Horse Around New Mexico 2019 Jul Aug

NEW MEXICO HORSES

RIDES

TRAINING

PEOPLE

PLACES

New Mexico

JULY/AUGUST 2019

TIPS TO NO-STRESS WATER CROSSING

PLUS HOW A SOFT TOUCH AND A BALANCED SEAT HELPS YOUR HORSE

RIDE WILD NEAR ABQ WHAT TO DO WHEN HE COMES UP LAME MUST-REMEMBER TRAIL GEAR

TOP TRAILS

YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS FREE! / TRAIL RIDING ISSUE / WHERE TO RIDE FROM NORTH TO SOUTH / 2019 DIRECTORY

Positive solutions.

Positive motivation.

Positive reinforcement.

Curious about Positive Reinforcement Training for horses?

Want to ride a truly “happy athlete” in competition?

EVALYN BEMIS PHOTOGRAPHY

Shawna Karrasch

Learn about the effectiveness of humane, science-based training skills to develop your horse’s motivation and trust.

In our Weekend Clinics and Intensive Workshops at Terra Nova Equestrian Training Center, legendary trainer and equine behaviorist Shawna Karrasch will show you how to unlock the power of Positive Reinforcement with horses.

Take home a new outlook and practical ways to truly address problems like trailer loading, spookiness, and far more. Your horse will love you for it!

2019 Weekend Clinic dates: May 3-5, September 13-15

2019 6-Day Intensive Workshop dates:

March 1-8, April 5-12, May 3-10, June 14-21, August 2-9, September 13-20, October 11-18 Web: www.terranovatrainingcenter.com/2019-workshops-faqs Email: clinics@terranovatrainingcenter.com EVALYN BEMIS PHOTOGRAPHY

terranovatrainingcenter.com info@terranovatrainingcenter.com 47 Ranch Road, Santa Fe, NM, USA Mailing Address: 7 Avenida Grande, #B7-504, Santa Fe, NM 87508 JANNEKE KOEKHOVEN

When I first met these two horsewomen at Argentina Canyon Trailhead in the White Mountains, little did I know that they were the infamous “Lost Girls” the duo who bushwhacked from the Argentina corrals across the Crest Trail and ended up at Three Rivers Campground.

Have you heard of them? Rebecca and Molly took a wrong turn on the Phantom Trail, started heading southwest, got off the trail, called the sheriff and the ranger, and were coached down the other side to Three Rivers. They arrived at the campground just before dark, left their horses in the corrals, and were shuttled by the sheriff and ranger 70 miles back to the other side of the mountains to their trailer.

I quickly realized that, apart from their amazing misadventure, they were just two fun loving Texas women, especially when Rebecca accepted my gift of a magazine by saying, “So this is Horse’s Ass Around New Mexico?” I became fond of her immediately.

Over that Memorial Day weekend we went on three rides, went twostepping at the Win, Place and Show bar in Ruidoso, and feasted on breakfasts prepared by the duo that usually consisted of steak, bacon, eggs, carb-free pancakes, fresh blueberries, butter on everything and a coffee concoction made of heavy cream, cinnamon, coconut oil, a little coffee, and of course, butter.

My point of this editorial is two-fold: Do not panic when you are lost on the top of a mountain. Rebecca and Molly kept their cool and made it down the steep trail safely. Next point: When needed, depend on and accept the kindness of strangers (even if they are just doing their jobs).

The sheriff and the ranger have now become friends of the duo. When Rebecca and Molly camp at Argentina, the men have been known to bring them not only bags of ice but emergency items such as a fullycharged truck battery. The women in turn offer them campfire-cooked food, and Rebecca often puts on a hilarious comedy show.

Rebecca and Molly were immediately kind and generous towards me and I reciprocated by cooking some meals and providing the entertainment when Rebecca tuckered herself out. By doing so I feel we are bonded, and a new friendship has begun.

So the next time you go horse camping and trail riding, keep your antennae out for some new friends. Almost all of my good friends are horse people, ones who know how to have fun, live in the moment, take care of others when needed, and accept kindness – ones who may take a wrong turn now and then, but live to tell their story with gusto.

Cecilia Kayano Molly Brunet and Rebecca Hendrix made horse camping in the White Mountains even better with their generosity and relentless joking around.

New Mexico Editor/Publisher CECILIA KAYANO Associate Editor PEGGY CONGER Facebook/Events SUSIE SPICER Manager Contributing Writers MOLLY BRUNET & Photographers ANDY CAMERON, DVM DOROTHY CROSBY SUZANNE DE LAURENTIS STACY DIVEN MARGRET HENKELS LURAE IVERSON HENRY JIMENEZ JOAN LATTNER JOHN MCKENNA STEVE SIMMONS MARY JO WALLEN Photojournalist EVALYN BEMIS Graphic Design/Layout MARIE ANTHONY Advertising & Sales

HORSENEWMEXICO@GMAIL.COM

Subscriptions $30/YR MAIL CHECK TO: HANM * PO BOX 367* PECOS * NM 87552

www.horsearoundnm.com Well-written informative articles and high-resolution photos are welcome. Submissions will be considered and are subject to editing. The next issue, the Health and Wellness Issue, appears at New Mexico outlets on September 1, 2019. The deadline for submissions is July 15, 2019. The deadline for ads is August 1, 2019. For information contact Cecilia Kayano, HANM Editor, 505-570-7377, HorseNewMexico@gmail.com, www.horsearoundnm.com

Need more trail riding details, horsey events and equine inspiration? Check out our expanded Facebook page. Make sure to like us!

COVER PHOTO: Henry Jimenez aboard his Kentucky Mountain gelding and Stacy Diven riding his Tennessee Walker in the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness. Photo by Lurae Iverson.

TRAIL RIDING ISSUE

TRAILS FROM HOODOOS TO HEIGHTS / LAMENESS ON THE TRAIL

12

FEATURES 8 Ride Variety

Three very different trails showcase the diverse landscapes of New Mexico

12 Fun For Horse And Human

16

Stay at Mortenson's Ranch or Bluewater Lake Resort, or attend a clinic at Harmony Hills

16 Help Your Horse Be Water Wise

Step-by-step instructions for helping your horse cross water with confidence

24 Close By With That Far Out Feeling

Two rides near Albuquerque that are visual stunners

28 Gear Up For The Trail Ride One leather-loving cowboy tells what gear he tries never to forget

32 Fitness For Horse And Rider

Two experts have combined Conformation Balancing and Centered Riding for a better horse and a better ride

36 Lameness On The Trail

How to check your horse for lameness and know when it's time to walk out

PLUS

24

35 Horse Services Directory 35 Upcoming Horse Events 38 Vacation/Travel Directory

Horse Around New Mexico is printed five times per year: Mar/Apr, May/Jun, Jul/Aug, Sep/Oct, Nov/Dec. Submissions of articles and photos from all around NM are welcome! See our website or email/ call for submission standards/deadlines: www.horsearoundnm.com, HorseNewMexico@gmail.com, 505-570-7377.

Horse Around New MexicoŠ2019. All rights reserved. Horse Around New Mexico and Horsearoundnm.com are copyrighted, trademarked, and the sole property of Cecilia Kayano. Individual content copyright belongs to the author. All the opinions expressed herein are the sole opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect bias or belief on the part of the editor, publisher, distributors, printer, advertisers, or other contributors.

