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Associations/Trail Riders News Cardeccia, Kim:

When Movement Becomes a Conversation Eversole, Robert: 26 Trailer Loading Without the Fight Ervin, Carla 23-24 The Horses that Guide Us Home Palm, Lynn: 13 Dressage Principles Apply To Cross Train.

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HORSE ASSOCIATION & TRAIL RIDERS NEWS

MI FOXTROTTING HORSE ASSN. In July we lost a lifetime member of the MFTHBA and long-term member of the MFHA. George Ostrom was a Viet Nam war vet and avid supporter of the MFT breed. He was a past director of our association and election specialist. We will miss his laughter and jokes. He always loved to keep things light! His wife Charleen wants to downsize and has two registered Palomino MFT mares and a beautiful SMC LQ trailer for sale. Contact her at 517-983-3550 or Susan Williams (517-755-9899) for more information and an appointment to see them.

The elevated temps that we endured in July, then rains in August made it difficult to get much riding in. We are supposed to have more moderate weather this month. There is still time to get lots of camping in. The trails are cleared and your horse is ready for an adventure.

The August Carl Bledsoe clinic held at Morning View Farm in Ionia was a success. All of the riders learned skills to get/keep their horses gaiting properly. My trotty mare who has only been under saddle for a couple of months is learning exercises to fox trot. Carl’s training technique and encouragement is what she and everyone needed. More saddle time will help too.

Carl is awesome!

The annual World Show & Celebration was held Sept. 6-12 at their showgrounds in Ava,MO. Many volunteers put in a tremendous amount of hours this summer to spiff up the Dale Esther arena, show boxes and buildings. Many great memories were had and grand championships awarded. That show is always a good time. Soon MFTHBA members will be receiving ballots in the mail to vote on Board of Director officers. Be sure to do your research before submitting your votes.

Allegany Mountain Saddlery will be at Morning View Farm in Ionia, MI Nov. 6-8 for saddle fitting.

Contact Susan Williams (517-755-9899) for more info and to reserve your spot. Did you buy a new-to -you MFT recently?

Have you transferred the papers into your name?

Go to mfthba.com to get that done and to learn about the many benefits of joining the organization.

Check out mfthba.com for the list of programs, trail rides, clinics and shows that they offer.

Become a member, earn points on National Trail Rides to earn prizes. Sign up for Fox Trot America, too.

Our mission is to educate those interested in Missouri Fox Trotters and to promote the breeding, training and enjoyment of them in Michigan. We invite you to join by printing off the membership form found on michiganfoxtrottinghorse.com.

By Marilyn Mannino

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MI TRAIL RIDERS ASSN. Fall Into Adventure with MTRA’s October Ride!

There’s no better way to experience a Michigan autumn than from the back of a horse or the seat of a horse-drawn cart. Join the Michigan Trail Riders Association October 3–11 for a week of colorful trails, campfires, fun activities, and the fellowship that makes every MTRA ride special.

Our adventure begins on October 3 at Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp near Interlochen.

Surrounded by beautiful hardwood forests, Lake Dubonnet offers miles of scenic trails, many of them cart friendly, making it the perfect destination for both horseback riders and drivers. As the trees put on their brilliant fall display, you’ll enjoy some of the finest riding northern Michigan has to offer.

On October 7, riders can choose to take the scenic 20-mile trail ride to Garey Lake Trail Camp or trailer their horses over. Garey Lake features another outstanding network of cartfriendly loop trails, giving everyone plenty of opportunities to explore the beauty of Michigan’s fall countryside.

The fun continues during the second weekend when our Activities Committee joins us at Garey Lake. Test your skills in a horseshoe scavenger hunt on horseback, bring your favorite fallinspired dish to our Saturday evening potluck and decorate your campsite with festive autumn flair. As the sun sets, gather around the campfire to relax, share stories, and enjoy the friendships that make MTRA such a wonderful community.

Whether you’re joining us for a weekend getaway or spending the entire week on the trail, you’ll make lasting memories while enjoying breathtaking scenery, exceptional riding, and great company.

We can’t wait to see you there! Register today at mtra.org and come celebrate fall with your MTRA family!

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IONIA HORSE TRAILS ASSOCIATION

If you camped at Ionia in 2026 you know the entry point for the campground has been changed. This will continue for 2026 and potentially the future. The original entry may be blocked off eventually, but for now it was decided to keep it open.

IHTA hosted a brand new event on June 6! We had our typical poker ride and 50/50, and included lunch at the pavilion. You may have seen posts on facebook of Game Day at the arena beside Day Staging. We scored riders on five games played on horseback and introduced those interested to a 42" soccer ball. Most events were individual timed games, but with more riders in the future some will convert to relay games. There is a possibility of holding both the FTR and Game Day next year, depending on the schedule of the dog trials competitions.

The IHTA Chili Cookoff will be October 3, 2026 - set that annual reminder or calendar event for the first Saturday in October.

Reservations opened six months before, so I hope you have yours made!

IHTA hopes to build more obstacles on Phase 2 of the Confidence Course, but we are still waiting for approval of the location of each obstacle.

We hope to get that approval soon and hopefully will have scheduled a work bee to create the obstacles and do any needed clean up work in the campground, by the time of this publication.

