Balance for Horse and Rider is Key By Jill Holdal with Julie Lewis-Schot The thought of riding downhill strikes fear into many riders. Steep terrain can be intimidating when the horse and rider are unprepared. Training is important, but properly fitted tack should be the first place to … Read More
How to Ease the Stress of Long Horse Hauls Robert Eversole ‘Tis the season for horse riding and camping trips and all the stress that comes along for the ride when traveling with equines. When the siren song of a new trail gets loud…well, you have to load that … Read More
The Most Dangerous Mistakes are Those Not Recognized By Robert Eversole The advice I usually give in my articles is about avoiding mistakes. But what defines a mistake? And how do you recognize one? After all, one person’s gaffe could be another’s routine. Many drivers, for example, don’t wear … Read More
Train for Narrow Places on the Trail by Jill Holdal with Julie Lewis Schot It’s common to encounter knee-knocking narrow points on the trail. If your horse rams your legs into trees, rushes through tight spots, or simply refuses them, your safety may be at risk. Trainer Jill Holdal … Read More
Don’t Worry, Be Prepared by Robert Eversole Last August in Idaho a woman was attacked by a bear. For weeks afterward, local newspapers printed page upon page about the encounter, warning their readers that dangerous animals were prowling the countryside. What if you were planning a ride or a … Read More
Training Takes Hard Work, Not Stuff by Mark Bolender Magic for sale! I have a Mountain Trail video that will make your horse perfect on every obstacle. I’ll sell you this magic bit to give your horse the perfect head set. How about this magic training halter that will … Read More
Prepare for the Unexpected When Trail Riding by Robert Eversole My summer of trail rides and horse camping was wonderful. Until it wasn’t. You might have heard I took a tumble recently. It’s true. I was riding in the Three Sisters Wilderness in central Oregon when I joined the Unplanned … Read More
Reduce Injuries with Skills, Training, and Common Sense by Mark Bolender Mountain Trail has its hazards and there is potential for injury in many areas. We trainers and riders have an obligation to protect our horses to the best of our ability. Over the years I’ve noticed some riders … Read More
You’ve Got One Job by Robert Eversole Most visits from out-of-state family don’t start with a trip to the farm supply store for clothes. This one did. Immediately after arriving from the East Coast my 17-year-old niece Mikayla discovered western ranch culture with a new wardrobe of horse riding … Read More
An Exercise in Focus by Mark Bolender Trail challenge and mountain trail are based on real situations found riding on the trail. Certain obstacles simulate these working conditions. One important obstacle is the balance beam. It simulates some of the difficult log and bridge crossings required to cross creeks … Read More
