Red Gate Riding, LLC

03/23/2025

This! Spot on!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16Aw5PGGju/

I ran a lesson program years ago, and got really burned out. My horses did too.

I did a lot of things wrong and I am trying to learn from those now -

A big part of what went wrong was not controlling the general attitude people took to riding and horses. The horses became a vehicle for people, or a tool, and as tools are used, they become used up. As horses respond to the poor feel they are offered, students describe these objections as the horses personality - “hes so stubborn, so ornery!” And so on - and this is how the cycle of poor feel, over aiding, and handling horses like a rock deepens, and continues.

Of course there will always be some “taking from” a horse we all do when learning how to post, how to steer, or how to manage problem solving issues. Mistakes will be made, horses will be bumped, thumped or accidentally pulled.

But the attitude makes up for a lot I believe. If the school insists on the general spirit being not just riding but riding even the school horse with feel, Handling the gentle horse with respect and tact, assuming nothing about their tolerance and being fair and smooth in our handling, that goes a very very long way.

Horsemanship is the art of managing the horse: from haltering to picking hooves to feeding to good riding - not just to get those tasks done, but to get them done in a way that can make a horse feel safe, feel good, feel honored. And even if an amateur makes mistakes here, the intention matters.

Slow down, pay attention, do all things with care and respect. Acknowledge your mistakes but don’t beat yourself up about them. Acknowledge when you get something right, you’ve made a horse feel better, move better, live better. That’s something to be proud of, and take back into the world away from the school.

That’s what riding schools should be teaching - and I believe if we could manage that, if we could insist on that, school horses and instructors both would last a lot longer.

Pictured is Tressa Boulden from Traditions Farm Classical Dressage explaining how to guide the horse with the whole body

12/04/2024

The AQHA World Championship Show is celebrating its 50th anniversary! Check out the schedule, available now, and join us November 1-20 in Oklahoma City 🏆 aqha.com/worldshow

11/29/2024

The best Christmas gift ever! 🎁
HC's Impressive Image is a 16.1 gelding. He can drive and ride with western dressage training as his foundation. He can leg yield, side pass, turn on the haunches and forehand. He ground ties, loves trail rides and obstacle courses! We have used him in lessons and is well mannered on the ground and under saddle. He is good with the clippers, farrier and trailering. He had a very light work load in his earlier years but has been ridden consistently for the past two years. He is completely sound with no past health issues. Up to date on coggins and vaccines. He has the best disposition and is always at the gate first for attention. Don't miss out on this special guy! Under 5 digits. See video for more!
https://youtu.be/L4PsVxCIafA?feature=shared
Pm for more info.

11/19/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HQW9MyiV7/

Check out these tips for exercise strategies your old guy will enjoy and benefit from.

10/11/2024

Last ride on Medici this fall.. He came for 30 days to get started under saddle and now he's ready to go home! Thought it appropriate to finish our time together by riding the course we have set up for the Fall Obstacle Course Challenge!

10/06/2024

It's not too late to sign up for the next Fall Obstacle Course Challenge this Saturday from 1 pm to 5 pm! This is a great opportunity to do something fun and different with your horse and a chance to win some awesome prizes. We hosted our first event this past Saturday, here are some of the pics! Click below link for details!👇
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefYW1xvRZgKeh4Au8hNTt5o_i1JDVOiEE4DtlMV1Rpg9wr-A/viewform?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3M74l3O4bqipxMQKOGqw9MEAd6nEHtRAmOIwLkVAI-olDEdukehvvtcd4_aem_ziwX6QvLSzN09dxryHZq2Q

08/23/2024

Fantastic day spent with the great Cyril Pittion-Rossillon Instructor and Coach . A day of pressing forward, learning to trust the process and celebrating progress!

06/24/2024

Looking forward to another great Western Dressage show in Lake Elmo next month! Get your entries in by July 3rd!

YOU MAY ALSO ENTER ONLINE AT:form.jotform.com/232564576970063 If you have questions, contact Show Manager at [email protected]

06/04/2024

You're not too late!
We still have openings for the following camps if you are hoping to get in one. Riding lessons are great, but camps allow time to teach and ride so much more!

COMING UP NEXT WEEK! June 10th - 13th, 9 am to 4 pm
We still have a few more spots open for our Horse Show Camp. For youth with a little more experience. It is our most comprehensive camp that covers the basics of preparing for a horse show including clipping, bathing and intensive grooming. Riding will be twice a day. We also cover the different ways/disciplines one can compete with a horse along with the different equipment we use to show.