If you haven't yet renewed or established your membership with Ionia please find a form linked on the footer of every page of our website. ioniahorsetrails.org A single membership is still only $15, family $20, and lifetime just $200.

Hope to see you on the trails and at our events!

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HORSE ASSOCIATION & TRAIL RIDERS NEWS ORTONVILLE REC. EQ. ASSN.

Do you want to search for TREASURE on your horse??? The Treasure of Hadley Hills CMO gives you that opportunity September 11-13!!!

Each day brings a new Treasure Map! This gives you three opportunities – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!!! Each day you can select to seek out either five or ten Treasures.

The 5 Treasures and 10 Treasures are separate divisions. Treasure Hunters are hardy folk, so we ride rain or shine!!!

CMO translates to Competitive Mounted Orienteering. You are provided with your Treasure Map and clues to find 10 Treasures along the trails of Ortonville Recreation Area.

Each Treasure will be found within an area circled on the Treasure Map. You are given clues with descriptions of landmarks on or within eyesight of the trails. There are 2 clues describing landmarks for each Treasure. The clue will also direct you which way to go from the landmark to the Treasure. We’ll use the old seafarers’ tool for finding their way to glorious Treasure – the Compass!

Compasses have been used for centuries for Orienteering. If it was good enough for Pirates …

We’ll be dealing with virtual Treasure because hauling a chest full of Treasure on your horse is unwieldy and you might drop it and make a mess of the trails. (Yes – the Mounted refers to being on your horse. We’ll utilize plates with treasures written on them instead of putting piles of treasure in the woods. You’ll write the treasure down next to the clues.

Teams consist of between one and six people on horseback. Everybody on the team must seek the same Treasure. You can’t have half the team seeking the first Treasure and the rest of the team seeking the second Treasure!! That’s a DQ NO-NO!! (DQ in this context refers to disqualification, not Dairy Queen!) Here’s where the Competitive comes into play. Teams that find more Treasures place higher. If more than one team finds the same amount of Treasure, those teams are placed based on their speed!

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Because we are trying to make it so that you can actually find the Treasure, we are specifying a number of degrees on the Compass rather than using directions like Southwest. If you have not used a Compass before or your skills are rusty, we will teach you!!

We have also set up some practice Treasure in Harry’s Hideaway so you can get your bearings before seeking the real Treasure!

The IHTA Chili Cookoff will be October 3, 2026 - set that annual reminder or calendar event for the first Saturday in October. Reservations opened six months before, so I hope you have yours made!

Saturday evening around 6 joins us for a Pavilion Potluck Dinner. Create or purchase your favorite Potluck Dish!! We will have a 50-50 drawing, so you will have yet another chance at a different Treasure! We will also enjoy the evenings around the community campfire area!!

We hope to get that approval soon and hopefully will have scheduled a work bee to create the obstacles and do any needed clean up work in the campground, by the time of this publication.

Each day’s Treasure Hunt costs $15 for adults and $10 for those under 18. (NACMO members $10 and $5 respectively. Individual Membership is $35 and Family Membership is $50.) There is an excellent introduction to CMOs in the Featured area on the MiCMO Facebook Page!

If you have questions, please contact me at OREA.Treasurer@gmail.com.

Ortonville Recreation Area is on the Michigan DNR Reservation System. Sites were still available August 17th. You are not required to camp to participate! Recreation Passport is required for all Michigan State Parks & Recreation Areas.

Camping is also available 20 minutes away at Elba Equestrian Complex.

OREA hosted CMOs from 2003-2019. We’ve gained a few trails since then, so it will be even more fun!

IHTA hopes to build more obstacles on Phase 2 of the Confidence Course, but we are still waiting for approval of the location of each obstacle.

If you haven't yet renewed or established your membership with Ionia please find a form linked on the footer of every page of our website. ioniahorsetrails.org A single membership is still only $15, family $20, and lifetime just $200.

Hope to see you on the trails and at our events!

Michigan, Ohio & Indiana HORSE ASSOCIATIONS & TRAIL RIDING GROUPS

We want to help you share your message!

Fall Harvest Fest is October 23-25. Campground is sold out, so park in the Day Use area and join the fun!!!

Saddle Up! OREA June 2026 News Hope to see you all out on the trails!

FORT CUSTER HORSE ASSN.

Hello everyone!

One hopes that you are finding time to ride this summer, hot as it has been, morning and evening are still great (just slather on the skeeter spray!)

If you somehow missed the news, we had our annual meeting in May and elected a new president, Wayland Funk. Nancy Simmons retired from the position after at least 12 years of service. Thank you Nancy for all you do, and good luck Wayland! We also have four new “at large” board members: Kendra Hutchinson, Vicki Horsely, Maeve Pollard and Deb Smith. We are grateful to have new people choosing to serve this amazing group of people.

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HORSE ASSOCIATION & TRAIL RIDERS NEWS This month’s Quote of the month is from Janet Foy, one of my favorites: “There must be an aid, an answer, and a reward. If you take care of the basics, the movements will take care of themselves.”

Summer is almost over and fall is just around the corner with her majestic colors, cool weather and wonderful aromas. I hope everyone had a wonderful, successful summer with your equine partner on your Western Dressage journey.

WDAMI would like to congratulate Anika Sadler on earning her Gold Rider Medal and Linsey Adams on earning her Bronze and Silver Rider Medals.

