My Horse Journey | 10 Years... Scared to Confident

Рет қаралды 104,314

2 жыл бұрын

I warned you all that it was a long one! Definitely the longest on my channel... but there was a lot to cover in the past 10 years. I've been getting asked to make a video about my riding journey and how I got to where I was for a few years now. Now you all know why it took me so long! I always have so much to say and explain about it! Believe it or not, I cut a lot out to make it brief haha! Anyhow, here is my horse journey and story so far... to be continued :) feel free to ask questions if you still have any!
Facebook/Instagram: @vanfleetmustangs
Website: vanfleetmustangs.com
#wildhorse #horsetraining #coltstarting
Hey! My name is Sam and I enjoy making content of all my horse adventures and sharing some training tips to help others understand horses a little better. I enjoy competing in Extreme Mustang Makeovers and traveling cross-country with my horses and teaching clinics! I love interacting with all of you so feel free to leave me a comment or message me on Instagram :)
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Current Re-occurring Horses (Personal + Current Training)
Stargazer- 9yo 15.2hh pinto gelding BLM Mustang (Onaqui UT)
Nora- 4yo 14.1hh grey mare BLM Mustang (Onaqui UT)
Lynx- 8yo 14.2hh grey gelding BLM Mustang (Wood Hills NV)
Calliope- 17yo 16hh pinto mare Draft X (PMU foal)

Пікірлер: 404

@shannandesh 2 жыл бұрын

I loved hearing your story. I started riding two years ago as a 44 year old. I have never ridden horses and don’t come from a horse family and I just felt like YOLO. Since I”m new in my riding career, I always come from a place of worried that I’m not good enough becasue I haven’t been riding my whole life. But I feel inspired by your story and I’m going to continue to “figuring it out”. I love riding.

@SmM33380 2 жыл бұрын

Yes! I'm 41 and being with horses is a lifelong dream. I don't have much experience but I was a feeder at a therapeutic equestrian center for a year, in my 20s but they didn't allow me to ride. They laid me off and changed all the staff when it was switched to a different owner, it was devastating. Been wanting to get back into horses since. Her story is inspiring but so is yours! Its easy to feel like hope for it is lost at my age but perhaps its not!

@littlebettyscrafts556 2 жыл бұрын

Just keep going !!! It’s a tough world “kinda” because I have lived that bullying, and not feeling good about myself. I’m 49, have been injured terribly several times, and I’m just now going back out to the barn !! Never too old or too late Keep up the positive energy Best Wishes ❤️🐴

@RideMyWay 2 жыл бұрын

super cool to see someone who didn’t grow up in a horse family, cause I definitely relate to that! you such an inspiration and I love listening to your journey! 💓

@bailey5926 2 жыл бұрын

Same here ❤️✨🌈

@ameliaquinn6541 2 жыл бұрын

Same

@juliagruba9666 2 жыл бұрын

I started when I was 10

@ameliaquinn6541 2 жыл бұрын

@@juliagruba9666 I started when I was 7

@juliagruba9666 2 жыл бұрын

@@ameliaquinn6541 ok

@PatriseHenkel 2 жыл бұрын

love the dark hair! on a more sober note, THANK YOU for talking about bullying at barns... the reason I didn't continue as an equestrian was the sucky barn where I was kind of stuck. I had no idea what I was missing, never had any contact with trainers, competition, or showing. Everything I learned came from the few lessons I'd had in a big city stable and what I read in books. The woman who ran the barn was surly and critical. She smacked my horse in the face once in front of me. She shamed me for being a chubby kid. I had an incredible time as a feral child riding my horse around an island with lots of open fields and farms and nature preserve - that was amazing. But I really grieve for that depressed teenager, pressured to give up my horse, and really lacking any good guidance in the horse world.

@SamVanFleet 2 жыл бұрын

I'm so sorry you experienced that. I hope you still have horses in your life now! They're special and they're healers!

