BR Performance Horses

09/05/2026

09/05/2026

I hope you take the time to appreciate every sunset 🫶🏻

09/04/2026

and to believe he was hard to catch in a pen when I first got him 🥹

Monty, my real life unicorn 🦄 🤍

09/04/2026

Attempting to bust my helmet back out..

I honestly have no good reason why I quit wearing it.
But I’m ordering my son one and figured I should lead by example.

I grew up without one.

Then I began taking English lessons and boarding where they were required- no problem. I got so used to wearing one, I didn’t notice it.

Then I began running barrels.
I slowly started wearing it less and less.

I’ve pulled it back out periodically. Especially when riding client horses.

But as I went back to only riding my own.. I once again started wearing it less and less.

However, accidents can happen on any horse- no matter how well trained they are.

And now if I’m being honest..
My biggest reason not to wear one is completely vanity and perception related.

I like wearing a hat. I like my pictures with a hat.

And while I don’t generally care much about how others see me, there is still a different perception about western riders that wear helmets (even if it’s just in my own head)

What a silly reason to put myself at risk 😅

However, sometimes I find myself feeling a little braver than I should while wearing one. I think that because I don’t consistently wear it, it feels like an extra piece of armour when I do. If something’s a little spicy, the grounds a little sketch, or I’m just feeling off.. putting on a helmet gives me a little boost of confidence.

I think that’s both a good and a bad thing.

Just an observation I’ve had about myself.

I can’t say I’ll be jackpotting in it consistently any time soon.. but riding at home is at least a start.

And to be clear- I really don’t care about anyone’s personal decisions. I just think it would be awfully hypocritical of myself to make my child wear one, when I won’t even try myself.

09/04/2026

6 years since I said goodbye to my heart horse.
A true 1 in a million 🤍

My first barrel horse and the most influential horse I’ve ever been on.

He was weird, and quirky, and knew how to push all my buttons.. but I’ve never felt more safe and more at home as I did with him.

We tried a little bit of everything together.
He taught me barrels and poles, raced ba****ck through fields, took endless clinics and lessons of many disciplines, rode brideless, aced obstacle challenges, tried mounted shooting and team sorting, went on cattle drives and trail rides, rode through town and down the highway, gave Shep a ride when he needed one, played around with liberty and tricks, packed around my friends and family.. and eventually turned into my best lesson horse.

I often wonder how much longer we could’ve had together if I knew then what I know now.. but maybe that’s the point.
He was put in my life to teach me in every aspect and push me to be better.

I owe so much to him.

I love you endlessly, Montessaurus.
Thanks for being the best teacher and most reliable friend 🤍

09/03/2026

Really putting the new shelter to use.

(Someday we’ll finish tinning it)

09/03/2026

Finally made it to a roping last night- the first one since June!

We’ve really been prioritizing projects at home this year and have hauled a whole lot less than usual.

But we can’t do it all.. and taking the time to get the big projects crossed off the list this year will pay off in the long run.

Once again, we’re grateful for a seasoned horse that takes the same trip every time- no matter how long it’s been.

And for anyone thinking of having kids and hauling with them… the first summer when they just lay there and watch like cute little potatoes.. that’s where it’s at 🤪

We are anti containment currently and have absolutely not fear. So that’s a fun new development.

09/02/2026

I used to have a horse, one set of tack that had always been around, and zero fear.

I just got on and rode.

No worries about potential dangers, no questioning soundness, didn’t even contemplate if my tack fit properly (it didn’t) or wonder if there was any more I could or should be doing.

I just rode because I truly loved it.

I spent hours teaching tricks, creating connections, riding through the pastures and ditches, dreaming about one day doing more..

Then, as time went on, I learned more and more about every aspect of horse care and riding.

I realized my feed program was lacking.
My horses needed regular dentals and a better farrier.
My poor fitting tack was probably why my mare was so crusty.
The bit I had been using for years got thrown in the trash.
I took lessons and started working harder on myself and how I could better support my horses.
I had a few incidents that caused me to see more dangers and not be so w***y nilly.

It was all for the better.

Until it got to the point that I found a new rabbit hole to go down every other day..

Analyzing all the different feeds and ingredients.
Unable to watch an event without seeing sore horses everywhere.
Obsessing over how much exercise my horses get before they haul anywhere.
Seeing the tiniest changes in my horse’s behaviour and thinking of every possible scenario as to why.
Accidents and injuries that make me see dangers absolutely everywhere.
It is a training hole or a vet issue?
Does my horse need x,y,or z supplements.
Troubles trusting my horse is truly sound
Seeing a worried eye in a photo and wondering if it’s due to pain or anxiety
Picking apart every little bit of my riding

It goes on and on and on.

Don’t get me wrong, I still find the magic in horses every single day.
But the more I learn, the more I see, and the harder it is to truly live in the moment and not second guess it all.

Every day, I’m torn between wanting to go back to my blissful ignorance.. and then feeling guilty I’m not doing more and craving more knowledge.

It’s a slippery slope and hard to find the place in between.

🎥: Countrified Photography

09/01/2026

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐁𝐑 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞

Honestly, pretty simple.
We wanted something to represent both of us- Branfield + Reid.
Although I figured I’d be changing my name eventually.. having my maiden name on my horses was important to me. This was a dream I had long before I even thought it was possible.

We originally started our page as BR Performance Horses.. and then I quickly felt imposter syndrome creep in and changed it to BR Ranch.
I started out by flipping personal projects and offering beginner riding lessons.
But fast forward a couple years, and I decided to speak into existence what my vision is and where we want this to go. It might not be everything we want right now, but everyone starts somewhere!

We had this beautiful sign made up as a gift and it couldn’t get much more special, with silhouettes of two irreplaceable geldings on it- Monty and Rocky.
It is also hung on the arch that Kody made for our wedding 🤍

Coincidentally, both silhouettes are from photos taken by Rick Hiebert.

09/01/2026

My little bug eyed baby 👀

I’m seriously so impressed with this guy.
Every now and again, I get annoyed when he’s a little impatient while I wrap his foot.. then I remember he’s a YEARLING that spent more time unhandled than not up until a couple months ago.

He has now spent 43 days on stall rest and is, without a doubt, handling it better than any of my broke horses would.

His little bug eyed stare is the only clue he’s over it. The occasional nicker to see if anyone is around.. but he can be in his outdoor stall and watch everyone lope out to the far side of the pasture, without a care.

For reference, Cruiser- one of the most solid creatures I’ve ever owned- lived on Ace the first couple weeks of his stall rest to prevent him from hurting himself. I also had to stall him outside and feed all the horses directly in front of him all winter, because he couldn’t handle knowing a single one of them was more than 30 feet away 🥴

Things might change for Enzo as time goes on, but so far I just can’t appreciate him more.
I’m just so proud of the mind that Envy has been putting on her babies and I can’t wait to see how this guy turns out 🤍