Great job!

I would also like to congratulate the winners of our Sunflower Online Horse Show.

The Harmony Award went to Linsey Adams & Royal Furst Dancer Van Kairos with a Harmony score of 9. This pair also won the high score for Amateur Rider with a score of 85.577. Our high score Open Rider was Brooke Harrington and Bell with a score of 81.00. Junior Rider was Zoey Ludingtron & Sky High Connection V with a 61.250. Exceptional Rider high score was Jennine Baggott with a 76.750 and the Versatility Award went to Amanda Kopak & Kamakai’s Riptide with a 71.969.

Great job everyone!

The 2026 WDAMI Battle of the Saddles Showdown (BOSS) is open for entries. This is our big show for the year with lots of great door prizes and awards so come join the fun. The show closes on September 27, 2026 and video submission are due October 18th; results are to be released on the 29th of October.

Thank you for supporting one of the fastest growing equestrian sports. Be safe, have fun, enjoy your equine partner and exercise the act of kindness to all. Until next time.

Suzanne Morisse WDAMI President Hands up for holiday horse breed bingo!

While some travellers love to stick pins in a map of the world on their kitchen wall to indicate how many countries they’ve visited, others prefer to create a record of a difference but related experience – horse breed bingo!

Also referred to as Horse Eye Spy or simply a horse bucket list (complete with pooh picker of course!) the aim is to ride as many different horse breeds as possible, and in many cases while also exploring different cultures and landscapes.

One of the more frequent requests received by independent global horse-riding adventure specialist Unicorn Trails is from riders whose primary motivation is to ‘test drive’ a breed they haven’t yet experienced.

Its founder, vet and ethical adventure guru Dr Wendy Hofstee, who set up the company 25 years ago, says: “It has become a tick list of sorts for riders to ride different breeds. Some are perennially popular – think Arabs, Connemaras and Quarter Horses – while other breeds are more niche.

“These are often barely known beyond the region in which they evolved, because they have adapted to cope with a very specific terrain, role or climate. These are horses one can only experience as part of the wider culture of that region, often with the people who have grown up with the animals, and for whom they form part of their day-to-day life. In many parts of the world, horse breeds elicit great pride from the citizens.”

Best of luck everyone.

In fact, Unicorn has even produced its own challenge chart which itemises 43 different breeds and the countries and trips on which they can be ridden.

WDAMI would like to wish good luck to all our members who are going to the WDAA World Championship show being held September 15 through September 19 at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma. I wish you safe travels and know you will have a great time. Members who are not going will still be able to enjoy watching live online at Totalhorsechannel.com.

Horse bucket listers use various criteria for choosing the next animals on their tick list.

Sometimes they can base their choice on physical appearance. Such may be the case with the rare Marwari Horse – there are only around 1,000 in existence. A sacred Indian warhorse famous for its inward-curving lyre-shaped ears, it is one of five recognised indigenous horses of India.

The WDAMI board is working on hard on a winter and spring online educational zoom learning for 2027. More on that next month.

Capable of covering long distances at speed they can withstand intense heat and adverse climatic conditions.

Marwari are intelligent and spirited and known for their stamina, endurance, alertness, loyalty, elegance, beauty, and animated gait.

WDAMI is looking for sponsors to help sponsor the Year-end Awards Program. If you would like to donate, please contact Carol Baldwin, at infowdami@gmail.com

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What better way to experience them than via the India Magical Marwar 13 Day Trail with Diwali and Pushkar Fair journey through colourful Rajasthan, taking in Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaipur.

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For those looking to re-enact scenes from Black Beauty or an iconic banking advert, then Friesians are very much at the top of the beauty parade. Famed for their fairy-tale flowing manes and shiny coal black coats, they offer a gentle way to explore the island of Terschelling in the Netherlands via a Friesian Beach and Forest Ride.

Those wanting to add extreme adventure breeds to their bingo card, could do so by undertaking a challenging endurance experience on Criollo horses, breeds also used in rodeos and crossed with thoroughbreds to create polo ponies.

The sure-footed animals, saddled with local Chilean saddles are perfectly designed to tackle the nine-day trek across the driest desert on earth, with its rugged terrain and steep drops on the Chile - Atacama Desert Trail.

Some horses are fancied for their unusual gait.

Icelandic horses are perhaps the first example that spring to mind, with their smooth ‘tölt’, a four-beat lateral gait, which sees the horse’s hind legs move well under the body and carry more of the weight than the front end, meaning there is no suspension phase between strides, as there is in trot or canter. Some have fifth gait - flying pace - a two-beat lateral gait with a suspension phase, which is ridden very fast and over short distances. The test for a really good gaited horse is not spilling a glass of champagne held while riding! Pony-sized Icelandic horses will be tölting to your heart’s content on numerous Icelandic holidays such as the Kerlingarfjöll Highland Adventure Another with a much sought after unusual gait is the Peruvian Paso, whose fluid four-beat gait, the Paso Llano, means riding is more like gliding.

Its unique front-leg action, known as término, is a graceful, outward swing not unlike a swimmer’s freestyle stroke.The calm, responsive horse makes an ideal companion on trails, such as Unicorn’s Peru Andean Horizons and is also excellent performing in a drill team, in competitive events and even side-saddle exhibitions. For many riders, becoming part of the landscape and the indigenous culture is the top criteria. In which case riding a local Yueta horse in Bhutan on a Himalayan Monastery Trail is an ideal way of adding to your collection while exploring a remote part of the world’s happiest country.

