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Home » trail riding » Page 3

Winter Riding Taking It Easy

February 12, 2019 by John 2 Comments

Winter Riding

How is your 2019?  Ours has been a bit wetter than normal, but riding is still a top priority.  We ride differently in the wintertime compared to other times of the year.  We take easy on the horses.  The rides are generally walk/trot and geared more to running the dogs than working the horses.  Do you have different styles at different times of the Winter ridingyear?

As horses age, it gets a bit more challenging to ride like we rode when they were younger.  Dusty is 23 and Jessie is 19 years old now.  And, of course, Ranae and I are in our mid-sixties, so we are no spring chickens either.  We vaccinate regularly, but Dusty came down with a case of the flu.  He was off his feed and his temperature was 105!  We got him to the vet.  He was treated with immune system stimulants, long-acting antibiotics, fluids, and mineral oil.  Thankfully he rebounded quickly.  In a week or so he was back to his old self.

Having a Spare Horse

A reoccurring, nagging injury plagues Jessie, my 19-year-old mare.   It’s one of those very frustrating types of injuries.  It first appeared 3 or 4 years ago as a mild lameness.  A workup and evaluation by one of the top vets in our area came to no definitive conclusion.  After stall rest and a month of hydrotherapy (swimming on a treadmill), she bounced back nicely.

In early January we rode with a group in the foothills.  The terrain was a lot of up and down and the footing was a bit rocky.  Yep, you guessed it.  The lameness came back.

Scratch, the Tehachapi mustang, is a blessing.  During Dusty’s illness, my wife rode Jessie.  When Jessie was down, Scratch stepped in.

So other than keeping the horses healthy, it’s been a challenge keeping the pens dry.  Here in central California,  rain and dry weather alternate.  Just about the time the pens dry out, another storm arrives in to dump more water.  It’s good for the countryside and the farmers.  I’m not complaining.  It just takes a little more diligence on our part to keep the horses comfortable.

The Podcast and Other Projects

Producing new shows is challenging.  Currently, I’m enrolled in two classes at Bakersfield College.  I’m trying to improve my storytelling skills by taking a video production class.  A woodworking class helps maintain my sanity.  All the back episodes are still available through iTunes and on the website.  I could use your help.  For years learning more about your horse and horsemanship was the focus of the show.  Do you think that is still a valid area to focus?  Many people get their information from a local trainer, online program, or barn mate.  There are stories about horses and horsemanship I want to tell.  They take a little more work to uncover.  Not everyone wants to talk to a guy with a microphone, but I’m trying.

If you have an idea for a story please pass it along.  Thanks again for hanging out, and go have some fun with your horses!

Filed Under: The Podcast Tagged With: Fun Stuff, Horse care, Horse-keeping, horseback riding, trail riding

Self-Defense For Trail Riders

November 13, 2018 by John Leave a Comment

Self-Defense For Trail Riders

Self-defenseSadly, the world we ride in is changing.  We need to take precautions to be safe when we ride.  It’s called self-defense for a reason.  It’s up to us to take responsibility.  Dogs, pedestrians, automobiles, or people with problems can be a menace on the trail.  Do you know how to handle a troubling situation?

Many years ago at an equine expo I saw a program by Scott Hanson about safety on the trail.  A 90-minute session on what to do if someone tried to attack you while you were horseback.  At the time I didn’t think there was much chance of that.  Then, a couple of years ago we encountered someone who released their dog on us.  It came from completely out of the blue.  He released his dog in our direction, then rode his bicycle in the opposite direction.  Ranae and I had practiced some of the principles we learned from the class.  I had pepper spray.  Ranae knew to get in head-to-tail tight to me and my horse, Jessie.  I sprayed the dog in the face.  He turned and ran after his owner.  Had we not prepared, who knows what could have happened?

Be Prepared!

When I saw a flyer for another Self-Defense for Trail Rider class scheduled at our local Rancho Rio Stables, I wanted to cover the event.  Elmo Sheeran, the instructor, trains many mounted law enforcement officers on how to protect themselves and their horses in police situations.  Elmo offers some great advice.  If you ride on the trail, get yourself a $12 can of pepper spray and a $2 whistle.   Believe it or not, these two simple, inexpensive items take care of most situations you come across.  But, don’t just put them in your cantle bag and forget them.  Take them out and practice once in a while.  A little preparation goes a long way.

