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Briana Lafleur Founder of TLC Horse Services Professional farrier service and horse training Granbury, TX phone: 774.573.5760 email: briana.lafleur21@gmail.com Visit on Facebook: Briana Lafleur or TLC Horse Services |
BRIANA LAFLEUR
My name is Briana Lafleur and I am originally from Blackstone, Massachusetts. I have always loved horses and have always been fascinated with communicating with horses and developing a respectful relationship with them. I have been working with horses since I was 8 years old and it was during this time that I learned the basics of horsemanship. I started training horses when I was 17 years old and have attended many training seminars taught by world renowned trainers including Clinton Anderson. Through the years, I have competed in various disciplines including barrel racing, reining and endurance races including a 75 miles endurance event. I have always loved the thrill and excitement of competing but my true passion is starting colts and training “problem” horses for clients. I am a firm believer in the idea that every horse you work with teaches you something new and I thrive on learning from each horse I ride. Almost four years ago, I moved to Texas where I earned my certificate in Advance Farrier Science. After completing the program, I started my own business, TLC Horse Services, currently operating out of Granbury, Texas. Through TLC Horse Services, I offer my clients professional farrier service, horse sales, and, of course, professional horse training. Over the last several years, I have been very fortunate to have met some wonderful people and horses through TLC Horse Services and I am very proud to call them clients. Editor's Note: I first saw Briana perform at the 2016 Fort Worth, TX Extreme Mustang Makeover finals. Her performance was exciting, and the partnership she developed with her mustang was both apparent and uplifting. I wrote about Briana's performance in the October Issue of Wild Heart Mustangs™ - as she is the first person to make the top 10 finals as a trainer new to mustangs. Although Buttercup was her first mustang to train, I would bet he will not be her last.
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TLC MAKES WILD MUSTANG SHINE
by Briana Lafleur
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I have looked forward to participating in the Extreme Mustang Makeover since the first time I saw the event when I was about 15 years old. Since then, I have been gaining considerable experience in horse training and I was waiting for the “right time” to compete in the event.
When I moved to Texas four years ago, I began to plan my journey in establishing myself in the horse training industry by starting my business, TLC Horse Services, Since then, I have worked with many horse owners and trained many horses and continue to improve my skills and knowledge of horse behavior. While the Extreme Mustang Makeover event remained high on my priority list, it wasn’t until last year that I decided that I was going to do it; I would compete in the next Extreme Mustang Makeover. I eagerly filled out the application in January 2016 after watching the show in Fort Worth, TX. I was certainly not sure what to expect or how the judges scored or what it was like to train a wild Mustang. But, I was ready for the challenge and I was ready to focus all my energy in preparing for the event. So I cleared my schedule and started to prepare to receive the Mustang. |
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When I picked up my Mustang, who was soon to become known as “Buttercup”, I was surprised at how skinny and tall he was. Once I got Buttercup home, I began to implement the TLC Horse Training program. I began with round penning him the first day and, surprisingly, I found that he was very willing and cooperative and was looking for a leader. Within the first 10 minutes of his formal training schedule, I was able to touch him and we bonded instantly. Within the first couple of hours, I was mounting his back. On the second day, I was able to saddle him. We continued round penning exercises and by the fourth day I was confident that Buttercup was ready for a rider. I mounted him bareback and Buttercup accepted me willingly on his back and we simply walked off. From then on our relationship continued to grow. We worked on Buttercup becoming “soft” and “supple” and I encouraged him to continue with his willing nature. As his training continued and as I continued to prepare for the Extreme Mustang Makeover event, we began to visit several horse events including barrel races and trail rides. No matter what I did with Buttercup, he was always willing: he always remained motivated, interested and always displayed a positive attitude. |
Finally, it was time to compete. Buttercup performed exactly the way we prepared and he gave me 100 percent effort. The relationship that we nurtured through his training allowed him to trust me to guide him through all the Maneuvers and Trail Obstacles despite my own nervousness. We worked together and we were very excited to make it to the top 10. Our freestyle program was one of the most exciting experiences of my life and truly a dream come true for me. In the end, I was so incredibly proud of Buttercup! He is such an incredible horse and we created such a wonderful bond during his training that I knew I couldn’t let him go!