Meanwhile, for those wanting to experience ‘the perfect horse,’ then the Cape Riding Horse (there’s a clue in the name!), the well-schooled ancestor of the Boeperd, is at your command on Unicorn’s South Africa – Coast to Karoo trip. These animals are recognised for their excellent temperament and surefootedness, and the trip is for experienced riders able to control their horse at all paces in the open and at a fast canter. The 200-mile ride begins in the semidesert and ends at the Indian Ocean, crossing three mountain ranges.

Other much sought after breeds include the Boerperd in South Africa, Andalusian in Spain, Arab in Egypt, Lusitano in Portugal, the Quarter Horse in America, the Kisbéri In Hungary, Kyrgyz in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, the Semigreu in Romania, the Lipizzaner in Eastern Europe and the Barb in Morocco.

Palm Partnership Academy™ How Dressage Principles Contribute to Longevity of Horse and Rider Dressage Principles Apply to Cross Training for All Horses

By Lynn Palm | lynnpalm.com

Ms. Steele, my first and most influential mentor, was amazing when I started taking lessons with her. She taught me the basics of proper position and the correct use of my natural aids. While she was teaching me to ride correctly, she was also, in a way, teaching me how to teach. I realized that as she explained how and why and focused on simple teaching techniques, this would benefit my training as well as my future in teaching which my Dad encouraged me to do.

All the while, I was learning that Dressage was the foundation of training for all horses and how it influenced multi-disciplines.

There were many notable horses early on in my career that I used dressage principles to train who went on to become all around horses exhibiting in many disciplines. One special one was my first horse, Mocha Dell.

Thank you, Dressage Principles, for helping me to bring out the best in these two horses and developing them to their full potential. This was just the beginning of my entertainment and show ring career. All the while, living by the principles Ms. Steele instilled in me as a young person.

Follow this series to discover how the Principles of Dressage built the foundation of my riding and training which shaped my career in competition, education and entertainment.

Palm Equestrian Academy generalinfo@lynnpalm.com 352-362-7847 Cyril and Lynn offer clinics throughout the country and abroad as well as online coaching. Join them on their teaching tours or through the Palm Partners Club.

Mocha Dell, who I trained completely on my own, was a prime example of using dressage principles. With her, I landed my first job out of high school, in upstate New York, at a Wild West Tourist attraction, Frontier Town, as an act in the rodeo show.

My performance included jumping through a revolving hoop of fire, without a bridle. Three times per day, seven days per week was a task to keep the horse happy and not souring out. Mocha was amazing; however, I knew I had to ride her well and with perfect balance to keep her going and I was able to do that for the whole summer. We also were champions at the 4-H State show in Western Horsemanship & Hunt Seat Equitation that year.

Another notable horse I trained as a young professional was Lecanto Raider. He was a failed Quarter Horse racing gelding who I trained in the Northwoods of Wisconsin during my time as Equestrian Director at Camp Nicolet. His training on the trail led me and him to my first Congress and World Championships.

Later, he was an all-around amateur horse for a lucky rider in Michigan.

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WHEN MOVEMENT BECOMES A CONVERSATION

By Kim Cardeccia | ConfidenceThroughConnection.com

Some horses do not arrive ready to enter into partnership with a human. They may seem guarded, distracted, tense, braced, reactive, or simply difficult to engage. It is tempting to call those responses resistance or unwillingness.

Often, though, they make much more sense when we consider the horse’s history, body, and nervous system.

That is the nuance horse centered work asks us to notice. We are interested in the horse’s actual experience, not only the outward appearance of relaxation. A glance toward the human, a steadier circle, a softer jaw, a lower neck, or a pause followed by a willingness to stay in the conversation may be small signs that safety is growing.

A horse who has known discomfort, pain, confusion, fear, or repeated pressure from people may have very good reasons to protect themselves. What looks like disconnection may be self-preservation. What looks like avoidance may be uncertainty. What looks like tension may be a body that has not yet learned it can feel safe.

The horse’s response is not a report card on the human. It is information. Through posture, rhythm, expression, energy, and movement, the horse is always telling us something. Our work is not to take that communication personally, but to listen and respond with patience, clarity, and as much regulation of our own as we can bring.

This is where Horse Centered Recalibration begins. The goal is not simply to get a horse to comply. It is to help them feel safer in their body, more secure in partnership, and more able to participate in the conversation.

That does not mean we never ask anything of the horse. Structure, boundaries, and forward movement matter. Horses need guidance, help organizing their bodies, and experiences that build confidence and competence. But the way we ask matters. An appropriate aid can be offered without punishment. Forward movement can be encouraged without chasing. A boundary can be clear without becoming harsh.

Leadership can be present without dominance.

Movement can be one pathway into that process. Whether we are working on the lunge, at liberty, in-hand, or under saddle, the purpose is not to chase energy out of a horse or force obedience. It is to help them find rhythm, balance, and a little more ease in their body.

This is regulated leadership: clear without force.

It protects the horse’s dignity while still helping them grow. Progress may not look dramatic or polished. It may arrive in brief moments that are easy to miss if we are looking only for performance: the horse who looks toward us instead of away, finds a steadier rhythm, pauses and stays, or begins to believe that people can be safe.