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We are a volunteer organization whose mission is to protect and preserve the back country by keeping trails open. We assist various government and private agencies in maintaining trails and horse camping areas in the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests. We teach common sense use and enjoyment of horses in the back country and wilderness. If you want to work to keep places open for horses and have some fun at the same time, please join us.

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Before you head out to see our beautiful state, come see us at Paul’s Vet Supply to stock your vet bag and horse trailer.

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www.horsearoundnm.com | July/August 2019 | HORSE AROUND

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Ride Var Three very different trails showcase the diverse landscapes of New Mexico

BY STACY DIVEN, JOAN LATTNER AND HENRY JIMENEZ

W

ant dry and dusty or lush with water?

Here are three rides ranging in locations from northern to southern New Mexico.

Columbine Creek, Columbine-Hondo Wilderness near Questa

This 10-mile out and back trail follows Columbine Creek, has multiple creek crossings, meanders through meadows, and rewards you with spectacular views on the top of Hondo Ridge. Like most mountain trails, it starts out with flatter and dirt-packed trail, then becomes steeper and rockier. The beauty of it is that there are beautiful meadows and lunch spots all along the trail, or go all the way up to the top which is the intersection of Lobo Peak Trail #57 and Gavilan Trail #60 (elevation 11,000+). You simply cannot go wrong, unless of course, you are pummeled by a hailstorm and forgot your slicker!

So be prepared with rain gear and a hearty lunch. The riding season is late June through October depending on the snow. Even with this year’s heavy precipitation, we found little snow during a ride in early June. Late summer afternoon rains above timberline can include hail, lightning and thunder.

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The Plaza Blanca area near Abiquiu offers short, sometimes technical, cross-country trails that provide spectacular scenery.

PHOTO BY JOAN LATTNER.

iety

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Also know that conditions of high elevation trails change. A tree can come down across a trail at any time. There can be snow fields remaining across a section of trail. After the snow melts, there can be rock slides across a section of trail. Switchbacks in the higher elevations can be eroded and footing can be dangerous. Crews often clear and maintain the trails but they may not get to all of them. Call the Carson National Forest office before you go, or stop by their offices in Taos or Questa, or ask a horse person who frequently rides there.

Getting there

From the town of Questa north of Taos, turn east on NM 38 and go for three miles. When you get to Columbine Campground, park your trailer on either side of the road. There’s plenty of room for tacking up. Ride to the south side of the campground. Once you get on the trail, you are already in the Columbine Wilderness.

Note: Please pick up any manure around your trailers, and if your horse goes while on pavement in the campground, stop, dismount, and kick it off into the grass.

The trail

Follow Columbine Creek going up stream on trail # 71. It starts at about 8,000 ft. elevation. There are four pedestrian bridges on this first section of the trail which is popular with day hikers and campers. The creek crossings are usually easy and short, but a few have logs which your horse will have to step calmly over.

About three miles up and just before the fourth footbridge you will come to a fork in the trail. Stay on trail #71 which will take you to well above timber line and give you expansive views of Hondo Ridge and the wilderness as seen on the front cover. This is the intersection of trails #71, #57 and #60. Before attempting, make sure your horse is fit and acclimated to high elevation.

-BY STACY DIVEN.

Plaza Blanca, Abiquiu

If you are looking for awe-inspiring rock formations, a bit of riding or hiking, some technical trails and great lunch spots, then Plaza Blanca is the perfect place. It is a 1.5-hour drive north of Santa Fe.

The Columbine Creek Trail near Questa offers lush riding along the creek and magnificent vistas at the top. (See photo on cover.) Here Lisa Joseph rides Jewel, her Tennessee Walker/Missouri Fox Trotter cross.

Getting there

In Abiquiu look for Mamacita Pizzeria, and turn right onto NM State Rd 554.

Go for about 0.6 miles then turn left onto County Road 155. Go 3.3 miles to a large wooden gateway with the words “Dar Al Islam.” Go through the gateway on dirt for 0.6 miles to a fork in the road. Stay right. (The left goes to the Dar Al Islam Mosque and Education Center.) You will come to a car parking area. Park near the junipers if you have a horse trailer. The road in can be very rough.

The trail

As you are facing the hoodoos, go to the right. You can work your way to the left on and over the ridge. The trails

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get technical arriving at a rocky, high viewpoint, perfect for lunch.

You can also ride or hike from the parking area which takes you down a narrow canyon. It will take you 30 minutes to ride to the end.

-BY JOAN LATTNER

Railroad Canyon, east of Silver City

This is a great escape and a world apart from the summer heat of Las Cruces and less than two hours away. This is a lush, high mountain canyon trail in the Black Range, with multiple stream crossings of Gallinas Creek. The out and back mileage

The Columbine Creek Trail starts from the campground, which is bordered by rock cliffs. No horse camping is allowed here. A nearby bed and barn is Wind Horse Rancho in Arroyo Hondo. (See ad page 14.) is ten miles. Though remote, the trailhead is relatively easy to access.

Getting there From I-25, exit 63 west towards Hillsboro on NM Hwy 152. Pass the villages of Hillsboro and Kingston then switchback over spectacular Emory Pass and descend on the west side of the Black Range. Go for approximately three miles and arrive at the Railroad Canyon Campground on the right (north) side of the road. When you pull into the campground with a horse trailer, stay to the right and park near the entrance to the campground by the restroom facilities. Though there is a turnaround at the far north end of the campground at the trailhead, it may be difficult to turn your rig around there. In any event it is a very short distance to the trailhead from the entrance to the campground.

The trail

Railroad Canyon Trail starts in the campground and ascends north along Gallinas Creek as Trail #129. It stays in a beautiful shaded canyon and crosses the creek multiple times. At 1.2 miles you will come to a junction with the Gallinas Canyon Trail #129 which veers to the

The Railroad Canyon Trail follows crystal clear creeks and takes you up towards Hillsboro Peak.

(PHOTO BY LURAE IVERSON.) left (northwest). Continue on Railroad Canyon Trail to the right which becomes trail #128 and continues north. At two miles from the trailhead you will come to another junction with East Railroad Canyon which very quickly becomes faint and the condition of this trail does not look promising. Continue north on Railroad Canyon another two miles.

There you will come to the junction with

the Crest Trail toward Hillsboro Peak to the east. Should you decide to ascend the Crest Trail to the east you will be rewarded some spectacular vistas, but approximately one mile from the junction with Railroad Canyon trail you will be blocked by extensive downfall.

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Stacy Diven, Joan Lattner and Henry Jimenez are members of the Santa Fe Chapter of Back Country Horsemen.

Fun for Horse and Human Hone your roping and riding skills and stay awhile ant to do it all – trail riding, calf roping, silver buying, western-town dreaming and bunkhouse staying? Here are three places you don't want to miss.

Mortenson Ranch, Santa Fe Book the bunkhouse studio at Clint Mortenson’s ranch just south of Santa Fe. It’s a charming one-room studio with a kitchenette, bathroom and washer/ dryer that opens to a courtyard across from horse/buffalo stalls. With your stay you can join in the calf roping practices in a large arena, go on trail rides near Lone Butte and visit the Bonanza Creek western movie set.

