Tennessee Trail Riders

A social network of Tennessee trail riders and horse enthusiasts

Trade tips on horse riding and care while sharing stories, news and photos of equine events.

Members

  • Ray
  • Alyssa Marie Kamel
  • alan sanders
  • Lynn Brannon
  • Jesse Zook
  • Wabda Powers
  • Jo Bellamy
  • Mindy Watt Young
  • Mary
  • Nancy Ave
  • MontanaDoc
  • Gretchen L. Ballinger
  • Gail
  • Rich Petrina
  • Leslie Perry
  • Peg Wahrendorff
  • Brian Payne
  • Vincent Spoltore
  • Tommy Shacklett
  • Bobby

Cowboy Inspiration

Wait! Wait! Wait! Often, when we want answers, understanding, or our situations to change, we take immediate control and mess things up. So look before you leap. Look up and cast your cares on the One with the mighty hand. He cares for you and is just waiting for you to let go so He can take over. But be open to him doing something totally different than you imagine. Soon you will see his goodness unfold.

----- [ Order Wine Here ] -----

Events

 

Latest Activity

Tommy Shacklett left a comment for Lorri Gordon10 minutes ago
Teri Parks added a blog post29 minutes ago
7/6/09 I thought I would start posting some of the c.r.a.p. that keeps going on in my life. I would love to find out if anyone else has the bad luck I do, lol. Husband couldn't find job, he left and moved to Texas. Can't talk for he says there is...
kimberly added 4 photos1 hour ago
Jeanette Jones Norman left a comment for Virgil1 hour ago
kimberly left a comment for Tara Kelly1 hour ago
Tara Kelly left a comment for kimberly1 hour ago
kimberly left a comment for Tara Kelly2 hours ago
Dawn Davis left a comment for Donna Eaton2 hours ago
Dawn Davis left a comment for audra burton3 hours ago
Dawn Davis left a comment for Tara Kelly3 hours ago
www.tnlcha.com This web site will answer your questions.
Linda Maanao left a comment for Tina Duncan3 hours ago
ReubenT replied to ReubenT's discussion 'pack horse camping'4 hours ago
yes, I know about Ed and his trips. I'm thinking it'd be fun to ride up there and join him occasionally, probably take 3-4 days to get there if I rode from home. I'm around 100Mi SW of his place. Just wondering if there's anyone else around who li...
Lauren left a comment for jan diehl5 hours ago
Tara Kelly added 3 photos6 hours ago
Tara Kelly left a comment for Dawn Davis6 hours ago
jan diehl left a comment for Lauren7 hours ago
Ray is now a member of Tennessee Trail Riders7 hours ago
Saddle Valley Campground in the Big South Fork do overnight pack trips.
Judy McKeehan added a discussion8 hours ago
Kari K where are the trails at Lake Guntersville? How do you get there, is there a horse camp, etc.? Thanks, Judy

Forum (an online message board where information can be shared and discussions can be carried out and read)

Alice Coble

Fayetteville Country Boy Horse Show 1 Reply

Did I see that there was to be a country boy horse show in Fayetteville on July 11? I thought I did, but now I'm not. Does anyone has any information and if so could you post a class sheet? Thanks,...

Started by Alice Coble in Sample Title. Last reply by dusty414 3 hours ago.

ReubenT

pack horse camping 2 Replies

Does anyone around the area do overnight or longer trips with pack horse for hauling supplys? I know it's more commen out west where the trails are generally much more extensive. I think it'd be an...

Started by ReubenT in Sample Title. Last reply by ReubenT 4 hours ago.

Judy McKeehan

Lake Guntersville ride

Kari K where are the trails at Lake Guntersville? How do you get there, is there a horse camp, etc.? Thanks, Judy

Started by Judy McKeehan in Sample Title 8 hours ago.

Suzanne

Duck River Trails in Columbia 12 Replies

Anyone know anything about these trails right off of 50? Would love any info you may have. Thanks, Suzanne

Started by Suzanne in Uncategorized. Last reply by Suzanne 17 hours ago.

Nancy Ave

Trying to find people to ride with 1 Reply

I sold my farm in NC and just recently moved to Crossville, TN. Moved here for trail riding but have not met anyone that takes their horse out. Does anyone know of a riding group in or near this ar...

Started by Nancy Ave in Uncategorized. Last reply by ReubenT 18 hours ago.

Sheila H.

Weekday riding? 17 Replies

Anybody off during the week and able to ride? I'm on summer break from work and am seeing some nice days ahead, but no riding buddies. Hank sang a song about that...All my 'riding friends' have set...

Started by Sheila H. in Sample Title. Last reply by Sheila H. 23 hours ago.

Mindy Watt Young

Recommendation of good trails 6 Replies

I live in Shelbyville and would like to take my horses trail riding, but can't seem to find a good place to go. Anyone have any suggestions?

Started by Mindy Watt Young in Sample Title. Last reply by Linda Grajewski 1 day ago.

KatyB

Wild azaleas? 7 Replies

Does anyone know what trail it is in the Smokies where the wild azaleas are blooming in June? I'd love to go see them, but I've forgotten what trail it is.

Started by KatyB in Sample Title. Last reply by Linda Grajewski Jul 2.

Ed Elam

SEE MAUDE"S CRACK!!! 7 Replies

June 20 and 21, 2009 Ride to Maude's Crack, via Station Camp Creek, north along the east side of the Big South Fork river, cross at Big Island, up No Business Creek to the end Of Terry Cemmetary R...

Started by Ed Elam in Sample Title. Last reply by Ed Elam Jul 1.

Luanne

Need help with determining stirrup length.... 5 Replies

I am relatively new to riding Western and would like to know how to determine the best length for Western stirrups. I have ridden English most of my life and realize that in Western riding it is ty...