A steady rhythm gives the horse something predictable to organize around. As it becomes more consistent, they may soften, breathe, lower their head and neck, step more thoughtfully underneath themselves, or offer another small sign of release. A genuine stretch down, for example, is not just a pretty shape. It can reflect a release of tension and a shift away from bracing. But we still need to look at the whole horse. If they simply fall onto the forehand or collapse through the body, that is different from the balance, rhythm, and growing organization we hope to see.

Over time, these experiences can change what a horse expects. The arena becomes less about pressure and more about possibility. The human becomes less of a threat and more of a guide.

Movement becomes less about control and more about communication.

That is where real partnership begins.

Teaching An Equine Focused Mindset Confidence Coaching & Counseling

Kimberly Cardeccia, MA LPC Compassionately partnering with horses to heal both horse and human, Hidden Promise uniquely offers opportunities for empowerment.

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THE HORSES THAT GUIDE US HOME: BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN HUMAN LIFE AND THE NATURAL WORLD By: Carla Ervin, LCSW, Equine Facilitated Psychotherapist Benefits of Nature

As I sit bareback on my mare, Juno, I feel her breath beneath me. It’s slow, it’s soft, and it’s rhythmic. All of which I need to slow down my own breath, and allow her to guide me back into the present moment.

Yoshifumi Miyazaki, a retired Japanese researcher and professor, has extensively studied the impact of nature on mental and physical health. His work also incorporates aspects of the Biophilia Hypothesis, as developed by Edward O. Wilson, which states that peaceful elements of nature help us to have more cognitive clarity, empathy, and hope. In his studies, Miyazaki discovered that even just walking in nature can help to reduce our cortisol levels, decrease our sympathetic nervous system response (the fight-orflight response), as well as our blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety levels. It is Miyazaki’s belief that because humans evolved in nature, it is where we feel most comfortable (Williams, 2017).

I look out into the trees with Juno, and we spot a couple of deer, neither of which seem to fascinate Juno as much as they do me, but it’s like I’m being transported into a different world, and a different time. A time when my ancestors partnered with Juno’s ancestors to survive, and thrive in this world. I begin to orient more to my surroundings, and really take in the beauty that envelops us. The tall shade trees, the birds that have made the shade trees their homes, nearby flowers, as well as a couple of Juno’s herd members that followed us along for the ride.

While I feel a deep sense of connection and appreciation for the moment that is unfolding, I can’t help but wonder how we, as humans, have gotten so far away from nature that moments like this seem to be few and far between, or go completely unnoticed.

For some, it’s challenging to picture a world in which nature is not a part of our everyday lives. It is the very essence of who we are. We may even feel more at home in nature with our equine partners than in cityscapes with our fellow humans. Horses have such a unique way of tapping into our hearts and souls that it can feel as though they can hear what we are thinking, and feel what we are feeling. In doing so, they offer what we as humans so desperately need, which is to slow down enough to notice how much our minds and bodies benefit when we take the time to connect with nature and its inhabitants.

Anyone who has felt a sense of connection with a horse has connected back to our ancestral lineage.

Whatever that lineage may be, at some point, our very survival as a human race depended on partnering with horses to explore, hunt, migrate, and build our homes on the vast terrains and landscapes. Eventually, we moved more towards industrialization, and only found pockets of nature around us. It seems more challenging to find places where we can be in nature without the interruptions of modern day life. Every day there is more urban development, which serves as a reminder of how we have distanced ourselves from the natural world.

Horses help to take us back to what is so deeply encoded in our DNA as humans - our connection, dependence, and appreciation for nature. One of my favorite quotes by Gary Kowalski (2007) further explains just how crucial our relationship with the natural world is: What will it mean for the human race if children come of age in a world bereft of other living creatures? Their growing years will be immeasurably less vivid and vibrant. Their connection with the Earth will be severed, and part of their inborn potential for amazement will go uncultivated. It is not just that animals make the world more scenic or picturesque. The lives of animals are woven into our very being – closer than our own breathing – and our soul will suffer when they are gone.

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CONTINUED: THE HORSES THAT GUIDE US HOME: BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN HUMAN LIFE AND THE NATURAL WORLD By: Carla Ervin, LCSW, Equine Facilitated Psychotherapist

The Practice of Slowing Down One of the easiest ways we can begin to slow down our minds and bodies is by bringing our awareness and attention to our breath. When you notice your breath, is it slow and rhythmic or shallow and fast?

Are you holding your breath, or fully expanding your inhale and exhale? If you softly place a hand on your horse, how are they breathing? Does their breath resonate with yours, or do you notice something different? When we breathe with the horse, it can help induce a more peaceful state that helps our own systems further expand feelings of relaxation (A. v. R. McCormick & M. D. McCormick, 1997). As you become more aware of your breath, you may also begin noticing more of your internal state, or may start taking in more of your surroundings. And as you do, what do your eyes see? What do your ears hear, or your nose smell? As you continue to explore with your senses, you will slowly be guided back into the present moment while in connection with your equine partner.