From your bunkhouse door you can see Clyde, the rideable buffalo, as he lolls his huge head out of his stall, waiting to be petted. Or visit Clint’s saddle and sliver shop to see how saddles are made and buy a glittering silver buckle. Contact 505-424-9330.

Bluewater Lake Lodge, Prewitt

Spend a few days at Bluewater Lake Resort which provides comfy accommodations for horse and human, including two cabins, nine RV spaces with full hookups, seven stalls, arena, shower house and a small country store. Bring a few horse friends or reserve the entire facility for your next horse club event.

Stay in the bunkhouse at Clint Mortenson's ranch, try your hand at roping or go for a scenic trail ride.

12 HORSE AROUND | July/August 2019 | www.horsearoundnm.com

Stay at Bluewater Lake Resort and ride on thousands of acres. (PHOTO

BY MARY JO WALLEN.)

If you’re looking for a train-on-the-trail location, this is the perfect place. Trish Jacoby, who owns the bed and barn, has ridden the area many times and says it has every type of terrain to practice trail riding skills: streams, bridges, cliffs, valleys, canyons and a lake. There are hundreds of miles of crosscountry riding through a checkerboard of BLM, state, tribal and private land, but few fences. There are no set trails, so the adventurous rider should bring a GPS. If you want a more predictable route, just follow the lake shoreline.

To find out more, call Trish at 505-290-2699 or visit BluewaterLake-Lodge.com

Harmony Hills, Estancia

New Mexico welcomes horse trainer/clinician Lee Smith to Harmony Hills (formerly Four Winds Equestrian Center) in Estancia. When you attend clinics, you can stay in accommodations at the facility, and practice in the indoor/ outdoor arenas and round pen. Your horse will have a comfy stall with turn out.

Visit LeeSmithDiamonds.com or email ranch@leesmithdiamonds.com

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Harmony Hills in Estancia offers clinics by Lee Smith with an indoor arena, views of the Manzano Mountains and clinics by Lee Smith.

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Help Your Horse Be

Water Wise

BY SUZANNE DE LAURENTIS

16 HORSE AROUND | July/August 2019 | www.horsearoundnm.com

Every water crossing is different and even the most seasoned horse may hesitate when asked to attempt something new. Here a rider pauses to let her horse hear the sounds of water over rocks at a stream in the White Mountains. PHOTO BY MOLLY BRUNET.

www.horsearoundnm.com | July/August 2019 | HORSE AROUND

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This river crossing near the Chama Basin Trailhead north of the town of Chama features sloping entrance/exit points and a large volume of water.

ith the snow, rain and hail of our winter and spring, you will most likely need to cross water sometime on a trail ride this summer. Have you ever been envious of friends’ horses that just march across any river or stream? Know that most horses and riders occasionally suffer some sort of water crossing woes, and it can happen to even the most seasoned team.

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Refusal to cross water is a popular topic and the subject of many “quick fix� methods. Most group trail rides that I have attended usually had at least one horse in the line-up that required we wait on to cross water. Much to the chagrin of many riders, crossing water is usually harder to prepare and train for than other types of trail challenges. Not to worry, if you do your prep and training, then keep your cool, even water-wary horses can master this training obstacle!

Prep for water crossing at home

When introducing your horse to any new exercise or obstacle, make an honest assessment of his manners and education.

Never assume a horse knows a lesson that you have not personally taught him.

Consistent and diligent training both on the ground and under saddle is the best way to assure success in crossing water.

Delford Daniels prepares Chism, a Walkaloosa, to cross water by asking him to step across a tarp.

Keep all training slow and easy, and never let your horse get his heart rate up. If your horse gets anxious, take steps to calm him down and either stop the training or start over.

Here are steps: • Before you even consider training for water crossing, establish a good consistent “go forward” cue that you horse obeys, no matter the circumstances.

• Lunge him over tarps -- use different colors such as blue, grey, dark green and white to simulate colors of water.

Try a variety of footings under the tarp by moving it from soft ground to deep sand in the round pen, or even put it over a puddle or on top of gravel.

The more types of turf your horse becomes accustomed to, the more reliable he will be in general.

• When you are fortunate enough to have access to puddles or small streams, hand-graze your horse near them. In the beginning, keep the pressure off a balky or frightened horse and resist the temptation to “make” him go into the water. Education makes confrontation less likely!

• When he is ready, lead him across water. Make certain that you position yourself so he won’t jump across and strike you as he lands. Spend some time leading him around in the middle of the stream rather than practicing only crossing. Keep a casual, yet confident attitude and help him understand that water is not as scary as he thought and that it can actually be fun.

• If a seasoned horse is available, let your horse watch him play in or cross water.

When horses learn from watching other horses it is called allelomimetic behavior. This type of learning is what you see in action when student horses are positioned so they can watch other horses in training sessions. It is a very effective method and applies to water crossing too.

• Teach your horse to pony (lead from horseback) then pony him through water. If you are new to the concept of ponying, have an experienced horseman

show you the proper way to do it before you practice with a green horse.

What’s the big deal about crossing water?

It’s usually not just the water that gives your horse hesitation but the combination of all the elements of the situation.

Boggy or stale-smelling mud, sink holes, quicksand, marshes, rapid current, the lighting and shadows, and the unexpected sound of rushing water are all pieces of the puzzle for him to put together. Every element is an additional item that can overload his senses, especially if he is feeling pressured.

If you are riding with friends and close to home, a horse that refuses to cross water may not be such a big deal. If you are on a group ride or a long way from home and you have the problem, it could be a stressful situation. If the latter happens, do your part as your horse’s leader and stay calm and confident. If your blood pressure goes up, it will result in a rise of your horse’s heart rate which will hamper your success of crossing water.

Is he scared or stubborn?

There is a huge difference between a horse that is reluctant to cross water

Lurae Iverson crosses Columbine Creek in the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness on Guapo, a Tennessee Walker, by guiding him into the water then moving him confidently through it.

Water Wise Points to Ponder • Be a confident leader and control your own emotions so as not to negatively influence your horse.

• On ascending and descending banks control his speed and keep him at a walk.

• Choose crossing points with care.

No crossing is important enough to put you and your horse in danger.

• Let him lower his head to investigate the water and the footing.

• Horses are quick to react and slow to think so give him plenty of time to assess a situation.

• If the crossing is wide, try asking him to cross next to a horse that he knows, and put the experienced horse upstream of him.

• If the crossing is narrow or has steep banks (on either side), put him between horses that he knows, proceed slowly and give him plenty of room so he can see his upcoming footing.

• If he wants to drink and the water is safe, let him.

• In the training stage of crossing water, let him play a little if he wants, but keep him from getting carried away with pawing. Some horses drop down into the water when they paw excessively, which you must prevent for safety reasons.

• Never let a horse put his nose down into water if you have a loop rein.

It could be a very bad outcome and drowning is even possible if he gets his foot in the loop.

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because he is frightened or uneducated and a horse that delights in refusing your requests. If you have a horse that refuses out of stubbornness (be sure this is the case), adding a little pressure with a crop may be the answer. Occasionally I use a crop, preferring it to spurs as both you and your horse should be educated to spurs for a proper outcome.

If the situation is not rectified with a decisive tap or two with a crop, go back to basic training until you gain cooperation and establish a reliable “go forward” cue.

