The Ranch Hand Trail Course Challenge and Clinics the Mullins Family has been putting on since 2009
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Here at the Ranch Hand Trail Course Challenge, we are committed to supporting and promoting responsible and compassionate interactions between humans and and their equine companions. As part of our mission, we understand the importance of addressing the desensitization process for horses, particularly through the use of obstacles. Desensitization is a training technique used to familiarize horses
with various stimuli, helping them become more calm, confident, and responsive in different situations. Obstacle training is one effective method utilized by us to achieve these goals. By introducing horses to carefully designed obstacles, we aim to help them overcome their natural flight instincts and develop trust in their rider. These obstacles can include things like bridges, tarps, water pools, flags, and other props that simulate challenging environments and scenarios. It's crucial to emphasize that the desensitization process should always be conducted with the utmost care and consideration for the horse's welfare. At the Ranch Hand Trail Course Challenge, we advocate for positive reinforcement techniques, such as reward-based training and patience, to ensure the horse's emotional and physical well-being throughout the process. We encourage horse owners, trainers, and enthusiasts to approach desensitization with knowledge, experience, and respect for the individual horse's needs and limitations. This includes using appropriate equipment, and gradually exposing the horse to increasing levels of challenge based on their progress and comfort. Additionally, it is essential to recognize that desensitization is not a one-time event but an ongoing process that requires consistency and reinforcement. Each horse is unique, and the pace and approach to desensitization should be tailored to their temperament, previous experiences, and overall readiness. At the Ranch Hand Trail Course Challenge, we promote the responsible sharing of information and resources related to the desensitization of horses through obstacles. We believe that open dialogue, education, and collaboration are key to ensuring the well-being of these magnificent animals. By fostering a supportive community where enthusiasts can exchange knowledge, discuss best practices, and share success stories, we aim to contribute to the welfare and positive training experiences for horses worldwide. Together, let's continue to promote ethical horsemanship practices and help horses build confidence, trust, and resilience through the appropriate use of obstacles and desensitization techniques.
09/12/2024
Once again we are excited to do another raffle of an obstacle at our final Ranch Hand Trail Course Challenge show this year in Fort Bragg! We have been putting up obstacles for raffle the past few years and this year is no exception. We are out building something tough and strong that will last.
We will be selling raffle tickets Saturday and Sunday for the chance to win your very own obstacle. Drawing will be held Sunday right before we hand out our awards. Winner must be present. This year it will be a 12 foot Bridge/Teeter Totter.
Remember that this is an open show. We will be awarding daily hi-point prized for the Sunday show. So come on out and have a great time with your horse! Even if you dont have a horse, come on out to watch our riders have a great time!
Happy Butte County Fair, everyone!
This year, Oroville Gentle Dentistry is thrilled to support a local FFA Chapter in Princeton.
Agriculture and youth development are close to our hearts, and we’re proud to contribute to such a meaningful cause. Here’s to celebrating hard work, dedication, and the bright future of our young farmers!
Be sure to tag us in your fair photos showing off your FFA shirts
08/20/2024
Here are some videos we took this weekend at Fort Bragg
08/20/2024
Great time had in Fort Bragg this weekend. Always good to have some new riders come out and enjoy themselves
08/18/2024
Last batch of pictures from July 2024
08/18/2024
Another album of the great time had by the Riders in Fort Bragg with the Shoreline Riders
08/18/2024
Had an awesome time with the riders from Shoreline Riders out in Fort Bragg. We loved the cooler weather
08/15/2024
All packed up and ready to head out to Fort Bragg for an awesome weekend of obstacles! So looking forward to meeting some great people and the cooler weather Fort Bragg has to offer. There is time for you to join us as sign up for the clinic is at 9am with walk through at 10am.
07/15/2024
Shoreline Riders. THANK YOU for hosting this weekend. Can't wait to be back next month. 101.6° 8:00 pm
07/13/2024
All is set up for a good time this weekend at Shoreline Riders Arena. Come out and have a good time with an Obstacle Clinic on Saturday and a fun competition on Sunday.
04/17/2024
Good Afternoon Y'all. We have worked on planning our 2024 season. Included is all our flyers both at Meadowbrook Ranch in Magalia and Shoreline Riders Arena in Fort Bragg. We will be creating individual Events for each show so we can get a better head count of attendees.
Coming back this year will be our online signup form to make registering a bit faster.
We appreciate each and every one of you for joining our family in these fun and educational events.
10/18/2023
Our riders this weekend might not have been Picassos or came close to Jackson Po***ck, but they had a good time painting from their horses.