About the Author:

Ultimately, horses have a way of guiding us back to the very essence of who we are, in our relationship to nature. If we slow down enough, we will begin to feel the more sacred connection we have to our equine partners, as well as other beings we share our world with. While urban development continues, and we do our best to keep up with the demands of everyday life, it is our horses that call us back home, and there is no other place where I feel more connected to nature than on the back of a horse.

Carla Ervin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Texas, and is the owner of Sacred Being Wellness located in Pilot Point, Texas. As an Equine Facilitated Psychotherapist, Carla partners with a herd of 15 horses to provide psychotherapy services to individuals, eighteen and older, who are more sensitive to their internal and external experiences, or who have experienced trauma. It is Carla’s belief that the most profound healing takes place in safe and supportive partnerships, whether it be humans, animals, or nature.

Carla Ervin, LCSW SBW, Sacred Being Wellness

References: Kowalski, G. A. (2007). The souls of animals (Rev. ed.). New World Library.

McCormick, A. v. R., & McCormick, M. D. (1997). Horse sense and the human heart: What horses can teach us about trust, bonding, creativity and spirituality. Health Communications, Inc. Williams, F. (2017). The nature fix: Why nature makes us happier, healthier, and more creative. W. W. Norton & Company

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Michigan

SHOW & EVENT DATES

EVENTS

15th of the month from April-September: Thistle Run Online Horse Show Series Film & Submit your rides to our USEF & WDAA carded judges for critique! Ribbons mailed home for every class! Dressage, Western, Hunter Jumper and more!

Website: https://thistleruneq.weebly.com July 10 and August 21: Allegan County Speed Series- Friday 6:00pm Series Buckle for High Point and Reserve High Point in Each Age Division! Pre Entry- Encouraged: Link on facebook: ALLEGAN COUNTY SPEED SERIES Billy Mac Arena 1511 14th St. Otsego, MI 49078

MICHIGAN AUCTIONS HORSE & TACK AUCTION: 2nd Saturday of each month. 5:00pm start. Lake Odessa Livestock Auction, 3675 Tupper Lake Rd., Lake Odessa, MI. Call Roger Leech 231.730.0353. Facebook or lakeodessalivestock.com HORSE/TACK AUCTION: First Saturday of each month (except July) Tack 2pm, Horses after 6pm. Consignments welcome. Northern Michigan Livestock, 1848 N. Townline Rd. Gaylord, MI. Office 231.439.5679. Find us on Facebook. northernmichiganlivestock.com MONDAYS: HAY & STRAW: 3:30pm, Livestock 5pm (cattle, goats, sheep, hogs, etc.) Ravenna Auction, LLC. 3265 S. Slocum Road, Ravenna, MI. Call 231.853-.5738. Facebook or visit us at ravennaauction.com

July 30th- August 2nd: Michigan Reining Horse Association- Liberty Derby NRHA & MRHA Reining Classes, plus Ranch Riding and Western Rail Classes.

TACK AUCTION: 3rd Saturday of each Introducing the 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐞 reining class — the perfect place for brand-new reiners month, 5pm start. Longhorn Auction Service, 3265 S. Slocum Rd., Ravenna, to take their first step into the show pen!

MI. Call 231.730-0353. Facebook: Midland County Farigrounds- 6905 Eastman Longhom Auction Service Ave, Midland, MI 48642 www.mrha.org August 15th-16th: Twin Elm Training Opportunity Series 8671 Currie Rd Northville MI 48168 Classical and Western Dressage classes offered the first day. Second day is open for clinic rides with the judge. WDAA, WDAAMI, MDA sanctioned. Visit www.twinelmtraining.com for the prizelist and more information.

TACK AUCTION: Select Tuesday Evenings ALL ONLINE! Facebook: Tri-Pine Tack & Western Boutique.

(517) 937-9439 tripinetack04@gmail.com Items bought can be shipped or you can pick up in Hastings, Michigan YODER BROS. AUCTION SERVICE:

Spring and Fall Horse and Carriage August 21st & Sepetember 25th: Barry County Under The Lights Speed Show Auctions in Mt. Pleasant, MI. Rain or shine. Daily & Series High Point awards. Auctioneers: LeRoy Yoder or Willis Yoder, Barry County Fairgrounds 1350 M-37, 989-386-9082, Clair, MI. Hastings, MI 49058 Contact Melissa for more info: 616-206-9774 August 22nd & Sepetember 26th: Barry County Open Pleasure Series Daily & Series High Point. EWD Welcome.

Barry County Fairgrounds 1350 M-37, Hastings, MI 49058 Contact Melissa for more info: 616-206-9774

Aug. 22: Ride & Drive-A-Thon: Eaton Special Riding Volunteer Assoc.

8:30am-3:30pm- Sleepy Hollow State Park 7835 E. Price Rd Laingsburg, MI 48848 Registration fee is $25 per rider.

Questions: Dorothy @ 517-763-3729 September 4-6: Shoreline All Breed Youth Show- 23rd Annual at Mason County Fairgrounds in Ludington, Michigan. Open to youth of all ages and experience levels!