If your horse is truly frightened or inexperienced, punishing him beyond his ability to cope with the situation will not be productive. Know your horse, understand when he is unsure and when he is being stubborn. If he snorts, stiffens his body, puts his head in the air, or shows the whites of his eyes he may be genuinely scared. It is never a good idea to get into a fight with a frightened horse.

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Rebecca Hendrix and Molly Brunet cross a creek near the Argentina Trailhead in the White Mountains.

Think twice about crossing When you encounter an unexpected water crossing, your best judgment is required to protect you and your horse.

• If the water looks swift or you can’t tell how deep it is, or are wary for any reason, you may not want to attempt a crossing.

• Man-made dams and ponds can have deceivingly steep banks and deep mud that may prove impossible to get out of. If you plan on swimming your horse, check to find gradually sloping banks and make sure the footing is good so you can get back out.

• If you cross water that is two feet or deeper or if you decide to swim your horse, unclip any tie down, loop rein or running martingale! It is easier than you might think for a horse to step through the loop and drown. I used to think this to be a freak accident but have personally known two young ladies this happened to. Surprising as it sounds, most horses that get caught in equipment struggle for a few minutes and then sink. It only takes a few seconds to unclip equipment!

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Suzanne De Laurentis is as master trick trainer who uses training methods designed to increase the intelligence, adaptability and predictability of today’s companion horse. Contact imgineahorse.com or 512-736-3208.

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Pet cremation keeps them close to the heart ...so the memories never fade.

When your beloved horse or pet dies, it is a traumatic time. Let Albuquerque Pet Memorial Service be there for you and your pet. We are a family-owned and operated animal cremation service located in Albuquerque. We promise to treat your pets with the dignity and respect they deserve.

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Pictured here are Kelly and Dave on their beloved Icelandic Horses, Rohan and Ani.

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Deep seat Quiet mind Open heart

The Inner Equestrian Program Lynn Clifford | Therapist, 3rd Generation Equestrian 505.231.5353 | lynn@lynnclifford.com

BY STEVE SIMMONS

Colorful rock and hoodoo formations are some of the attractions you will find while riding in the Ojito Wilderness, one hour northwest of Albuquerque. (PHOTO BY STEVE SIMMONS.)

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f you live in the Albuquerque/Santa Fe area, know that there are plenty of interesting, diverse places to trail ride that are nearby. Two of my favorites are the back side of the Ojito Wilderness just past San Ysidro off Hwy 550 and the Placitas Open Space area just north and east of the gravel pits in Placitas.

Ojito Wilderness

There are two ways into the Ojito Wilderness, but I prefer the back or far side because there is rarely anyone there. This ride is full of possibilities, wide valleys, arroyos, multi-colored rock cliffs and remnants of early settlements.

Because few people access the wilderness via this route, you will also get the feeling of remoteness.

Getting there

Head up Hwy 550 towards the town of Cuba. As you pass through the village of San Ysidro set your trip meter as you pass the junction of Hwy 550 and Hwy 4. At the 4.9 mile indicator, begin looking to your left.

As you go around a bluff on your left is a green gate. Look quick or you will go right past it. Turn left here. The gate is chained but not locked. Go ahead and open it, proceed through and then close it behind you.

About 100 yards down from the gate is a parking area with some corrals. Park there, unload and tack up your horses.

The trail

Follow the road down across an arroyo.

There may be some water in it, but the ground is firm. Continue along the road and go up the hill to the right.

At the top of the hill turn left. Pass through a barbed wire gate, leaving it opened or closed as you found it, and follow the road down into a very large

Steve Simmons frequently rides the Ojito Wilderness on his Morgan gelding Cambridge Heritage.

The area is remote and has ruins of ranches and unusual rock formations. Steve does not access the area through the common entrances, but from a lesser used area off of Hwy 505. valley. At the bottom of the hill ride to the right as you will then get to see some very unusual rock formations and bluffs layered with different colors.

Many options

This ride is only limited by your endurance and imagination. As you proceed along the cliffs you can ride out past some corrals and into a huge valley that is formed like a bowl. To your left is a large arroyo that can be quite deep and difficult to cross. But, if you are adventurous and find a place to cross, there is another huge area to ride in

complete with some old stone house ruins.

If you do get down into the arroyo you can turn left and follow it out to where you first crossed the arroyo when you rode down the hill from the parking area.

But if there have been recent rains, the mud may become a problem.

This is an amazing ride but be aware there is very little shade out there.

Placitas Open Space

The Placitas Open Space is part of the Albuquerque Open Space Program. This

is a parcel of BLM land that is leased by the City of Albuquerque. Although it is only 500 acres, the riding possibilities are almost endless, and it is only 30 minutes or so from the middle of Albuquerque.

This riding area offers terrain of varying difficulties depending on your preferences and riding ability. You can keep it easy and relatively flat or you can get more adventurous and do some serious hills and rocky areas.

One of the best parts of this ride is the wonderful views of the Sandias and the fact that no one seems to know about this area. In my ten years of riding here, I have only seen other riders once, yup, just once. So it is a hidden treasure.

Getting there

To get to this near-town riding oasis take the frontage road that heads north from the Placitas exit along the east side of I25. Go a little more than a mile and just past the right turn to the gravel pit area, turn right on Camino Manzano. Head up the hill to Santa Ana Loop and turn left.

Follow this road down the hill to Cloud View Court and turn left.

You will come to a green gate across the road. The gate is chained but not locked.

Open it, drive through and leave the gate closed behind you. Follow the dirt road about one-half mile and there is a turn-around parking area with room for several trucks and trailers. Park, unload and tack up your horses.

The trail

There is a pedestrian gate there, but someone has cut the fence so just head out through it into an open and relatively flat area. There is a dirt road to your left so that can give you your bearings you as you ride.

Riding the Placitas Open Space provides you with spectacular views of the Sandia Mountains to the south (top photo) and the Rio Grande Valley to the west.

Right photo shows Steve Rickerman and Taren Buckwalter enjoying the view while riding Morgan horses.

(PHOTOS BY STEVE SIMMONS.)

Many options

About a mile up is another pedestrian gate. Open and proceed through, close it behind you, and now the riding opportunities are only limited by your imagination. You can follow the road up over the ridge in the distance and find several small valleys, bluffs and arroyos.

The nice thing about this area is that you can always ride a different trail.

Keep in mind there is no shade on this ride so choose your time of year and day accordingly.

You can turn left and head up the hill for great views. Or you can turn right for some challenging ups and downs that will test even very good riders and horses.

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Steve Simmons has been raising, training and enjoying Morgan horses for 18 years. He is a photographer and operates a trail riding and horse adventure business.

Visit newmexicohorseadventures.com, wildhorsephotographyworkshops.com and New Mexico Horse Adventures on Facebook.

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GEAR UP FOR THE TRAIL RIDE One leather-loving cowboy tells what gear he tries to never forget

BY JOHN MCKENNA

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Custom-made leather saddle bags are a favorite of Jeff Hanford because they are durable and "old school." He used them while riding his mare Honey on Rowe Mesa. www.horsearoundnm.com | July/August 2019 | HORSE AROUND

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hen considering the gear to be used on a trail ride in our spectacular state, one must consider possibilities and eventualities. A New Mexico weather forecast often sounds something like this, “Hot and dry today with the possibility of heavy rain and flooding arroyos, followed by high winds, golf-ball sized hail and a snow squall or two ending the day with a beautifully calm, temperate evening.”

