This is Alex. I adopted Alex a few years ago from Ohio. He is an ex-race harness horse. He was retired at 2 and went to a riding school after that. The school apparently stopped using standardbreds and once again Alex was put up for adoption. So, he is with me now.

I love this little horse. He is so much fun to ride. I have used him for lessons. He does jump. But I have had more fun with him as a trail horse. He attached quickly to my daughters appaloosa mare and he dearly loves her. He will follow her around like a puppy dog. I have recently set up an obstacle course for training and Alex has had no trouble going through the obstacles and around the trail. But he does like to have his best friend near him, so he will whinny for her on on occasion when he notices her nearby in the pasture.

Alex will walk, trot or pace, depending on what you ask him to do. If you ask, he will jump logs. Alex is only 15 hands high and he is 12 years old. He is what some would call an almost black in winter, but he is a dark bay. He is tatooed on the neck. I have several horses that I don’t have time to ride regularly and Alex is one of them, so I have decided to sell him.

Alex would be great for anyone, but I like to sell my horses to adults whom I know are set up for taking care of them properly. He would be a great trail horse for anyone and is easy to ride. contact me through sherry@baymountacres.com or 704-902-7345.

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Horses were made to slop through the mud in a natural foot.  So don’t be afraid your horse will slip and fall.  They don’t want to fall anymore than you do.  Just be aware of where you are going and your speed.   Also be aware of your balance on your horse.  Sit up tall, don’t lean side to side, forward or back, keep your heels down and your hands still.  All this will help your horse keep it’s balance and make a safer ride.

Teach your horse to go through mud.  Many horse don’t like to walk through sloppy parts of the trail.   They will avoid that area trying to go around it, which can cause trouble in so many ways.   Perhaps there are trees that you can rub up against, or hanging vines you and your horse can get caught in if your horse decides to avoid a mud pit. 

Make a practice area in your yard or pasture that you can fill with water and make really muddy.   Then take the time to teach your horse that it is ok to walk through this.  Walk by hand first then ride him/her through it at a walk moving slowly up to a trot and canter.   Please be sure your horse has had all the preliminary training of following all your cues on command and is a sound horse before you start.  You don’t want to force this issue or get hurt in the process.  After a few times passing through this mud pit you created, riding through one on the trail will be a piece of cake.

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That’s when we get in trouble, when we (ass)u(me).   I learned quick and I learned well.  Not long after I started ‘riding’ I also started taking lessons.  I wanted more than just to hang on for the thrill of my life at the moment.  I wanted to know I was secure, well balanced and knew what to do with those reins when I was pulling, pulling and pulling and the horse still wasn’t stopping!  So needless to say, just because one stays on the horse does not make one a good rider.  Anybody who stays on a horse can ride.  Correct.  But not anyone who stays on a horse knows what they are doing.  What most beginners and occasional trail riders don’t remember or realize is that these horses are trained to respond to certain ques.  Therefore, it is our responsibility to take the time to learn what those ques are and how to use them correctly.  Otherwise, we are telling our horses to do something and they are saying “WHAT????”, because we don’t really know what we are telling them ourselves, we just ‘think’ we do. 

For instance, if you are riding along and talking to your buddy, looking here and there, moving your hands around and twisting this way and that in your saddle, did you notice that your horse may meander off the trail, walk into the horse next to you or do something else you don’t want it to do?  Do you realize that all that commotion you just made while talking was also communicated to your horse in many different ways and he is trying to figure out what you want?  Your horse feels and hears everything you are doing and trys to stay balanced himself while balancing a bobbing object and sometimes heavy object on his back. 

Think about it, next time you take a walk, hoist a small child up on your shoulders, give them something in their hands to play with and see how balanced you stay in your walk, especially if that child is giggling, moving or bouncing around. 

Take a few lessons, have a better ride, learn to communicate with your horse and be safer on the trail.  Spring is here and we will all be out riding longer hours wanting to have fun.  Make it more fun by becoming a better rider.

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1.  Dress in layers.   Lots of layers, long thermal underwear, several long sleeve T-shirts, a vest, keep your head and ears covered, and wear sock and glove liners.  Also, give up those riding tights or jodpurs, if you can for stretchy jeans. Jeans are generally thicker.  Buy them a size roomier so you can layer underneath.

