Riding Instructors and Horse Trainers

While often horse people talk about their “trainer” there are two very different roles this person can take on when working with a client. The term trainer can refer to a horse trainer or it can refer to a riding instructor. It can be very important for beginners to know what the differences are and how to identify their needs and if the trainer is meeting those needs. Sometimes a trainer will work as a riding instructor when they are actually a horse trainer, or a horse trainer will attempt to be a riding instructor and both these situations have the potential to go very poorly. 

Riding instructors focus on the rider. The horses that are used in these lessons are already trained and respond well to the rider’s cues. As the rider progresses in a riding program, the horses may become harder to ride and need more precise cues or a more confident riders, but they should still be trained for riding. During a lesson with a riding instructor, the riders should be working on their position, using their aids, and giving the horse correct cues. Riding activities should work on building strength, proper riding position, and figuring out how the rider’s actions affect the horse. The rider should not be worried about teaching the horse, fixing any problems with the horse, and should trust that the horse will do whatever is asked, as long as the horse is cued properly. 

Horse trainers on the other hand are focused on the horse. They are concerned about teaching the horse new things, reminding it of how to behave, and making sure the riders is getting the best out of the horse. The horse trainer should spend time riding the horse and teaching it, but also needs to make sure that the rider can get the same results out of the horse. When riding with a horse trainer, your goal as the rider is to learn how to teach the horse and how to get the proper response from the horse. Lessons should be focused on learning new skills and have specific goals for both horse and rider. 

As a client you should be honest with your instructor and trainer about the skills and experience you and your horse have. Dishonesty, even withholding information, can get you, your trainer or your horse into serious trouble or even injured. If you are unsure of anything your trainer asks you to do make sure you ask questions and let them know if you are uncomfortable. If your trainer consistently makes you feel uncomfortable and does not help you work through the issue, you probably need to find a new trainer or instructor. 

Fort Collins: Dec 24-26

December 24^th

Its Christmas Eve, while you do your last minute shopping in Fort Collins, take a break and enjoy a carriage ride around Old Town Square. The carriage picks up passengers on Mountain Ave., just east of College Ave., near BeauJo’s Pizza. 

For last minute shopping, make sure to get to Happy Horse Tack early in the day, they close at 1pm on Christmas Eve. 

December 25^th

Looking for a way to spend Christmas afternoon? After the presents are opened and with dinner still hours away, now is a great time to see the movie War Horse. Directed by Steven Spielberg, War Horse is guaranteed to be a great holiday film that tugs at the heart strings and has the right amount of sentiment for this time of year. Set during World War 1, this movie follows a boy and the horse that he loves. 

December 26^th

With highs in the 50s and sunshine predicted for Monday, a trail ride on your favorite horse is a great way to spend boxing day. If you need ideas of where to ride, check out some of my previous blogs. With this warm weather, some trails will be muddy and possibly closed due to melting snow, so check trail conditions before heading out. The best bets for open trails are the Poudre Trail and Eagles Nest.

Also keep in mind, the National Western Stock Show starts January 5^th, so start thinking about buying tickets to those events. These tickets could make great stocking stuffers and last minute gifts. The horse show at the National Western actually starts on January 1 with the Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Association’s Pre-Denver show. Some great events at the Stock Show include: Freestyle Reining, Gambler’s Choice Jumping, Grand-Prix Show Jumping, An Evening of Dancing Horses, and of course, the Pro Rodeo. Most of these events require tickets beyond just the entrance fee, so make sure to purchase those tickets early.

Horsey Holidays

Horsey Holidays 

How about incorporating horses into your holiday plans! Here are some ideas:

Carriage and sleigh rides

Old Town Fort Collins hosts a carriage company on the weekends, giving Christmas shoppers a chance to take a break and enjoy the historic district's beautiful decorations. For rates and hours, or to hire a carriage for special occasions, call 970-490-1958 or visit http://www.ColoradoCarriage.com .