Check out the Self-Defense for Trail Riders video on YouTube

I produced a short video of the event for my YouTube Channel.  You can see it HERE

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We have well over 200 episodes up now and you can find them all for free on iTunes, with our Android App in the Amazon store, and now Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are distributed.  Get the Stitcher app and tell us how it works.  We are on Google Play too!  You can also find every episode and more about the show at whoapodcast.com.  Please take a moment and join our email list. Get in on the conversation with Facebook and Twitter and Instagram– just look for WhoaPodcast.

You are a big part of why we do this podcast.  We really love getting your feedback.  Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show.  You can email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #138

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Filed Under: The Podcast Tagged With: Education, horse tips, horseback riding, trail riding

Australian Squatter Coffey

October 23, 2018 by John 1 Comment

Squatter Coffey

Squatter CoffeyLife has been a bit hectic of late.  Many months ago I received an email suggesting I have an Australian by the name of Squatter Coffey on the show.  As I do with all your suggestions, I try to contact the person and see if they want to be on the show.  Squatter did agree to come on the show, but we couldn’t find a convenient time.

You see, Squatter Coffey lives way out in a “rural” area of Australia.  The time difference would have one of us up in the middle of the night.  We agreed that we would get together when his season changed.  It’s just now turning spring in Australia and Squatter, who owns and operates a bush trail riding company, is entering his good riding season.

A Life with Horses

Squatter Coffey has been riding horses so long he doesn’t remember “learning” how to ride.  He has just always ridden.  Squatter grew up in a family of horses.  His 6 siblings are all in the horse business.  Squatter raced horse, worked on stations and has done just about everything you can do on a horse.

While it’s sometimes difficult to find something to talk about, Squatter and I share a common love of horses and horsemanship.  He has some good stories and he shares his experiences on the show.  I hope you enjoy Squatter Coffey.

Contact Us

We have well over 200 episodes up now and you can find them all for free on iTunes, with our Android App in the Amazon store, and now Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are distributed.  Get the Stitcher app and tell us how it works.  We are on Google Play too!  You can also find every episode and more about the show at whoapodcast.com.  Please take a moment and join our email list. Get in on the conversation with Facebook and Twitter and Instagram– just look for WhoaPodcast.

You are a big part of why we do this podcast.  We really love getting your feedback.  Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show.  You can email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #137

Support the Whoa Podcast with this Amazon Link.

 

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Filed Under: The Podcast Tagged With: adventure, Entertainment, Fun Stuff, horse, horseback riding, Inspiration, trail riding

Trail Training | How’s Your Horse on the Trail?

July 9, 2017 by John Leave a Comment

Trail Training

How’s Your Horse on the Trail?

trail trainingWe had a trail training session and I thought I would share it with you.  Yesterday, we had the opportunity to ride with a small group at Hansen Dam in Southern California.  I took my Quarter Horse mare Jessie and we trailered the hour and forty minutes to the equestrian center.  Jessie is a good trail horse.  She has lots of miles on her and she likes going places.  Part of her mare personality is she also walks with purpose and she prefers to be in the lead.

We were riding in a new area and we didn’t have a good knowledge of the trails, but our trail boss, Debbie, had ridden the area for several years.  Jessie still thought she would be better at leading the group.

The Group Ride

There were many river crossings and the trails were narrow and tight in many places.  There were six horse and riders with one rider “ponying” a young horse.  We began the ride in the third position.   The small black gelding in front of us did not seem to mind that Jessie was almost on her rump.  I would have preferred we were 6 or 8 feet back.  While thinking I could do a little trail training, and since we were a good distance in front of the 4th horse, we did an occasional circle.  This put us back in a good position.  Unfortunately, Jessie’s fast walk soon placed us right back where we started.

The last thing you want to do on a trail ride is to make your riding buddies uncomfortable because you have to work your horse.  But, we needed to work on this somehow.  As we rode along, I thought about how I could sneak in some trail training.

Enlist a Friend

We stopped at a water crossing and I enlisted the help of my wife, Ranae.  Quickly, I described the situation and asked her to ride in front of us.  Now, her Quarter Horse gelding, Dusty, is usually the slowest one of the bunch, so I thought this might be good for both horses.

