Roxy Montana Equine

03/28/2024

10/10/2023

Good morning!!!

10/07/2023

We asked, "Trail Etiquette: Who goes first?" And it was clear things were...confusing. So never mind the quiz, here's the order! 1. Runners, bikers, and hikers yield to equestrians. 2-3. Downhill traffic should yield to uphill traffic. 4. Bicyclists should yield to everyone. When in doubt, give other users the right-of-way.

Trail etiquette is key to a safer hiking experience for everyone. 🚵🥾🐴 Check out this helpful guide and get ready to explore Arizona's breathtaking trail systems: https://azstateparks.com/share-the-trail. 🌵🌄

Good trail management combined with user education means a better experience for everyone who uses Arizona’s trails! Respect and expect other users while on the trail. Show courtesy by anticipating other trail users around corners and blind spots. Respect wildlife too! You’re a guest in their home areas so tread lightly. Respect public and private property. Leave no trace and pack out litter.

Be friendly and courteous. Greet other trail users with a simple “Hello!” or “Nice day today!” Avoid greetings that may be misconstrued, such as “On your left.” Directional greetings may cause confusion and lead to incidents on the trail. Keep it friendly, and keep it simple.

06/08/2023

06/04/2023

Stallion: REGALO AIROSAS (Pura Raza Espanola) RIP 2012
Owner/Photographer: Roxy Montana
Photo enhanced and edited by: Digital Barrett Photography Thanks Kathryn!

05/01/2023

A peaceful, sunny Sunday …

03/23/2023

I am lucky.
I have fallen. I have been kicked. I have been stepped on.
I have been bitten.
I’ve had falls that could’ve and should’ve caused permanent injury.
I’ve had falls that have broken my fingers, wrists and hands and continued to ride through such injuries.
I’ve had falls that could’ve gravely injured me and robbed me of the very job and activities that bring me so much joy.
I had one fall in particular, a few years ago, where I landed so hard I thought I may have broken my back. Every fall before this, I had been able to just get up and go catch my horse. This time, when I tried to get up, the pain was so sharp I had to take a knee. I felt like I was going to be sick.
Since this fall, I’ve had back soreness and body soreness issues. My low back, hips and knees are not great.
Recently, I had an MRI. I was expecting bad news, but instead I got good news.
I am lucky.
I have beaten up my body and needlessly put myself and horses in dangerous situations that are entirely avoidable and could be made so much safer just by training with more patience and thought.
I could’ve robbed myself of a lot of longevity and caused permanent injury.
But, I am lucky.
That luck has made me consider what it would’ve been like if I hadn't been so fortunate.
If these injuries had caught up with me.
Oh, the anger and frustration I would feel.
Others are not so lucky.
Others are still actively endangering themselves doing the same things I once did. Being applauded for it and told they’re gritty and brave.
It isn’t necessary. It isn’t worth it in the long run.
We don’t need to endanger ourselves as riders to the extent that is normalized.
Horses can be dangerous on a good day, but far too often in training and care, us humans throw gasoline on that figurative fire and create situations that are much more risky than needed.
Safety is cool.
Patience is cool.
Not injuring yourself is cool.
We can be safer. We can stress horses out less.
We can preserve our bodies more and we can yield the same results or better just by taking a step back and relaxing.
We don’t need to create dangerous situations in the name of training.
You can train to avoid such dangerous situations.
And your body will thank you.

03/19/2023

03/15/2023

03/15/2023

02/08/2023

01/27/2023

l can’t imagine what it would be like dragging a log thru the brush & worrying about being swept off your feet, but this little horse can handle himself in the steep stuff. The stud horse is a Czech-Moravian-Belgian named Matouš; One of his handlers is Petr Nývlt from the Czech Republic. The Czech forests have been suffering from a severe bark beetle die-off, so the trees are being logged. This area reminds me of parts of Oregon.
Photo credit — * Rita Tuckova Photography *
Virgil Shamblin. Logan Shamblin.

01/19/2023

Paint mare, "Starlet" bred by Roxy Montana Equine.
(2006) Her dam was "Coppertone"

01/19/2023

Arabian mare ... I called her by her beach name "Coppertone".

01/19/2023

This little Arabian mare was awesome to herd cattle on in the mountains: sure-footed, swift, and loved having a job!

01/19/2023

All three (muddy) mares bred by Roxy Montana Equine.
2012