This blog will consist of two writers. One writer (horsehooligan) competes in equestrian endurance and jumps for fun (she gets a rash from the snobby English riding culture, but still loves the sport itself). She breaks and trains horses for her own use as well as some of her friends. She believes that rather than blame circumstances and every stimuli around them for horse caused problems, horseback riders need to understand that if they leave the comfort of their own backyard that anything can happen.. and to be prepared for it. We have shared-use trails and while we have right of way rules, the only things you can actually control is your own actions and possibly those of your horse. She is not callous about this fact, and is working on combining desensitization, behavioral and natural horsemanship training with simple and consistent rider techniques to enable this cultural shift. In addition, she also encourages those who purchase horses to put temperament above all else when making their equine choice.
At the same time, she spends just as much time getting yelled at as the bikers.. she gallops through the forest, long trots and jumps obstacles; earning the reputation as the local trail hooligan. While her roots are small town, she currently lives in a 5-story high rise in a posh part of the city, loves water and downhill skiing, as well as gallivanting around the city.
Writer number two (bike hooligan) is a bike lover and totally immersed in the bike culture. He owns 6? Bikes as well as probably enough various spare parts to build another. While not competitive, he enjoys yearly trips to northern Michigan and Moab and has been on trails all over the continental US. He grew up in the city and is now experiencing life in a small town. He has recently learned to horseback ride, so while he understands issues that beginners face he is also a bold trail rider. Horses are like bikes with brains....and they are softer... He doesn't see these two pursuits as conflicting, but rather complementary.
Both of us are ready for spring and the upcoming riding season!
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