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SUSAN KLAUDT
A Minister of the Gospel -
Not a Horse Trainer
A Teacher of the Word -
Not a Horse Clinician
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Hi Friends,
If you love God, and you love horses, I hope you will partner up with me and help spread the "good news" by Forwarding our Horse Ministry Newsletters, YouTube Videos, and WebSite to family and friends. Together, we can take the gospel to the world.
Thanks ya'll, and God bless you!
Susan Jeffries-Klaudt
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Watch for new mini-teaching videos on YouTube coming Spring, 2012.
Susan singing Promised Land
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The music for this video will be a walk down memory lane for many people. It features Susan singing "Promised Land". It was her signature song performed at concerts across America, and is on Kim and Susan Klaudt's 1991 CD titled DAKOTA DAYS. The slideshow features Susan's horses, Samson (the one with the white hind socks), and Montana. |
VISIT OUR WEBSITE Did You Know? The Bible often uses animals to illustrate a truth about our natural, earthly life. Did You Know? The horse is mentioned more than 375 times in scripture, and is used more than any other animal to teach principles of biblical faith. Did You Know? The language of the horse is called Equus. The language of God is called Faith. Susan Klaudt uses horses and the language of Equus to teach the language of Faith. Now You Know!
Susan Klaudt Natural Horse Faith-Man-Ship Teaching Biblical Faith Using Horses Write or Email us today! Susan Klaudt Horse Ministry P. O. Box 4994 Cleveland, TN 37320 A note from Susan... What is Susan Klaudt Natural Horse Faith-Man-Ship? NHF is the realization of a remarkable vision and dream the Lord placed in my heart many years ago to use horses to visually teach biblical principles of faith. Now, after more than three decades of pulpit ministry, and countless miles traveling and doing cowboy churches, my horses and I have taken a new trail, and have entered the world of cyber space! Natural Horse Faith-Man-Ship is based on 3 simple and easy to understand Bible based principles. Everything that I teach in NHF falls under the heading of one of these principles: Purpose, Power, and Partnership 1. PURPOSE - You were born for Purpose - God's Purpose. 2. POWER - You have been given Power - a delegated power that has been given to you through the name of Jesus Christ. 3. PARTNERSHIP - You are created for Partnership - partnership with God who created you for His pleasure, and for His purpose. "But ask the animals and they will teach you..." (Job 12: 7) As a minister of the gospel, and a horse owner for many years, I know that there is no better animal to visually demonstrate and help teach Bible-based truths than the natural horse. The horse is a large prey animal who is instinctive and reactive by nature, and hard-wired for survival. However, with proper training, and knowledge, he is capable of learning that the source of his power is not in his size, his speed, or his prey instincts. The true source of the horse's power lies in the gentle and guiding hand of his master in partnership. It is a privilege for me to share my life with God's marvelous creation, the horse. Together, we are partners in life, and in ministry. Through the humble efforts of Natural Horse Faith-Man-Ship, it is my sincere hope that you will be blessed, your faith strengthened, and you will discover God's wonderful purpose and plan for your life. |
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God Whisperers
"Horse Whisperers speak the language of Equus with their body. A God Whisperer speaks the language of Faith with their words. My life is dedicated to becoming fluent in both of these languages."
Susan Jeffries-Klaudt
Have you ever heard the term "Horse Whisperer"? It's a term we often hear given to people who have learned to communicate with horses through the language of Equus. What you may not know is that the term "horse whisperer" originated back in the early 19'th century. An Irish horseman by the name of Daniel "Horse-Whisperer" Sullivan was known for rehabilitating horses. History records that Sullivan tried to keep his horse methods secret, however, there were those who observed his behavior with troubled horses, and reported that he often stood face to face with them. Because of his body position, they believed he was whispering to the horses. Of course, today we know that it was his body language, and not whispering, that the horses responded to. Many years later, Sullivan's methods were passed on to Willis Powell and others who helped bring the gentle method of horse taming to the Americas, and hence, we have Sullivan's nickname, and the term "horse whisperer".
In 1998, actor Robert Redford directed and starred in the popular movie "Horse Whisperer", and once again brought revival to the term. The movie was based on the 1995 novel by Nicholas Evans, and told the story of a horse trainer with a gift for understanding and working with horses. The plot centered around a teenage girl named Grace, and her horse, Pilgrim, who were involved in an accident that left them both seriously injured and traumatized. Redford, who plays the part of Tom Booker, the horse whisperer, was able to work miracles with Grace and Pilgrim through his gentling methods of horsemanship.
It's interesting to note that according to author, Nicholas Evans, his original book was modeled after real-life horse whisperers Tom Dorrance, Ray Hunt, and especially Buck Brannaman who doubled for Redford in the movie, and served as a consultant on all things "horse". Most of us are familiar with the great legacy left to us by the late Dorrance and Hunt, and of course, Brannaman is still a tremendous blessing to the horse world today. However, the movie was not realistic in many regards to horse rehabilitation, nor were the methods a text book for horse whispering, or natural horsemanship. Perhaps that was due mostly to the fact that it was, after all, a Hollywood movie. But what the movie did do was awaken us to the fact that there is power in our actions, and just like with our words, it doesn't have to be any more forceful than a whisper.
