Mountain Trail Obstacles
- Tire step over
- Squish box
- Wide bridge
- Narrow bridge
- Small jump up/down
- Back in ditch
- Small Jacobs Ladder
- Trail traverse
- Large Jacobs ladder
- Mountain trails
- Beam bridge
- Large jump up/down
- Tetter Totter bridge
- Blow down
- Narrow beam
- Boulder field
- Ground back through
- Large steps
- Mud bog
- Large pond with dismount rock and step down
- Wobble bridge
- Saw buck
- Cake box
- Ground tie / hobble
- Small arc bridge
- Car wash
- Raised back through
MTC is subject to change.
MOUNTAIN TRAIL COURSEOBSTACLES AND PROGRESSION
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.
The following list gives guidelines for levels of difficulty and ideas for progression one would expect to encounter on the open trail or in a competitive MT setting.
____OBSTACLES AND LEVELS OF DIFFICULTY__
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.
BCH Sponsored Mountain Trail Course
Price & Rules List 2021
MOUNTAIN TRAIL COURSE PRICE & RULES LIST 2021:
1. ALL coaches and riders/participants MUST have Horse Council BC Insurance and MUST have signed ALL applicable BCH/THS waivers.
2. THS & BCH MEMBERS DAY USE: FREE (*must have participated in Mountain Trail Course training*).
3. NON-MEMBER DROP-IN FEE: $25/maximum of 2 hours for non-members PLUS you MUST be accompanied initially by a THS or BCH member who has been trained on the MTC.
4. THS OR BCH MEMBER DAILY RENTAL FEE: $200/day
· Includes up to 10 horses
· this does not include THS rental fee of $75/day for members or $150/day for non-members for use of the rest of the grounds
· Must have taken the MTC training
5. GROUP RENTAL FEE: $400/day
· Includes up to 10 horses
· this does not include THS rental fee of $75/day for members or $150/day for non-member for use of the rest of the grounds
· Must have MTC experience
6. COMPETITION/CLINIC RATE: $400/day
· This does not include THS rental fee which is $75/day for members or $150/day for non-member for use of the rest of the grounds
7. ALL COACHES must be approved by BCH prior to teaching on the MTC and must have MTC experience/training.
· All coaches must collect $25/hour from any non-member using the MTC under their instruction and pay it to the BCH.
· ALL coaches will pay 10% of their revenues to the BCH if using the MTC as a teaching aid.
All coaches must add THS & BCH to their additional insured on their insurance
· ALL coaches must carry a minimum of 3 million dollars liability insurance to be presented to THS & BCH BEFORE using the MTC.
· ALL coaches MUST have appropriate waivers signed by all participants.
8. *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*.
9. **Fees are subject to change by the discretion of the West Kootenay Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen**.
