14/ JUNE 2021 THE RIDER


2020 Ontario Trail Riders Association Board of Directors


President Sonja Wyss 705-434-7947 info@barefoot-saddlecanada.ca


Secretary Laurie Panagiotou 905-807-2786 lauriep1@live.ca


Treasurer/Membership Elaine Wiesner 519-940-1710 elaine.a.wiesner@gmail.com


Website Development Tina Kerst 416-907-6051 tiamiadart@gmail.coma


Directors at Large Karen Plume, 519-604-4020, kp59ca@gmail.com Cathy Togeretz, 519-465-1758, cathytogeretz@sympatico.ca


Area Representative Elaine Wiesner 519-940-1710 elaine.a.wiesner@gmail.com


Sandra Kendall, 905-939-8356, rlsophia29@gmail.com Lana English, 519-658-3489, lanaenglish@sympatico.ca


9045 20 Sideroad, Tosorontio, Lisle, ON L0M 1M0 • www.ontariotrailriders.ca


OTRA and its members represent the equestrian trail user with the Ontario Trails Council, Ontario Eques- trian Federation and Equine Canada. We welcome your membership to help support the voice of OTRA on your behalf. Visit our Facebook Page


How to transition your


horse from a couch potato to a trail riding athlete… This year has continued to


be a challenge for a large number of riders trying to get their horses conditioned and prepared for the trail riding season. Many who keep their steeds at a boarding fa- cility have not been able to see and/or ride their horses, often for weeks in a row, and it has been difficult to plan properly with the constant changes in regulations and requirements during this (you know what!) time. Even for us owners who have their horses at home – without our riding bud-


dies being able to visit and ride with, many have not been com- fortable riding by themselves the first few times, or that new or green horse, and therefore have done less than would be ideal. But now that the weather is


finally getting nicer, and with provincial restrictions hopefully easing up, everyone is eager and exited to get out to enjoy time with their equine partner. To keep you and your horse from overdo- ing it and possibly getting injured you need to remember however to TAKE IT EASY! Especially on those first few rides. And keep in mind that your horse suddenly


has to carry a rider and a saddle which can easily add 200lbs or more! It may be very tempting to keep going for several hours first time out because it feels so great to be back in the saddle but just like people, horses too need to get back into exercise SLOWLY to prevent injuries and body sore- ness. The best way to ensure that is to apply the same exercise principles for horses that you would use for people – it is called FITT.


FREQUENCY – 3 shorter 30 min rides per week are better than riding for 3 hours once a


The Ontario Trail Riders Association Inc, estab- lished in 1970, is an equestrian organization which promotes recreational trail riding and the creation, development, preservation and safe use of trails.


week. Keep the first few rides short and intensity low, like a walk, to give your horse time to adjust to being ridden again.


INTENSITY – add a little inten- sity to your rides, like 1 minute trot/jog (or fast walk) followed by 5-10 min regular walk.


TIME – extend the time of your rides, as going from 30 minutes to 45 each ride.


TYPE – add some variety, like possibly some hills, walking in sand (if you live by a beach), add a jump here or there (trotting


poles at home or small trees on trail).


Physical Adaptation for the


horse requires time. Apply the FITT principle above and go SLOW to give your horse a chance to adjust physically and mentally, then add each compo- nent gradually and stay with it for several weeks before adding the next step. Also, always warm up and


cool down on the flat and with your horse able to stretch out the body and those limbs. Keep in mind the temperatures and adjust accordingly, and have water and hay available after the ride. We are still offering the ‘In-


troduction to Trail Riding’ if you are interested. Contact the Exec-


Requirements: If a non-mem- ber, please see ride organizer and pay day fee: all participants must sign a waiver and show proof of liability insurance.


utive as we are offering those upon request. Keep checking our OTRA website www.ontariotrail- riders.ca or follow us on face- book for additions or updates on our 2021 ride schedule. You can also send us an email


to


info@ontariotrailriders.ca. And don’t forget – we have EX- TENDED all paid 2020 member- ships into 2021 since we were unable to take advantage of most rides last year. Just be sure to send in any updates of your lia- bility insurance as it is required for any current member.


Happy TRAILS!


Submitted by OTRA President Sonja Wyss


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