2.  Invest in a pair of winter riding boots.  I like the kind with velcro fasteners.  It is easier to get them on and off.  Make sure they are insulated to help keep your toes toasty.

3.  Invest in a riding blanket that covers your horse and wraps around you and your saddle to block the wind and hold in heat.

Once everything is in place for you to stay warm, think about your horse.

1.  Keep him in condition for winter weather.  Bump up his grain a little in the fall and put on a few pounds or keep him blanketed.

2.  Be deligent about keeping him shod properly.  In icy, snowy and muddy footing, it doesn’t hurt to invest in shoes with studs or specialized boots for proper footing.  These can be purchased through several sites found on the internet.  It is easy enough to measure for them.  But be sure to have a new trim on him before you do measure.

3.  Wrap your horses legs to help prevent tendon damage.  Walking, trotting, gaiting or cantering on sloppy footing puts more stress on the legs.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Most importantly, plan accordingly, give yourself plenty of time and enjoy your ride.

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I personally trained this little mare spending many, many hours in the saddle riding all over North Carolina and Virginia.  She has been on several day long trail rides and three competitive trail rides sponsored by ACTHA.  Confetti is 14.2 hands and has excellent and tough hooves.  She can go barefoot most of the time.  I prefer shoes on the rocky trails.  She is easy to handle and gets along well with other horses.  Anyone can ride her, but she is hot to the cues, so preferrably a rider with quiet hands and legs would be best for her.  She has a very sensitive mouth and it doesn’t take but a small touch to cue her.  I also ride Confetti with a hackamore, which I prefer except for cantering in the open.  Confetti loves to gallop and can cover a lot of ground in very little time.  She is a little running machine and her small compact body makes her perfect for endurance rides. 

I would love to keep Confetti, but I have too, way too many horses.  I want her to have a good, loving home, preferrably a woman owner.  She loves attention and grooming.  She also loves the trails.

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I am concentrating  my efforts on not just riding and riding well, but skill games for balance, games for confidence building, safety around horses, games for spatial awareness while mounted, riding patterns and accomodating trail obstacles.  All very important steps in learning to be a safe, confident rider.  This is also a wonderful opportunity to stress the importance of dressing appropriately for winter riding.  Layer, layer, layer in equestrian sports is just as important as location, location, location is in real estate. 

Lots to do, lots to eat, lots of fun to be had.  The barn is equipped with a heater in case of ‘really’ cold weather, which hasn’t be a deterent yet.  The tack room is nice and cozy and the aisle is plenty wide to hold quite a few children and their horses.  The lesson horses here have had plenty of exposure to all types of riders and styles of riding.  This will be a treat for them as well.  Here are a few of the horse staff working that week.

These are just a few of the horses we will be using in our camp.  We will be having fun playing games, learning better riding skills and bonding with each other for an entire week to continue the Christmas spirit and bringing in the New Year!

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It took us a few hours to get there through some of the prettiest country one could hope to see.  The fact that we went late in October didn’t hurt any either.  The trees were beautiful, the mountains were clear and the rolling hills in the valley with their picturesque  farms and towns made me want to move there.  I think some of the nicest people you could ever meet live in the Shenandoah Valley.   I did get a little worried when we started up the mountain to the ranch pulling a long stock trailer with horses on a steep, winding and narrow road that had posted signs,  ”Not Recommended for Tractor Trailers”.   But we made it safely and pulled into a very convenient and well run facility.

Two days of riding were all we had time for, but to tell the truth, our horses weren’t quite up to more than two days.  We took our two most conditioned horses.  However, we weren’t prepared for the rocks on the trail.  Most of the trails were actually ‘easy’ trails, but one of our mares did not have shoes and the other only had front shoes.  I am talking about them walking over boulder size rocks that really took some accomodating.  This old gal actually got off her mare to make walking easier.  Thankfully, those sections of the trails were few and far between and only a short distance of maybe 30 feet.  But I loved every minute of it and would certainly do it again.  Next time I will be better prepared.   Shoes all the way around.