Now of course this is the extreme, but a smart New Mexican knows to always keep not just the season in mind when riding but the stage of that season. For example, early spring in New Mexico is very different from middle and late spring. And, of course, it depends on where in New Mexico you choose to ride.

Riding in Chama is different from riding in White Sands!

With this in mind, I thought I would share with you the trail riding gear I always seem to need versus the things I like to bring with me! The two are not mutually exclusive and it really depends on the type of riding you do. But, to keep it simple, I’ll focus on must-have trail riding gear for a day ride.

I tend to see the horse as transportation for me and my “stuff,” much like a real cavalryman or cavalier of old. The cavalryman had to travel as light as possible to save his horse, but also bring enough gear to stay comfortable and alive.

Since we trail riders are, thankfully, not in the situation of bringing a lot of gear to stay alive, we can think like a cavalier, and choose gear just for horse and rider comfort and a modicum of safety.

The first thing I consider is whether I am riding out the back gate or trailering.

Riding out from the corral is different than riding in new territory that’s somewhat wild. I make sure that I carry

Leather half chaps that extend over the knee protect the leg from branches and cactus, plus cover the knee if you have to kneel down and check a hoof. everything I might need in my trailer and never take it out to ride from the barn area because that bit of trail gear seems to never find its way back to the trailer!

That’s why I duplicate my barn gear and my trailer gear – so I won’t be in need of anything.

And just accept the fact that when you throw your kit into someone else’s trailer, you will forget something. It’s almost a rite of passage! The trick I’ve found is to keep your essentials on your saddle and you’ll at least have rain gear or bug spray and your pliers/combo knife or chaps or hobbles, canteen etc., and not be asking for an extra from your campaneros. I’ve done it a thousand times: “Er, ahhh….

You wouldn’t happen to have a broken mouth snaffle and head stall would you?”

Followed by the inevitable, “Well, you know if you’d have asked me before I went to that team roping in Grants…”

With this in mind, here are the things I try not to forget – my trail saddle with

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breast collar and crupper and a headstall.

Saddle blanket – you’d be shocked at how many times I left that behind! My boots – there have been times when I met people at a riding location after work who were kind enough to trailer my horse only to realize that I would spend the day riding in loafers and chinos! Combo tool – I feel completely useless without it. Bug spray – during fly season a good dousing of spray can make the difference between a fun or irritating ride.

I’ve been asked by so many people about what to anticipate when riding in new country in the Land of Enchantment and the first thing I usually say is, “Running out of water.” Water is key and I always trailer with at least 20 gallons and a bucket for the horses and a full canteen for me. I like to use a reproduction Indian Wars-era canteen because it is rather flat and doesn’t bounce too much at the trot and canter.

During the winter, I sometimes melt snow to make coffee. That is why I will often bring a feed bag to carry a billy-cup or boiler and steel cups. I wrap them in cowboy rags to reduce the noise from the inevitable banging around. I also keep a cowboy rag or handkerchief around my neck in winter to stay warm. It’s amazing how that bit of silk around your neck will keep you cozy on the coldest days!

I also like to wear half chaps in the summer and full chaps in the winter for warmth and to guard against those pesky cholla barbs. Wearing a long sleeve shirt in any season is important to keep arms safe from sunburn and abrasions when riding through the back country.

Remember, too, to keep your horse’s feet in good shape and if he is not wearing shoes, put on or bring boots. Unless you own a mustang pony, a horse can really get his feet chewed up on rocky New Mexico trails. I also always carry a little food and a fire making tool just in case, as well as some basic first aid gear. Of course, always wear a good hat, jeans, boots and gloves and bring a warm jacket and a rain slicker.

A crupper keeps the saddle from slipping forward. A leather-covered canteen may be old-fashioned, but it lies flat against the horse.

John McKenna, of McKennaSaddlery.com makes Western and English saddles and is a certified fitter/flocker. He and his blue healer, Red, split their time between their saddle shops in Nyack, New York and Santa Fe.

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Margret Henkels (left) and Dorothy Crosby have combined Conformation Balancing and Centered Riding to help horse and rider.

BY MARGRET HENKELS

Fitness for Horse & Rider

Centered Riding iders like riding better. Riders like their horses Many of us are familiar with Centered moving better and happily. Combining rider Riding, developed by Sally Swift. It awareness with improved horse fitness can help focuses on “use of self,” enabling the rider accomplish both. Here is an introduction to Centered to stay soft to enhance and not impede their horse’s performance.

Riding® and Conformation Balancing which can Centered Riding brings rider awareness help riders accomplish these goals. back into their own body. This

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The tail is a critical area that often contains stuck adhesions, but there are ways to address and relieve them. experiential shift, rather than a goal, raises our receptivity with our horses, enabling us to work from where we are.

The horse feels this shift immediately.

This emotional connection with the horse is a big reason why people still ride horses. Horses are not just transportation anymore. The horse-rider partnership is a freedom for both sides.

Here are the four basic concepts: • Be centered in your body by having balance, energy and control.

• Focus on and be aware of your breathing to breathe correctly which will bring about relaxation and softness.

• Know and practice basic building blocks which puts your body in a balanced position for best functioning.

• Keep your eyes soft which will improve awareness of self, horse and others.

Conformation Balancing

Conformation Balancing is myofascial bodywork that teaches riders to relieve stuck adhesions, which helps their horses move past athletic and trauma pain.

What is myofascia?

Fascia, myofascia or connective tissue seems like a hidden world. It is the body’s unseen internet, a linked system that connects all the parts. It’s the vital link to the horse’s athletic ability. Horses are master compensators; any strain might not be apparent due to the horse’s ability to hide the injury in numerous ways.

Compensation works until it doesn’t.

The poll is another area that often contains myofascia adhesions.

If the horse has rigid fascia adhesions and compensations from old injuries, he can’t move smoothly nor respond willingly to tasks. This is the source of “resistance” in horses; it’s a can’t, not a won’t.

Four areas to check on your horse

Conformation Balancing shows very simple, basic ways for riders to melt stuck fascia adhesions in horses, maximizing results for better riding. It addresses four areas: stance, top line, head and tail.

Riders can look at these areas for vital clues to their horse’s condition. Do this check daily when you visit you horse: • Stance: Does he stand squarely, easily and often?

• Top line: Are there dips, dents or lumps?

• Head: Is head posture relaxed and is his poll soft?

• Tail: Does it hang loosely and evenly?

Is it flexible?

Riders who routinely pay attention to their horse’s condition can prevent and eliminate issues instead of waiting for a debilitating problem. Short regular scans of your horse’s body with soft palms help us find changes and tightness quickly.

The power of melting fascia helps our horse immediately, before it turns into a stuck limitation.

Fix it before it breaks

It is exciting to see riders focus less on what’s “wrong” and become more present for their own riding experience.

Quick to fault themselves, riders become unconsciously performance driven. This can pressure the horse past his physical and emotional limits. Our relationship with our horses is far more complex than our relationship with our cars or bicycles and far more rewarding.

