Category Archives: horse riding

Trail Rides as Fundraising Ideas


Posted by Sabrina Creekmore

Are you looking for fundraising ideas for your riding group or equestrian club? Why not host a trail ride for the public? Trail rides can be wonderful fundraiser ideas. Why? The reason is because many horse owners really don’t have access to great riding trails, nor do they often get to ride with a large group. Hosting such an event would give equine owners in your area a chance to get to know others with the same interests and hobbies.

I think it would also be a great idea to allow people who don’t own a horse to take part in the trail ride, too. Obviously, most members of your riding club own their own horses, and some have horses that are gentle enough and safe enough for beginners to ride. Enlist these mounts for the beginner riders.

Where should you have your trail ride fundraiser? Find out if any of your members own a sufficient tract of land to use for the event. If not, reach out to the public. Surely there’s a land owner in your area who will allow you to host a trail ride on his property. If you’re going to open the event to beginners and non-horse owners, the trail needs to be an easy ride, without any obstacles. Have a couple of your club members stake out the trail in advance of your fundraiser.


Reduce Back Pain and Chance of Injury While Riding with Core Exercises


Posted by Sabrina Creekmore

Riding horses

We have seen the people who embrace horse riding with perfect balance and poise, flowing together with the horse in perfect harmony. How can something seem so simple to some, and out of reach for the rest of us?

The secret is core strength. Strong abdominal muscles are the key to reducing back pain and the chance of injury while riding. Since balance on horseback is achieved from your abdomen, seat and legs, it only makes sense that if your core muscles are weak you will flop around in the saddle, have poor mounted posture, and be unable to avoid a fall. Low back pain is the result of trying to maintain your seat with a weak core; your back will take the brunt of keeping you straight in the saddle. Strengthening your core muscles is an important step to achieving any horse riding goal, whether it’s a safe trail ride or the challenges of endurance or jumping.

Many exercise programs address strengthening core muscles. Yoga and pilates are two that focus on balance and strengthening abdominal and lower back muscles while promoting greater flexibility. The most basic exercises in these programs help increase your balance and reduce back pain while horse riding.

Ab belts such as the Flex Belt are another way to strengthen your core; these use electronic nerve stimulation to contract your abdominal muscles, providing a targeted workout. Use these in conjunction with programs such as yoga and pilates for quicker results.

Not only is exercise important while horse riding for your safety, it is also extremely important for your horse. Equine back injuries can result from a horse compensating for the lack of balance in his rider.

You can achieve balance and safety in horse riding by strengthening your core muscles as part of your training program.


Trail Riding and Appaloosas


Posted by Peggy Vannoy

If you’re interested in trail riding, you’re probably wondering about the best mount for the trail ride. Some of that depends on how difficult your trail is. For example, just about any calm, level-headed horse can be used for riding easy trails over flat land. Of course, all trails aren’t so easy. Some are pretty brutal – especially those in mountainous areas. These types of trail rides might include steep terrain with unsure footing.

I’ve used several different horse breeds for trail riding, and some were better than others. Probably the best one I ever had as far as climbing steep inclines is concerned was an Appaloosa mare named Regal. Regal had a big hip with powerful muscles, so it was pretty easy for her to push herself and me up some difficult terrain.

I’ve read that Appaloosas are great at climbing. Animals from the old original bloodlines are supposed to be excellent at “clawing” their way up steep inclines, due to the fact that many have front legs that are slightly turned in. that’s supposed to give them an advantage when climbing. Sure enough, Regal’s front legs did turn in slightly. The Appaloosa originated in the mountains of Idaho, so perhaps climbing is just in their blood.