10/18/2023
Everyone had a great time at our selfie station obstacle this past weekend with Shoreline Rider's
10/18/2023
10/18/2023
We had a great time out at Fort Bragg this weekend. Despite the forecast saying we may get wet, it held out for both the clinic and show. We raffled off a tetter totter bridge and congrats to Stacey Bradley for winning it! We did some obstacles we have not done before to make this final show fun for all. Riders got to take a moment to paint a masterpiece from the back of their horse! Pictures from this weekend will be coming shortly. Thanks goes out to all our riders and we look forward to seeing you all next year.
10/12/2023
Hey everyone! I'm excited to share that we have been spending some time preparing for an amazing weekend at Fort Bragg with Shoreline Rider's. We have a clinic lined up for Saturday and a competition on Sunday. This last event of the season promises to be unforgettable as we're planning to try out new things! Get ready for a fun-filled weekend of mounted shooting, jousting, bridges, and more. Remember, both days are open shows, so anyone can join in the fun, not just Shoreline Rider's members. Come on out and have a blast with us! Oh, and don't forget about the raffle for an obstacle on Sunday before the awards ceremony. You must be present to win. Let's make some memories together!
09/27/2023
Once again we are excited to do another raffle of an obstacle at our final Ranch Hand Trail Course Challenge show this year in Fort Bragg! We have been putting up obstacles for raffle the past few years and this year is no exception. We sre out building something touch and strong that will last.
We will be selling raffle tickets Saturday and Sunday for the chance to win your very own obstacle. Drawing will be held Sunday right before we hand out our awards. Winner must be present.
Remember that this is an open show. We will be awarding daily hi-point prized for the Sunday show. So come on out and have a great time with your horse! Even if you dont have a horse, come on out to watch our riders have a great time!
09/20/2023
Week 5: Water Obstacle Training
Welcome to Week 5 of our horse obstacle training series! This week, we'll focus on water obstacle training to help your horse become comfortable and confident when encountering water crossings or water obstacles. The goal is to gradually introduce your horse to water and teach them to navigate it calmly and willingly.
1. Safety First: Before starting water obstacle training, ensure the area is safe and free from any hazards. Make sure the water is clean, shallow, and free of any debris or obstacles that could cause harm to your horse.
2. Introduction to Water: Begin by introducing your horse to water in a controlled and gradual manner. Start with shallow water, such as puddles or small streams, we use small kiddie pools. Allow your horse to approach the water at their own pace, giving them time to observe and sniff it.
3. Positive Reinforcement: Encourage your horse to explore the water by using positive reinforcement. Praise and reward them for any calm and relaxed behavior near the water. This helps build a positive association with water and encourages them to approach it willingly.
4. Gradual Progression: same as everything else, as your horse becomes more comfortable with shallow water, try gradually increase the depth and challenge level. Move on to larger bodies of water, such as ponds or creeks.
5. Use a Lead Horse: If your horse is still hesitant about entering the water, consider using a lead horse. Horses for the most part love to be in a herd and follow other horses. Lead your horse alongside a calm and experienced horse that is already comfortable with water. Seeing another horse confidently crossing the water can help your horse gain confidence and follow suit.
6. Encourage Movement: Once your horse becomes more comfortable with walking through water, encourage them to pick up the pace. Practice trotting or even cantering through shallow water. This helps develop their balance and coordination in water crossings. Also other movements in the water such as turning and backing are all good skills to develop while in the water.
7. Obstacles in Water: Introduce obstacles within the water to add an extra challenge. This could include floating objects, logs, or poles placed in the water. Practice navigating these obstacles at various gaits, encouraging your horse to maintain focus and accuracy.
8. Trail Rides with Water Crossings: Take your water obstacle training beyond the arena. Go on trail rides that involve natural water crossings, such as rivers or streams. Gradually expose your horse to different types of water and continue reinforcing their confidence and willingness to cross.
9. Stay Calm and Patient: Some horses may be more hesitant or nervous around water. Stay calm and patient throughout the training process, they are looking st you to be a confident leader. Avoid forcing or rushing your horse, as this can increase their anxiety. Give them time to process and approach the water at their own pace.
10. Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate your horse's achievements during water obstacle training. Offer verbal praise, gentle pats, or rewards to reinforce positive behavior and motivate continued effort.
Remember to always prioritize safety during water obstacle training. Be aware of your surroundings, and if the water becomes too deep or fast-moving, avoid crossing it for the safety of both you and your horse. Also be mindful of the current direction, we have seen in trail obstacles where rider is to dip a bucket attached to a rope in the water. Dip from the down stream side.