@simpliikeq Жыл бұрын

I’m sorry 😞 bullying is the worst- I’ve found though that more laid back stables are less prone to bullying and more high end stables are more pushy and snobby sometimes (not all people but most)

@barefootrealist246 Жыл бұрын

Yes, this spoke to me. I started riding later and my Mom had ridden jumpers, so the barn I started at was all Dressage and Hunter jumper riders. It was only the older ladies who were kind to me. One of them owned the only Spanish Barb there and the other had a Paso Fino and they were seen as odd balls also. The rest looked down on me. Snotty spoiled girls and their Moms or trainers with mostly thoroughbreds who would jump and run the hell out of their horses and throw them back in their stalls. The barn staff could be heard complaining about them and that's the only thing that kept me going back. Especially because I leased my horse as I was a city kid from a non horse family. In a hilarious turn, when I bought my first horse, we boarded her at a "cowgirl" barn and all the barrel races treated us like crap because I was a lower level event rider and it was "sissy riding." LOL. It sucks. It's an issue. The most fun I ever had was when I worked at a camp one summer with horses. It was just me and 3 young guys as guides. It was a chill and fun summer where we just played with the horses off work days.

@lisaleilich8236 2 жыл бұрын

You are an amazing young woman and a fantastic role model for women young and not so young!

@SamVanFleet 2 жыл бұрын

That’s very kind, thank you!

@glenjeffs6182 8 ай бұрын

I'm glad you had positive changes in your life, it seamed like it wasn't an easy journey for you. With that said, you turned out to be a wonderful person, beautiful and accomplished and comfortable, love that you found your calling. You go girl. Love from canada.

@annie-jadebourgeois1004 2 жыл бұрын

I never usually watch videos that long, most of the time I only watch the five first minutes, but your story is so inspiring and amazing, I watched the whole thing. I started riding when I was 15, I’m 18 now, I really want to work with horses but I keep telling myself I’m not good enough. My family are not horse people either and watching your video just gave me a boost of confidence that maybe I can make it out there, thank you💗 (I don’t usually leave comments either😅)

@sidilicious11 2 жыл бұрын

That was fascinating. What a seasoned person and trainer at a young age. She followed her passion and developed her vocation. And blossomed.

@emk7132 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic. You don’t know but you significantly impacted my life! Because of your KZfaq videos, I got up the nerve to find and buy a horse again as an adult after raising my kids and pursuing career. To this day, my horse and the horse people I have met, mean so much to me. So thank you for being you and sharing yourself and all you do with us!!

@SamVanFleet 2 жыл бұрын

I love this! ❤️

@Polopony20. 2 жыл бұрын

Well i wasnt expecting to cry over this lol I have always felt 'similar' to you, but I thought it was just the "Ooo mustang, wait whats a mustang?" start you had, but hearing about your anxiety when Im finally accepting mine choked me up. Not many people talk about their struggles, especially not on a platform as big as yours, but its so helpful to hear that your idols share similar struggles.

@SamVanFleet 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely! Anxiety basically ruled and determined my life for so long… Just in the past couple years I have gotten more confident!

@NYMusic89563 2 жыл бұрын

I had no idea you had a magazine. I’ll be checking that out ! My almost 6 year old is starting horse back riding lessons this month and I really hope we get someone as kind as you! What a beautiful story.

@TheProjectEquestrian 2 жыл бұрын

Wow! Amazing story Sam! I remember seeing you and Malibu in the MA makeover. I had no idea you didn’t grow up with horses…it’s amazing to hear how far you’ve come and how you’ve made something from nothing. so inspiring!👏👏

@aniwobbe9977 2 жыл бұрын

Watched the whole thing without pausing once. It’s so amazing and inspirational to see what you have accomplished. I just started my journey two years ago to be a dog trainer and am definitely struggling with teaching people. I can train the dogs but the people is another story. Lol. It’s a work in progress.

@equinewisksroadto300 2 жыл бұрын

The little mini pony in the part where the horses are running🤣🤣🤣

@debbiecurtis4146 2 жыл бұрын

Your story is a lot like mine - except I don't think there were Mustang opportunities back in the '60's and '70's when I was growing up - with a $150 pony. He ran away with me all the time, LOL, because I didn't know enough to adjust the bit up into the corner of his mouth. But I never told anyone he ran away, I was afraid my parents would sell him! Learned a lot from that little guy and every one since. I hung on by sheer athletic ability, and was a tiny thing like you. I, too, was very shy, and my youth horse (that lived to be 38 and is buried in my yard), got me travelling and showing a lot, winning a lot, and gave me confidence. I've slept in tack stalls, in the trailer, in the truck, too! Horses are an integral part of my soul. I haven't shown since the '90's, but just adopted a Standardbred. Wow - there was a breed that I had no idea was so wonderful. I've mostly had PHBA/AQHA horses, but at my age, with a new knee, I'm opting for really safe sane rides. KZfaq has exposed me to Liberty training and many varied ground work methods - while I wait for mud to go away here in New York so I can get him going under saddle! Thank you a million for helping me learn new training methods at my age!

