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

  • Cathy Lewis
  • Lisa Nilson
  • Aaron Paul Stults
  • Leisa Stewart
  • tori tolliver
  • Tina Blackburn
  • jess*
  • R. Phillips
  • Diane Ford
  • heather henn
  • Becky Lovingood Waller
  • richard mays
  • Christie Gallent
  • Linda Drzycimski
  • marjie gray
  • Becky L. Rains
  • Betty Fegenbush
  • Nancy Krause
  • teri gruning
  • Jacqueline R. Derrick

Cowboy Inspiration

“ He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty...  Have you figured it out yet?  He is who we were created for.  Like a fish is created for water we were created to live in the love and presence of God. To deny His presence is to deny reality and thus be lost in an illusion.  It's easy to drift away but the call of the Father is always the same.  Come home my child and I will give you rest."        

Now available: TTR 2010 Calendar!

The TTR Calendar for 2010 is better than ever - $12 per calendar - Free shipping. Place your order via email to: ranchmanager@bellaterraranch.com.

Events

 

TTR negotiates a special value on Coggins Testing for all members...

For more information and to "SIGN-UP" click here: Coggins Test at TN Equine Hospital

Photos

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Latest Activity

Deb Cope added a discussion
I need to find a home for Easy...a 9 year old black walker. No one, including UT Knoxville vet school, can figure out the cause of his lameness. He runs and gates in the field but then skips with his hind legs. He has had a large dose of bute interv…
8 minutes ago
Dedicated to all those that love to ride Mules and Donkeys
1 hour ago
Would anyone be interested in getting together a mule trail ride? I think it would be neat for a bunch of mules to go out together and it would be fun meeting with other long ear lovers!
1 hour ago
I saw the cutest little sign on eBay. It said "Horses Welcome.....Mules Preferred"!
1 hour ago
Is there any place in TN that does not have the mud problem? Growing up in FL, when we thought of TN we thought of the mountains. I didn't realize that there was so much red clay! My husband has agreed to move from here as long as we stay in this st…
1 hour ago
Janet Kelley joined Bertie's group
This is the TTR gang for people who are interested in Women On the Edge Trail Riders Association. Joining the gang on TTR does not automatically make one a member of Women on The Edge. Go to their web site to find out about the WOTE organization.
2 hours ago
Denise Shoemaker added 3 photos
4 hours ago
R. Phillips added 6 photos
5 hours ago
Cathy Lewis, Lisa Nilson, Aaron Paul Stults and 4 more joined Tennessee Trail Riders
5 hours ago
cassie carden added 8 photos
6 hours ago
go marty go.. very good.. i am so proud of u! heehee..
7 hours ago
Thank you for all the answers. They did however go away on their own. There does not seem to be any quick fix for them. You just have to wait it out.
8 hours ago
marjie gray added a photo
8 hours ago
beautiful! is this a stud?
8 hours ago
19 hours ago
You really need to think about this - Why not have a slaughter house....A place for all of these unwanted, unsound and cripple, blind, wild horses to go. This horse market needs a bottum - just like cows, goats, pigs, and every other type of livesto…
19 hours ago
Tina Blackburn is attending Denise Stevens's event
2nd Annual Memorial Day Weekend Feast at Timber Ridge Horse Campground at Timber Ridge Horse Campground on The Big South Fork
May 28, 2010 at 2pm to May 31, 2010 at 2pm
Lee will be smoking his famous brisket on Saturday May 29th for all the campers that stay at Timber Ridge Horse Campground!! No extra charge!! Join us on Saturday for the best eatin ever. This is our 2nd annual Memorial Day Feast and those of you th…
19 hours ago
jess* added 8 photos
20 hours ago
HI We had a young rescue colt that had warts on his nose and muzzle when we got him. Our vet said when his immune system got stronger they would go away on their own. Changed him to Nutrena Feed and they went away in about three weeks. Also, purchas…
21 hours ago
I like it.... you even have an awning... nice touch.
21 hours ago

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

Deb Cope

TWH needs a home

I need to find a home for Easy...a 9 year old black walker. No one, including UT Knoxville vet school, can figure out the cause of his lameness. He runs and gates in the field but then skips with his…

Started by Deb Cope in Current equine topics 12 minutes ago.

