Search results matching tag 'trail riding'

Oregon Riding Trails?

Emolee — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Hey all. :)

I'm an avid trail rider but haven't had much luck in finding good riding trails. If anyone knows of any in the state that are really good, do let me know! I've done some research but haven't found anything really all that amazing. I've hauled to Cougar Reservoir with no luck, simply because the "groomed trails" there were actually overgrown, horrible, rocky. I haul to Elijah Bristow very often since it's close and a good, relaxing ride. But my list of options are growing thin. :( Any thoughts? Are there any good resource websites that map out horse-riding trails? The ones that I have found are vague and aren't helpful.

Re: tack shops in Houston,TX

Roma Peterson — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:00:00 GMT

I will recommend you visiting Hilason Saddles, Tack & Dog Products Store that is in Houston, Stafford city to be precise. They have all range of products both for horses and dogs. They have some really unique and cool stuffs that you probably would not find in any tack store and is surely a place to visit if you are into horses and are visitng Houston. I call it an attraction in the equine industry in the Greater Houston area. Their address is Hilason Tack Store, 12600 Exchange Road, #204, Staford TX 77477. You can call them at 713-972-0404 or visit their website too at http://www.hilason.com.

Horse Riding Tips

adambaker — Sat, 23 May 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Before riding on a horseback the most important thing taken into account is to master the skill of balancing, without which you cannot enjoy your ride. There are some tips that can help you improve your balance while horseback riding.
a)Riding on a bare horseback it is not that difficult as it sounds when done with proper care and supervision of a trainer.
b)Saddles make the rider too dependent as it allows riders to be too sloppy as they don’t require a lot of effort.
c)When you ride on a bareback, it’s just you and your horse and you have to learn to control your body movements when the horse starts moving. Lack of concentration or focus may result in a fall.
d)While horseback riding the posture of your body should be straight with your heels down and eyes looking forward.

Have you tried trail riding under a roof?

OHC — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 07:00:00 GMT

I know it sounds funny, but the Oregon Horse Center has been putting on trail events for several years now, and people love it!

What we do is bring in the outside elements like trees, ditches, ponds, hills, waterfalls, logs, rocks and much more into our large arena so people can come and compete with their horses. It helps give you who stick to trail riding, or just enjoy trail riding with your horses one more thing to do.

It's been a big hit, and this year at our May Northwest Mountain Trail Spring Adventure we're having a "Straight Off The Trail" class for those of you who have never shown your horse at any competition, and would like to try out our great event. You will be competing against other just like you, first timer's to the Oregon Horse Center's Trail Shows, and any competition for that matter.

There really is a lot we have to offer, you should check out the entry form on the home page of our website for more information. www.oregonhorsecenter.com, if that doesn't answer all your questions then feel free to call us as well. Our number is (541) 689-9700.

Hope you take a look at our great show!!

Dealing with a dangerous dog on the trail

kitastrophe — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 07:00:00 GMT

I ride in a public park that has early morning off-leash hours for dogs. 99% of the dogs I have encountered are great-- they're well-behaved, or failing that, under the control of their owners even when off-leash. However, for the past 2 weeks, I've been having encounters with a Shar-pei who had begun charging and threatening (barking, snappng, circling). The dog (ironically named Marshmallow) does NOT respond to the owner. The woman has absolutely ZERO control over her animal, admits that the dog has never had any training other than housebreaking, and the bad behavior is escalating with every encounter.

What I am looking for here are suggestions on how I should respond the next time the dog tries to attack. I am very fortunate that the horse I ride (lease) is tolerant and has not yet spooked when confronted with an out-of-control animal, but I need some defensive driving techniques.

My barn owner suggested "taking the dog for a run" and letting it wear itself out and giving the owner a cheap scare, but that hardly seems like a responsible option for a number of reasons (encountering joggers & other dogs, not knowing how fast the dog can actually run, etc). The horse's owner said I should charge the dog, or carry a crop long enough that I can swat the dog from the saddle, but I have concerns that this might only make the dog more aggressive.

I have filed reports with the police and parks dept. (they're not interested in "animal on animal problems."), and I have told the owner repeatedly that she is endangering all of us with her inability to manage Marshmallow's behavior, but she maintains that she always gets the dog back on the leash eventually. "Eventually" is becoming an extremely dangerous proposition for all parties concerned, so at this point, I am less concerned with legal recourse and more concerned with having a gameplan for the next time Marshmallow spots us and goes on the rampage.

