Riding

• Riding Requirements

  • Why do we ask our riders to be able to post a trot and a two-point canter? We cover a lot of country when we ride, and posting the trot and two-point canter allows both horse and rider to travel a further distance before requiring a break. Both positions create a lighter seat, which is easier on the horse’s back as well as more balanced over our diverse terrain.

  • We ask you to be able to catch, groom, and saddle your own horse for two reasons. It builds a better bond with your equine partner, and it helps us stay on time. We will answer any questions about how we approach horsemanship, grooming, and tacking. We will always double-check the tack before and during the ride to keep our horses and riders safe and comfortable.

  • We will have a mounting block available at the trailer, but if we have to dismount on the trail for any reason (bathroom breaks included), riders do need to be able to mount on their own. We can often find an appropriate rock or log to assist.

• What is our riding style philosophy?

  • Our horses are trained to work off light pressure and loose contact.

    • Our horses do respond to seat and leg aids, such as shifting your seat back to ask for a stop. A loose reign asks the rider to trust the horse’s self carriage and the rider’s own balance and ability to ride from the seat (instead of balancing with the reins).

    • To keep our horses light, we ask the rider to release contact unless asking for a cue. Cues include slowing down, stopping, backing up, turning, and transitioning to a trot or canter.

    • We use Indirect neck reining with two hands: similar to using one hand, but it’s adapted for riders who prefer or need to hold both reins. This method gives the rider more control and precision while still utilizing the indirect neck rein technique.

    Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to indirectly neck rein using both hands:

    Step-by-Step Process:

    1. Hold the Reins Correctly:

       • Hold the reins in both hands, typically with the left hand holding the left rein and the right hand holding the right rein.

       • Both hands should be relaxed and positioned near the pommel (front) of the saddle, with the reins lying loosely in your hands. You’ll have control, but avoid pulling on the reins too tightly.

    2. Lay the Rein on the Horse’s Neck:

       • To turn the horse left, you would lay the right rein (held in your right hand) across the left side of the horse’s neck.

       • To turn the horse right, you would lay the left rein (held in your left hand) across the right side of the horse’s neck.

    3. Indirect Pressure:

       • Left Turn: By laying the right rein across the left side of the horse's neck, apply gentle pressure by guiding the rein towards the opposite side of the neck (right). It’s not a pull or yank, just a subtle, indirect pressure.

       • Right Turn: For a right turn, lay the left rein across the right side of the neck and apply subtle pressure in the same way.

    4. Maintaining Contact with the Horse’s Neck:

       • The key to indirect neck reining is maintaining soft, consistent contact with the horse’s neck, without pulling directly on the reins.

       • By applying indirect pressure through the rein against the neck, the horse will feel it and turn its head towards the direction of pressure.

    5. Guide with Your Legs:

       • In addition to the rein pressure, use your legs to help guide the horse. Squeeze your left leg for a left turn, and your right leg for a right turn. The legs work in tandem with the reins to help the horse know where it should go.

       • A light leg aid will encourage the horse to move its body along with the head turn.

    6. Release the Rein:

       • As soon as the horse begins to turn, release the pressure on the rein and allow the horse to move freely in the new direction. This release of pressure is an important part of reinforcement.

       • Your hands should remain steady and neutral once the horse is turning, maintaining the flow of movement.

    7. Use Both Hands for Flexibility:

       • In this method, the left and right hands work together. If you’re turning right, your right hand still holds the rein, and you’ll lay it across the left side of the horse’s neck, but you’ll have a bit more freedom to adjust and fine-tune the pressure in both hands.

       • This technique allows more precise control, especially when working with more complex maneuvers or if you're riding with a higher level of finesse.

    Key Considerations:

    • Gentle and Fluid: The pressure should always be light, with no harsh tugs or jerks on the reins. The horse should feel the direction through the neck, not through a forceful pull.

    • Consistency: Consistent practice helps both you and your horse get used to the subtlety of indirect neck reining. It may take time for the horse to respond to the pressure, but once they do, the communication will be much more fluid.

    • Body Position: Keep your body relaxed and balanced. Your seat and legs should also be aiding the horse, not just the reins.