Grimwood's Horseshoeing

Hoof Care in MUD like this? 5 Replies

I have seen many problems with hoof maintenance in weather like this and I thought maybe we could share some ideas?    Obviously, a horse standing in wet weather knee deep in mud has to have some iss…

Tagged: Horse

Started by Grimwood's Horseshoeing in Current equine topics. Last reply by Nancy Ave 2 hours ago.

Jennifer

How can you get rid of warts on your horse? 21 Replies

I have a filly that has them bad all around her nose and mouth. We have had them before on other horses and they go away on their own. I know there is usually no harm in this but they look really bad…

Started by Jennifer in General equine questions. Last reply by Jennifer 8 hours ago.

michelle haynes

horse slaugther in tennessee need our help ASAP 61 Replies

PLEASE HELP STOP EQUINE SLAUGHTER IN TENNESSEE The Tennessee house Agriculture committee will pass a bill to establish and permit the equine slaughter and processing facilities in Tennessee ( house b…

Started by michelle haynes in Sample Title. Last reply by Leighanne 19 hours ago.

Rook

Ground driving 8 Replies

Is it good to ground drive a horse before you ride?

Started by Rook in Current equine topics. Last reply by katie reed 1 day ago.

Jerry Cary

Death of a horseman

Some of you that are in the West Williamson, East Hickman, Dickson and North Maury county areas may remember Vernon Jones from Fairview.  Just wanted to let you know that Vernon died last Friday.  He…

Started by Jerry Cary in Current equine topics Feb 6.

Nancy Ave

Water freezing 15 Replies

I board my horse at a stable that doesn't have electric outlets by the stalls for heated water buckets. Is there anything I can do to keep his water buckets from freezing? Thanks for any suggestions…

Started by Nancy Ave in Current equine topics. Last reply by Leisa Reeves Feb 5.

Georgia Martin

Trails that you can ride out your back door? Middle Tennessee 18 Replies

Where are they? I just found a job in Smyrna and I have an hour drive North (West) on I24.. I am now living in Hillsboro near the Airforce base.  But, I see a move in the future.  would like to find…

Started by Georgia Martin in Info about Trails and trail riding. Last reply by joelpcox Feb 5.

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

Gary I. Holt

The "Old One"

Posted by Gary I. Holt on February 2, 2010 at 2:38pm — 7 Comments

Ginger Friedlob

Trails near Lexington, Ky.

Posted by Ginger Friedlob on January 30, 2010 at 2:13pm — 1 Comment

jan diehl

Surprise on search for horse

Posted by jan diehl on January 29, 2010 at 3:34pm — 9 Comments

Wanda Powers

Rodeos in Tennessee or close by

Posted by Wanda Powers on January 24, 2010 at 2:53pm — 3 Comments

Gale

Wanna do some trading?

Posted by Gale on January 23, 2010 at 6:10pm — 8 Comments

Dale Rudin's Corner:

Balanced Rider Workout

If someone tells you that riding a horse is easy, you know that they
haven’t done much riding themselves. How many times have you heard a
non-rider tell you, “I rode a horse for an hour once and I could hardly walk the next day!” Riding a horse takes a great degree of athleticism. You need powerful core muscles, stomach and back, to support your upper body. You need the ability to simultaneously tighten muscles while keeping others relaxed to give your horse accurate cues. You need to have a good sense of balance to stay in the middle of your horse’s motion. You also need strong legs to maintain stability and for clear communication. If you’ve ever spent any time at all in the saddle, you know that a horse is the ultimate thigh-master!

