Twisted Arrow Ranch - Raina Hudson

“I’m just not good enough.”
“I don’t have enough money to make it.”
“I don’t have natural talent.”

Those aren’t just thoughts. Those are lies.

I told you about the series we're working through at my church: about the second part of Hunting WLVS (Wounds, Lies, Vows and Strongholds that the enemy plants in our heart).

A lie is something you started believing because of a wound. It usually sounds reasonable. Familiar. Rational. Even responsible.
But it doesn’t line up with truth.

Somewhere along the way, something happened. You got overlooked. You couldn’t afford the best horse. You didn’t win when you thought you should. And instead of processing it, you formed a belief around it.
“I can't 'make' a horse on time."
“I don’t measure up.”
“It’s always going to be harder for me.”
"I'm just not athletic."

And if you repeat something long enough, it starts to feel like fact.
2 Corinthians 10:5 says we take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. (Easier said than done, I know LOL).
Not every thought gets to stay.

But in the arena, that lie shows up quick, sometimes before you catch it. You tip one barrel and suddenly you’re riding not to mess up instead of riding to win (that wound I mentioned in my last post..it's like a busted knee). "He's a barrel crasher."
"I can't ride him by it." "I have to work three times as hard to just keep the barrels up."

You start changing your hands, changing your approach, changing your confidence, riding with 10 different people… all because of something that may not even be true. All because you made one mistake, now it's becoming part of your belief about yourself and your horse.

But first you have to recognize what’s been shaping you.
Just because a thought is loud doesn’t mean it’s right.
And just because something was true in a season, or even in one "arena" in your life, doesn’t mean it gets to define the rest of your life.

Thank you Quanta Services, Inc. for the outreach you do to youth to help empower them, and help them believe truth about themselves. Their career options can help hard workers gain confidence, skills and break free from lies about themselves, plus earn a stable income and free them up to chase their goals.

Pole bending clinic for tonight is CANCELED

UPDATE!! Due it my arena being half under water I have to CANCELL this week's Horsemanship Clinic. For Friday and Saturday.

Are you seeking to improve your horse's softness, suppleness, collection, and responsiveness to seat and leg cues? This clinic provides strategies to enhance communication with your horse and develop these skills effectively.
Through a blend of groundwork and under-saddle exercises, you’ll learn practical techniques for building trust and harmony. Whether you’re a novice rider or have years of experience, the clinic adapts instructions to suit individual goals and challenges. Participants can expect a supportive atmosphere, where questions are encouraged and progress is celebrated.
As the day unfolds, riders will experience hands-on guidance tailored to both horse and human, ensuring techniques are accessible and results tangible. Individual attention allows for immediate feedback, addressing specific concerns and unlocking each partnership's potential. The clinic emphasizes not only technical mastery but also the subtle art of reading your horse’s body language and emotional state, guiding participants toward a deeper, more intuitive connection. By the end, you’ll carry home practical tools, renewed confidence, and a stronger bond with your equine partner—ready to continue the journey of horsemanship with inspiration and clarity.

Barrel Racing Clinics:
Through guided drills and real-time feedback, you'll discover how subtle shifts in your posture can translate into sharper turns and smoother transitions. The clinic will involve practical demonstrations and opportunities for participants to practice and refine their skills. By the end of the clinic, both you and your horse will gain confidence managing tight corners, accelerating out of turns, and syncing your communication for optimal performance in the arena.
Throughout the clinic, individualized attention will be given to address specific challenges faced by riders. You’ll leave not only with a toolkit of actionable exercises, but also with strategies for continued progress at home. Our goal is to empower riders of all levels to approach each barrel pattern with precision, enthusiasm, and a deeper connection to their equine partners. Whether you’re gearing up for your first competition or looking to shave precious seconds off your run, this clinic will set the foundation for success in the fast-paced sport of barrel racing.

Twisted Arrow Ranch invites you to participate in a comprehensive pole bending clinic suitable for both novice riders and individuals seeking to enhance their skills and performance with horses. This Clinic will concentrate on improving speed, mastering appropriate cues, and understanding correct hand placement to maintain an optimal course during each run. Additionally, techniques for effectively supporting your horse throughout the event will be addressed. Pole bending serves as a valuable opportunity to develop equine agility and responsiveness for a range of performance activities.
The clinic offers structured drills designed to improve timing, speed, and responsiveness during pole patterns for both horse and rider. Whether you are just beginning or have substantial experience in the arena, you will find a supportive environment that encourages questions, practice of essential techniques, and the provision of individualized feedback. Participants will benefit from guided exercises tailored to specific needs, fostering confidence and consistency with each pass through the poles. Covering fundamentals such as warm-up routines as well as advanced maneuvers, every component of this clinic is intended to help participants, and their horses achieve excellence in pole bending.

Are you seeking to improve your horse's softness, suppleness, collection, and responsiveness to seat and leg cues? This clinic provides strategies to enhance communication with your horse and develop these skills effectively.
Through a blend of groundwork and under-saddle exercises, you’ll learn practical techniques for building trust and harmony. Whether you’re a novice rider or have years of experience, the clinic adapts instructions to suit individual goals and challenges. Participants can expect a supportive atmosphere, where questions are encouraged and progress is celebrated.
As the day unfolds, riders will experience hands-on guidance tailored to both horse and human, ensuring techniques are accessible and results tangible. Individual attention allows for immediate feedback, addressing specific concerns and unlocking each partnership's potential. The clinic emphasizes not only technical mastery but also the subtle art of reading your horse’s body language and emotional state, guiding participants toward a deeper, more intuitive connection. By the end, you’ll carry home practical tools, renewed confidence, and a stronger bond with your equine partner—ready to continue the journey of horsemanship with inspiration and clarity.

Pole Bending For Barrel Horses - Barrel Horse News Four-Time World Champion Kristie Peterson and professional trainer William Ball share how all barrel horses, both futurity hopefuls and finished open horses can benefit from pole bending exercises.