By learning more about Centered Riding and Conformation Balancing, we will become more present with ourselves and our horses, fix problems before they intensify and be better horsemen.

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How the combo began Margret Henkels and Dorothy Crosby have combined their expertise and established Soft Riders/Soft Horses, a horse healing and human coaching method. The two met as presenters during Equine Affaire 2017 in Massachusetts.

Dorothy presented Centered Riding demonstrations. The two clicked immediately, realizing what their work had in common: consideration for the horse. Centered Riding and Conformation Balancing were good partners for a balanced horse.

In 2018 the duo presented a combo workshop called Soft Riders/Soft

Soft Riders, Soft Horses Clinic

Four Corners Equine Rescue, located in Aztec, NM, has been giving horses second chances for over 13 years. Please come visit us to see our herd of adoptable horses. Check out our website to find out how you can make life better for horses by volunteering, adopting, sponsoring, or making a taxdeductible donation.

$130/day for riders; $30 for day audit.

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Dorothy Crosby, a Third Level Centered Riding instructor based in Vermont, manages Southmowing Stables, owned by Lucile Bump, a legacy Sally Swift protégé. See Crosbyequi-libruim.com.

RESCUING HORSES FROM PERILOUS SITUATIONS

[Aug 24 & 25 at Northern NM Horseman’s Assoc. arena 9 AM - 4 PM]

Reserve your space: Call 505.501.2290 • Margret Henkels

Margret Henkels is the author of Is Your Horse 100% and developer of Conformation Balancing. See ConformationBalancing.com.

EQUINE RESCUE

Centered Riding Instructor Dorothy Crosby Conformation Balancing Author Margret Henkels

• Learn Sally Swift’s Centered Riding for rider body balance • Learn Fascia Balancing skills for your horse’s body • Book Private rides with Dorothy on Aug 26 & 27 • “Is Your Horse 100%?” book/DVD by Margret available

Horses in a horse event in Vermont.

They call it, “An empowering marriage of the two, integrating body consciousness, balance, softness, mental poise, holistic fitness level and happiness for both horse and rider."

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505-334-7220

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HORSE SERVICES DIRECTORY

Listed here are horse-related services provided by the July/August 2019 issue advertisers. They are experts in their fields. Many of the business owners are also horse owners and enthusiasts. They are the reason Horse Around New Mexico magazine exists and why the magazine is growing. If you enjoy this free publication, please show your support by supporting our advertisers.

BARNS/CORRALS Ironhorse Pipe & Steel, page 15 BED AND BARNS Wind Horse Rancho, page 14 CHILDREN’S CAMPS Starrynight Guest Ranch, page 14 CLINICS Soft Riders, Soft Horses, page 34 EVENTS The Horse Shelter Trainer’s Challenge, page 27 NATURAL PRODUCTS Pharm-Aloe, Katie Frank, page 15

Pharm-Aloe, distributors, page 21 MASSAGE & BODYWORK Masterson Method, Karen Evans, page 27

SILVER AND SADDLES John McKenna Saddlery, page 31 Mortenson Silver & Saddles, page 15

ORGANIZED RIDES Competitive Trail Rides, page 31

SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS Santa Fe Chapter of Back Country Horsemen, page 6

REAL ESTATE Mimbres Valley Horse Facility, page 27

SPECIALTY SERVICES Albuquerque Pet Memorial Service, page 22

RESALE STORES The Horse Shelter, page 27

TACK AND FEED STORES Horsemen’s, page 22 Miller’s Feed, page 23 Paul’s Veterinary Supply, page 7 Taos Tack and Pet Supply, page 39

RESCUE/ADOPTION Four Corners Equine Rescue, page 34

TRAINING Heart of the Horses Sanctuary, page 7 Lynn Clifford, The Ride of Your Life, page 23 TRAINING FACILITY/CLINICS Terra Nova Training Center, page 2 Harmony Hills Ranch, page 3 VEHICLE/TRAILERS Hal Burns Truck & Equipment, page 22 Sandia Trailer Sales and Service, page 40 VETERINARIAN Cameron Veterinary Clinic, page 37 James Travers, DVM, page 14 Western Trails, page 23

UPCOMING "DON'T MISS" HORSE EVENTS July • August Youth Summer Camps with Julie Phillips Starrynight Guest Ranch www.starrynightranch.com Near Llaves....See ad page 14 July 6 • August 3 Volunteer Orientations & Tours The Horse Shelter www.thehorseshelter.org Santa Fe....See ad page 27 July 9 • August 13 Monthly Meetings Back Country Horsemen of Santa Fe www.bchnm.org/santa-fe.html Santa Fe....See ad page 6 July 19-20 Gimme Shelter: Trainers’ Rally for Rescues~The Horse Shelter www.thehorseshelter.org Santa Fe....See ad page 27 July 20-21 NATRC Chicken Creek www.NATRC3.org Mancos, CO....See ad page 31

July 26-27 The Inner Equestrian: Foundational Tools for The Ride of Your Life with Lynn Clifford www.lynnclifford.com Arrowhead Ranch Santa Fe....See ad page 23 July 27 • August 24 Barn Tours/Volunteer Orientations Four Corners Equine Rescue www.fourcornersequinerescue.org Aztec....See ad page 34 August 2-9 Positive Reinforcement Intensive Workshop ~ Shawna Karrasch www.terranovatrainingcenter.com Terra Nova Training Center Santa Fe....See ad page 2 August 3-4 NATRC Bayou Gulch www.NATRC3.org Parker, CO....See ad page 31 August 17-18 NATRC Music Meadows www.NATRC3.org Westcliffe, CO....See ad page 31

August 19-23 Lee Smith Ranch Clinic www.leesmithdiamonds.com Harmony Hills Ranch Estancia....See ad page 3 August 22-24 Chaos to Calm: Self-Regulating & Self-Care in Today’s World with Lynn Clifford www.lynnclifford.com Arrowhead Ranch Santa Fe....See ad page 23 August 24-25 Soft Riders, Soft Horses Clinic Dorothy Crosby & Margret Henkels; 505-501-2290 www.ConformationBalancing.com

NNMHA Arena Santa Fe....See ad page 34

August 26-30 Lee Smith Ranch Clinic www.leesmithdiamonds.com Harmony Hills Ranch Estancia....See ad page 3

September 7-8 NATRC Colorado Trail www.NATRC3.org Buffalo Creek....See ad page 31 September 13-15 Positive Reinforcement Training for Equines ~ Shawna Karrasch www.terranovatrainingcenter.com Terra Nova Training Center Santa Fe....See ad page 2 September 13-20 Positive Reinforcement Intensive Workshop ~ Shawna Karrasch www.terranovatrainingcenter.com Terra Nova Training Center Santa Fe....See ad page 2 September 21-22 NATRC Chokecherry Canyon www.NATRC3.org Farmington....See ad page 31

BY ANDY CAMERON, DVM ameness is always inconvenient. Out on the trail may be one of the worst times for a trail rider’s horse to come up lame. Ride enough and you’ll be in this situation at some point, regardless of how good a rider or horseman you are and regardless of the type of care you provide for your horse. Things happen.

Always be ready to walk your horse back to your trailer. It’s a simple rule, but it isn’t always easy to know when to make that call. Lameness, thrown shoe, laceration from some trailside hazard and colic are the most common reasons you may need to halt your ride and walk your horse out. In this article, I hope to help you know how and when to make this call when lameness arises.

