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How to Master a Challenging Obstacle by Mark Bolender An extreme trail obstacle that most horses hate is the squirting water box. This is a standard water box, but floating on top of the water is a 4’ x 8’ piece of plywood that has holes drilled into it. …
Training an OTTB for the Sport of Mountain Trail by Mark Bolender Off the Track Thoroughbreds (OTTB) are retired race horses that have been given a new purpose in life. Recently, I had the good fortune to train one named Dakota for mountain trail riding. As it turns out, …
Best Gifts for the Trail Rider by Robert Eversole It’s hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner. If you’re like me and have procrastinated on gifts for those special trail riders in your life, here are some thoughtful items that they would love to find under …
Create a Magnificent Performance with These Specific Exercises by Mark Bolender While judging a trail challenge for the AQHA at the Region 1 show, I watched a horse and rider walk onto a teeter-totter, turn 180 degrees, then back off in one smooth, seamless motion. It was magnificent to …
Five Fundamental Skills of a Good Trail Horse by Robert Eversole We ask a lot of our trail mounts and most of what we’re asking isn’t what they’d be doing if they were the ones making the choices. This difference in desires is why trail rides can turn into …
How to Successfully Navigate a Troubling Obstacle by Mark Bolender I once overheard a spectator sitting next to the water box obstacle at a Bolender Mountain Trail Challenge mutter, “The evil water box wins again!” The horse was doing great, but then refused to step into the water box. …
How to Create a Memorable and Safe Overnight Experience by Robert Eversole Summer’s here and with it the desire to strike out with our ponies in tow. Camping with stock is an experience that will form life-long memories and is something that most riders dream about doing. In the …
Some helpful tips to make your trip more enjoyable (Originally published June 2013) by Karen Pickering It’s time to get out and enjoy the great northwest so we’ve put together some helpful tips in preparation for your camping or horse show weekend. I just returned from a weekend of horse …
Dress for Success on Show Day by Mark Bolender The new discipline of mountain trail displays what is to be the ideal mountain trail horse. This horse should show good forward movement which is confident, bold, and safe. The horse also should give the impression that it can cover …
How to ‘Leave No Trace’ While Recreating with Your Horse by Robert Eversole April’s showers have brought May’s flowers, warmer weather, and rapidly improving trail conditions across the Pacific Northwest. As trail riders, one important thing to remember is that most of the areas that we enjoy are publicly …