Each time we open our mouth and speak, we are exercising our faith, or lack, thereof. Even when we whisper, and think that no one else can hear, - God is listening to every word.
Today, I want to share with you about a different kind of whisperer, - the "God Whisperer". What's a God Whisperer? A God Whisperer is someone who has learned to communicate with God through the words that they speak, and the language of faith. Some people think they are only communicating with God when they are praying and specifically asking God for something. They have the mistaken assumption that God only listens or shows up when they initiate contact. Truth is, God is listening to us all the time. He's not only an expert in body language (what we do), but a discerner of faith (what we say). And He is a silent witness to every conversation. "And it shall come to pass, that before they call I will answer, and while they are yet speaking I will hear." (Isaiah 65: 24) For some people, the confessions of their mouth are their greatest weakness, and ultimately downfall. I grew up in the south, with a good dose of redneck woman in my genes. For many years, I functioned under the delusion that speaking my mind was a talent worth cultivating. Never mind the fall-out. Finally, God strongly convicted me of this sin. I realized that speaking "the language of faith", and speaking my mind, were two different things. One was pleasing to God, and the other usually wasn't. When we speak our minds, we tend to call it as we see it. Unfortunately, how we see things is usually short-sighted and carnal, at best. But when we speak the language of faith, - we exchange our limited vocabulary and insight for God's unlimited Word and Hope. By simply choosing to "say" what God's Word says, we become true God-Whisperers, and change the entire course of our life. Years ago, I had an experience that helped to teach me that God listens when we speak. Not only that, He eaves-drops, and listens to our private conversations! Today, that experience has come to be known as my "Samson" testimony. If you like a good, mushy, horse-love story, you're gonna like this. But most importantly, I share it with you in hopes that it will reach deeper than a text-book sermon on the power of our words. Because of Samson, I know that God hears me, and he's listening to every word, even when I'm whispering to someone else. THE SAMSON TESTIMONY It all started on a beautiful spring day at a local horse show. My husband, Kim, and I, had just settled into the bleachers with our cholesterol gala, - cokes, hotdogs, and chips from the concession stand. While we munched away, Kim congratulated me on winning my pleasure class, and I remember half-heartedly smiling and thinking that I should really feel more excited than I did. Truth was, I knew that I had a good working relationship with my quarter horse gelding, Montana, but something was still missing for me. And so I did what I often did. I sat there and daydreamed about the dream horse I had yet to meet. Did such a horse exist? After many years, and more than a dozen horses along the way, I wasn't sure anymore. Yes, I had loved each and every horse I had been blessed to share my life with. But I knew in my heart, I had not met "the one" yet.
Soon, the next pleasure class was underway. As I always did, I watched closely as each horse and rider entered the arena and made their way along the metal fence in search of the optimum position on the rail. Then suddenly, as if drawn by a magnet, my eyes quickly landed on a beautiful dark bay horse with two white hind socks. I was instantly taken by his grace and movement, and couldn't take my eyes off him. He was being ridden by a woman who appeared confident, and she was riding effortlessly with good hands and perfectly draped reins. The horse was well-muscled, and collected. In an instant, I was completely and irreversibly smitten. And then it happened. In an unexplainable, perhaps once in a life-time moment, I somehow knew that this horse was destined to be mine, and that he was the one.  Finally, I couldn't contain my feelings any longer. Making sure no one else could hear me, I leaned over, and very, very quietly, I whispered softly to my husband, "Do you see that bay horse with the white hind socks on the back rail?" Kim's eyes searched the arena, and finally he whispered back in a non-commital way, "Yeah, I see him. Why?" For a brief moment, I marveled that my husband didn't just seem to know what I knew, and I looked at him with one of those impatient, annoyed looks that only an experienced wife can deliver. "You're kidding, right? Can't you see that beautiful horse out there?" Then I gathered my composure like any good cowgirl worth her salt, and decided to employ a different tactic. In a voice that much more resembled a child presenting a Christmas wish-list to daddy, rather than a grown woman lusting over a good-looking horse, I whispered once again, "Well, I just wanted you to know that if I could have any horse in all the whole wide world, - that is the horse I would want. That one right there!" I pointed with my finger. And finally, I declared, "That is my horse!" Always one with great spiritual insight, and quick wit, Kim replied, "Good, now all you gotta do is go tell the owner she has your horse." It sounded like a challenge to me, so I quickly replied without blinking an eye, "I plan on doing just that!" And that's just what I did, well, sorta... Within minutes I had mustered up my nerve, and found myself standing beside this remarkable horse who had stolen my heart with just a look. He was now tied to his trailer, and calmly munching hay from a hay-bag. As I approached him, he never looked up, or gave me any sign that he had just come into contact with his destiny. The show grounds was bustling with activity, and noice blared from the announcer stand, but I was deaf to any sound but my own heart beating. I reached out my hand and stroked the horse's perfectly trimmed black mane. Then I leaned down and whispered to my new-found love, "You are mine." Seconds later, I found myself face to face with the owner. I congratulated her, and told her how much I admired her horse, and chit-chatted for a while. She told me her horse's barn name was Samson. Finally, I could stand it no longer, so I took a big gulp, and said, "If you ever want to sell Samson, I would like to buy him." There it was, - out in the open. My intentions were honest and clear. For a brief moment, I felt good about the situation. Then the woman looked me straight in the eye, and in no uncertain terms, she said, "I will never sell this horse, not now, and not ever." End of story, or so it seemed. I tried to hide my face, feeling foolish for having wanted this horse so much. As I walked away, my eyes burned with tears that just kept coming and coming. And then, once again, I heard myself whispering to no one in sight, "You are mine, Samson. You are mine." |
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"The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry."