One of the best trails we rode took us up to the top of the mountain where we could see for miles and miles and overlooked the Shenandoah River.  This was a winding and steep trail, but so well layed out,  that it did not seem steep at all.  It took us about three hours of walking up and around the valleys to get there, then about two – three hours to get back.  The views were spectacular.  The only thing I regret is that I forgot to take my camera.  The most intimidating part of that particular trail was the rocky, narrow and steep area that I would have named ‘Goat Only Crossing”.  That is one area where I felt more comfortable leading my horse rather than riding.  But my mare went through it like she had been doing it her whole life. 

We were certainly tired when we got back, mostly from not being used to riding all day and partly from being up so high in the mountains.  After taking care of the horses and relaxing with our favorite beverage, I was ready to go again.  But, being fall, the daylight was decreasing and it was getting cooler and we were hungry.  Typically we would have started a fire in the pit and grilled steaks, but we opted for the cook stove in the trailer where it was warm and we had a shower and TV. 

Next morning I could not wait to get started.  We had the camp pretty much to ourselves that weekend.  It was very quiet and peaceful.  The trees were in their rich yellows and reds.  We took a shorter ride this day thinking that our horses feet would probably be a little sore.  However, with the addition of easy boots they picked right up and didn’t have any problems at all.  We did ride up on some people on dirt bikes, but they were wonderfully understanding and accomodating when they saw the horses.  Our mares didn’t seem to mind at all and just kept going like troopers. 

There is no way to describe the beauty and serenity of the Shenandoah Valley.  It is one of the most relaxing places I have ridden and would go again in a heartbeat.  I highly recommend it.

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Was I in for a huge lesson.  I was so green and so dumb that I told the farmer who owned the land that his mare pony had an infection and needed to call a vet because she had all this discharge under her tail!!  Imagine the laugh he had after I left!  Well I kept my horse for a few years, but sold him after I had my daughter.  I had owned him a few months when I found out I was pregnant for the third time and decided he was too much to care for with an infant and two  boys that needed me more.   I wish I had someone who took the time to tell me how much there was to caring for a horse when I bought him and had outlined it for me.  I wouldn’t have changed my mind, but I would have had something in which to refer.  And I probably would have picked out a better horse.  There were so many books out there I could have thumbed through hundreds before I found the right one to go by. 

Here’s what I wish I had known.

1.  How to judge the temperament of a horse.  I loved all horses and if I could catch them I thought they would be fine. I didn’t know to look for signs of sourness, distress, submissiveness or what-have-you.  I didn’t know that ears flat back meant, beware, or that flared nostrils could mean the horse is ready to bolt, a swishing tail could mean, anger, not just swatting flys.  There is a lot of body language I know now, that I had no idea even existed then. 

2.  I would have given anything to have known a horse has a one track mind and if you keep it busy doing something it knows well your chances are greater at having a safe ride.  Especially if you horse hates to leave its buddy or the barn. 

3.  Knowing what type of grain, hay and wormer to give and when would have helped.  My poor horse had to survive on what grass he could find.  There was plenty of it, but he would probably have been healthier if he had been limited to his intake of rich pasture grass and wormed more often. 

4.  Realizing (not just knowing) horses are herd animals and feel safer in groups would have helped me understand my horses reluctance to be separated from his pasture buddy.  Looking back I am thankful he had a pasture buddy.

5.  Knowing the signs of colic and how to take a pulse, respiration and what is a normal temp would have been helpful.  All these things should be kept on record for future reference.

6.  Signs of lameness and what the common causes are, like laminitis and abscesses. 

7.  My most recent challenge was to have a horse choke.  Never had that happen before and didn’t know what had happened at first.  It’s nice to know that they can choke and still breath, but do need to see a vet immediately when this happens. 

I could go on and on, but I would end up writing a book and there are already enough books on the market about horses.  My best advice is, that if you love horses, but aren’t that familiar with them, then don’t be afraid to ask for help.  There is no need to go out and hire a trainer, but you can learn a lot through riding lessons, videos and there is always RFD TV.  There is lots and lots of practical advice on that program. 

But if you have a question and need a fairly quick answer just email me.  I’ll do what Ican to answer your questions and give my best advice.  You can find me on Facebook under Baymount Farm or Twitter.

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I have several trail horses of my own.  Some of them are field trial horses, some are pleasure horses.  Most of them are familiar with the gates being opened while I am on their backs, but a few aren’t familiar with side passing over logs, turning on the forehand with their feet in a square, etc.  So, I set up a trail course in my ring.  It has most of the obstacles they need to practice on.  It always amazes me how quickly the horses pick up these new “tricks”.  Horses are so smart and willing, especially if you are having fun and letting them adjust at their pace to anything new you want them to learn.

