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- Need to bring negative Coggins/health papers if traveling out of state, in state, negative Coggins needed only
- Wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet
- Check cinch/girth before mounting/during ride
- Keep kickers in back; identify them
- Riders should not pass at a different speed than gait you are traveling at
- Let others know when passing and what side you will pass on; choose a clearing
- Keep at least a horse length back
- If passing a branch, do not let it swing back into next rider’s/next rider’s mounts face – can lift it straight up
- Do not hold onto a branch until you fall off!!
- If you hear a strange noise, turn your horse to face it when you hear it which will help the horse identify it and may prevent it from running off
- Hikers and bikers and vehicles should yield to you but may not: be prepared!
- Put riders with less experience in the middle of the group
- If you need an equipment adjustment, let lead rider know and stop the horses to fix it
- Never tie a horse with the bridle reins and tie only to safe/secure items on trail
- Lead horse should be well-trained
- Lead rider should be experienced and know where they are going
- Lead rider should block the trail with mount if in a safety situation or for tack adjustment while backup rider attends to situation
- Lead rider should alert other riders to gait transition, stops, wildlife, hazards on the trail
- Stallions, if allowed along, should be ridden in front and by person experienced in riding/handling stallions
Advice for crossing a road:
- If riding on road, ride facing traffic
- Wear clothing that is visible
- Consider a reflective vest
- Have horse acclimated to traffic
- If riding in a group, have last rider come to front and stand on yellow line, blocking road and stopping traffic for others
- Have everyone else walk directly across the road
- Be prepared for honking, stones flying, etc.
Advice for crossing streams:
- Have horse negotiate water in arena prior to going on the trail
- Sandwich effect – put the horse unfamiliar with water behind a horse that is familiar with water and in front of one that is familiar with water
- Look straight ahead
- Allow horse to touch water with hoof, take a drink, encourage it to go forward
Advice for riding uphill:
- Traveling uphill changes the horse’s center of gravity, therefore lean forward slightly to center your weight over the horse
- Stay out of horse’s way
- May need to use a breast collar to keep saddle in place
Advice for riding downhill:
- When going downhill the horse’s center of gravity will change, the rider should lean slightly back to center your weight over the horse.
- Trust horse
- Look up and ahead
Advice for encountering wildlife/other trail users:
- Sudden emergence of wildlife/other users may cause a horse to spook
- Horses are prey animals therefore they have a flight instinct
- Keep a bold horse at the lead of the ride
- Teach horse to recover rapidly through ground handling and exercises
- Turn horse toward a noise if you hear it
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1517679456434{background-color: #ff77ff7f7 !important;}”][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_column_text]The Trish Franks School of Riding, LLC has been offering quality instruction in hunt seat, reining, horsemanship and dressage since 1992. We have lesson horses and ponies all types of students (young and old).
“We teach safe horsemanship to horse-loving children & adults in a safe, healthy environment, regardless of their economic status.” And we hope that students will learn some of “life’s other little lessons” along the way. ” – Trish Franks Program Founder / Head Coach[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”The Riding Disciplines & Programs That We Offer” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_btn title=”Western Classes” style=”classic” color=”success” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fnatchezbend.com%2Fwestern-riding-classes%2F|title:Western%20Riding%20Classes|target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_btn title=”English Classes” style=”classic” color=”blue” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fnatchezbend.com%2Fenglish-riding-classes%2F|title:English%20Riding%20Classes|target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_btn title=”Toddler Program” style=”classic” color=”peacoc” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fnatchezbend.com%2Ftoddlers-riding-program%2F|title:Toddler%20Riding%20Classes|target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_btn title=”Horse Camps” style=”classic” color=”violet” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fnatchezbend.com%2Fupcoming-horse-camps-nashville%2F|title:Upcoming%20horse%20camps|target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]