Shield & Saddle

06/07/2026

Day 1 in Fountain, Colorado is in the books!

Everyone survived, and we wrapped up the day on a positive note with some tired-minded horses and accomplished riders. One of the most important parts of our training philosophy is providing the right amount of exposure to keep horses curious, confident, and willing to continue learning.

Training isn’t about seeing how much a horse can endure. It’s about knowing when to challenge them, when to let them think, and when to call it a day. Understanding how far to push both the horse and rider while setting them up for success is always a top priority for us.

We saw a lot of progress today and are excited to see what tomorrow brings. Great job to all the riders for putting in the work and trusting the process!

06/06/2026

🔥 Teaser photos from the 5C Arena and Event Center Center Clinic! 🔥

What an incredible 3 days in Corvallis, Montana. We had the opportunity to work with an outstanding group of riders and horses, and the progress made throughout the clinic was nothing short of amazing.

These photos might scare the class we’re starting today at Circle 3 Ranch in Fountain, Colorado… so do us a favor and comment below telling them not to leave after lunch! 🤣

It was an honor to meet and train alongside each and every one of you. Watching horses and riders build confidence, overcome challenges, and accomplish things they didn’t think possible is exactly why we love what we do. Your success was the direct result of your hard work and dedication.

A special thank you to the three law enforcement agencies represented at this clinic:
• Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office – for continuing to support these clinics and for adding a Mounted Patrol Tactics training day.
• United States Forest Service
• Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office

Thank you all for making this clinic such a success. We look forward to seeing where your training journey takes you next!

06/04/2026

We made it through fire, smoke, and a whole lot of obstacles today!

One of my favorite moments was when a participant asked, “What are we doing tomorrow if we did all that today?” The answer… just wait, we’ve got plenty more in store for Day 2 of the De-Spook Clinic.

We started the day with some horses struggling to confidently cross a bridge. By the end of the day, those same horses were crossing that bridge with smoke and fire surrounding it. Watching that kind of progress and confidence building is exactly why we do what we do.

Great job to all the riders and horses today. Looking forward to seeing what tomorrow brings!

06/02/2026

Today we added a Law Enforcement Day to our De-Spook Clinic in Montana, and it was a great opportunity to work alongside the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Forest Service.

The focus today was on practical mounted patrol skills, including vehicle approaches, handcuffing techniques, and vehicle extractions. These skills help build confidence and proficiency for mounted officers operating in real-world environments.

We’re looking forward to the next couple of days of De-Spook training as we continue helping horses and riders develop trust, confidence, and preparedness. We captured plenty of photos and videos today, and we’ll be sharing those soon!

Thank you to everyone who participated and made today a success. We appreciate the dedication of the agencies and riders who continue investing in training and professional development.

05/23/2026

Does anyone recognize this item or know who it may belong to?

It was likely left behind during our Mounted Search and Rescue Clinic in Huntsville, TX. Please send me a message if you recognize it or know who it belongs to so we can get it returned to the right person.

Thank you!

05/20/2026

This past weekend, Instructor Kristin attended an Equine Air Scent Clinic with Terry Nowacki.

As instructors, we believe learning never stops. We are committed to continually sharpening our skills and expanding our knowledge so we can provide the best training possible to both horse and rider.

No matter how many miles traveled, clinics taught, or certifications earned — there is always something new to learn. We value every opportunity to grow, challenge ourselves, and bring that knowledge back to our students and mounted units.

05/17/2026

Colorado Springs folks — we’ll be in your area soon and still have a couple openings left for our upcoming 2-Day De-spook Clinic at Circle 3 Ranch on June 6th & 7th!

This clinic is designed to help build confidence in both horse and rider through controlled sensory exposure and proper horsemanship techniques. We start in the classroom covering equine vision and psychology before progressing into obstacle and sensory work in a safe, step-by-step environment.

If you’ve been wanting to attend one of our clinics, now is the time! Spots are limited.

Please contact Monja Bastan for registration information.

05/08/2026

We’ve had the opportunity to work with outstanding law enforcement agencies and dedicated civilian riders across North America. Along the way, we’ve remained committed to continuing our own education and growth as instructors.

Our focus remains the same: building confident, capable riders who can operate safely through proper equitation.

Our equitation courses are specifically designed with mounted units in mind. Kristin, a Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) instructor, brings a deep understanding of horse and rider equitation through a mounted patrol perspective. Andrew complements that foundation with a tactical approach shaped by real-world law enforcement experience.

Together, this creates a well-rounded program that bridges horsemanship with practical application.

We’re proud to continue serving mounted patrol units and civilian riders who are committed to improving their skills, confidence, and safety in the saddle.

Ride with Confidence. Serve with Honor.

05/01/2026

🔥 Photo Gallery is LIVE! 🔥

What a weekend.

Watching both horses and riders grow in confidence right in front of us never gets old. From the first step into the arena to the final obstacle, the progress was undeniable.

We pushed boundaries and built trust—
🔥 Walking through fire
💨 Navigating smoke
🚨 Working around flares and high-stress sensory obstacles

Take a look at the moments that made it all happen 👇
📸 https://shieldandsaddle.pixieset.com/bravehorsecenter2026/

Be sure to tag us in your photos—we love seeing it from your perspective!

Photo collection by Shield & Saddle

04/27/2026

What a weekend at Brave Horse Center in San Antonio, TX 🔥

Great seeing familiar faces and meeting new riders who showed up ready to put in the work. From start to finish, this group brought the right mindset—and it showed.

We covered a lot of ground and made some solid progress with both horses and riders. This is what it’s all about.

I’ve already started building out the photo gallery and can’t wait to drop it later this week—there are some great shots coming.