Two Day Beginner Camp, July 18th & 19th, 9 am - 4 pm

Advanced Youth Clinic, August 1st & 2nd, 9 am - 4 pm

Adult 3 day Camp Late Summer, August 26th - 28th, 9 am - 4 pm

Email [email protected] to register or click on the following link to register...
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18941232&appointmentType=category:Camps

05/31/2024

Our May Adult Camp came and went....3 days felt like a day! The first two days were spent riding the trails at Zumbro Bottoms and Hay Creek. The third day we were graced with Abby Zmolek of Purina Feeds discussing essential nutrients and new microbiome research and in the afternoon, Julie Christie spoke on the biomechanics of riding. Such fantastic topics and well taught! We set up an obstacle course that day as well for us to work on our ease of handling skills! Thank you ladies, it was a privilege to host this event!

05/26/2024

We are adding a 2-day Youth Camp (July 18th & 19th) to our summer camp schedule this year to accommodate students new(er) to riding.

Participants will be grouped according to age and skill level. Students will work on developing correct use of aids and correct riding position. We will ride twice each day, a lesson in the morning and games on horseback in the afternoon. Students will learn about horse/tack care and participate in horse related games and crafts. For ages 7 and above.

email [email protected]
or schedule on-line at
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18941232

See you at camp!

05/25/2024

Is June 14th on your calendar to attend the RGR schooling show? The drill team has been practicing to give you a fantastic performance to kick off the show! If you are a part of the RGR lesson program we would love for you to come even if you are not participating in the show! Potluck to follow!

05/03/2024

Red Gate's first Adult Camp of the year is coming up fast!
May 27-29, 2024

We will have two guest speakers coming in--- one will be discussing rider biomechanics. The second will be talking about horse nutrition and deficiencies we find in this area.

Weather permitting, we will be going out on the trail and also talking about preparing for trail riding season! You can expect two rides each day - morning and afternoon in addition to the speakers and other ground activities and informational sessions.

All this along with provided catered lunches, snacks, and social hour on the last day of camp. This is a casual, low-key, energizing way for adults to get away from the day-to-day and build connections with others that share a passion for horses.

Bring your own horse (no stalling fees) or ride one of ours. 🐎

Email [email protected] for any questions or to reserve your spot - we would love to have you join! ($375 for 3 days)

04/08/2024

Get your equine partner ready for the summer riding season!
We are offering a few spots for tuneups/conditioning this spring and summer. Tell us what your riding goals are and we will tailor our program to fit your needs. We can focus on getting your horse relaxed riding out on the trail alone, conditioning, desensitizing or polishing up on arena work. $350 for two weeks. Depending on dates, we can offer a 30 day tune up as well. For more information on available spots, contact [email protected]

03/25/2024

It's not too late to jump 🏇 into our Youth Spring Break Horse Camp ~ April 3rd-5th! We have a few spots available and would love to have you join us!

In addition to lots of riding which you would expect at horse camp, campers will have opportunities for learning about horse care and hands on experience.

Students will see our skilled farrier in action trimming hooves while learning the importance of regular hoof care. Campers will also learn about equine dentistry and watch our veterinarian sedate, examine and float teeth.

A full 3 days of fun and learning about horses!

email [email protected] for information or to save your spot! Looking forward to seeing you at the barn. 🐴

03/18/2024

Come follow redgateriding over on Instagram - we will be posting weekly horse-related information, sharing what's going on around the barn and letting you know about some new events we have going on this year!

03/06/2024

Homeschoolers! Come to the Not Back to School Homeschool Fair at Cascade Meadows! Great vendors and interactive displays!
https://facebook.com/events/s/not-back-to-school-homeschool-/351987251117381/

02/19/2024

Share this post to enter a drawing to win a free Red Gate sweatshirt!

Plan now for your child's Spring Break Youth Camp at Red Gate Riding!! April 3rd - 5th, 2024

This camp is perfect for beginner to intermediate level horse kids - Ages 7 -12

For kids interested in horses that have not yet had the opportunity to experience going to horse camp, here is their chance to give it a go! Also great for kids with some experience looking for more horse time.

This class will be limited to 8 riders and will be held in our indoor arena. (Outdoors if weather permits) Riding games, ba****ck riding and learning to lunge a horse are just some of the things we will do! Refer a friend and get 10% off any future camp at Red Gate Riding!

(Spring Break camp - $315 for 3 days: 9am - 4pm) $100 non-refundable deposit required) Register online
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18941232&appointmentType=category:Camps

See our website for details on all camp offerings this year. www.redgateridingmn.com