(Psalm 34: 15)
The years went by, and I learned through the grape vine that Samson was now being shown on the AQHA state level. On several ocassions, I made the long drive to watch him compete, always being careful to stay hidden in the background, and admiring him from afar. I never again mentioned the horse to anyone, nor dared to approach his owner again. I simply thought about him from time to time, and each time I did, the tears came.
Then one evening, Kim and I decided to go to a local horse auction. It was a quirky, out of the ordinary, impromptu kind of decision. We'd done some saddle trading years ago at this auction, and thought it might be a good opportunity to sell some old tack. When we arrived, the auction was in full-swing. And then, as if in a perfectly rehearsed and orchestrated play, Kim noticed an old friend of ours from our saddle club, and suddenly they were in deep conversation. Meanwhile, I headed to the concession stand for a hot bowl of chili and crackers. Little did I know that I was only moments away from a miracle.
Suddenly, and without warning, Kim rushed up behind me, grabbing me in a bear hug, and asked in an excited voice, "If you could have any horse in the world, - which horse would it be?" What a strange question, I thought. It came out of nowhere, and completely took me off-guard. "What are you talking about?" I quickly replied. "Just answer the question," Kim persisted. Without hesitation, I no longer whispered as I had all those years ago. Now, I shouted at the top of my lungs, "Samson, - it would be Samson!"
The next thing Kim said left me speechless. "I know where Samson is, and I've made an appointment for us to go see him tomorrow. Baby, you're gonna get your horse!" Needless to say, right then and there, Kim received a lifetime supply of brownie points that he is still cashing in on today!
Turns out, the chance conversation Kim had with our old horse showing buddy at the auction wasn't chance at all, but the providence of God. Kim remembers asking him, "Whatever happened to that horse, Samson, and his owner?" To which our buddy replied, "Funny you should ask. That horse is at my training barn right now. His owner brought him over just last night. She's getting married, and she's decided to sell Samson."
That night, I didn't sleep a wink. Next day, we drove to the training barn, and for the first time since I had first laid eyes on him, I reached out and stroked Samson's coarse, black mane once again. This time, he looked at me with two eyes, and smelled my hands, my clothes, and soaked in my presence. In that moment, he knew that he was mine, and that I had come for him. At last, I climbed up in the saddle, and took the reins in my hands. Tears of joy filled my eyes as I remembered back to the first time I had seen this horse at the horse show years ago. He was just a youth back then. Now he was 7 years old, and at 1250 pounds, I could feel the power of his body beneath me. He was everything I had dreamed of, and more.
As I jogged Samson around the arena, I thought about another kind of power, - the power of my words, and their ability to reach the ear of God. In essence, I had spoken the language of faith, and now I was a bonafide God Whisperer. "Might as well go get your check-book, sweety!" I said to Kim, with a grin the size of Texas. And then I whispered to the one I knew was always listening. "Thank you, Lord, for giving me "the one".
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"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."
(1 John 5: 14, 15)
If you're ready for the faith ride of your life, I invite you to pray this prayer with me. "Lord, thank you for giving me the gift of abundant faith, and remind me that every time I open my mouth, I should speak out of that abundance, and not lack. Help me to "say" what you say. In your Word, you have declared that I am more than a conqueror, an overcomer in this life. Lord, I agree with your Word concerning me. Your Words are better than my words. Help me to become my own best friend through the confessions of my mouth, and not my own worst enemy through confessions of doubt and lack of faith. Finally, Lord, I know that you are a silent witness to every conversation. Teach me to set a guard over my mouth and tongue, and to always choose my words wisely, because I know that your ear is listening, and attentive to very word I say." *Susan Klaudt Horse Ministry and Susan Klaudt Natural Horse Faith-Man-Ship are equine ministry outreaches of Kim and Susan Klaudt World Ministries, Inc., a non-profit ( 501 ) ( C ) ( 3 ) evangelistic ministry for the spread of the gospel. All gifts and contributions to this ministry are tax deductible. |
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