Here is a tip:  when introducing a new obstacle, calmly walk your horse up to it first, if they seem apprehensive about it, let them stand and face it, smell it, paw at it (as long as they don’t tear it up – pawing allows them to see that it isn’t something that will jump up and attack them), then walk them around it until they are comfortable with it.  Look for signs of submission like, sighing, licking and chewing, dropping their head, looks of boredom and just standing there.  Once they are comfortable ask them to perform the task at hand, one step at a time.  Please don’t force your horse or you will find that training will quickly become frustrating for YOU and the horse will likely balk and become defensive every time you ask it to do something.  Remember your goal is to get your horse relaxed and willing.  You are the leader and must set the attitude from the beginning.   If you are relaxed they are likely to relax much more quickly.  Take your time, there is no rule that says your horse has to learn a new trick in one minute, one hour, one day or even one week.  If you feel you are going backwards or not making any progress, then stop, re-evaluate what you are asking and break it up into little steps.

For instance,  if you are asking your horse to turn on the forehand and he has no idea what you want, try these steps.

1.  Teach him to stand still first.

2.  Teach him to move one foot over at a time by tapping him on the side just behind the girth.  Ask for one movement, let him rest, ask for another movement, let him rest, repeat, repeat, repeat and soon he will be moving over until you ask him to stop.

3.  Next apply this to the bit.  I use a full check snaffle bit with a bit keeper to keep the bit from moving around so much in his mouth.  Pick up the rein and just take the slack out, when he moves over, let the rein pressure off immediately and pet him for being right.  Do this until he is moving over everytime you ask.

4.  Apply the two aids together.  Stand at his side, pick up the rein and tap him behind the girth as he moves his hindquarters over.  If he moves forward, stop, ask him to stand still, then apply the aids again.  Soon he will be moving his hindquarters over and then;

5.  Mount up, pick up your reins and ask him to stand, apply the reins by picking up one rein and taking the slack out, apply the leg aid behind the girth (you may have to use an active leg at first) and he should move his haunches over.  The idea is for him not to move forward.  He may get slightly confused at first and this is ok.  He will be thinking he is supposed to move forward since that is what he is usually asked to do.  Just gently stop him and apply the aids again.  Soon enough he will pick it up.

I have never come upon a horse that did not pick this up quickly and sufficiently when I took my time and made sure the horse understood what I was asking.  Rewarding for getting the right answer and practicing until he is 100% always works.

You can apply the same theory to whatever you are teaching and have fun doing it.  Make learning simple, rewarding and relaxing for you an your horse.  You will be amazed at how quickly you will be teaching new things and enjoying your ride much more.

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Riding lessons are a wonderful way to shed a few extra pounds.  You will have fun, learn better balance, feel great, build muscle all while you are loosing weight and you won’t even realize it.  I lost 15 pounds this summer riding horses.  I sat for years on my, well you know, and gained more pounds than I cared to.  I picked up running and ran a few half-marathons for a few years and lost weight just to have it come right back.  I bought an elliptical machine and still have yet to use it religiously in order to keep my weight down.  Then I picked up riding.  I loved it, loved the horses, loved being outside, loved the activity and lost pounds….and I am talking serious pounds.  Pounds off my stomach, thighs, hips, back.  All where it counts for a female!  Guys, you will lose weight too.  Feel better and treat yourself right.  There is nothing like learning a new skill to make you feel exhilarated and confident.

What style of riding do you pick up?  Depends on what your interests are.  Trail riding is relaxing and fun and can be ridden in any discipline; western or english.   The basic skills are the same.   Most people just starting out are more comfortable in a western saddle or endurance saddle.  But don’t stop there, learn hunt seat and increase your skills.  Equitation is another step up, as in dressage, saddle seat.  You decide what makes you the most comfortable and where you are having the most fun.  Exercise should be fun, otherwise, we just won’t keep up with it.

Need a lesson barn?  A great place to look is NewHorse.com where you can search by state and zip code to find your nearest stables.    Have fun, go out and shed those holiday pounds!

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