Solutions: Riding
Dear Miss Manners: What is Trail Use Etiquette?
As horse owners, we covet having access to beautiful, convenient and fun trails. Not only is it good for our spirit to get out into the wilds, it has also been proven to benefit a horse’s health as well. How we treat the trails we use can help ensure that we continue to be welcome on them with our horses. Learn the checklist of things you should always do when riding on a trail system.
Events
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We just had a great online class series, Horses and Land Management, during the month of January that was well received—and fun! During February, and again in May, we are offering a few more online workshops, this time covering specific topics, such as: building a small scale trail course, the least toxic ways to keep pests at bay, equine enrichment using track paddocks & slow feeders, and more ...
I can’t believe it’s October already! What I'm thinking about this month is how much fun the past show season has been. For the last two or so years I've taken a break from reining and have begun competing in a discipline called ranch riding with my reining horse Bob. Ranch riding is a nontraditional discipline that is new on the horizon but becoming increasingly popular.
Here at Sweet Pepper Ranch, we're getting ready for our first ever Cowgirl Retreat! In case it's something you might be interested in, here's a little preview of what our Cowgirl Retreat will look like:
"I am always impressed and appreciative of how supportive and congenial the mustang community is of each other during these events—I want to thank all my fellow competitors as well as the Mustang Heritage Foundation and the Bureau of Land Management for everything they all did during this event. It was a jam packed, exciting, fun few days."
Mustangs make great mounts; nature has outfitted mustangs with good bone, strong feet, and a resilient character. The intense schedule of training for an Extreme Mustang Makeover event brings out the willing team player in most. At the end of an EMM event, all Mustangs are offered for adoption and are auctioned to the highest bidder. The money raised helps support the Mustang Heritage Foundation. Follow Matt Livengood and Tyme to Shine as they compete in the 2017, Reno EMM on my Alayne Blickle Facebook site .
If wintery weather is keeping you indoors, maybe instead of riding and horse’n around we can talk horses instead! One of my favorite horse topics is MUSTANGS. Last fall I introduced you to Stellar, my Mustang that I started on my own over the summer and fall. I thought you all might like hearing a bit more about two other Mustangs in our lives: JoDee and Stevie.
At Sweet Pepper Ranch, that’s what we’re doing: building an indoor arena. While it’s very exciting, the ‘go-ahead’ decision was not something we took lightly. It required a lot of penciling out and some tough decision making.
I have a story to share with you if you’ve not already been following it on my Facebook site. It’s about me and a horse, a Mustang to be specific, who picked me out of a crowd. And it’s about how YOU helped me bring her home!
Traveling with Your Horse?
Check out our blog on horse lodging resources, and if you’re
in the Nampa/Boise ID area, come visit us at Sweet Pepper Ranch!
Plus: West Nile Virus Update, Trying to beat those weeds?, Why Wildlife Don’t Usually Need “Rescuing”
It’s July and summertime is in full swing – yay! That means vacations and horse shows among other fun things.
If your plans include traveling with horses this summer, be sure to keep Sweet Pepper Ranch in mind. For those of you who don’t know, we have a guest ranch and horse motel in Nampa, which is in Southwestern Idaho: http://www.sweetpepperranch.com/
For ten years we were among the many who: 'had horse, will travel.' We went to shows and on vacations with our horses, traveling from Puget Sound, WA to Scottsdale, AZ; Kalispell, MT; Las Vegas, NV; and points in-between. It was always a concern where to stay.
Learn how to build a functional outdoor arena to use in all kinds of weather. Chose the right location, slope, drainage, size, footing material, and finishing touches to make your arena work perfectly for your discipline.
13 page print quality PDF
We are booking participants for our 2018 special retreat for women riders, held here at Sweet Pepper Ranch and crafted with you in mind. Our Cowgirl Retreat is designed for committed women riders interested in improving riding/horsemanship skills and mind/body awareness (who isn’t these days?)! Featuring ranch riding, yoga, and meditation, this retreat also includes meals, guest speakers and more ...