@SamVanFleet 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing! That is so cool! ❤️

@audreygregis8721 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for telling your story. I've always wondered how you got to be where you are...a very talented young lady. Your video could have been 2 hrs and I would have watched. Beautifully done. You have a God given talent and followed your dream. This is your journey, your purpose in life. College is overrated. I've been to many of those barns in my lifetime, and I'm 68. Trust me, it's rare to find a good barn without drama, as well as one with owners you can trust. Just keep being you, keep speaking truth, and keep showing people how very special horses are...especially the "wild" ones.

@janetrodriguez914 6 ай бұрын

I’ve been watching your videos for a few years now. I just came across this one right now. I really enjoyed watching your horse journey. I was the first person in my family to ever get into horses as well. I’m so glad that you persevered and kept going. Very proud of you and your work ethic. Love Lynx, happy to see you’ve kept him as your business partner. Keep going and God bless you. People who bully others are usually jealous, unhappy individuals. They somehow find satisfaction in putting down a person they secretly admire. Glad you rose above!

@davidcirincione4441 8 ай бұрын

I love your channel, its so encouraging!😁

@gmariet1391 2 жыл бұрын

Totally enjoyed listening! I think you made a good choice not going to college! You're living your dream and your life ,and it is beautiful ❣️🌿

@ginaberger6474 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your story!

@sandiebendz7391 Жыл бұрын

Luv your story ❤

@susandelemus5376 2 жыл бұрын

Really great video, thank you for sharing.

@thatbitchonthehorse5303 2 жыл бұрын

Loved your story, thanks for sharing 🤍

@mariannekaminski5795 2 жыл бұрын

You are amazing! I love learning from you

@mercierussell5551 2 жыл бұрын

i love it! And yes horses are always there for ya!

@newfreedomfarm2251 2 жыл бұрын

Love this! And love you!

@cjcowboy9757 2 жыл бұрын

Love your beautiful story about u and your horse training

@nancytillotta3975 5 ай бұрын

Fantastic, amazing, your an inspiration 😊😊

@rottiesrule78 2 жыл бұрын

Congrats Sam on success

@suefleming 4 ай бұрын

You are an inspiration ❤❤❤!! I really admire you !!

@danielle9601 2 жыл бұрын

I love this!

@mariannekaminski5795 2 жыл бұрын

Great story to hear

@brentherndon8095 Жыл бұрын

Loved your story.

@stuffstuffstuffyay 2 жыл бұрын

fabulous!!!

@BILALKHAN-ru2qh 2 жыл бұрын

Great to see your beautiful story

@user-ye8lo9ql9o 9 ай бұрын

Wonderful journey, good on you. Xx

@sandraobenchain8274 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful to watch your video and to see your horse journey !!

@Freedom_Aint_Comfort 4 ай бұрын

God bless you Sam. Love your story. Thanks for sharing.

@gmariet1391 2 жыл бұрын

This is a great video. I loved your life story and you did great sharing it !

@pilatesfitinbalance 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your very personal story :)

@CB-eq5if 2 жыл бұрын

You are a fantastic person and awesome success. Keep em coming. ✌️

@SmM33380 2 жыл бұрын

Inspiring story. Thank you so much for sharing.

@skyrocketcoast219 Жыл бұрын

This is so excellent!!! You have worked so hard! Congratulations !

@richardrocha702 9 ай бұрын

Hey Sam 🙂👋 LOVED the video! You are amazing, and have been blessed.

@NotAllegra 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing this :D I hope to see many more videos of your journey with horses. I love your videos.

@Thatequestriangirl958 2 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed this!! It was soooo entertaining and really encouraging to continue with riding.