Follow facebook page for more info: Shoreline All Breed Youth Show September 5th-Pine Lake May Dressage Show Entries close August 27th English & Western Dressage thru 2nd level 12300 Pine Lake Rd, Plainwell, Mi 49080 Online & mail in entry forms at pinelakestables.com Contact Mary 269 664 4223, or equineline@mei.net September 19-20: TCSS Harvest Finale 2026 Traverse City Schooling Shows 3606 Blair Townhall Rd Traverse City, MI 49685 www.traversecityschoolingshows.com Show Contact: Betsy Hill (231) 944-8367 SEPTEMBER 2026 J & M MITTEN CO LLC

Ohio

EVENTS July 11th, August 1st, September 12th & October 10th: Farmer’s Tan Gymkhana Series & Hold My Britches Jackpot Series Dusty Britches Equestrian & Dusty Britches Equestrian on Facebook.

Miami County Fairgrounds- Troy, OH July 17th, August 14th, September 18th Hoppel’s Arena Friday Night Lights Early Exhibition begins at 5:00 PM, followed by an evening of barrel racing and pole bending competition.

40891 SR 518, Lisbon, OH 44432 Follow facebook page for more info: Hoppel’s Arena August 15: Young Guns Showdown Rodeo Copper Hill Arena 11600 Dolway Ave SW. Beach City, OH 44608 Starts at 6:00 PM Barrel Raching, Roping, Bulls, Broncs, Trick Riding, Line Dancing. Contact: 234-384-3631

OHIO AUCTIONS ATHENS LIVESTOCK SALES: Sale every Saturday at 12:30pm.

Consignment welcome. Athens Livestock Sales, 3738 Enlow Road, Albany, OH. Call 740.592.2322. Email: jdbrowning01@gmail.com or find us on Facebook.

MT. HOPE AUCTION: Horse, rack, livestock auctions monthly. Mt. Hope Auction, 8076 SR 241 Millersburg, OH. Call us at 330.674.6188, email: info@mthopeauction.com. Find us on Facebook or mthopeauction.com LARUE HORSE SALE, LLC: Hay, straw, tack, and horse auction on the first Saturday of every month. 1059 Richwood-Larue Rd., Larue, OH. Call 419.889.9150, email laruehorsesales@hotmail.com. laruehorsesales.com

Indiana

EVENTS July 18th: 6th Annual Kevin “Peavine” Anspach Memorial Horse Show Rain or Shine. Payback Classes.

Van Wert County Fairgrounds 1055 S Washington St, Van Wert, OH 45891 Follow facebook page for more info: Northeast Indiana Open Show Circuit

INDIANA AUCTIONS HAMILTON COUNTY HORSE SALES: 1st & 3rd Saturday each month. New and used tack, hay, strawy, trailers, & horses.

Consignors welcome. 22217 St. Road 37 N., Noblesville, IN. Call 317.946.4450 or 317.773.5590 or find us on Facebook.

IILLIANA LIVESTOCK, LLC: Tack, ponies, donkeys, and horse sales held at the Vermillion County Fairgrounds, 325 W. Maple St. Cayuga, IN. Call Clay Norris 574.780.8378 or Cobie Norris 217.260.5696.

Facebook “Illiana Livestock LLC“ SHIPSHEANA TRADING PLACE: Horse Auction Fridays. 10:30am tack, 12:30pm horses. 345 S. Van Buren Shipshewana, IN. 260.768.4129, email: info@shipshewanatradingplace.com, or visit shipshewanatradingplace.com.

TOPEKA LIVESTOCK AUCTION: Hay and livestock auction every Tuesday. 601 E. Lake St., Topeka, IN. Call 260.593.2522 or email us at info@topekalivestock.com. Find us on Facebook or topekalivestock.com.

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Trailer Loading Without the Fight

By Robert Eversole trailmeister.com

If you’re going to trail ride or horse camp, sooner or later you’re going to have to put your horse in a trailer. And, more importantly, you’re going to have to get him back in again when it’s time to come home. A horse that loads willingly makes every trip easier. One that refuses can stop the ride before you leave the house or leave you stuck at the trailhead after a long day.

When he’s ready, I’ll ask for a step toward the trailer, and the instant he tries, the pressure goes away. Maybe he only gives me one step or puts his front feet inside and stops. That’s fine. I’ll let him stand and think before asking again. If he doesn’t respond, I’ll gradually increase the pressure until he tries, then release immediately. That well-timed release is how I tell him, “Yep, that’s what I wanted.”

A common mistake happens when the horse puts a foot or two inside and we get greedy. We think, “Great! Let’s get the rest of him in there before he changes his mind!” Instead of rewarding the try, we increase the pressure. From the horse’s point of view, he just did what we asked, and his reward was having things get harder. That’s not the lesson I want to teach.

I’ve been on both ends of that equation and I know the feeling. Once it happened to me after a four-day clinic with Ty Evans. Nothing keeps a person humble like spending four days improving your horsemanship and then having an animal that won’t get in the trailer. It’s frustrating, embarrassing, and probably more common than most horse people care to admit.

Instead, I build the lesson one step at a time. I’ll let him walk partway in and back out before he feels trapped, then we’ll try again. As he becomes comfortable, I’ll ask him to go farther and stand longer.

Once he’s loading comfortably, I may take him out, move his feet for a short time, then ask him to load again and rest. In time, the trailer becomes the easy place.

From the horse’s point of view, refusing to enter a trailer makes sense. We’re asking a prey animal to walk into a dark metal box that rattles, smells funny, and has floor that sounds and feels different under his feet. Then we close the door and bounce down the road.

What we call stubbornness may simply be self-preservation.