Several resorts near Estes Park offer horse-drawn sleigh rides. A day trip to enjoy the snow and mountains would make a perfect winter escape. For the more adventurous, the YMCA of the Rockies' Snow Mountain Ranch near Winter Park (http://www.ymcarockies.org/snow-mountain-ranch-winter-park-colorado.html) also offers sleigh rides and winter horseback riding. Their dinner rides offer some of the best steak I have ever eaten and are worth the drive.

For any of these activities, make sure to dress warmly. Higher elevations are prone to intense cold and quick weather changes.

Community service

Several horse-rescue organizations in and around Fort Collins always can use donations, volunteers and people to adopt their horses.

·* Denkai Animal Sanctuary (http://www.denkaisanctuary.org/) has its adoption center in Greeley and does a wonderful job taking care of a wide variety of animals including horses and donkeys.

*· The Shiloh Acres horse rescue (http://www.shilohacres.org/) would love donations or volunteers.

*· Hearts and Horses Therapeutic Riding Center (http://www.heartsandhorses.org/) uses horses for therapeutic and educational purposes. It offers therapy for people with a wide variety of physical and cognitive needs as well as lessons for the general public, proceeds from which support the therapeutic program. As a Christmas gift, signing you, your friend or your children up for riding lessons will be fun for them and help people get needed therapy.

Horse tack and supplies

Several great tack shops serve the area, and most have a gift-card option. Happy Horse Tack & Saddle Shop (http://happyhorsetack.com/) is my favorite tack shop in Fort Collins; their employees will have great ideas for gifts and will help you find exactly what you need. Jax Farm and Ranch (http://www.jaxmercantile.com/) also has a great selection of horse supplies as well as clothing for riding and working needs.

For those looking for ideas and who don't want to just get a gift certificate, here is a list of things horse people can always use more of:

* Polo wraps

* Hoof picks

*    Boot socks

* Riding gloves

* Brushes

* Saddle pads

* Saddle bags

* Shampoo

* Show Sheen

* Rubber bands

* Mane and tail combs

* Horse cookies or treats

* Picture frames (for pictures of horses)

Happy horsey holidays!

Winter Riding

Riding during the winter brings a different set of challenges than riding in other seasons. The cold can cause colic, founder and many other health issues for your horse.

Whether riding inside or out, here are a few tips to keep you and your horse healthy and safe during winter:

Dress for the weather -- and dress in layers. You may get warm while riding, but when tacking up or cooling out your horse your body temperature can cool down very quickly. Most tack stores offer a variety of winter riding gear to help you keep warm.

Stepping off a horse onto cold feet hurts a lot. I suggest waterproof winter riding boots with warm linings. Wool socks or layers of socks also will help keep your feet warm.

Winter riding breeches are great, especially insulated or fleece. When choosing a jacket, try to find one that fits close to the body and does not have loose pieces which can get caught on tack. Gloves are also important and should be insulated but still allow the rider to use his or her fingers to tack up the horse and feel the reins when riding.

Warm up your horse. The most important parts of riding during winter are the warm up and cool down. Because the horses are out in the cold, their muscles will be cold and possibly stiff, and will need extra time to warm up and stretch. Warm up will be longer and should involve stretching and loosening exercises. Lots of walking and lateral work, if done uncollected, are great ways to help the horse warm up.

If the horse is especially cold, riders can use a quarter sheet draped over the horse's hindquarters. This will help keep the body heat near the horse and help the muscles warm up faster. This should only be used for warming up and cooling down, not while working.

Be careful on the trail. When trailering, you may need blankets on the way to the trailhead if you horse is usually kept in a stall or heated barn.

Trail riding during winter comes with the same warnings as riding in general. Riders should be prepared for sudden weather changes and drops in temperature. As soon as the sun starts setting, the temperature drops very quickly -- especially in Colorado. Riders should plan to be back before sunset or bring extra jackets.

Be careful about letting the horse drink water along the trail. If a warm horse drinks icy-cold water, it can colic or founder very easily. This is also true for allowing your horse to drink when you return to the trailer; it is best to let the animal fully cool down before it drinks water or eats.

