Our horse and rider obstacle course.

[George McGovern]

On two and a half acres my wife and friends created an obstacle pasture course. Its purpose is to challenge riders and their horses to think and see ahead to get beyond various obstacles, with a goal of becoming better together at mountain trail riding.


Riders practicing for an upcoming fundraiser competition were here yesterday to get a look at the obstacles and practice patterns for fundraising day.


Stepping over/jumping logs


Walking through the "Cowboy Curtain"


This horse had just walked the length of the "Balance Beam" and is "dismounting."


The neighbor horses were most intrigued by all the goings on here.

[blm]

1. Wonderful AND practical.

[George McGovern]

3. Thank You blm! Riders love to "play" on the course.

[MLAA]

2. How wonderful! Best of luck with the fundraiser.

[George McGovern]

4. Thank You MLAA! The competition will raise money for a local mounted Search & Rescue group.

[Karadeniz]

5. I know you all had a blast constructing this thing...not to mention the horses getting a chance to

Use their brains and show off. Well done!

[George McGovern]

6. You are absolutely right Karadeniz! Once in awhile a horse will have trouble with an obstacle.

When that occurs the rider will say their horse "forgot their brain." But it is really neat to see experienced riders work patiently with their horses to overcome what's confronting them.

[Diamond_Dog]

7. What great shots!

Horse people really are amazing! The knowledge of all things horse and skill of horseback riding is just phenomenal. Just look at the expressions of concentration on everyone’s faces. Looks like you had a busy day there! Good luck with the fundraiser!

And where was Miss Shadow when all this excitement was going on?

[George McGovern]

8. Thank You Diamond!

Shadow does pretty well out on the course with a few horses and experienced riders, staying out of the way, sniffing and hunting; however, for this many guests she accepts her lot in life and stays tied in the barn. On a long baling twine leash so she can still see some of what's going on and with water nearby. So that's where she was yesterday.

Until she took issue with one of the riders using the Port-a-Potty right outside the barn. Shadow barked and barked and when the rider left she barked and barked again at one of our boarders who just loves to stand in his stall and lower his head and stare at her. When she wouldn't quit, Daddy unhooked the leash and led her to the fenced backyard. And she settled down.

Thanks for asking!

[Duppers]

9. Really enjoyed these pics!

Wishing you good luck & good times with the fund (fun) raiser.

[George McGovern]

10. Thank You Kindly Duppers! I appreciate your wishes.

[Duppers]

11. You have wonderful neighbors!

We'll be making a trip to Polson in the future to visit my dh's cousin. In terms of western distances, Ellensburg is not that far.

[George McGovern]

12. Wow! How cool if we could meet up! I'll send you a PM with my email address.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. What a wonderful display and a great story as well, my dear George!

I love photos that tell a story, and yours do that superbly.

Best of luck with the fundraiser!

[George McGovern]

15. Awww thank you Peggy! And thank you again!

[Fla Dem]

14. What a delight it must be to work with these marvelous animals in a kind and gentle manner.

[George McGovern]

16. It is Fla Dem. To look them in the eye, knowing there is intelligence there. Thank you!

[Wounded Bear]

17. Not your standard dressage course, I take it...

[George McGovern]

20. That's right Wounded Bear.

Usually folks come out and warm up their horses then walk out to the obstacle course and don't worry about dressage decorum. Although some riders do both, dressage and trail riding. I'd think that might confuse a horse . . .
Thanks!

[Bayard]

25. No throwing shade on us dressage folks!

Actually, I've always taken my dressage horses out on the trails.

Like we've talked about before, you have a great place and you do good things there. And take great photos!

[George McGovern]

26. Why, I wouldn't dream of it Bayard!

Thank You.

Are you familiar with Cowboy Dressage - Western Dressage?

[Bayard]

27. I've seen it mentioned,

But I have not checked it out.

[in2herbs]

18. I know for a fact how effective this type of course is for training horses. Your course has some of

the obstacles that the local police department uses to de-sensitize the police horses. The local PD also has a fund raiser for horses and riders who participate in their de-sensitization clinics. I attended three such clinics with one of my horses and he did so well that the PD asked if I would be interested in selling him for their use. I said no. He was my best trail and all around horse and we rode almost daily until his passing at age 33. (Retired him at 30.) He would not have enjoyed police work. IMO our youth need to be exposed to horses in order to learn what horses have to teach us. Thanks for the info and pics.

[George McGovern]

21. You're welcome in2herbs. I'm glad you have experience with all this.

I don't know, but it seems pretty dang IN-sensitive of the PD to ask a sale. Of course, they did appreciate your horse's abilities. It sounds like you gave him a great life and I'll bet he returned your devotion. Good that you retired him when you did. We run a retirement farm for horses. Seeing and hearing owners' affection and deep bonds with their retirees stirs something within.

I agree about young people benefitting from horses. We have a wonderful local 4-H group, but I can see less fortunate youth being changed by learning from horses.

You have any photos of your best trail and all around horse?

[in2herbs]

23. I do have photos but I don't know how to load them to the site. I did use his pic for the back

cover of my books (about horses, naturally.) He was a 16.2 hands registered Grey Paint with a TB sire., about 1250 lbs. The Paint markings on him really stood out when he was wet. I used a 1904 Porter saddle for trail -- it was like sitting in a bucket, very comfortable, and a dressage saddle for dressage along with a turquoise-laden bridle. I also used a Bitless Bridle with him. He looked good in everything.

[George McGovern]

24. Nice. I'd be happy to send you a PM and explain how to load to DU, if you like.

[BobTheSubgenius]

19. What a hoot for horsey people!

I realize it performs a very useful function, but I bet equestrian types find it to be some fine recreation.

[George McGovern]

22. They Do, BobTheSubgenius!

Besides the inherent benefits to overcoming obstacles, riders come here to play on the course. We see lots of smiles. Very gratifying. Thanks!