Despite what the latest social-media horse guru may promise, reliable trailer loading isn’t something I expect to teach in fifteen minutes. Yes, you might be able to force a horse into a trailer but getting him inside and teaching him to load are two different things.

I’m less interested in getting the horse in the trailer today than I am in having one that’ll load easily tomorrow, at a busy trailhead, or when something has gone wrong and I need to get him somewhere in a hurry. The recent firestorm here in Spokane was a warning for all of us. An evacuation order is not the time to discover your horse has decided he’s not getting into the trailer.

Practice when you don’t need to go anywhere and you’ve got all day to get there. The morning you’re meeting friends at the trailhead isn’t the time to discover you have a loading problem. Practice at different times and in different weather, and sometimes load the horse, let him stand quietly, and unload without going anywhere. Not every trip into the trailer needs to end with a trip down the highway.

Don’t forget about unloading either. I don’t want an animal rushing out of a trailer any more than I want one refusing to go in. Mine learn to wait until I ask them to come out quietly. And through all of this, safety comes first. Never wrap a lead rope around your hand, put yourself where you can be crushed, or stand directly behind an animal that may rush backward.

For me, trailer loading starts with being able to control the horse’s feet. In many ways, trailer loading is simply another test of whether I can direct those feet where I want them to go. Before asking a horse to enter a confined space, I want him to move forward from a light ask, yield his shoulders and hindquarters, back quietly, and pay attention to me. If I can’t direct his feet in an open area, I’m probably not going to do it better at the back of a trailer.

Trailer loading doesn’t need to be a fight. Good ground control, small requests, a well-timed release, and enough patience to let the horse think will accomplish a lot more than trying to win an argument with a thousand-pound animal. Getting him in once isn’t much of a victory if I have to fight the same battle tomorrow. I want the trailer to become just another place I can quietly ask my horse to put his feet, whether we’re standing in the driveway or tired and ready to head home after a long day on the trail.

Once those basics are in place, I use something horses understand very well: conserving energy. Away from the trailer is where we work, and near the trailer is where we rest. With the trailer securely hitched and the doors and dividers safely positioned, I’ll work the horse in a small circle behind it. I use a lead rope rather than a longe line so I can keep him reasonably close and under control. Then we stop near the trailer.

For more of my thoughts on trail riding and horse camping, as well as the world’s largest guide to horse trails and camps, visit TrailMeister.com. You can also find my books on Amazon.

At first, “near” might mean several feet away, and that’s fine. As the horse relaxes, our resting spot gets closer. If he stretches his neck toward the doorway, sniffs the floor, or sticks his head inside, I let him investigate. I’m watching for curiosity to begin replacing fear.

When his attention wanders, we go back to work for a while, then return to the trailer and rest. Horses are pretty good at figuring out that arrangement.

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ALL HORSE ASSOCIATIONS & TRAIL RIDING GROUPS WELCOME!

SHOWBILL EDITIONS ANNUAL SPECIAL Saddle Up! Magazine’s Annual Showbill Issues are April, May and June of each year.

Don’t miss our special showbill rates, only offered in these three printed/online editions. Reach thousands of equestrians in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana with your horse show information and showbill.

Plus: Your association will receive a free one year banner ad (a $120 value) on our website.

$105.00 $105.00

PREMIUM DEALS

1/2 PG. BLACK & WHITE PRINTED AD

NEW

$145.00 $145.00

FULL PG. BLACK & WHITE PRINTED AD

Non-profit discount does not apply to Showbill Issue rates.

Includes a FREE ONLINE BANNER AD for one year on our website.

DEADLINES-APRIL ISSUE: MARCH 16 | MAY ISSUE: APRIL 16 | JUNE ISSUE: MAY 16

Purchase an ad in 2 of 3 of our showbill issues and receive your 3rd ad at 50% Off!

Use your discounted ad in 2026 whenever you wish!

(3rd ad is of equal or lesser value and must be used in 2026)

MICHIGAN, INDIANA, OHIO HORSE MAGAZINE

5,000+ PRINTED COPIES 20,000+ ONLINE READERS MONTHLY

www.saddleupmag.com saddleupmag@gmail.com

SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT OPPORTUNITIES Active horse enthusiasts can submit their equine story/article for a chance to be highlighted on the Saddle Up! Magazine social media page.

For more information visit SaddleUpMag.com/article-submission

Join us for our 13th Annual

FALL GOLF OUTING

Everyswing,putt,anddrivewilldirectly support our5-DayHealingIntensives,offered at no cost to veterans and their families.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2026 SylvaniaCountry Club 5201CoreyRoad, SylvaniaOH43560 SPONSORSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE SCAN QR CODE FOR DETAILS, TO REGISTER & BECOME A SPONSOR Questions? Email: Steve@MMPtoledo.com Thank you for your continued support and generosity!

HORSES HEALING HUMANS HUMANS HEALING HORSES NO FORCE. NO PERFORMANCE. JUST PRESENCE AND PARTNERSHIP A

nonprofit eqine sanctuary in NW Ohio, Hosanna Horse Haven partners rescued horses with humans seeking healing, connection

and

regulation.

Learn|Volunteer|Support|Experience H O S A N N A H O R S E H AV E N BRYAN,OHIO WWW.HOSANNAHORSEHAVEN.ORG