TrailWise Academy
Do you want to develop the skills you need to ride your horse on trail independently? Do you want to go on adventures to new trail systems but need a kickstart to being able to do it on your own?
Escape the arena, enjoy the outdoors, develop your capabilities and network with other riders with the same goals as you!
We have all heard people demean this kind of riding as “just trail riding” but we all know that it is much harder than it looks. Trail riding requires a level of athleticism and knowledge that is akin to any equine sport. Additionally, what trail riding may lack in apparent structure of arena sports, it makes up for in levels of creativity, problem solving and freedom.
Heading out on the trails comes with its own sets of rules, etiquette and expectations as well. The skills needed for a trail ride are often just as important as those needed for rated shows – and it is the lack of these skillsets that often become a barrier to entry for many horse and rider pairs.
We at the Painted Bar Stables live out on the trails and EquiTravel is a regular part of our lives – but we realize that for most people they and their horses can feel confined in a relatively small world in which the obstacles to leaving their home base and herd and heading out into the “real world”. can feel like dangerous territory. Sometimes if a trail ride becomes a routine it can start to feel easier. but when you leave the routine, ride with new horses or in different locations the obstacles start to accumulate. And when this feels overwhelming, the rider who had the idea to go on the adventure becomes the problem and not the trusted leader they need to be.
The goal of the TrailWise Academy is to help small groups of owners and their horses get out into the world and feel capable of new adventures — with a little bit of support.
CLINIC DATES:
May 11 @ 10:30am – 1:30pm: Horseback Harmony @ Keuka Outlet Trail – Dresden Trail Head
May 23 @ 5:00pm – 8:00pm: TrailMates Ride @ Finger Lakes National Forest
July 25 @ 5:00pm – 8:00pm: Horseback Harmony @ Finger Lakes National Forest
August 9 @ 10:30am – 1:30pm: Trail Masters Exploration @ Sugar Hill State Forest
GOALS FOR TRAILWISE CLINICS
- Guided Trail Ride Opportunities for BYO
- Showing owners new routes they can do themselves
- Networking owners who are looking for ride partners
- Trail Etiquette and Manners
- Trail Training Tricks
- Prepare people for EquiTravel Trips
** Participation in a TrailWise Clinic can help to fulfill pre-requisites for participation in the EquiTravel Trips that take people and their mounts to various riding destinations from North Carolina to New England. Click here for more about our trips.
CLINIC TYPES
TrailMates Rides
People looking to network with other owners and riders and learn new trail systems they can do independently
.
This is the perfect opportunity for horse owners to be able to go on a guides trail ride with their own horse in order to prep for independent riding of the trail system in the future.
Horseback Harmony
Trail Etiquette Clinic for people to learn horse training and riding techniques specifically for trail riding in groups.
Many horses (and people!) do not know how to politely ride in a group and how to ride with awareness for other rider/horse pairs. It can be hard to ride with people who do not have the awareness, presence and skillsets — and nobody wants to be the “rude rider’ on the trail string leaving chaos in their wake.
Learn how to become more predictable, ride with better etiquette, and more awareness for the needs of other riders while also training your horse how to interact with other horses and have more flexibility within the herd.
TrailMasters Explorations
Events designed to develop and test independence and self-reliance with the backing of emergency support crews..
Use of games such as the Find Your Flag, Poker Races, Mock Endurance Rides
ROLE OF THE CLINICIAN:
The clinician’s role in your event is to blend the best of what we know against our research and experiences as a trail rider and horse camper and help to make it accessible through our conversations. From our conversations we turn the concepts into something of value and action, empowering you to be independent and have fun.
We also hope to help you develop routines that make the trail safer and your horse more prepared for any kind of obstacle that comes your way. Through carefully crafted routines that can be applied to any route — everyone will feel more at ease for whatever comes our way!
The clinician’s role extends from education as well into “ride management,” acting as not only a guide but as the person overseeing everything from speed, pace and spacing of the horses on the trail. They are there to manage any problems and advise people on how to avoid them.