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Briana Lafleur and Buttercup performing their freestyle at the Fort Worth, TX Extreme Mustang Makeover 2016
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When it came to auction time, I was more nervous about losing Buttercup than I was going into the freestyle portion of the event. I was beyond proud of Buttercup and I wanted to take him back home where I knew he belonged. I wanted us to continue our horse show experiences and I wanted to showcase a Mustang at a higher level. Unfortunately, I had a budget and I was hoping that it would be enough. I became even more nervous when I discovered that a person in the auction audience wanted to buy Buttercup. The person in the audience raised buttercup’s price to $4500 and I was hoping that the person reached his limit. I was very emotional and nervous at this point but I gave it one last shot and made what I knew would be my last bid. To my surprise and relief, my last bid allowed me to own Buttercup. The entire experience turned out to be beyond a perfect weekend and I was thrilled! |
Briana just won the bid to take Buttercup home with her!
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The Extreme Mustang Makeover event was, by far, one of the most incredible and rewarding experiences I have ever had. I have learned so much from my Mustang Buttercup and I was thrilled to be able to show everybody what we have learned together. I was surprised and I am honored to be recognized as the only person in the top 10 who has never competed in the event previously.
I have big plans for me and Buttercup including stock shows and some extreme Cowboy races. I also hope to compete in colt starting competitons as well as in the Mustang Magic event. I hope that these future events will allow myself to continue to improve and to advance in the horse training industry.
I have big plans for me and Buttercup including stock shows and some extreme Cowboy races. I also hope to compete in colt starting competitons as well as in the Mustang Magic event. I hope that these future events will allow myself to continue to improve and to advance in the horse training industry.
TRAINER TIP QUESTION
A READER ASKS A TIP Horse Question:
Hello,
I am currently working with a 6-year old gelding as a TIP horse. He is the 6th mustang I have gentled. Advice please? He was super protective of his left side. I couldn't get near that side for weeks. Now he will let me approach and touch both sides, neck to hip, but not totally relaxed and is still protective over his head and face. He has yet to sniff me (or any ropes, or the stick and strick) or face me directly unless I am at least 4-5 feet away. When leading from his left, he won't walk behind me. He will follow easily without pressure but side passes the wole way. If I walk to the other side, he will follow a few feet away, but it is more beside me. He does not want to walk behind me; if I am in front of him directly, he pulls back or spins to move away. He yields at any pressure of the rope, but does this at liberty and on line. He is getting ore relaxed, but I am starting to wonder what I am doing wrong. He has never been forced in any way. I have reduced the round pen to a 30 foot one. It has been 8 weeks as of today. Suggestions? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks for your time.
- B. Lopez
Rob West, Trainer ANSWERS:
It sounds as if this horse was not high on the totem pole as far as the pecking order goes when it was in a herd. The fear of walking behind you, is probably due to not wanting to be kicked. A less dominant horse will avoid situations where it has itself put in danger and has learned to evade any possible confrontations.
Some Mustangs just take a longer time to warm up to you then others do. It doesn't sound like you're doing anything wrong. One Mustang I worked with named Belle, allowed me to fully saddle her even though I had never gotten a halter on her or touched her face. Sometimes the best thing to do is to work on their strong points and eventually their weak points will come around too.
I would suggest giving the horse a lot of commands rapidly. Turn left, then turn right, then back up, then go forward only for a few seconds at each command. Also use poles on the ground. You really want the horse have to think about the commands that you're giving at a rapid pace so that you keep the horse's mind busy. It's a distraction method so that the horse will let his guard down eventually. He will become so busy trying to follow your commands at such a rapid pace and the next thing you know you can touch the face once or twice just a quick brush at first. Try to turn the horse in a circle and disengage the hindquarters to both sides. While the horse is busy working you will be able to touch the horse more freely while it focuses more on the job you're asking it to do instead of the fact that you're touching it.
As you work the horse more and more and the tests you give the horse become more and more of a chore, you'll find that he will start to move in closer and closer to you and see you more as the herd leader. The next thing you will begin to see is the horse will ask you for permission to take breaks by stopping. When the horse stops it's asking you a question. "Can I rest now?" It's important the first few times this happens to urge him forward and say, "No you cannot rest now." After a few times of saying "no", say "yes". This will build more and more respect for you as the leader. At some point you will see the horse come in and let it's guard down and drop its head. This will be a sign of respect for you that that horse trusts you and feels protected by you. Good luck and keep up the great work!
