Ohh that is something I wouldn't have thought of!! Good I like the different textures to get them used to change in terrain. Our horses are so solid but you never know what they will perceive as scary!! And its typically in the absolutely worst place to spook!!!

So I started the thread concerning the ACTHA obstacles. I have to explain why... Black garbage bags have been scary to my gelding ever since I've gotten him. He just thinks that these things are going to jump out and rip his legs off!! One time he put me in the ditch, but usually he just keeps a watchful eye on them and meanders WAY around them. We were riding in Southern Illinois on our trip a few weeks ago and having a great time I might add! Riding through the camp ground after one of our

Saw that on the ACTHA site - I was just looking for other things that people have run into while working with their horses for whatever. Another one I was told about is a walk through full of beverage cans. This was used in a Patrol horse desensitizing.

This is GREAT!! I have been DVRing America's Favorite Trail Horse, I'm going to have to start watching them now!! How do you make a teeter totter for them to walk over? My husband and I are trying to come up with ideas how make one that is safe...

My ideas from an Extreme Cowboy competition I watched are: Empty blue plastic kiddy pool the horses have to walk through and regular blue tarps laid on the ground (I like the idea of the big black hole though that's a great idea!) Black garbage bags full but just sitting around (my gelding has a problem with those!) Black garbage bags stacked 3 high White sheet (with most of it shredded into strips) hanging and having to walk through Narrow walk way of straw bales I know there are a lot more

I am interested in joining the ACTHA since we are avid trail riders. What kind of obstacles can we all think of for training at home that are cheap but effective for things we see on the trail and beyond!! I can't wait to see the feedback and creativity on this one!

I get nervous because I know that my body isn't as physically as capable as it used to be! I am in the process of making that change but it takes a lot longer than one wants! I also get nervous because I really want to do well. I am afraid I am going to do something wrong or give wrong directions. Working with friends of mine and a trainer has helped me a lot to relax and just have fun!

Generally if you can't find a lot of reviews or information on a brand it may be lower quality. In my experience a western saddle that is less than $500 is lower quality - will be fine for some riding but I wouldn't make it my primary riding saddle. I had a saddle similar to this and had issues with the rivets coming apart and the "leather" ripping. The tree was also twisted and rubbed my horse really bad in the short amount of time I had it. I would go in cautiously and wouldn't

We made it!! We cut the trip a day short and left Thursday afternoon instead of Friday morning due to some rain, but other than that we had a great time! I have to highly recommend this area for some really challenging and great trails. We rode with shoes all around and front leather pads and I highly recommend this or similar foot protection. There are some trails that are flat with minimal rocks but 98% of the really cool places are full of large river rock, crushed limestone and large gravel.

I have a pair of Ariat lace-ups that I've had for 5 years now and haven't had any problems! I use them cleaning etc. they have been through water/muck/frozen tundra!! I have a pair of pull on Ariat Pro-Baby's that I ride in (Western trail rider...) and have had them through rivers, muck, mud, rocks you name it for the last 4 years and haven't any problems except for the fact my horse is short and deep water comes right over the top of them! Bought them both on clearance (spent maybe