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
Learn to Tie Basic Knots by Robert Eversole The clinic circuit is a hoot! I’ve been teaching trail riding and horse camping at expos from coast to coast. One topic that comes up is gadgets. People either rely on them too much or pooh-pooh the very idea. I love … Read More
Patience and Time Leads to Success by Mark Bolender In any equine discipline, a consistent cadence with forward motion is a desired skill. This skill does not come easily but is worth the work that goes into it. In the discipline of Mountain Trail this is a skill that … Read More
Proper Preparation Necessary for Success by Mark Bolender The most important thing a judge should see when you run a Mountain Trail pattern is a partnership between horse and rider. Show a horse that has been properly schooled and trained. Memorizing a pattern will feel overwhelming at first, but … Read More
If You Want Trails, Take Action by Robert Eversole Paradise. For some it’s a tropical beach with palms swaying in a gentle breeze. For me it’s a dirt trail that twists and meanders to a backcountry camp deep in the wilderness. It’s quiet solitude punctuated by the peaceful clip-clop … Read More
Worldwide Interest is Growing by Mark Bolender Riding through rugged mountain trails is something people do every day across the world. You never know what kind of obstacles you and your horse might encounter on the trail; you may have to cross anything from fallen tree limbs to deep … Read More
Use a Map to Plan Your Ride by Robert Eversole From brush to saddle to trailer, equine enthusiasts use many different tools to help us make our way happily down the trail. One very important element in your equine travel toolbox is a map of where you’re visiting. Let’s … Read More
Fun for Participants and Spectators by Mark Bolender It’s exciting to see mountain trail growing around the world. What a year it has been! We now have seven nations involved and four of those countries are holding certified IMTCA (International Mountain Trail Challenge Association) challenges/shows. We had a number … Read More