Stay tuned for next week's post on trail riding etiquette as we continue our horse obstacle training series!
Had a awesome weekend in Fort Bragg. Can't wait to come back. We will see you all on October 14th & 15th. Thank You Shoreline Riders, Inc.
08/24/2023
Week 4: Complex Obstacles
Welcome to Week 4 of our horse obstacle training series! This week, we'll focus on introducing more complex obstacles to further challenge your horse's skills and develop their coordination, balance, and responsiveness. These obstacles will require them to navigate combinations of bridges and gates, promoting their agility and problem-solving abilities.
1. Review Foundational Skills: Before moving on to complex obstacles, review foundational skills from previous weeks. Ensure they are confident in navigating basic obstacles such as poles, tarps, and small jumps.
2. Obstacle Course Setup: Set up an obstacle course with a variety of obstacles from previous sessions that your horse excelled at, then add bridges and gates. Start with a few obstacles and gradually increase their complexity as your horse gains confidence. Design the course with different combinations and paths to challenge your horse's decision-making skills.
3. Bridge Challenges: Start with a low bridge and gradually increase the height or complexity as your horse progresses. Encourage your horse to approach the bridge calmly and confidently. Practice crossing bridges at various gaits to enhance their balance and confidence. Walk across both short and long lengths, pause in the middle.
4. Gate Obstacles: Start with a single gate and gradually add more gates or create combinations where gates need to be opened or closed while riding. Practice the gates from boths sides while changing it up for a push the gate to open or pull to open. This challenges your horse's coordination and responsiveness to cues while working on your skill set of being able to work the gate with either hand, maintaining control as you move.
5. Vary the Course Layout: Regularly change the layout of the obstacle course to keep your horse engaged and attentive. Experiment with different configurations, angles, and distances between obstacles. This helps your horse become adaptable and quick-thinking and more trusting when faced with unfamiliar scenarios.
6. Timing and Accuracy: Emphasize the importance of timing and accuracy when navigating complex obstacles. Encourage your horse to approach each obstacle with precision, ensuring they navigate it correctly. This promotes their ability to read and adjust to the demands of the course while listening or feeling your cues.
7. Gradual Progression: Progress through the complex obstacles slowly, ensuring your horse is comfortable and confident at each level before increasing the difficulty. Be mindful of your horse's physical fitness and adjust the height or complexity of the obstacles accordingly. We cannot be asking the pony to push at the same height of an object that a draft is pushing with their chest.
8. Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate your horse's achievements during the training sessions. Always offer verbal praise, gentle pats, or rewards to reinforce positive behavior and motivate continued effort. Celebrate your wins too.
As always remember to prioritize safety throughout the training process. The goal is not to have the horse go through something unsafe where you or them could get injured. Regularly check the condition of the obstacles and ensure they are set up correctly. Always use appropriate protective gear and equipment when working with obstacles.
Stay tuned for next week's post on water obstacle training as we continue our horse obstacle training series!
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Videos
When the riders ask for it, we try to accommodate. They wanted a speed event. So after our show on Saturday, we busted out some timers and set up our Ball & Chain and Jousting obstacles. Everyone had a blast and we hope to provide a few more next year. Enjoy the video of some of our riders enjoying themselves.
We started working with horses and obstacles as a way to help desensitize our horses to the environment. This was working with tarps in an arena to being about to navigate through and over objects safe a calmly. Over the years we have evolved our program into helping others become more confident riders with their horses in a safe and controlled environment.
The low keyed clinics we offer help reduce the stress that some riders feel as they themselves are learning to be a calm rider. These clinics also are great for those wanting to get a feel for what various competitions may require of them and their horse, such as Trail Trials or Obstacle Challenges.
We also offer our riders the opportunity to be able to use the skills they have learned in our Ranch Hand Trail Course Challenge Events. These Challenges allow riders to navigate around 16-20 different obstacles, both inside and outside of an arena. Riders and their horses will be judged with 5 point for the rider and 5 points for the horse, for a high score of 10 for a perfect run.
Our goal is for our riders to have fun and be safe with their horses. We want you to succeed in this by offering low key shows and clinic to remove some of the pressure riders may feel. We also have a walk through prior to our clinics and shows with the clinicians/judges to allow the riders to ask questions about the obstacles they will be dealing with during the day. We also provide a time for the riders to get together and socialize and share ideas by breaking for lunch, which we normally provide as part of their entry fee.
Those events that take place at Meadowbrook Ranch in Magalia, CA, riders are more than welcome to explore the 10 miles of trails they have to offer, or even swim with your horse. Also we make camping available to our riders who would like to either come in on Friday or stay the weekend.