    Advantages of Using Two Hands:

    • More Control: Having both hands on the reins gives you more control, especially if you're still refining the indirect neck rein technique.

    • Precise Adjustments: You can make more precise adjustments to the rein pressure if needed, which is useful for more subtle movements or different terrains.

    • Great for Beginners: Using both hands can feel more intuitive for some riders, especially those just starting with neck reining. It helps keep a connection to the horse and can feel more reassuring.

    Common Mistakes to Avoid:

    • Pulling on the Rein: Remember, indirect neck reining isn't about pulling the rein in the direction you want the horse to turn. Instead, it's about guiding the horse using the rein across its neck.

    • Tight Reins: Keep your reins relaxed. Tension in the reins can confuse the horse and make it harder for them to respond to the light cues.

    • Overuse of Legs: While legs are important for guiding the horse, they should work together with the reins, not dominate the movement.

    Conclusion:

    Using two hands for indirect neck reining is a great way to keep communication smooth and controlled while still allowing the horse to move freely and fluidly. It’s a technique that can be applied to various Western riding styles and is ideal for maintaining a soft, responsive connection with your horse.

  • We ask riders to actively ride their horses.

    • There will be times when we can relax and chat as we walk along the trails. When we are in areas like the mountains, you can trust where your horse will place their feet, but the rider will need to keep the horse on trail as needed.

    • Horses are aware they are carrying a rider; however, they lack the spatial awareness to know that a rider can fit under a branch or past an obstacle. It is up to the rider to guide their partner.

  • We do ride in groups, often single-track or in pairs.

    • We ask riders to give each other about a horse's head distance between themselves and the horse in front.

    • Horses are instinctual creatures and travel in herds with close contact. We know that horses can get pushy with one another, so this distance can be maintained with half halts. When trotting or cantering, riders do need to maintain awareness of the terrain, other horses, and their own mount (including speed).

  • Trail Etiquette.

    • We go as a group. Horses, being herd animals, want to stick together. If one horse and rider leaves the group or goes at a different pace, it can cause undo stress in the other horses. So if one horse trotts off, the other horses will follow.

    • We will always go at the same pace and stop together.

    • We can split rides at times if a rider doesn’t feel comfortable at a canter.

    • We can ride in pair or as a group as the terrain and pace dicatates. However, do not let your horse overtake the horse next to you or in front of you. This can cause horses to become competitive or aggressive toward each other. You must be in charge of rating your horse’s speed.

• What is the Welcome Ride?

  • On the arrival day, we will meet at the barn at about 2pm, depending on the weather, for a short safety and expectations meeting. Every barn does things a little differently. We find going over a few basics, like catching horses, grooming, and tacking, helps our riders and horses get to know each other better. We then head to the arena, where we will warm up with walk-trot transitions, turning, stopping, and backing. We will offer advice and tips on trail safety. This is not a lesson, but will give you a feel for how we’ve trained our horses to cue to basic commands and aids. Once everyone feels comfortable, we will go for a short ride from the ranch, giving you the opportunity to further connect with your trail partner. If your tack doesn't feel right, needs to be adjusted, or if you and your horse don’t jive, please let us know! We can easily change things on this first day.

  • If this is your first time booking with us, this first-day meeting and ride is mandatory.

Type Of Riding

• We’re not your typical dude ranch. Here, adventure changes daily. Our diverse range of trails lets you experience everything from long, breezy trots through the forest to thrilling canters along sandy riverbeds and heart-pumping climbs up steep terrain. Many of our rides take you through public lands, where we share the path with hikers, bikers, and fellow equestrians. This means we often ride on marked single-track trails, keeping things exciting and fresh.

  Keep in mind, our trails are shaped by the elements — so, some areas that are usually perfect for cantering might be off-limits if the weather has its say, like after heavy rain or flooding. But no matter the conditions, we’ll make sure every ride is a memorable one.

• We’re not endurance riders, but we sure cover some ground! On certain days, we’ll ride up to 15 miles across smooth, flat trails perfect for long trots and canters. Other days, we’ll tackle shorter distances, but with the challenge of rugged mountain terrain. There may even be moments when we need to dismount and lead our horses on foot for a stretch — all part of the adventure.