@richardrecord1071 Жыл бұрын

What an amazing story and awesome horsewoman! All the best!

@rosehorsetraining.2290 2 жыл бұрын

This was so interesting !!! I can definitely relate to most of everything, it's amazing!

@Sniff_K9_Coach Жыл бұрын

What a beautiful story. 💛

@halimadaoudi6015 2 жыл бұрын

So Beautiful Story Sam ♥️♥️♥️

@lcaryfrog 2 жыл бұрын

Inspiring story😀

@alexfranklin4270 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for making this! I've been watching you for awhile and it's so cool to see your journey to where you are now. Must have been a blast to go through all your old photos and memories. You're incredible at what you do!

@ccappa2001 2 жыл бұрын

This is very inspiring for an upcoming rider, love to hear your story

@pamgorton5128 2 жыл бұрын

You are the best! Carry on!

@inspiringscriptureartw-kar3761 2 жыл бұрын

Glad to come across your channel! You're a lovely 💕 person

@MarleneBelza 2 жыл бұрын

Love love LOVE your story and following your channel 🤩 Very inspiring 👏🏻 🙌🏻💪🏻

@LeslieNikulka 3 ай бұрын

Bravo! Your journey and the work you do are admirable. Thank you so much for sharing. ❤🐎

@Birddog1227Blogspot 2 жыл бұрын

You’re such a Winner! Thanks for sharing~ I have enjoyed learning from you and your horses.

@barefootrealist246 Жыл бұрын

Love this. Thank you for sharing. Persistence, creative thinking, hard work and dreams. All the best to you Sam.

@shazphantomchic1398 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Sam, what a great video. I really appreciate your honesty and sharing your story so far. Very interesting to learn and understand the path that got you here today. Ta Shaz 💜

@carolmccorry3053 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing Sam, you did an awesome vlog. Very informative and great to watch. All the best for 2022.

@lydia535 3 ай бұрын

You are amazing, never doubt yourself. Not everyone needs college to be successful. What a life working with horses!❤️

@rofiahcrawford3250 Жыл бұрын

Wow Sam, great video on your horse journey thus far. A lot of relatable experiences. Thanks for taking the time to share with us.

@camilleb51 2 жыл бұрын

really loved this video ❤❤

@4everequestrian544 2 жыл бұрын

You are super talented and brave! Keep being you!

@DS-ky9dl 2 жыл бұрын

You will always be a success...your instincts are spot on! You were able to read what the horse needed and help him to learn. Thanks for the great video.

@vittoriav6356 2 жыл бұрын

I loved this. It was so inspiring. You are so talented at what you do.

@harperg270 2 жыл бұрын

I’m not from a horsey family either! My mom did lease a horse when she was younger but that is pretty much all other then my aunt whom owns a horse! I’ve been riding for 2 years now, I don’t own my own horse but I kind of pretend my lesson horse is my own lol. I’m so excited to continue my journey and buy a horse in the future!

@chellwedance 2 жыл бұрын

you are an amazing, talented person, i'm so happy for you having found yourself growing stronger and more confident in this journey!! Its been a privelage to watch you grow and learn your craft!

@lisaarmbruster1687 2 жыл бұрын

Samantha, you are an inspiration! you should be so proud of what you have become and have accomplished. !

@nikolettdurgo979 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your words❤️! Such an inspiration… the World needs more people like you!

@natequine4977 2 жыл бұрын

Your story is really inspiring 💙 i started riding at 14, i also dont have a horse family and im not very confident but im excited to improve :))

@SamVanFleet 2 жыл бұрын

You've got this!

@underdog264 2 жыл бұрын

Wow - what a fantastic story and grand adventure. I love your outlook that the time we have now is really fleeting and it’s important to have a positive outlook on life. ❤️❤️❤️

@sascandave 2 жыл бұрын

Wow !!!! Such a amazing story Sam.... you are amazing and a natural gift for what you do . I know nothing about horses cept that I love animals and I'm hooked on your channel

@joeharris1717 Ай бұрын

Remarkable. Truly.

@MBHacres Жыл бұрын

I absolutely loved hearing your life journey and look forward to following along on all your adventures. You are an amazing young lady.

