Mike is talking about and visa versa. Mike Branch is currently writing a second follow up book on “taking the next step”. Mary Ann Kennedy singer song writer from the Nashville TN area has graciously given Mike music to use for his DVD’s.

Mike Branch also saw the need for more affordable “natural horsemanship” equipment, so he developed his own company where the same quality gear is being made as the more famous trainers use but with a much friendlier consumer price tag. In his line of equipment Mike has developed the “Easy Stick” (which idea was given him by his brother Jay, an avid golfer). The “Easy Stick” is made from carbon instead of the much cheaper, heavier and weaker fiberglass used by most trainers in today’s market, and yet he still is able to sell them at a lower price. Mike saw the need for this stick when many of his students had to use both hands on their fiberglass sticks. Also the fiberglass was causing people to get sharves of fiberglass in their hands.

Joe and Yvette Mann owners of a campground located near Jamestown TN on the Big South Fork National Recreational Area has seen the potential of having Mike at their campground to hold clinics and to judge riders on their “Trail Challenge” course, which is very similar to the popular “extreme cowboy race”. You may check out the web for schedules on those events.

Mike Branch was asked “American Saddlery” to design a saddle to fit what his practice would call for. Mike was very grateful to American Saddlery for this opportunity. Mike started with an “A fork” solid wood tree covered in rawhide. He selected the “A fork” because he says that is what the cowboys of the late eighteen hundreds used on the great cattle drives and would sit their horses for twelve to fourteen hours a day for three months at a time and we do not read about much lameness in that era. After the tree Mike went with some similarities of the more modern “Wade” tree saddle, but made sure to take away some of the skirt by bringing it up higher and cutting it away some under the stirrup fenders for closer contact with the horse. Mike also asked to have exposed stirrup leathers which he feels gives the saddle a more “classic” look, he also said that especially for safety issues to have the stirrup leathers pre turned so you can easily mount and slide your foot right into the stirrups. Mike also made sure to have all the keepers necessary, the front left for the extra latigo, the rear left for hobble straps, the right front for the heart girth, and a rear right keeper for the belly girth. There really are more features on this saddle that we do not have time to mention here you will be able to see pictures of this saddle on Mike’s web site, or the live version at any of his clinics, or at an American saddlery dealer near you.

Besides American Saddlery, world renowned Grand Prix level dressage rider and winner Karen Rohlf, has asked Mike branch to develop a new and unique set of reins that would blend natural horsemanship and traditional dressage. Karen Rohlf has also viewed Mike’s DVD and said that Mike is confident, knowledgeable, and yet humble.
 

Thank You,
Mike Branch
~ Flyin B ~