 OUR PHILOSOPHY
No nonsense, no hussle or pressure approach to learning basic horsemanship and training techniques. To teach our basic training concepts and give industry advice to enable you to train your horse for any discipline, therefore to have fun with your horse while knowing it is trained and safe.
OUR GOALS
To make available to you the tools to train you and your horse. To give you the opportunity to attend camps and clinics, trail rides, and horse shows to learn basic horse training concepts. To learn by doing.
MARSHA MEEKS JOHNSON - HORSEWOMAN - IN THE NEWS
As an only child reared on a large ranch by her grandparents, Marsha’s horse served as a friend and sibling. With no other children nearby, riding was a way of life and a relief from chores! Marsha developed a keen understanding of horses and how to partner with them.
While working full time in real estate and raising a family, Marsha’s life evolved into teaching horses and their riders. In 1959 she found her first niche in the horse world when she supervised the Houston YMCA Camp for children in Wimberley, Texas. Within two years, Marsha opened her own horseback riding camp for children and their horses and maintained it for years.
 Over the years under Marsha’s tutelage, children blossomed into competitive rodeo and pleasure riders as well as seasoned trail riders. Marsha’s first World Champion Youth exhibitor won in 1971 and Marsha’s kids are still winning.
Although Marsha has won numerous competitions in a variety of disciplines, her greatest joy comes from the successes of her students.
As parents and adults witnessed Marsha’s gift and the fun children were having, they requested lessons. Marsha enjoys working with people one-on-one and in groups. Her weekend courses combine a group experience, but she always has time for individual  mentoring and coaching a rider with his or her horse. On this website Marsha provides more detail on her training methods including despooking/desensitising horses, trail obstacle training as well as camp schedules and trail ride schedules.
Over the years, Marsha has gained a reputation for producing and matching gentle horses for any age and skill of rider. She has gained national recognition for her trail obstacle and de-spooking training through the American Quarter Horse Association’s publications and television programs.
Marsha offers low-key, conversational group and individual lessons at exceptionally reasonable prices. She coordinates and leads weeklong out-of-state trail rides and rides in the Panhandle. With Marsha as the trail boss, riders can expect a safe, enjoyable, and educational trip.
Marsha helps horse lovers find the right horse for their interests and skills.
Marsha and her horses invite you to call or come by for a visit. Until then, happy and safe trails to you and yours!
Flying M Ranch in Texas
The Real Deal
I fell in love with horses when I was in elementary school. Doesn't anyone?
It happened in part watching Roy Rgers, Dale Evans, and Gene Autry demonstrate the beauty and wonder of horses. Then I grew up, got busy making a living, and no longer had time and/or money to have horses. As I got into my 60s, I thought it might be foolish to ride horses, at least that was the opinion of everyone who expressed concern for my health. But the horse bug had bitten. So I had to ask myself, could I find a way to stay safe and afford riding? The answer came to me when I talked to Marsha Johnson of the Flying M Ranch in Bertram, Texas.
I recall me first phone conversation with Marsha. I had called after seeing her website with all the wonderful photographs of folks of all ages riding in the mountains, swimming horses in streams, going through obstacle courses, cutting buffalo, and despooking their mounts. If Marsha's vast horse experience wasn't enough, her philosophy of life convinced me that I wanted to ride with this real cowgirl.
She told me that she did not put up with spoiled people on her rides and had found a way to make trailriding fun and affordable, even for those who had no horses. Marsha also assured me that being 60 or even 70 plus years old would not be an impediment to enjoying a trail ride as long as one had the right horse. And the right horse is calm, experienced, safe, and wiling to do as asked.
This sounds good, but in my mind even a safe horse can get confused when riders lack experience or get scared. Then Marsha eased my mind when she told me hat no one was allowed on her rides until hey came to the Flying M Ranch for a riding assessment. Since I had a friend with no horse experience who wanted to go, I felt a bit intimidated for both of us. But I rounded up more friends with all levels of experience to visit the Flying M, and off we went.
Our first ride included a lot of instruction prior to mounting as well as Marsha ponying the horse for my friend with no experience. I quickly saw that her teaching methods concentrated on training people to ride safely. It was obvious that her horses had already been trained to take care of people. After completing obstacle courses, we went on a short, but challenging trail ride. It was amazing how Marsha and her no-nonsense horses instilled confidence in riders. This lady knows horses and people.
Following several more ranch rides, we quickly signed up for a trail ride out of Ruidoso where we could enjoy the mountains and cooler weather. Marsha's experienced horses took good care of us and we managed not to confuse them. The best part of all was riding horses that knew many disciplines. They were cutting and roping bred and trail savvy horses with as much go or whoa as needed. With a ranch rodeo, horse racing, and western dinner theater entertainment thrown into the mix, this New Mexico ride was a great vacation.
Marsha Johnson and her ranch team are experienced, independent, and knowledgeable about horses. They are also passionate about getting people of all ages to whatever level of horsemanship is desired. So do yourself a favor whether you have never ridden, desire to get back into riding, or need refinement, talk to Marsha Johnson at the Flying M Ranch. There is no substitute for experience .... this is the real deal.
Clara Conner
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