Meet Braden Johns | Professional Horse Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Braden Johns and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Braden, what do you attribute your success to?
For me it is my work ethic that was instilled from a young age growing up on the family ranch and from being around good cowboys/cattlemen like my grandfather. When all else fails you can still have a work ethic and discipline to overcome problems and bad luck.

A close second for me has to be my willingness to seek out people that have strengths in areas where I feel I’m weak at. Taking their criticism/ideas and fitting that into my program to become a more well rounded horseman.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I had never really planned on being a professional horse trainer , I more so wanted to manage a ranch or have a ranch of my own . I fell into my first training gig and the appetite to be better every day grew and with each step till now I have worked for multiple Hall of Fame trainers where I learned not only the methods and ways to build champion horses but the dedication day in and day out required to succeed in this industry ! I don’t consider myself the most talented or have the most talented horse flesh to work with but I pride myself on my work ethic and getting my horses broke first then train them in whichever discipline they will have the most success in .

Everyday is a struggle as you have to want to be up early , stay late, in the wind ,cold, heat , and etc . What drives me to do that is building that finished horse and seeing the improvements from day to day with each individual horse.

I’ve learned that you have to have a baseline for your program and never compromise those ideas , not to worry what other people think , when things get tough trust your circle and work hard .

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Definitely a diamondbacks or cardinals game then probably a restaurant known for good steaks or Mexican food preferable one that serves green chiles or a jalisco style menu.

Old town Scottsdale certainly would be on the list , cave creek certainly has a wide variety of nightlife , big fan of ohso, sushi brokers, and loco patron .

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
You of course have to start with thanking your family . As a youth my grandfather taught me how to be a good cowboy and the fundamentals of horsemanship and from there grew a insatiable desire to be a “Horseman”. Next I have to thank the guys I have worked for in their training programs because without them I would not be the trainer I am today : Rowdy Larson , Kory Pounds , Winston Hansma, and Doug Williamson. Then lastly I would have to thank some friends that I bounce ideas off and get help from when I feel I’m in a rut or struggling with a horse: Jake Berry , Brad Barkemeyer, Paul Elsner, and Cass Tatum.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/BradenJohnsPerformanceHorses/

Instagram: bjohnsperformancehorses

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braden.johns.9

Image Credits
Primo morales