Innholdsfortegnelse for Trail Riding - July 2020 i Horse & Rider

The Great Basin is a vast, sagebrush-covered region that’s centered in Nevada and stretches from California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range to Utah’s Wasatch Mountains. Moisture that drains here stays here. Water collects in shallow salt lakes, marshes, and mud flats, eventually evaporating in the dry desert air. At first glance, this area looks monotonous—a pale-green sea of sagebrush scattered over thirsty, brown ground. Appearances are deceiving! In 1986, the United States Congress created Great Basin National Park. Later, in 2006, the Great Basin National Heritage Area was added to preserve, promote, and interpret heritage resources—historic ranches and railroads, archeological sites, tribal communities, and mines. Great Basin National Park, among the darkest regions in the country, is unsurpassed for pristine stargazing. Stars pulsate like laser lights against a black-velvet sky. Into…

It’s easy to lose confidence on the trail if your well-trained horse has defied you or refused to go forward. A threat to bolt or rear can make a confident rider worry and, in turn, contribute to the problem. If your well-trained trail horse suddenly throws a fit and refuses to ride out alone, chances are, you’ve allowed little acts of disobedience before this blow up. It’s time to stop putting up with blatant acts of disrespect and confidently ride ahead. I’ve seen horses get away with little acts of disobedience and thus start to think they—and not the rider—are in charge,” says top clinician Julie Goodnight. “Soon, instead of simply turning to look back toward where he wants to go, the horse escalates his threats. He might raise his…

Many cities that historically have had equestrian trails and facilities are losing them rapidly or have already lost them. For example, Masterson Station Park in Lexington, Kentucky, with its extensive riding and cross-country facilities, is under pressure by youth sports groups to create a sports park, eliminating equine use. Local equine groups continue to advocate for equine use via the planning and public participation process. In Chicago, Illinois, equine facilities within the city have been completely eradicated. In New Jersey, communities have suffered a rapid decline in horse properties and trails due to land-use changes brought about by unfavorable planning decisions. What You Can Do Here’s what you can do to help your community understand and respond favorably to your equine community’s recreational and land needs. • Be visible. Non-equestrian…