TRAIL SYSTEMS
Keuka Outlet Trail – Dresden Trail Head
Trail Description: The Keuka Outlet Trail is a 6.8-mile, multi-use trail located in the Finger Lakes region of New York, running between Penn Yan and Dresden along the natural waterway connecting Keuka and Seneca Lakes. The trail follows the old Fall Brook Railroad track bed and canal towpath, offering diverse recreational opportunities and historical insights. Obstacles for riding include canal locks with waterfalls, many human resources such as garbage cans, benches, portable toilets, etc., and pedestrians and cyclists which all offer great opportunities for desensitization in a safe setting. The trail is maintained by the Friends of the Outlet, Inc., a nonprofit group.
Footing: Stone dust and gravel in a double trail “rail-to-trail” type trail. Minimal mud and consistency good footing.
Hoof Protection Recommendations: No recommendations. Good for barefoot horses.
Parking Lot: Dresden Parking Lot for Keuka Outlet Trail — trailer parking is just north of the pedestrian parking lot along the railroad. Easy access for large trailers. 100 Seneca St, Dresden, NY 14441
Finger Lakes National Forest
Trail Description: The Finger Lakes National Forest offers a variety of riding experiences, from dense forest trails to flat paths to grazing fields. The area is known for its fishing ponds and diverse landscapes. Double track trails are constructed in a grid system with some nice moderately level straight-aways perfect for trotting and cantering. The single track trails wind through the forest in a meandering path. The trails also traverse the Grazing Association lands, cutting through wide open cow pastures that have seasonal grazing. The pastures make for fantastic jaunts in open spaces following cow trails. Moderate hills with only major elevation changes on the southern trails.
Footing: Mix of dirt single track trails, hard pack and gravel double track trails, & gravel roads. Single track trails can be prone to mud and have some roots.
Hoof Protection Recommendations: Front Shoes or Hoof Boots at minimum. If using boots please be sure that they are not only appropriately fit but tested before you arrive.
Parking Lot: Backbone Horse Campground, cost of parking $5/day (cash). The circle driveway offers easy pull through, however to park you need to back into a campsite parking lot. Accessible for large trailers. Picnic Area Rd, Burdett, NY 14818
Sugar Hill State Forest
Trail Description: The Sugar Hill State Forest has many areas of dense forest trails as well as some old logging trails. The area is known for its timber management practices and a diversity of wildlife habitats. Many of the trails have a nice gentle meander making them great for long distance trotting. Long straight-aways up hills are fantastic for a good run. There is a significant amount of elevation change making these trails a great system for fitness bootcamp for horses.
Footing: Mix of dirt single track trails, hard pack and gravel double track trails, & gravel roads. Single track trails can be prone to mud and have some roots.
Hoof Protection Recommendations: Front Shoes or Hoof Boots at minimum. If using boots please be sure that they are not only appropriately fit but tested before you arrive.
Parking Lot: Sugar Hill Fire Tower equine campground. Very easy access for trailers of all sizes with open lawn parking and tie stalls available for horses. 3361 Tower Hill Rd, Watkins Glen, NY 14891
COST AND DISCOUNTS
$200 per horse and rider pair.
We set the price of this clinic as comparable to other training clinics in our region, however unlike most clinics you get to actively ride for the entirety of the clinic. There’s no sitting around, watching and waiting your turn out on trail!
$20 discount for anyone who carries their own Equine Liability Insurance.
We want to encourage people to think ahead and plan for riding out on their own adventure. ANYONE who plans on traveling with their horses to trails, events, horse shows, etc… should always get a personal equine liability insurance plan. These plans cover you if you or your mount hurt others or cause damage. You never know when your horse will cowkick a cyclist, spook and cause issues with another horse, break a fence or do random things — and we hope you’re not running over other riders! Our goal with these clinics is specifically to help you and your horse more competent in your adventures to reduce your own liability!!
Pretty much every riding organization (HTA, AERC, NYSHC, USEF just to name a few… ) have an option to cheaply add on a $1 million excess liability coverage provided by Equisure, Inc. Cost usually ranges around $25-35 for the liability plan, on top of a $50-80 organization membership
Questions?
Email us at ride@paintedbarstables.com
