Training for the Cross - Blog
Monday, July 5, 2010
A New Thought Process
No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better (Luke 5:39).
What is the Problem?
"I can't get my horse to do........A job."
Two ways to solve the problem:
*Fewer Problems and No Resistance because the horse wants to do the job and understands how to do it.
Exerpt from Wade Black's book "Returning to Eden."
Stay tuned for future posts on Willing/Unwilling Submission, the 3 Causes of Resistance, the 4 Factors to Eliminate Resistance, and the Solid Foundation of Maneuvers.
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| Wade Black, Alvord Ranch |
What is the Problem?
"I can't get my horse to do........A job."
Two ways to solve the problem:
| 1 – Traditional way | 2 – Alternative way |
| How can I make my horse do the job? | How can I help my horse do the job? |
| *Slave Mentality | *Partnership Mentality |
| How can I make him do the job? | Why does he not want to do the job? |
| Focus on... | Focus on... |
| 1) Foundation of Maneuvers | 1) Willing Submission |
| 2) Direction and Life | 2) Good Communication |
| 3) Driving Factors | |
| How can I move the horse's head and neck, shoulders, and hindquarters in the direction I want, with the speed that I want in order to accomplish the job? | Why does the horse not want to do the job and what can I do differently to help him want to do the job? |
| Focused on Job Completion | Focused on True Unity (Perfection) |
| Run the risk of unwilling submission which leads to... | How can I help him do the job? |
| 1) Lack of communication 2) Self-preservation 3) Disobedience | Once the horse has willingly submitted his will and we are operating with good communication... |
| *Guaranteed Resistance* | Then we are in a position to teach him to do the job. Then we work on building a.... 1) Solid Foundation of Maneuvers 2) A balanced direction to life ratio |
| Level of Resistance is determined by.... | Remember the three stages of training a horse: |
| 1) Intensity of job 2) Energy level of horse 3) Patience of person | 1) Setting a foundation 2) Using jobs to build the foundation 3) Using foundation to do a job |
*Fewer Problems and No Resistance because the horse wants to do the job and understands how to do it.
Exerpt from Wade Black's book "Returning to Eden."
Stay tuned for future posts on Willing/Unwilling Submission, the 3 Causes of Resistance, the 4 Factors to Eliminate Resistance, and the Solid Foundation of Maneuvers.
Labels: horsemanship, Jan, job completion
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Cowboy Christmas
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God (Luke 8:1).
The 4th of July weekend is often called "Cowboy Christmas" because of the many rodeos that are held. For lots of cowboys, the couple of days before and during the 4th of July weekend are fast and furious, and jam-packed with travel to multiple rodeos. Wade rode saddle broncs at three ICA (Idaho Cowboy Association) rodeos; Vale, OR, and Hailey and Grangeville, ID. He placed and took home a check in all three rodeos. Good job, Wade! Now that really was Cowboy Christmas! More importantly, he got the chance to mingle, meet, and share the Training for the Cross ministry with other cowboys behind the chutes.
And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable (Luke 8:4).
Jesus spoke to people in parables, stories of common experiences that they were familiar with and could easily understand. Wade has common experiences with rodeo and ranch cowboys, and can speak about and demonstrate the Gospel in ways that cowboys respect and understand. This is what makes participating in rodeos such an important part of the Training for the Cross ministry. Those "behind the chutes" acquaintances and friendships can reach cowboys who would never step foot inside a church.
Amaia's faithfulness and companionship to travel with Wade to the rodeos is another display of what Paul calls "simplicity and godly sincerity" (2 Cor 1:12), Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Tit 2:12).
Even with the hectic pace, Wade and Amaia were able to watch the fireworks with Amaia's family, and Amaia was able to have a fun time with her beloved nieces and nephews.
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience (Luke 8:15).
Both Wade and Amaia have "honest and good hearts" and surely are "bringing forth fruit with patience." Look for Wade in the saddle bronc at another ICA rodeo in Glenns Ferry, ID on Saturday, July 18th, 2009.
(Special thanks to Michelle Larzelier for her great photo of Wade and Amaia!)
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| Grangeville, Idaho - Photo by Ken Lund |
The 4th of July weekend is often called "Cowboy Christmas" because of the many rodeos that are held. For lots of cowboys, the couple of days before and during the 4th of July weekend are fast and furious, and jam-packed with travel to multiple rodeos. Wade rode saddle broncs at three ICA (Idaho Cowboy Association) rodeos; Vale, OR, and Hailey and Grangeville, ID. He placed and took home a check in all three rodeos. Good job, Wade! Now that really was Cowboy Christmas! More importantly, he got the chance to mingle, meet, and share the Training for the Cross ministry with other cowboys behind the chutes.
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| Photo by Mary Williams Hyde |
And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable (Luke 8:4).
Jesus spoke to people in parables, stories of common experiences that they were familiar with and could easily understand. Wade has common experiences with rodeo and ranch cowboys, and can speak about and demonstrate the Gospel in ways that cowboys respect and understand. This is what makes participating in rodeos such an important part of the Training for the Cross ministry. Those "behind the chutes" acquaintances and friendships can reach cowboys who would never step foot inside a church.
Amaia's faithfulness and companionship to travel with Wade to the rodeos is another display of what Paul calls "simplicity and godly sincerity" (2 Cor 1:12), Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Tit 2:12).
Even with the hectic pace, Wade and Amaia were able to watch the fireworks with Amaia's family, and Amaia was able to have a fun time with her beloved nieces and nephews.
![]() |
| Photo by Michelle Escujuri Larzelier |
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience (Luke 8:15).
Both Wade and Amaia have "honest and good hearts" and surely are "bringing forth fruit with patience." Look for Wade in the saddle bronc at another ICA rodeo in Glenns Ferry, ID on Saturday, July 18th, 2009.
(Special thanks to Michelle Larzelier for her great photo of Wade and Amaia!)
Labels: bronc riding, Jan, Wade
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!
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| 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, event, horsemanship, Jan, 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 rode in the Saddle Bronc on Sunday, and tied for 2nd/3rd/4th with a score of 74. Good job, Wade!
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 |
Training for the Cross is on the road this summer working to act upon Paul's advice, "...Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it" (Col 4:17), and to fulfill Jesus' charge, "But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee" (Acts 26:16).
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, Jan, 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: branding, God, horsemanship, Jan