Is lameness painful?

Lameness, an asymmetry in the horse’s gait, is a sign of pain. I’ve had clients ask me this: “He’s lame but do you think he’s in pain?” The short answer is yes! There are a few “mechanical” lamenesses that are not painful. But for the most part, lameness should be assumed to be painful.

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Know the signs of lameness

A horse exhibiting lameness will change the way it moves, the speed it moves, or may be reluctant to move at all. Asymmetry, a “head bob” or a “hip hike” are what you see and feel in the saddle. Either of these mean it’s time to dismount and see what’s wrong with your riding partner. If your horse is falling behind your riding companions or suddenly doesn’t want to go at all, don’t assume the horse has an attitude problem, assume that something is wrong. It’s your job as a horseman to figure it out and make the best decision for your mount.

Start with the foot

Pick up the hoof and clean it out. Rocks can get wedged into the hoof, causing

Even if there is no lameness, you may need or want to walk your horse on the trail. Always wear footwear that you can hike in.

pain. Nails or other metal objects can penetrate the sole. A loose shoe can move around and become painful. If it’s a simple fix, you’ll be on your way.

Examine the leg

If the foot appears normal and the shoe (or boot) is properly set, run your hand up the standing leg that you suspect to be painful. Feel for any swelling or heat, or areas that are painful to pressure. Unsure of what you’re feeling? Use the leg on the horse’s other side for comparison.

Flex the joints

Still not identifying the source? Flex the joints of the limb one at a time to their full range of motion and see if the horse reacts by pulling the limb away from you.

If so, you’ve found the problem.

When it’s time to walk

Swelling in the leg may be a sign of a tendon, ligament or bone injury. Pain upon flexing a joint may be a sign of arthritis, a sprain or a strain. None of these injuries is a quick fix on the trail.

When in doubt, and I know you don’t want to hear this, walk your horse home.

Bute, banamine or any other pain medications you may carry with you may be beneficial to the horse eventually but they are not going to solve the problem immediately. Think about how long it takes for aspirin or ibuprofen to kick in. If you feel that you need to give medication for pain, do so, as directed by your veterinarian, but don’t expect it will allow you to continue on your ride.

Make a decision that is best The test: What for the horse Now that you’ve identified the source if the pain was of the lameness, it’s decision time. Is yours? this something that you can fix on the trail? Removing a rock is easy. Resetting or adjusting a shoe may or may not be something you’re comfortable with. (Ask your farrier the next time they’re out what you might have been able to do to fix the problem on the trail.) It may be time to start walking.

If you’ve found a problem you think you can fix, do so and then walk your horse far enough that you and your riding companions can assess whether the lameness is still present. If it’s gone, mount up and enjoy the ride, being extra aware that the initial problem may come back. If the lameness persists, it is time to consider walking out.

Your horse is your partner in riding and enjoying the trail. If they are hurting, they are not going to enjoy it, and likely neither are you. Please put their safety and wellbeing (and yours) above your goals to make it to a certain destination, cover a distance or see the sights. Think about it this way: If you sprained your ankle, would you force yourself to keep going with a pack on your

back? Probably not. Remember: If you wouldn’t expect something from yourself, you shouldn’t expect it from your horse.

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Dr. Andy Cameron owns Cameron Vet Clinic in Santa Fe and treats all livestock and small animal species. He recently added a new satellite equine/large animal facility three miles from the main clinic to do more in depth lameness and prepurchase exams, and hospitalize animals in full shelter. Dr. Cameron owns three horses, is a member of Mounted Search and Rescue and enjoys wilderness packing. Contact him at 505-466-1540.

TLC FOR YOUR HORSE

Cameron Veterinary Clinic, in Eldorado, Santa Fe, offers two veterinarians and five clinic staff who are all devoted to providing the best care to your beloved horse or pet.

Andy Cameron, DVM, owns 3 horses for mounted search and rescue and wilderness packing.

Allison Otis, DVM, owns 2 horses for trail riding and ranch work.

505.466.1540uCAMERONVETERINARYCLINIC.COM

HORSE VACATION/TRAVEL DIRECTORY Guest Ranches/Outfitting/ Riding Vacations Bear Mountain Lodge, Silver City: Historic guest lodge with corral for your horse. Ride from property or day rides, bearmountainlodge.com Bluewater Lake Lodge, Prewitt: trails, full hookups, small cabins, 505-290-2699, bluewaterlake-lodge.com Burnt Well Guest Ranch, Roswell: working cattle ranch, large ranch house, cattle round ups, 575-347-2668, burntwellguestranch.com Chaco Lodge Hacienda, Cuba: bed and breakfast, lodge and suite, horse corrals and trails, 505-252-7488, chacolodgehacienda.com Copper Penny Ranch, Alamagordo: RV hookups, arena, round pen, ride out, 575-439-0276, copperpennyranch.com Concho Hills Guest Ranch, Magdalena: trail riding, ranch activities, cowboy shooting, historical tours, award-winning accommodations, 575-772-5757, conchohillsranch.com

Quinlan Ranch, Chama: RV hookups, guided rides, lodge and meals, 575-2091618, www,quinlanranch.com Starrynight Ranch, Llaves: all-inclusive, children’s camps, guided rides, guest cottage and rooms, BYOH or ours, 575-554-0577, 575-638-5661, starrynightranch.com Taos Horse Getaways, Tres Piedras: BYOH; houses, cabins, RV space; 575-758-3628, taoshorsegetaways.com Twin Willows Guest Ranch, Ocate, near Angel Fire: log house for 8 for rent, BYOH, 575-666-2028 Two Ponyz Ranch, Mountainair: guest house, BYOH, 505-847-0245, twoponyzranch.com U-Trail’s Horseback Adventures, Glenwood: guided pack trips to cliff dwellings, day rides, lodge, gourmet meals, 575-519-8569, utrail.com

Diamond Arrow Ranch, Deming: 5 RV hookups, ride out on BLM land, big rig friendly, 575-546-1115, 480-332-8265, gregsandy03@hotmail.com

Slash M Slash Ranch, Grants: horse motel, indoor riding arena, roping arena, bunkhouse, 505-290-7836, 505-290-2645; jodiepalmermirabal@hotmail.com

Double Y Ranch, Santa Fe: hot walker, RV hookup, 602-320-7136, amazcowboy@cox.net

Socorro Rodeo & Sports Complex, Socorro, full hookups, 98 covered stalls, arenas, big rigsn OK, socorronm.gov, 575-835-8927

D S Horse Motel, Grants: next to an RV Tuli Horse Hotel, Tularosa: 3 RV hookups, park with full hookups, 505-240-2544, 25 stalls, round pen, arena, darinsimpson2003@yahoo.com 16 acres to ride, 575-921-1105 El Tanque Viejo, Galisteo, paddocks with sheds, trails, round pen, water, electric, guest house, 505-490-3337

Western Drive Stables, Tucumcari: 575461-0274, 575-403-8824, hallerstable@plateautel.net

Hacienda De Caballo Ranch, Edgewood, bed & breakfast, full hookups, large pens w/2-acre turnouts, 15 amp power/water, large rigs OK, 505-204-9677

