Donna Bishop, Riding Instructor

30/06/2025

30/06/2025

Tip of the Day
Hands to high? Fold the ends of the stirrup leathers forward and hold them to help limit upward movement

29/06/2025

Trail riding safety tips:
* If riding in a group, keep young or inexperienced horses and riders in the middle of the group
*Keep horses at least a horse length apart
*If you come up on other riders going in the same direction as you, ask for permission to pass. If meeting other riders step to the side if possible and allow ample room to pass
*If you are riding a horse that kicks, put the appropriate color ribbon in the tail of your horse and warn others in your group. If possible ride at the end of your group. Also call it out to others you meet if passing is narrow.
*Greet other riders and hikers that you meet to help put the horses at ease
*Don't ride up quickly at a trot or canter behind horses that are moving at a slower pace...slow down before you get to them and do not thunder past them
*Look out for others in your group when crossing water. Wait if need be...do not leave them behind
*Before leaving the riding facility clean up any manure, trash,etc. around your trailer. A clean area to park is appreciated by other riders.

29/06/2025

Tip of the Day
Have a pushy horse? Stand your ground Apply pressure.. make them move their feet...back them up

27/06/2025

Tip of the Day
Soft Eyes give you a better awareness of your surroundings and the connection you have with your horse

26/06/2025

We have had a heat wave for the past few days. Spraying the horses down each day sometimes twice a day and keeping fans going has helped some.
Depending on your horse's age, weight, condition, and their feed and exercise program will determine how they handle the heat.
Remember your horse's safety has to come first. There's always another day to ride.

26/06/2025

Good read especially in this heat wave...

Learn what heat stress looks like, symptoms, what to do if a horse overheats, how to prevent heat stress and managing horses in hot weather.

26/06/2025

Tip of the Day
You can't teach"feel"
You have to experience it

26/06/2025

Smile of the Day post:

26/06/2025

Tip of the Day
When riding a 20 m circle you should always be turning..no straight lines..touch your points and leave

25/06/2025

When it's hot outside and a heat advisory is in effect it's a great time to clean tack! I have to admit cleaning tack is not my favorite thing to do however, it has to be done. To be comfortable, I brought my saddle inside so I could stay cool.
My tack room has been terribly hot and humid this year. I found some mold starting on the fenders of my saddle so I knew I needed to get it wiped off quickly with a damp cloth before bringing it to the house. Once I got it inside, I mixed a half and half solution of white vinegar and water. I applied that to a clean cloth and wiped the saddle down with that and threw the cloth away. I gave the saddle time to dry and started applying a leather cleaner/protectant to it using a toothbrush to work and clean the crevices and the tooling.
As I was sitting here cleaning it I started thinking of what a saddle is made of and how much work goes into one. I thought of the hours someone put in making it. I thought of the cow that had to die so that its hide could be used to make this saddle. I realized that I should really appreciate and take care of this leather because a life was sacrificed in order for me to have something to ride in.
It's been a calming process for me today to just sit here taking my time to clean it. I've stayed out of the heat and accomplished something that needed done.
Hopefully, if you're reading this you're staying cool as well. Stay safe in this heat and if you get a chance clean a few pieces of tack if you have some that need it.

25/06/2025

Credit: TheHorse.com