If the horse is warm or sweaty when you return to the trailer, put the cooler on for the trailer ride home and groom the horse when you return to the stable.

Cool down your horse. The harder you work your horse, the longer it will take to cool it down. If your time is limited, keep the work easier so the horse does not get as warm. When riding indoors, horses will tend to get warmer and sweat more easily because there is less air movement. This will also be a factor when planning how long you will need for cool down.

Cooling your horse down properly during winter is important for several reasons. If the horse cools down too quickly, it may colic or founder, especially if turned into its stall or pasture where grain and water are available. If a horse is turned out wet from sweat, it may catch cold or may colic as well.

Once you have finished your riding work, walk the horse for at least five minutes under saddle. This allows the horse's heart rate to return to normal and starts the cool-down process. If the horse is still warm or sweaty, unsaddle it and put on a cooler sheet. This sheet will help regulate the horse's body temperature and help absorb sweat. Once the cooler is on, walk the horse or turn it out into the arena to walk on its own.

Check the horse every five minutes or so to see if it has cooled down. Place your hand low on the animal's chest, between its front legs. If the horse has fully cooled down, this area should be the same temperature as the rest of its body -- and also should be dry, not sweaty. That dryness is especially important if the horse wears a blanket; if the blanket is put on while the horse is still wet, it can't keep the horse warm or allow it to dry off.

Once the horse is fully cooled down, go through your usual grooming routine and then blanket the horse as needed. The horse can then be put into its stall or pasture to eat and drink.

Especially if you ride hard and your horse comes back sweaty, make sure it is fully dry and cool before adding blankets and putting it back in its stall.

Stay warm and enjoy your winter rides!

'Buck': A great way to warm up on a cold winter evening

The days end earlier and temperatures are colder as winter sets in, which makes it harder to find time and motivation to ride. Days like this make it appealing to curl up on the couch in front of a movie and hide from the world.

When the snow and cold keep you inside, check out "Buck."

An inspirational movie for horse people and non-horse people alike, this biographical documentary profiles trainer and clinician Dan M. "Buck" Brannaman. Buck was the inspiration for the book and movie "The Horse Whisperer" and even did some horse work on the film and helped Robert Redford with the character.

Buck has spent most of his life traveling the country, "helping horses with people problems." His clinics on colt starting and horse training have helped thousands. He has many worthwhile books and DVDs on training and other horse issues.

This incredibly well-made documentary features gorgeous scenery from Buck’s home in Montana and touching scenes from Buck’s past and from his clinics. The film will inspire you to be a better horse person -- and a better person in general. It will provide you will all the motivation you need to get out to the barn and spend time with your horse.

"Buck" is streaming on Netflix and available on DVD at most retailers. It is a great way to spend an evening and reinspire a love of horses and riding.

After watching the movie, you can explore his website, order books and DVDs, and find out when he is coming to your town.

Cool new Tech for horses

A very cool new technology, check out this video to see what it can do, then check out PonyUp Technologies.

While it may be a bit expensive now, this may revolutionize equestrian competition in the next decade. With horses dying at shows and collapsing while working, this may be the new way of monitoring horse health and keeping horses happier, healthier, and living longer lives.

Think what this could do for endurance horses both in training and during competition. With this you can far more accurately monitor pulse and hydration needs which will allow competitors to ride their horses at their peak ability.

This could also be great for eventers during the cross country and endurance phases. Riders could know if they were pushing their horse too hard, or if it could do more.
This could also speed up vet checks at both these competitions and with real time data vets may be able to pull horses off course before they have issues rather than waiting for the check points.

Who knows, this may have even been able to save Hickstead, the now famous show jumper who died this past weekend. Had the caretakers known about his condition they may have changed how they competed or cooled down after the jumping round.

Duminus Stupesidis

While the video quality is poor, this disease affects many in the industry and should be prevented at all costs. Enjoy this skeptical horse video :)