Wind Horse Rancho, Taos: Two guest rooms, covered stalls/runs, ride from property, 575-770-9898, 575-776-3873

J Bar C Horse Motel, Roswell: arena, 2 RV hookups, 575-347-2742, 575-626-5296, 575-626-5294, jbarchorsemotel.com

Vermejo Park Ranch, Raton: Ted Turner-owned luxury resort offers guided J.P.'s Horse Motel, Mentmore (Gallup): horseback rides, vermejoparkranch.com arena, 505-979-1192

Trail Riding Operations Acacia Riding Adventures, San Acacia: 575-517-0477, acaciaridingadventures.com Bishop’s Lodge Stables, Santa Fe: bishopslodge.com Broken Saddle Riding Company, Cerrillos: gaited horses, 505-424-772, brokensaddle.com

Cow Creek Ranch, Pecos: fly fishing,horseback riding in the Sangre de Cristos, 505-757-2107, cowcreekranch.com

Wolfhorse Outfitters, Gila/Aldo Leopold Wilderness: Native American guide service, 575-534-1379, wolfhorseoutfitters.com

Kiss the Moon Equestrian Center, Moriarty: easy I-40 access, indoor arena, easy access for bigger rigs/ haulers, 505-975-3567

Creek Ranch, Santa Rosa: all-inclusive horseback vacations on 82,000 acres, genuine working cattle and guest ranch, creek-ranch.com

Overnight Stabling/ B&B Arrowhead Ranch, Santa Fe: multiple arenas and trail access, 505-424-8888, arrowheadsantafe@aol.com

Kiva RV Park and Horse Motel, Bernardo: 14 stalls, large pens, round pen, trails, 505-861-0693, kivarvparkandhorsemotel.com

Cieneguilla Stables, near Taos: trail rides and “saddle and paddle” combo trips, 575-751-2815

Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch, Winston: all-inclusive guest ranch in the Gila Nat. Forest, ride spectacular canyons, 575-772-5157, geronimoranch.com

Broken M Ranch, Albuquerque: large arena w/lights, barrels, round pen, wash rack, dry camping, 505-877-9433, broken-m-ranch.com

Gila Hot Springs Ranch, Gila Hot Springs, outfitting, rental horses, 3 apartments, hot springs, corrals, hookups,(575) 536-9314, gilahotspringsranch.com

Caballos de los Estrellas, Rodeo, 12 runs with cover, 12 stalls, two turn outs, arena, round pen, riding out on dirt roads, caballosdelasestrellas.com​, 575-545-5426

Gillespie Ranch, Mayhill: large pens, gift shop, cozy cottage, RV hookups, 575687-3732, gillespieranchulazy2.com

Caballo Lake State Park, Caballo: four large pipe corrals with cover, tack room, water, trails, 575-743-3942

Justyn Brynn Enchantment Equitreks, Edgewood: all-inclusive horseback riding adventures offering day rides, weekend, 5-day, 7-day and 8-day packages, 575430-7514; enchantmentequitreks.com

Coyote Keeth’s RV Park, Clayton: three horse stalls, full hookups, 575-447-5566

MacArthur Quarter Horses Boarding Stables, Taos: 1 covered and 2 outdoor arenas, close to Taos, 575-758-8366 or 575-613-5347, jmac@laplaza.org

Red River Stables, Red River: ride, fish, view wildlife, 575-747-1700, redriverstables. com

Los Pinos Guest Ranch, Cowles: lodge and gourmet meals, 505-757-6213, lospinosranch.com

Carter’s Stables, Farmington: guest house, one full hookup, 505-330-3066, cartersstablesfarmington.com Cassetta Critter Care, Tucumcari: horse motel, roping arena, trailer hook up, 575-403-6227, 603-798-5033, cassettacrittercare.com

Cedar Crest Stables & Country Cottage, Cedar Crest: mountain riding, cottage for rent, 505-281-5197, cedarcreststables.com

Corralitos Trail Rides, near Las Cruces: Las Cruces Horse Motel, Las Cruces: working ranch riding, 575-640-8184, 5 minute trail ride to Rio Grande, RV corraltostrailrides.com hookups, roping arena with cattle, 575644-3518, www.lascruceshorsemotel.com Enchanted Gaits, Tijeras: smooth, gaited horses, 505-281-2226 LazyKo Ranch. Deming: horse motel, hookups with open range for riding, Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu: 505-685-1000 575-202-2876, www.chickentracks.biz Grindstone Stables, Ruidoso: guided Linda Vista Stables, Galisteo, easy trail rides, sleigh and carriage rides, access to Galisteo Preserve, Santa Fe 575-257-2241, grindstonestables.com and Madrid, nearby B&Bs. Covered pens, secure facility. 505-466-8930 Inn of the Mountain Gods Riding Stable, Mescalero: 575-464-7424 Loal Tucker Horsemanship, Inc. Stables, Santa Fe/Eldorado, huge indoor arena, New Mexico Horse Adventures, outdoor arena, ride out, 505-466-3961, Albuquerque: BYOH or rent, 505-301loal@loaltucker.com 0917, newmexicohorseadventures.com

Rio Grande Stables, Taos & Questa: Open Heart G Farms, Anthony: located hourly plus multi-day rides, 888-259-8267, on 25-acre pecan orchard, indoor box 575-776-5913, lajitasstables.com stalls, hookups, bunkhouse, 915-920Clint Mortenson Ranch, Santa Fe: 5169, openheartgfarms@gmail.com Runnels Bonita Stables, Nogal: Ride near Bunkhouse studio, roping arena, trail Bonito Lake, no reservations needed, rides, gift shop, 505-424-9330 Rancho de la Angostura, Algodones: 575-354-2778 NAN Ranch, Faywood; rent rooms/ easy trail access, power available, cabins in the HQ of national registered Crossroads Ranch, Anthony: 60-acre arena and round pen, 505-280-4849, Santa Fe Western Adventures, Santa historic 1870s ranch in the Mimbres River race horse training facility with track, katylindberg.com Fe: ride on private ranch and Lone Butte Valley, corrals, BYOH, campers welcome, round pen, stalls, turnout, RV parks Mountain, 505-473-9384, santafewest.com 575-288-5368, elranchonan.com nearby, dry camping OK, 575-882-5533 Rancho Siesta, Edgewood: dry camping, large corrals, 505-450-3165 Stables at Tamaya Resort, Bernalillo: Nancy Burch’s Roadrunner Tours, Dancing Bear Ranch, Arroyo Hondo: 505-771-6060 Angel Fire: overnight camping/packing water & power, indoor stalls, large Rocking Horse Ranch, Moriarty: huge excursions, trail riding, 575-377-6416, turnout, arena, round pen, trails, big rig indoor arena, 505-832-6619, Vision Quest, Las Vegas: private, catered nancyburch.com friendly, easy access, 575-776-8226, 505-301-3772; rockinghorseranch.net rides, family activities, 505-469-8130, 38 HORSE AROUND | July/August 2019 | www.horsearoundnm.com 575-779-4253, horseboardingtaos.com visionquesthorsebackride.com and Facebook N Bar Ranch, Reserve: surrounded by Gila National Forest, BYOH or ours, rent entire ranch, cabins, corrals, trails, 575-533-6253, nbarranch@hughes.net