Leg Up Equine

11/21/2024

Input needed!

We Need You!
The Jefferson County Open Space would like to know how many of you use the horse trails at Flying J Ranch Open Space, near Conifer, CO?
Specifically, they are looking for input from the equestrian community in support of keeping the livestock tank open.
A short letter or note, sent in support of this service would be great, an included photo of you watering your horse at the tank would be even better. If you have questions, please contact Mary Ann Bonnell, Visitor Services and Natural Resouces Director at Jeffco Open Space. (303-271-5995). You can mail your notes, letters, and photos to, attention Mary Ann Bonnell:
Jefferson County Open Space
700 Jefferson County Parkway, Suite 100
https://www.jeffco.us/1220/Flying-J-Ranch-Park
Golden, CO 80401

thank you!

11/01/2024

November Table Topic 🐴 Leading by Example

"Serving as a president, committee member, ambassador, social influencer, writer or any similar role within an organized equestrian group goes beyond merely coordinating trail rides, organzing fundraising events or promoting trails. These individuals play an important role in modeling appropriate trail use and promoting trail ethics. Showcasing poor (sometimes illegal) behaviors, such as riding with unleashed dogs, consuming alcohol while riding, and various other infractions, not only undermines relationships with public agencies but also sets bad examples for fellow riders and non-equestrian trail users.

If the infractions (highlighted above) were carried out by individuals outside the equestrian community, there would be an uproar, yet when equestrians riding on public land make similar poor decisions, they often go without repercussions within their group."

www.horsetrailexpert.com

10/17/2024

PARKER, Colo. (KDVR) —A video is making its rounds on social media of a heated exchange between a horse rider and a cyclist over trail right of way. In the video, you can see a heated exchange betw…

10/10/2024

I love our trails

Leading by Example

"Serving as a president, committee member, ambassador, social influencer, writer or any similar role within an organized equestrian group goes beyond merely coordinating trail rides, organzing fundraising events or promoting trails. These individuals play a crucial role in modeling appropriate trail use and promoting trail ethics. Showcasing poor (sometimes illegal) behaviors, such as riding with unleashed dogs, consuming alcohol while riding, and various other infractions, not only undermines relationships with public agencies but also sets bad examples for fellow riders and non-equestrian trail users.

If the infractions (highlighted above) were carried out by individuals outside the equestrian community, there would be an uproar, yet when equestrians riding on public land make similar poor decisions, they often go without repercussions within their group."

www.horsetrailexpert.com

09/30/2024

I love our trails, let's take care of them!

"One of the consequences from renegade riders who choose not to self-regulate is agency imposed seasonal, blanket trail closures. Trudging around saturated trail sections during freeze thaw cycles and seasonal wet periods has serious and far-reaching effects.

And while I don't agree that this is the best option, it IS the simplest option to manage rider misuse. The negative impact of closing riding trails for four months is noticeable for businesses who rely on equestrians (even during the slow season), and recreational trail riders who prefer cooler weather riding. These types of trail closures can negatively affect other parks who might experience increased usage as riders filter over because their normal riding areas have been temporarily closed.

Blanket closures can be avoided. Horse clubs and trail riders have an obligation to proactively protect trail use by reining in misuse through self policing, reporting riders who buck rules and regulations, and by actively promoting proper trail etiquette within their user group - not just etiquette for cyclists, ORV and foot travelers."

www.horsetrailexpert.com

Horse Trail Expert

09/26/2024

Advocacy is the act of publicly speaking, writing, or recommending on behalf of or in support of an idea, action, cause, policy, or proposal. It can also be specifically helping someone to achieve their needs related to their rights. Let’s talk about advocating for what your equine community needs and how to do it. For equestrians, access to land, facilities, and trails is a cause to embrace.
Read more here: bit.ly/effective-advocacy-for-equestrian-land-access

09/07/2024

So cool!

08/25/2024

08/25/2024

The best relationships are always built on trust.

08/16/2024

I knew it!

“Horses have the ability to think and plan ahead and are far more intelligent than scientists previously thought, according to a Nottingham Trent University study that analysed the animal’s responses to a reward-based game.

“The horses cannily adapted their approach to the game to get the most treats – while making the least effort.

“Previously, research has suggested that horses simply respond to stimuli in the moment, they don’t proactively look ahead, think ahead and plan their actions – whereas our study shows that they do have an awareness of the consequences and outcomes of their actions,” said the lead researcher, Louise Evans.”

https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/aug/12/horses-can-plan-ahead-and-think-strategically-scientists-find

The actual research paper…

“Whoa, No-Go: Evidence consistent with model-based strategy use in horses during an inhibitory task”
Louise Evans et al.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159124001874?via%3Dihub

Read about Akhal-Teke Foundation programs here…
https://www.akhaltekefoundation.org/programs.html

Join our email list here…
https://www.akhaltekefoundation.org/email_list.html

06/30/2024

So true

Too true had to copy & paste !!

Things your riding instructor wants you to know:
1. This sport is hard. You don't get to bypass the hard…..every good rider has gone through it. You make progress, then you don't, and then you make progress again. Your riding instructor can coach you through it, but they cannot make it easy.

2. You're going to ride horses you don't want to ride. If you're teachable, you will learn from every horse you ride. Each horse in the barn can teach you if you let them. IF YOU LET THEM. Which leads me to…

3. You MUST be teachable to succeed in this sport. You must be teachable to succeed at anything, but that is another conversation. Being teachable often means going back to basics time and time and time again. If you find basics boring, then your not looking at them as an opportunity to learn. Which brings me to…..

4. This sport is a COMMITMENT. Read that, then read it again. Every sport is a commitment, but in this sport your teammate weighs 1200 lbs and speaks a different language. Good riders don't get good by riding every once in awhile….they improve because they make riding a priority and give themsevles opportunity to practice.

5. EVERY RIDE IS AN OPPORTUNITY. Even the walk ones. Even the hard ones. Every. Single. Ride. Remember when you just wished someone would lead you around on a horse? Find the happiness in just being able to RIDE. If you make every ride about what your AREN'T doing, you take the fun out of the experience for yourself, your horse, and your instructor. Just enjoy the process. Which brings me to...

6. Riding should be fun. It is work. and work isn't always fun.....but if you (or your rider) are consistently choosing other activities or find yourself not looking forward to lessons, it's time to take a break. The horses already know you don't want to be here, and you set yourself up for failure if you are already dreading the lesson before you get here.

7. You'll learn more about horses from the ground than you ever will while riding. That's why ground lessons are important, too. If you're skipping ground lessons (or the part of your lesson that takes place on the ground), you're missing out on the most important parts of the lesson. You spend far more time on the ground with horses than you do in the saddle.

8. Ask questions and communicate. If you're wondering why your coach is having you ride a particular horse or do an exercise, ask them. Then listen to their answer and refer to #3 above.

9. We are human beings. We make decisions (some of them life and death ones) every day. We balance learning for students with workloads for horses and carry the bulk of this business on our shoulders. A little courtesy goes a long way.

Of all the sports your child will try through their school years, riding is one of 3 that they may continue regularly as adults (golf and skiing are the others). People who coach riding spend the better part of their free time and much of their disposable income trying to improve their own riding and caring for the horses who help teach your child. They love this sport and teaching others…..but they all have their limits. Not all good riders are good coaches, but all good coaches will tell you that the process to get good is not an easy one.

📝 Kimberley Reynolds

Rider Hannah Pattersons

05/21/2024

Polos are in!!!

05/14/2024

Today was a good day!

05/09/2024

Aren't they great together!?