Reed Branson

Personal History

Reed was born in Bishop California in 1950.  Raised on a working cow ranch in Southern California, he worked along side his great grandfather, granddad and father.  He broke and sold his first horse by the age of twelve.  He has a son and Ricky is the sixth generation of the ranch Ricky was raised much the same way as Reed was, and he now works as a successful farrier in Southern California

Reed’s granddad and father considered horses as a working tool, and “with a good tool, a man could do good work”.  All of our horses were bred, raised and trained on the ranch and used daily in order to get the ranch work done.  Our horses had to have the skill to move cattle, rope calves, and traverse the terrain without so much as blinking an eye.  On our days off, we would head off to team roping rodeo’s and in later years team penning. “

Reed worked on a company ranch for twenty-one years prior to getting married and then worked on a family ranch.  On the side he continued to pursue his passion for riding and training horses.  When the family ranch dissolved, he decided to start his own training facility on a friend’s ranch in Southern California.

It was Reed’s granddad who recognized his grandson’s natural ability and knack for training and understanding the psychology of the horse.  Both his granddad and his parents encouraged him to pursue his passion and make it his way of making a living.

Accomplishments

Reed started the first Team Penning Association in San Diego County in the 1980’s and assisted with Southern California Cutting Horse Association.  He has competed in rodeos, team roping and team penning.  Today he only competes in the local club team roping.

His client list includes:

Clinician for the San Diego Police-Mounted Patrol as well as the San Diego Sheriff’s Department.

Cheryl Erpelding -Editor in Chief of the California Riding Magazine

Philosophy

I work and train all varieties of horses Mustang’s, Thoroughbreds, Arabians, Paso Fino’s, Draft mixes, PMU’s, etc.  My primary focus has been on the American Quarter Horse.   Whether it is a colt I am starting, or a horse with a problem, I am partial to none and all are treated equally when it comes to my training.

In my 40 + years of training I have pretty much “seen it all”.  I have dealt with runaways to horses that flip over backwards.   I have retrained horses that owners have thought were “un-trainable”, as well as horses that other trainers suggested to the owner that they should get rid of.   I have encountered pretty much every set of issues that a rider and their horse can have.   Not long ago I had a horse in training that was a 4 year old “broke” mare that had been so badly handled by previous trainers that her owner was afraid to ride her, she ran away and was so head shy you could barely get a bridle or halter on her head I had to start her as if she had never been broke and get her to trust a human again.  She basically had to learn her ABC’s all over.  I have worked with horses as young as three months to as old as twenty years.  I believe there is a horse out there for every rider if the person just takes the time to look for one that is suited to their level of skill from beginner to intermediate.

On Green Horses and Green Riders

I prefer, strongly advise and encourage the owner to get involved while their horse is in training with me.  That way the owner has the ability to understand what their horse has learned and is learning from me.  By doing this the owner can continue to move the horse forward after they have left me.  How is a rider/owner going to understand how to continue and deepen their relationship with their horse if they have not seen or experienced the training that I have instilled and taught their horse? As a trainer I have learned something from every horse and rider I have worked with -good and bad.

In Closing

I have always enjoyed and loved working with horses and have been fortunate enough to make my passion my way of making a living.  All of my clients are repeat customers but most come from word of mouth which to me speaks volumes no matter what business you are in.    My granddad always said “to be a good horse trainer you must be good at it all” from starting them to solving their problems to finishing them off.  I train to gain confidence, trust and willingness to work.  I like my horses to look forward to me and to work.

I am lucky- I enjoy a simple life with a very supportive girlfriend who shares my passion and helps me share with others what I know and love about horses.

REFERENCES

“Reed Branson is an excellent horseman. He has helped me with my mustang and a couple of my performance horses. Reed does a thorough job that helps the horses understand their job and gain confidence with their riders.”
Cheryl Erpelding: CEO Riding Publications Inc
cheryl@ridingmagazine.com
mobile 858-967-5765 or home office 619-445-0004

“Reed is one of the best trainers that I have met in my limited time with horses.”
Al & Vera Bauder - AbarV Ranch

Gary Ameral, DVM    (619) 267-7775 (Personal friend)

Elizabeth Johnson          (619) 561-7366    (Client)

Ray & JoAnn Ruel        (760) 765-0065  (Client)

Marty Barnard                   (619) 562-2208  (Client)
Owner-East County Feed and Supply Inc.   Santee CA