Intro Trail ride

I'll repeat this ride every other month (usually on the 1st Sunday) for new members of the group to see how compatible we are on the trail. Other rides will be planned and communicated via email.

For trail map and location information, http://www.douglas.co.us/openspace/Dawson_Butte_Ranch.html

This is a five mile loop and will take approximately two hours. We'll do some exercises at the beginning and throughout the ride to help the horses, and their riders, get used to each other, including: identifying and respecting each horse's personal space, alternating leadership positions, yielding, and gait transitions to help the horses warm up and dispel adrenalin. We will keep the pace (walk, trot or canter) to the comfort level of the group. If one or more horse/rider pairs is not comfortable above a walk, then the ride will remain at a walk for the entire group.

If you have a young, inexperienced or excitable horse, please bring a rope halter and long lead rope for warming up prior to riding. If you have more than one horse who is confident and easy going on the trail, we have members who are "horseless". Perhaps you can work something out together.