Ride the Brand Impressions
Past Mustang Workshops
Our workshops have taken us to places where horsemanship, equestrian culture, and a respectful approach to the horse are not simply taught, but truly lived.
Many of these experiences, values, and encounters have had a lasting influence on my work. With Rancho Terra Bravo, a new chapter is now beginning in Portugal. I am taking with me what has grown and developed through my work in the United States and combining it with Portugal’s unique equestrian culture, traditions, and landscape.
The following impressions tell the story of this journey, of remarkable horses, people, and moments that have helped shape the path that has now led to Portugal.
What we have done so far:
In Arizona: First Encounters with Mustangs
In our U.S. workshops, we focused on the essential foundations of working with wild horses and those very first, meaningful “First Touches.” The emphasis was on genuine understanding, safety, and trust, without pressure to perform or the expectation of achieving quick results.
Guided by an experienced team, participants gained valuable insight into horse-centered training, wild horse management, and the cultural heritage surrounding these extraordinary horses.
Participants could join the workshop with their own horse or work with one of our Mustangs. And when the right connection was made, they even had the opportunity to take that Mustang home and continue their journey together.
And how the journey continues in Portugal
We teach the fundamental principles of Wild Horsemanship, and you will work with Mustangs that have already completed the first stages of their training before arriving in Portugal. This allows you to focus fully on communication, building trust, and developing a lasting partnership with the horse.
Under the guidance of experienced trainers, you will learn practical, horse-centered training methods and gain valuable insight into equine behavior, groundwork, and working with formerly wild horses.
But this experience is about much more than techniques. Above all, it is about learning to understand the language of the horse and building trust through patience, respect, and good horsemanship, without time pressure, competition, or the expectation of quick results.
Just as in our U.S. workshops, there will also be the opportunity to form a partnership with one of our Mustangs. If the right connection is made, you may be able to take that Mustang home and continue the journey together, turning the workshop into the beginning of a very special partnership.
🪶 Want to be part of the Wild Horsemanship Community? Call or send me an email!
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Past Workshop Impressions
Testimonials
"The mustang workshop for me was a life changing experience. I look at, touch, and handle all horses differently now. Understanding the true nature of the horse and learning to work with that was eye opening. The calmer, braver, and more confident I became, so did my horse! Pushing us both through uncomfortable situations, but, always keeping our safety as top priority. I am continuing to build my partnership with my mare, Curry. We both are thriving and enjoying new adventures together. I am forever grateful for this opportunity and for their ongoing support and guidance!"
Linda with Curry
“When I joined the Mustang Workshop, I didn’t expect to meet a horse who would change me.
From the moment I met Ziv, I felt her presence reach out to mine — an instant, quiet connection.
This morning I told her she was my favorite horse I’ve ever met, and she looked at me as if she’d keep that secret forever.
Thank you, Karin Finney, for trusting me with her.”
Constance with Ziv
“I became friends with Karin in 2019 at a horse clinic in Arizona, and participating in the Mustang Wokshop with Ride the Brand became an unforgettable experience. I gained a much deeper understanding of wild horses and their behavior. Observing the Mustangs along the Salt River was deeply moving, and the Native American horse blessing added a meaningful, grounding dimension to the journey. Traveling on to Mexico completed the experience beautifully, making it feel rich, connected, and truly unique. Karin was a wonderful host, and I loved staying at her bed and breakfast. I left feeling inspired, grateful, and changed in the best possible way."
Tina from Tucson, Arizona
I had the opportunity to visit Karin at one of the Wild Horse Clinics in Arizona. It was my first trip to the USA and an experience I will not forget.
I helped in the mornings and evenings with feeding and could also take part in the Horsemanship Clinic. Very impressive were also our trips together to the ranch in Mexico and to the free-living horses at the Salt River near Phoenix.
Even though I have my own horse in Germany, the horsemanship “from wild to tame” changed my understanding of horse communication. Karin and the trainer team showed me how different and important the first training sessions with a Mustang are. Timing, calmness and patience are the most important!
Unfortunately, my two weeks were over much too quickly. I am thankful that I could be a part of it and experience the first steps of the Mustangs together with their people.
For all Mustang lovers: Start here. It is not about fast success, here the relationship between horse and human comes first. Everything else comes later...
Monty from Germany
I’m participating in the Wild Horsemanship clinics with my mustang, Outlander, to learn more about him and understand him better. I’m having so much fun, and I always feel safe, comfortable, supported, and well taken care of.
Helga with Outlander
If you have the chance to attend one of the Wild Horsemanship clinics from Ride the Brand, take the opportunity! Especially if you love mustangs and trail riding!
Mike with Red
I had the opportunity to work with my Mustang during the Wild Horse Clinic and continued his training for another three months until he was ready to come home with me. It was the best decision I could have made.
You hear so many stories about “crazy Mustangs” and everything that can go wrong. My experience was completely different. When you and your horse learn together from the very beginning in the right environment, at the right pace, and with the right trainer, you build a foundation of trust that changes everything.
We learned together, and when the time came to bring him home, we were ready for the next chapter as a team.
Dan with Buck
I flew to Arizona to help Karin with the preparations for the Mustang training, so I was there when the first Mustang arrived and had the first contact with him. It was something very special to see how he became more and more curious and finally had the courage to take alfalfa from my hand, and I was even able to put the halter on him.
I also went to the Salt River, where I could watch the wild horses at the water. With the heat in July, it was a more than welcome cool-down!
And now, luckily, I don’t have to travel quite so far anymore. I think it’s great that it continues in Portugal!
Jonas from Wiesbaden, Germany
I have bought two Mustangs through the Ride the Brand program, and I truly believe this is the right way to start. I had experienced support from the moment my horses arrived, and I was able to be part of their training right from the beginning, learning step by step along the way.
My horses stayed at the ranch for about three months before I brought them home. During that time, I had the opportunity to really get to know them, build a relationship with them, and learn so much that proved invaluable, not only in the beginning, but also later on.
Unless you are an experienced Mustang trainer yourself, I would strongly recommend not taking this journey without knowledgeable, experienced support. Mustangs are incredibly special horses and giving them the right start makes all the difference.
Today, my horses are thriving, and I’m very grateful that I chose this path.
Lee and two Wildies
2027 will be a year of change, new beginnings, and a big adventure for our family.
We have purchased property in Portugal and are choosing to make it our new home. It’s bittersweet to finally say goodbye to America, a place that has been such an important part of our journey, but we are incredibly excited for what lies ahead.
Next February, my mustangs will make the journey across the ocean to join us. And at Rancho Terra Bravo, the program will continue growing, always with the horses and the people at its heart. And a heartfelt thank you to my mentor Wayne that took me on some pretty crazy rides!
A new country, a new chapter, but the same passion and purpose. Closest airport to the ranch is Porto with non stop flights from the east coast! I would absolutely love to welcome you there.
See you in Portugal!
Karin with Ride the Brand