A Dude Ranch Adventure: A Tale of Safety Concerns

A Dude Ranch Adventure: A Tale of Safety Concerns

Last week, I embarked on a vacation to the second-highest-ranked dude ranch in the United States. While the experience offered stunning scenery, friendly staff, and a plethora of activities, my initial excitement was tempered by a growing sense of unease. As a seasoned riding instructor, I couldn’t help but notice the potential safety hazards that…

That First 90 Days

The time required for training a horse varies for each horse.  Several factors will affect the time needed. The required time depends on several factors, including the horse’s age and experience, training methods, temperament, and desired training level.  A young, unhandled horse will take much longer to train than a young horse exposed to basic handling.  When training starts,…

Purchasing a Horse without a Professional

Purchasing a Horse without a Professional

There are so many factors to consider when purchasing a horse, the horse’s age, temperament, size, experience, show record, personality, your riding style and its future purpose.  The equine industry unfortunately is also known for “horse traders”. Like snake oil salesmen of the 1800s, horse traders have earned their reputation.  And this is what makes buying a…

Reducing the Inherent Risk of Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is a popular recreational activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. However, it is important to be aware of the inherent risks involved in this activity.  Inherent risks are risks that exist due to the nature of horses such as falls, injuries from being kicked, stepped on, or…

Equitation

And why is it essential for your riding journey. Equitation is not just riding pretty.  Most of the time when we think of equitation classes at the horse show we think “it’s got to be pretty”. But really equitation is about putting your body the correct position where it makes you the most effective.  Once you can…