Conquering the Straddle Pole by Marilyn Pineda It is the Year of the Horse and we’ve definitely been having fun with horses at Fire Mountain Trail Course. A rigorous schedule of trail challenge events, training and practice has helped with mastering a variety of obstacles already this year. However, … Read More
How to Instruct Fearful Riders by Laura Daly Being an instructor of truly fearful riders takes a positive attitude, courage and self-control. Your job is to help build up the rider and show them that they can think through the fear and still control the horse and their emotions. … Read More
How to Properly Identify and Feed Carbohydrates by Eleanor Blazer Do the terms equine metabolic syndrome, Cushing’s disease, peripheral Cushing’s, insulin resistance and hypo-thyroid sound familiar? The common symptom shared by of all these conditions can be obesity. Weight and insulin problems are on the rise and it’s no … Read More
Juniper Dunes by Robert Eversole Despite the common notion that Washington State is a place of cool mists, ferns and towering firs, the fact of the matter is that a majority of the state is desert. The Cascade Mountain Range casts a rain shadow effect over two thirds of … Read More
Haney Meadow: Then and Now by Robert Eversole Most people in Washington’s Back Country Horsemen community have heard of Ken Wilcox, our patron saint of back country equestrian trails. Many people have at least a passing knowledge of Ken’s namesake horse camp near Haney Meadow. Far fewer people have … Read More
Inspire Success through Writing and the Use of Photos by Laura Daly Writing your fears and journaling about your lessons, rides and time with your horse can help you learn to ride fear free. The act of writing helps riders learn to see reality and gain control of their … Read More
Insight from an Obstacle Judge by Laura Schonberg Getting involved with Equestrian Trail Sports (ETS) has been one of the most rewarding and interesting things I have done as a horse owner and rider. I am relatively new to competitive trail riding and obstacle courses and the time spent … Read More
The Secret to Succeeding at Obstacle Challenges by Marilyn Pineda The Pacific Northwest riding season is here and opportunities in trail riding and obstacle challenge events such as what is offered by Equine Trail Sports (ETS) abound. You may not know that ETS events exist from the northern corners … Read More
How Groundwork and Agility Training Can Transform Your Ride by Kathy Richardson As a trainer and riding instructor I am frequently in contact with people who say, “I just want to ride. You just sit there. How hard can it be?” Most of these people have no idea how … Read More
by Marilyn Pineda A few months ago I started sharing a series of ground training exercises and techniques to practice from the saddle that would provide the basic components of a nice side pass. This month we are going to bring everything together and put the side pass into … Read More