To contact Rob West, visit his Facebook page at Rob West Equine Development or Rob West
Wild West Farms
Located in Long Island, New York
phone: 631.793.6345
email: nautiline@hotmail.com
Hello,
I am currently working with a 6-year old gelding as a TIP horse. He is the 6th mustang I have gentled. Advice please? He was super protective of his left side. I couldn't get near that side for weeks. Now he will let me approach and touch both sides, neck to hip, but not totally relaxed and is still protective over his head and face. He has yet to sniff me (or any ropes, or the stick and strick) or face me directly unless I am at least 4-5 feet away. When leading from his left, he won't walk behind me. He will follow easily without pressure but side passes the wole way. If I walk to the other side, he will follow a few feet away, but it is more beside me. He does not want to walk behind me; if I am in front of him directly, he pulls back or spins to move away. He yields at any pressure of the rope, but does this at liberty and on line. He is getting ore relaxed, but I am starting to wonder what I am doing wrong. He has never been forced in any way. I have reduced the round pen to a 30 foot one. It has been 8 weeks as of today. Suggestions? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks for your time.
- B. Lopez
Rob West, Trainer ANSWERS:
It sounds as if this horse was not high on the totem pole as far as the pecking order goes when it was in a herd. The fear of walking behind you, is probably due to not wanting to be kicked. A less dominant horse will avoid situations where it has itself put in danger and has learned to evade any possible confrontations.
Some Mustangs just take a longer time to warm up to you then others do. It doesn't sound like you're doing anything wrong. One Mustang I worked with named Belle, allowed me to fully saddle her even though I had never gotten a halter on her or touched her face. Sometimes the best thing to do is to work on their strong points and eventually their weak points will come around too.
I would suggest giving the horse a lot of commands rapidly. Turn left, then turn right, then back up, then go forward only for a few seconds at each command. Also use poles on the ground. You really want the horse have to think about the commands that you're giving at a rapid pace so that you keep the horse's mind busy. It's a distraction method so that the horse will let his guard down eventually. He will become so busy trying to follow your commands at such a rapid pace and the next thing you know you can touch the face once or twice just a quick brush at first. Try to turn the horse in a circle and disengage the hindquarters to both sides. While the horse is busy working you will be able to touch the horse more freely while it focuses more on the job you're asking it to do instead of the fact that you're touching it.
As you work the horse more and more and the tests you give the horse become more and more of a chore, you'll find that he will start to move in closer and closer to you and see you more as the herd leader. The next thing you will begin to see is the horse will ask you for permission to take breaks by stopping. When the horse stops it's asking you a question. "Can I rest now?" It's important the first few times this happens to urge him forward and say, "No you cannot rest now." After a few times of saying "no", say "yes". This will build more and more respect for you as the leader. At some point you will see the horse come in and let it's guard down and drop its head. This will be a sign of respect for you that that horse trusts you and feels protected by you. Good luck and keep up the great work!
To contact Rob West, visit his Facebook page at Rob West Equine Development or Rob West
Wild West Farms
Located in Long Island, New York
phone: 631.793.6345
email: nautiline@hotmail.com
READER CONTRIBUTION
Karrie B. from Maine was kind enough to share pictures of her adorable donkeys. Thanks for sharing, Karrie and for letting readers know about Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue.
The whole herd getting to know each other
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Rose and Candace were Karrie's original mini donkeys. Then Karrie fell in love with Shatzy and Charlie and adopted them from Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue in NH.
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Shatzy and Charlie - look at those loving faces! Now that they are living with Karrie, they have a forever home filled with love and kindness.
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Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue - New England's only 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit Donkey and Mule Rescue
23 Saw Mill Road, South Acworth, NH, 03607 (603) 835-2971
Visit on Facebook - "Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue"
Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue was incorporated as a 501-(c)(3), non-profit organization in 2007. We are dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing of donkeys and mules in need. By providing educational opportunities that increase awareness of the human/animal bond as well as the specific needs of long ears, SYA is able to improve the lives of donkeys and mules everywhere.
23 Saw Mill Road, South Acworth, NH, 03607 (603) 835-2971
Visit on Facebook - "Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue"
Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue was incorporated as a 501-(c)(3), non-profit organization in 2007. We are dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing of donkeys and mules in need. By providing educational opportunities that increase awareness of the human/animal bond as well as the specific needs of long ears, SYA is able to improve the lives of donkeys and mules everywhere.
Proud of your special mustang, burro, mule or donkey and want to share your photos and stories with us? We would love to have them!
Go to our CONTACT page and email them to us!
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