The West Kootenay Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen and the Trail Horseman’s Society have worked hard combining efforts to present to you our first ever Mountain Trail Course!
ALL coaches and riders/participants MUST have Horse Council BC Insurance and MUST have signed ALL applicable BCH/THS waivers. THS waivers can be found on our "Membership" page. Please contact BCHBC for their applicable forms.
THS & BCH MEMBERS DAY USE: FREE
NON-MEMBER DROP-IN FEE: $25/maximum of 2 hours for non-members. MUST be accompanied initially by a THS or BCH member who has been trained on the MTC.
*The Mountain Trail Course drop-in fee only includes use of the THS driveway, parking in front of the MTC, water and the outhouse. The clubhouse, stalls, arena’s and rest of the grounds is off limits to MTC users (including BCH) UNLESS you pay the Trail Horseman’s Society drop-in fees on top of the MTC fees or are a THS member*
THS OR BCH MEMBER DAILY RENTAL FEE: $10/horse
**Fees are subject to change by the discretion of the West Kootenay Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen**
Mountain Trail Courses are designed to mimic obstacles that a horse will encounter on a regular trail ride and perhaps, a little more. One may also encounter man made obstacles such as bridges or bikes. A course can offer a consolidated practice area to help horses and riders gains skills and confidence. Horses learn to handle a variety of terrain, giving them useful skills for trail riding, hunting/packing trips, or ranch work and can help a horse become an all around solid mount.
A good MT horse will keep an even cadence throughout the course without rushing or balking and will navigate the terrain in a quiet safe manner. It will “seek the trail” showing a willing, curious attitude and enjoy its job while accepting the guidance of its rider from leg, seat and reins.
Horse and rider can advance by riding obstacles that are more challenging OR by increasing the level of difficulty on the same obstacle with progressively complex maneuvers.
LEVEL ONE
Rocks/Sawbucks Push gates
Non moving bridges Water
Step overs
Slickers
Up and down hills
Side pass
Carousel turn
Cowboy curtain Backing-straight only Tunnels-forward only Ground tie
Pick up feet
Jacobs ladder/step ups
WALK ONLY
LEVEL TWO
ALL OF LEVEL ONE PLUS Mattress
Water box - no squish Ditches
Flag or raising items Tunnel
Suspension bridge
Rolling bridge
Tipping bridge Backing-change directions
JOG/TROT
LEVEL THREE
ALL OF LEVEL ONE AND TWO PLUS
Squish box
Back in ditches
Turn on bases
Back through gates/tunnel Drag objects
ALL GAITS POSSIBLE
An example of progression could be; 2 feet on, 4 feet on, pauses, turns, approach different angles, backing off or through etc. all on same obstacle. Also an increase of height or depth of obstacle and increase of paces can be ways to progress in a way that can build confidence in your horse.
MOU for the MTC (pdf)
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