@peggymayhew5319 2 жыл бұрын

You are amazing. I will follow you forever. Bravo, Warrior woman!

@buttercupthemustang1126 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you SO MUCH for making this video!!! It's so inspiring! it was really cool in the video to see your journey with horses over the years! your horse training videos have helped me train my mustang, Willow (she's a bay roan). I love your videos, they are so helpful and fun to watch. Lynx is an awesome horse! Keep up the good work! You're so inspiring to me! Good luck with your future clinics, I hope I can go to one someday! What an amazing journey! ❤🐴

@carrierussell956 Жыл бұрын

Awesome story! Thanks for sharing and it certainly wasn’t too long, the time flew by listening. Best of luck on your future adventures 😊

@mackenzieviup6669 2 жыл бұрын

Love love your story Sam!! You are really awesome and incredible, you have had a lot of ups and downs and you are such an amazing person! Keep rocking and being you! Bless you and yours horses!

@deaton123able 2 жыл бұрын

Great Job All The Way Around. Looking Forward to future Videos of Your Life With The Mustangs.

@deborahhill3547 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing how the right doors just seem to open! I look forward to your videos and they all show your love of each horse as it should be. You are an awesome young girl, keep up the fantastic work! ❤

@tomasadikeman1136 2 жыл бұрын

Yay!! I loved hearing about how things happened for you! I found you around end of 2018 or begining of2019 and been following ever since! I love your journey and I'm so happy for you girl!! 💗

@MaddieEquestrian 2 жыл бұрын

love you video!!!!

@backyardfunwithsimone9213 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your amazing story of resilience, following your dreams and beating the odds. This was so inspiring to watch!

@nadiaseymour65 2 жыл бұрын

Your journey is so inspiring to me because you didn’t grow up with horses. But you made this life happen for yourself!!

@SamVanFleet 2 жыл бұрын

You're pretty awesome yourself!

@nadiaseymour65 2 жыл бұрын

@@SamVanFleet thank you so much Sam!! If you can do it, so can I! Keep up the amazing work 💜

@nbt3663 2 жыл бұрын

@@nadiaseymour65 there's a saying, "make them tell you no." But I say, just never tell yourself, "no." Chin up, back straight and get going. Never let them see you cry, though you will. And never let them see you quit, though you'll want to.

@ccindyskip 2 жыл бұрын

Loved the opportunity to get to hear about your background and your horses 🥰

@feelingbetternaturally1099 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful, inside and out! Thank you for sharing your equestrian journey this far. I look forward to seeing where the horses take you.

@dancing.with.adagio 2 жыл бұрын

I loved watching/listening to this! Sat and worked on a horse ear bonnet while listening. 🙂

@uniquemanagement2602 2 жыл бұрын

thanks Sam. loved hearing the long version of how it all came about.

@stephaniecarlson1068 Жыл бұрын

I wish I could do what you do. You're so smart!

@FOMHLMAO 2 жыл бұрын

You are an AWESOME Young Lady! Keep it up!❤️❤️

@patrickmartin6682 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing part of your story, I appreciate your honesty. A story of overcoming, and finding your true self.

@johnhawks5035 Жыл бұрын

Congratulations. Your success is well deserved, hard-earned, and just beginning. All the best.

@ostarasloom7205 2 жыл бұрын

What a wonderful journey!!❤️ I love this so much - ty for sharing! I truly hope I have the opportunity to meet you some day. You should be so proud of what a wonderful person, hard worker and natural horsewoman you are!

@kimtyndall876 Жыл бұрын

I'm so happy I found your channel your so smart and I hope to learn a lot from you.

@TammySaj-zm6kr 2 ай бұрын

I was 5 yrs old my dads friend Bob owned a horse 🐎 farm and we would go there every weekend, no grown ups watching us, they were drinking beer up in the house . It was love at first sight for me. I rode so many great ponies and horses in my life , I worked at a racetrack as well and several trail riding stables as a guide. I owned a welsh pony , and as i grew i got a 17.2 hand thourobred gelding named shane. Im 60 now and don't have any horses , my sister does though. I still ride when im able . But for 55 years they have held my heart ❤️ and will until im gone 😊God bless and stay safe 🙏 ❤️