Being a strong and balanced rider is important because how you ride affects everything your horse does. As a rider you can enhance his ability to have smooth gaits and transitions and be responsive to your cues. On the contrary, you can completely interfere with his ability to perform correctly. For example, if you lean during turns, your horse will lean too. If you’re legs are too far forward, that’ll put you in what I call a “barc-o-lounger” position and you’re riding behind your horse’s center of motion and forcing him to alter his gaits to compensate. To get a feel of how easy it is to throw yourself and your horse off balance, stand on a level surface with both feet shoulder width apart. Lean about an inch to the right, the left, forward, and back. Can you feel your weight shifting? Now try walking and then running while tipped away from center. It’s not going to be comfortable for very long. Now do the same thing while carrying (or imagine carrying) 20% of your body weight on your shoulders that’s out of kilter. Hopefully that will give you a sense of how surprising little it can take to throw your horse off his game. To avoid being a hindrance on your horse’s performance, you need to develop strength, balance, and endurance. A great way to do all three is to stand in the saddle. First at the walk and then at the jog/trot and lope/canter stand as tall as you can while maintaining the proper ear-shoulder-hip-heel alignment. Your body will be inclined forward. If you feel yourself falling backward, it means your legs have slipped too far forward. Grab the saddle or some mane and pull them back. Keep those heels down, too. Hold this position for as long as you can and keep practicing every time you ride until you can easily maintain a stable position at least once around the arena at every gait.

The posting trot is another great way to build strength and endurance. Yes, even you western riders should be extending your horse’s jog (because it increases fluidity and flexibility, strengthens his topline, and improves his balance). Make sure you’re on the correct diagonal by rising as your horse’s outside shoulder reaches forward. That will help him stay balanced when he turns. You should also switch diagonals if you’re on a straight line such as on a trail. Keep your heels down, and allow the natural “bounce” of your horse’s extended stride to bump you out of the saddle. Your seat should come up and slightly forward and it should feel as though only your hips are moving. Maintain a steady rhythm and a sense of control, so that it doesn’t feel as though your entire body is being thrown out of the saddle.

To build your core and develop a solid connection to the saddle through your seat bones, do some isolated leg swings. Stretch up tall in the saddle by lifting your ribcage. Now alternately swing your legs forward and back (similar the way your arms swing when you walk). Do this with or without stirrups, and if you do it right you’ll feel it in your stomach as well as your hips and thighs.

If you are up for a real challenge, try riding without stirrups. It’s a workout, but it will help you find your horse’s center of balance and in mere moments you will feel your muscles burning and building up. Don’t believe anyone who says that a rider isn’t an athlete. Like your horse, you need to be in condition to perform well. It’s too easy to ride poorly and get in the way of your horse’s ability to do his job well. It’s worth taking the time to develop your strength and balance and be a stable and centered rider. It’s a great way to improve your fitness and help your horse perform at his best.

Performance Through Partnership”™

Dale Rudin
Performance Through Partnership
Columbia, TN
For more info: www.dale-rudin-horse-training.com


 
 

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Cheers and happy trails!

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Campfire Chats

Welcome to our 1,800th member of Tennessee Trail Riders - TTR!

Created by Mike Murphy Feb 1, 2010 at 10:53pm. Last updated by Mike Murphy Feb 2.

TennesseeTrailRiders.com provides support to Cannon County disaster:

Created by Mike Murphy Dec 4, 2009 at 11:53am. Last updated by Mike Murphy Dec. 4, 2009.

Money Saving Tips 101

Created by Mike Murphy Oct 5, 2009 at 10:56am. Last updated by Mike Murphy Oct. 5, 2009.

Sources for high quality hay:

Created by Mike Murphy Feb 17, 2009 at 9:37am. Last updated by Mike Murphy Oct. 2, 2009.

Enjoyed my weekend at Circle E!!

Created by Mike Murphy Jul 14, 2009 at 2:35pm. Last updated by Mike Murphy Jul. 14, 2009.

Horse Rescue Websites

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

Notes Home

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

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