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Mastering the Raised Back-through
Gain Success Navigating a Frustrating Obstacle by Mark Bolender Photo Courtesy of Hal Cook The raised back-through can often be a frustrating experience for the horse and rider. I commonly hear...
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Mastering the Rolling Bridge
Teach Your Horse Focus with this Obstacle Challenge Mountain trail is based on real life situations found working on the ranch or navigating a trail. With the International Mountain Trail Challenge...
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The Most Forgiving Creature
How Horses Teach Us to Be Better Leaders by Mark Bolender Photo Courtesy of Lee Bolender It never ceases to amaze me how consistently the horse remains a forgiving creature. I can’t tell you how many...
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Building and Mastering a Rock Obstacle
Create Your Own Challenge and Learn Easy Tips for Mastery With a little know-how, a rock obstacle is easy to construct and easy to master. I love this obstacle because it teaches a horse to slow down...
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Building Your Horse’s Mind
Why Obstacle Training is Good for Every Horse by Mark Bolender Your horse’s mind is an amazing place, but understanding the basics is an absolute necessity in order to effectively train it. The...
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9 Basic Skills for Mountain Trail
Master these Basic Skills to Improve Safety and Scores by Mark Bolender The best mountain trail horses are bold, confident and can think their way through an obstacle. To improve their mountain trail...
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November 2015 Cover Story: Mountain Trail – The All Breed Discipline
Building an International Sport by Mark Bolender Mountain trail is growing within both English and western disciplines and is enjoyed with many different horse breeds. Photo Courtesy pf Mark...
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Mountain Trail and the Senior Horse
Age Shines on the Obstacle Course by Mark Bolender Mountain trail is a low impact sport that naturally exercises aged joints and muscles. The discipline of mountain trail goes quite naturally with an...
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Mountain Trail: The Italian Connection
The Verona Horse Expo and Explosive Growth of the Sport in Italy by Mark Bolender The sport of mountain trail has grown very quickly in Italy. Photo courtesy Lee Bolender. In 2013 we had our first...
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Maintaining Mountain Trail Obstacles
Keep Your Obstacles Safe with Spring Maintenance by Mark Bolender Check the entry point of balance beams and bridges for worn, unsafe wood. Photo Courtesy Mark Bolender. Spring is here and the...
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Mastering the Ladder
Careful Training Leads to a Bold, Confident Horse by Mark Bolender Image courtesy Mark Bolender. Here are correct measurements for building this unique obstacle yourself. Note: the key to this...
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Teeter-Totter Demons
Helping the Fearful Horse by Mark Bolender Photo Courtesy of Hal Cook Mastering the teeter-totter is, for the most part, a simple task for the horse and will only take a few minutes. However, if it...
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Mountain Trail – an Exciting New Discipline
Fun for Participants and Spectators by Mark Bolender This trail course is in Evergreen, CO at the Double J Ranch. Image Courtesy Mark Bolender. The new discipline of Mountain Trail is in exciting...
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Mountain Trail – More About This Exciting New Discipline
Fun for Participants and Spectators by Mark Bolender It’s exciting to see mountain trail growing around the world. What a year it has been! We now have seven nations involved and four of those...
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Taking Mountain Trail to the World Equestrian Games
Worldwide Interest is Growing by Mark Bolender Riding through rugged mountain trails is something people do every day across the world. You never know what kind of obstacles you and your horse might...
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Master Your Mountain Trail Pattern
Proper Preparation Necessary for Success by Mark Bolender The most important thing a judge should see when you run a Mountain Trail pattern is a partnership between horse and rider. Show a horse that...
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Maintaining Speed Over Double Mini Mounds and Hills
Patience and Time Leads to Success by Mark Bolender Photo courtesy Mark Bolender In any equine discipline, a consistent cadence with forward motion is a desired skill. This skill does not come easily...
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Mastering the Balance Beam
An Exercise in Focus by Mark Bolender Photo courtesy Mark Bolender Trail challenge and mountain trail are based on real situations found riding on the trail. Certain obstacles simulate these working...
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Back to Basics
Reduce Injuries with Skills, Training, and Common Sense by Mark Bolender Photo courtesy Mark Bolender Mountain Trail has its hazards and there is potential for injury in many areas. We trainers and...
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Magic for Sale!
Training Takes Hard Work, Not Stuff by Mark Bolender Photo courtesy Mark Bolender Magic for sale! I have a Mountain Trail video that will make your horse perfect on every obstacle. I’ll sell you this...
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