Started by Luanne in Sample Title. Last reply by julie Jun 29.

Blog Posts (blogs are usually written by one person and updated regularly to express their personal views on virtually any topic)

Christa Reynolds

LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES Nov. 1-Nov 8th

Posted by Christa Reynolds on July 4, 2009 at 4:02pm

Marty Luffman

Montana trail ride

Posted by Marty Luffman on July 3, 2009 at 1:18pm — 1 Comment

Kelly Weakley-Huff

Boarding and lessons

Posted by Kelly Weakley-Huff on July 1, 2009 at 2:40pm

Marty Luffman

Custer's Last Stand

Posted by Marty Luffman on June 28, 2009 at 9:11pm — 3 Comments

karen

Walls of Jericho

Posted by karen on June 28, 2009 at 8:44pm

Elizabeth

Well nevermind, Knew it was too good to be true.

Posted by Elizabeth on June 28, 2009 at 8:40am

Dana Duff

Percy Warner

Posted by Dana Duff on June 25, 2009 at 8:24am

Dale Rudin's Corner:

Moving Forward With Your Horse

In order for your horse to be truly broke, you have to have control of his body. Each part, head, neck, shoulders, ribcage, and hindquarters have to work independently and as a cohesive unit. When each works on its own, you horse is supple. When all the parts work together, your horse is traveling in proper alignment. Both are necessary for your horse to carry himself in a balanced frame, which is essential for his physical and emotional well-being, smooth gaits, and for optimum performance.Before you can get control of the part and then put them all together, your horse has to have a foundation of forward motion. To understand what forward motion is, take yourself for a walk. First, walk with long fluid strides. Walk as though you’re deliberately going somewhere. Follow a straight path, stand up tall, and swing your arms and legs freely. Let every step efficiently take you closer to your destination without any variation of speed in your gait or any departure from your path of travel. When your energy is focused on consistently propelling you toward your destination, you have forward motion.

Now try walking without forward motion. Unnaturally shorten your stride. Lift your legs up and down instead of swinging them fluidly from your hips. Instead of following a perfectly straight path, let yourself wander slightly from side-to-side. Also, lean forward too much while you walk. Don’t even look exactly where you’re going. In fact, tilt your head slightly to the side. When you’re moving while doing these things, you’re getting to your destination without forward motion. Did you notice how it feels? It’s not very relaxing, is it? Does it make you feel unbalanced and tense? When your horse isn’t moving forward, he feels exactly the same way.

It creates tension and he’ll travel in an unbalanced frame. Trying to control his body when it isn’t in alignment or his hind end isn’t “in gear” is like driving a car that’s in neutral. You can rev it and turn the steering wheel all day long, but it’s not going to perform or respond to you very well until you shift it into gear and send power to the wheels.I start the process of teaching forward motion on the ground, especially if it’s a horse that hasn’t had much training or is out of condition. I put him in our 60 ft round pen at Maverick and ask the horse to move forward at a long-strided walk. If he breaks to the trot or lope, that’s okay and could mean that he’s not relaxed or balanced enough to lengthen his stride at the walk. If does trot or lope, I try to keep him going long enough for him to relax his topline and lengthen his stride. I say I try to, because sometimes the horse is going to get tired before he reaches that goal. If I can get close, then I’ll quit for that day.

After a few sessions when the horse is beginning to carry himself with his head and neck on the arc of the circle, his topline is relaxed, and his stride is long and even, he’s ready to begin work under saddle. I give him soft supportive rein contact while I use my legs to encourage him to travel with a long and relaxed stride. Again I give him time to master this, or at least come close, at the walk before we move on to other gaits. I incorporate bending exercises as well to increase flexibility and suppleness, which will in turn enhance forward motion. However, I always make forward motion a priority. In other words, if I ask a horse to bend and he shortens his stride, I quit asking him to bend and take the time to reestablish a forward and balanced gait. That’s because a bend or any other maneuver won’t be executed properly unless the horse has balanced forward movement. If you do lose forward motion, other problems will begin to develop, such as dullness to leg and rein cues, drifting, and problems with transitions just to name a few.

It’s important with you’re working on forward motion to keep the rein contact light and supportive…without being restrictive. If your arms are tense and your fingers are tight, you’ll create resistance. That will in turn shorten your horse’s stride.

If you want your horse to be broke, don’t just consider where he’s going but how he gets there. As you ask for more advanced maneuvers, such as speed control, bending, or navigating a steep slope on trail, a foundation of forward motion will help your horse get the job done well.

Performance Through Partnership”™

Dale Rudin
Performance Through Partnership
Columbia, TN

For more info: www.dale-rudin-horse-training.com

 
 

About

Mike Murphy Mike Murphy created this social network on Ning.
The music below is provided by our very own, Mary Ann Kennedy. Mary Ann is a successful singer/songwriter and sings of her passion for horses, equine rights and her love for ranch life!
To see more about Mary Ann go to www.maryannkennedy.com.

Music

Campfire Chats

Welcome to our 1,300th member of Tennessee Trail Riders (TTR)

Created by Mike Murphy Jul 3, 2009 at 8:56am. Last updated by Mike Murphy Jul 3.

Sources for high quality hay:

Created by Mike Murphy Feb 17, 2009 at 9:37am. Last updated by Mike Murphy Feb 25.

Looking for a farm or Pasture to lease for horses and/or cattle...

Created by Mike Murphy Feb 11, 2009 at 10:41am. Last updated by Mike Murphy Feb 11.

Horse Rescue Websites

Created by Mike Murphy Jan 30, 2009 at 4:28pm. Last updated by Mike Murphy Jan 30.

Notes Home

Created by Mike Murphy Aug 19, 2008 at 8:23pm. Last updated by Mike Murphy Sep. 16, 2008.

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