Re: Do You Trail Ride Alone?

bonniess71 — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Yes, I trail ride alone. Now that I am retired, I go to the Farm in the afternoon when everyone else is at work. I know there are a lot that "could go wrong", but I try not to dwell on them. If there is a new trail that I want to try (which there is at the moment), I would prefer to have someone go with me for the first time who is experienced with the trail. Then, I will go by myself.

I do need to get more riding buddies for my horses's sake. He is so used to being by himself, he thinks the trails are his and when we infrequently come upon another rider, Mystery freaks. Horses do need training in being by themselves as well as going in a group.

I've never gone "off the Farm property" on a trail ride by myself with Mystery. In that case, I want someone else I know nearby. My "alone" rides are on trails that my horse is very familiar with--even though "things" can happen on those too. Plus, my horse's pasture-mate, Pluto, yells for him the whole time we are gone. He's the "radar" that gets Mystery back to his field!!

Re: Riding in the Rain

sheila forgham — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Mary -- Your message is so well timed!! My trainer has decided that I will not be a fair-weather rider this winter!

If it was up to me, I would only ride when the sun shone. However, here in England, if you waited for the sun to shine before riding, you would never ride!!

So, to this end, I am also looking for wet weather gear. As I do a lot of riding on local country lanes, I need my gear to be hi-viz as well as waterproof. I have a great hi-viz jacket which is very warm and waterproof, but it doesn't cover my knees. And they are starting to feel the cold and wet! I think the ideal garment for cold and wet would be an Aussie dri-z-bone coat and that would cover the saddle as well as legs. Has anybody out there found something similar in hi-viz? There doesn't seem to be such a thing in England. Yes, lots of dri-z-bone coats, but NOT hi-viz.

Reference your tack; don't worry about getting good leather wet. Just make sure you leave to dry away from any heat and then clean and cream/oil well.

For your horse, a good waterproof quarter sheet would be ideal but I think even more important would be the cooler to use after the ride to get your horse warm and dry.

Enough advice from me. I think you and I are going to have fun riding in the rain this winter. But I will stop short of riding if it snows!! My trainer will have to use brut force to get me out in that....

Good luck and have fun. That's what it is all about.

Re: trail riding

raychelwill — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Does anyone know if there is a website that you can post upcoming trail rides(besides the judges list) We have a trail ride coming up and I would like to get the word out about it. Our riding club has 2 open rides each year to raise money for our community charity causes. If anyone could provide any links it would be greatly appreciated. Oh it might help to tell you that we are located in Georgia!!!!

Re: trail riding

Grandma Trail Rider — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 07:00:00 GMT

I live in Georgia. I belong to CTHA which has the mission of building and working on trails. Also Backcountry Horsemen which also works on trails. I'm glad to hear about Oregon Equestrian Network. Can you give me some information about it? We are always trying to get more volunteers. Some work days we are lucky if 5 people show up. How do you get people to volunteer? CTHA has a frequent rider program and a work horse program. If you work 10 hrs. and ride 20 hours than you earn a certificate and a patch (I think that's the numbers). I don't work for the patch but I do work for my 6 year old granddaugther who has been riding with me since she was one and a half years old (do you think that she likes horses??). If I don't work where will the trails be when she is older. What I can't seem to convince people of is that we need to help or the trails will be gone. Of course, I do feel real good about some friends of mine that help when they can. Being retired I have more time and energy than someone who has to work 5 days a week but the other side of the coin is that I'm in my sixties and I don't know how long I'll be able to work.

I have a goal of riding in all the states. I have managed to get to the two hardest ones, Hawaii and Alaska. Are there any ranches or places that offer pack trips in Oregon? I have found that I really enjoy the pack trips. Especially when a friend wants to know how much "stuff" I can take with me. The last one was thrity pounds and I loved every minute of it.

trail riding

Grandma Trail Rider — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT

In an article about low hanging branches, it tells how to get passed them. Carry a small clipper and just clip the branch off. Only takes a minute to do. Someone has to clear the trails and that someone is us. I hope that everyone stops and clips when the trail needs it. I have spend many days clearing trail for myself and others. Come on and help. That's the only way that we will keep the trails that we have to ride. I hope that the trails will still be there for my grandkids.