When we restarted down the trail, Dusty took the 3rd position and I placed Jessie in the 4th spot.  Right away she was right on Dusty’s rump.  Although the trail was narrow, we began doing a mini-serpentine exercise.  We went from one side of the trail to the other three or four times and then I let her go straight.  When she moved right up on Dusty, I did it again.  We did this for 10 or 15 minutes and I could tell she was getting a bit annoyed.  She was doing the exercise, but it was making her work a bit harder.

Increase the Challenge

Jessie was still wanted to pass Dusty and I realized I had let this problem develop.  Well, now it was time to work on it with a little more trail training.  I asked Ranae if she minded if we bumped her around a bit and she said “no”.  My next step was to let Jessie try to figure this out on her own.  When I removed all pressure from the snaffle her nose would get to about Dusty’s flank.  If she was on Dusty’s left, I picked up the right rein and asked her to move to the other side.  Of course

Of course, she had to slow, bring her head around Dusty’s tail to cross the other side.  And, as soon as she did, I again relaxed pressure on the bit.  Then, she would up to his flank again and I would pick up the opposite rein to ask her to switch sides again.  After a few times, she was staying behind Dusty longer and longer before we needed to make the correction.

Be Happy with Little Results

We didn’t completely solve this problem in one ride.  Trail training is tough because you have to find a way to work your horse without disturbing others.  Jessie was still too close to Dusty, but she wasn’t trying to pass him.  Because she was “getting the idea”, I got to enjoy my ride a little more.

This little episode also brought to light that I needed greater awareness of poor habits my horse might be developing.  Trail training can be helpful for horses who want to eat on the trail, jig, or get to the front.  If you notice those problems early, they are much easier to fix.

 

Filed Under: Helpful Horse Tips Tagged With: Fun Stuff, horse tips, horseback riding, Horsemanship, trail riding, Trail Training, Training, Training Jessie

Jeremy Dunn Broken Arrow Ranch

May 9, 2017 by John Leave a Comment

Jeremy DunnJeremy Dunn and the Broken Arrow Ranch

Jeremy Dunn is a rancher, horse trainer, knife builder, reata braider, and has quite a few more skills developed from a life on the ranch.  And, he really enjoys backcountry camping and would like to teach more people how to access the wilderness with their horses.

Many of you know I competed as a rookie in the Vaquero Heritage Trainers Challenge with a horse named Scratch.  One of the judges and organizers of that event was Jeremy Dunn.  Over the course of the competition, we became friends with Jeremy, his wife Brandie and their two children Sage and Steele.  The Dunns live on a remote ranch, the Broken Arrow, in Rosamond bordered on three sides by the mighty Tejon Ranch.  They raise cattle, chickens, a milk cow, have a garden and live the ranch life.  Jeremy trains outside horses and Brandie offers clinics on homemade cheese making.

I learned a lot from Jeremy about horsemanship during the Trainers Challenge and even more afterward.  He impressed upon me the fact that horses need a job.  His clinics are designed to measure the ability of horse and rider and improve from there.

We talk about ranching, horses, and knife making.  Jeremy Dunn and I have teamed up to host a clinic this May.  It is a morning of instruction and an afternoon of trail riding.  We want people to learn then immediately put what they learn into practice.

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Links on Heard the Show

JB Cattle Company

Jeremy Dunn Facebook

Brandie Dunn Facebook

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Contact Us

We have well over 100 episodes up now and you can find them all for free on iTunes, with our Android App in the Amazon store, and now Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are distributed.  Get the Stitcher app and tell us how it works.  We are on Google Play too!  You can also find every episode and more about the show at whoapodcast.com.  Please take a moment and join our email list. Get in on the conversation with Facebook and Twitter – just look for WhoaPodcast.

You are a big part of why we do this podcast.  We really love getting your feedback.  Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show.  You can email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #99

http://traffic.libsyn.com/duhpodcast/Jeremy_Dunn_Podcast.mp3

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Filed Under: The Podcast Tagged With: adventure, horseback riding, Horsemanship, Inspiration, Scratch, trail riding, Training, Vaquero

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