14/ JULY 2021 THE RIDER


2021 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


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.


Becoming Trail Partners


By Norm Eygenraam In its simplest form, riding


is about the relationship between a horse and rider. For a relation- ship to grow, there needs to be sharing of interests. Acknowl- edging achievements fosters con- fidence. That is true for human and equine relationships. To put a little context to that


statement … I am a relatively new, (4 years) first-time, horse (Rocky) owner. With my narrow frame of experience, the follow-


ing are my observations rather than my recommendations. Our partnership has been more about my education than his. Rocky, has on occasion,


bumped my back pocket when I forgot to leave my cell phone in the truck. As if to say, “This is our time and you do not need the distraction of that thing”. When I remove distractions, I am more present and connected. This con- nection, allows me to sort through his preference so that our


time together is doing what I want.


When something catches


Rocky’s attention, I pause and allow him to take it in. Many times, I will ask, “What are you looking at buddy?” The result is that he is more patient to wait when I study something that in- terests me. Not always, but usu- ally.


Rocky likes to figure things


out. His boldness increases when he feels my leadership. Figuring


things out easily becomes getting away with things. Leadership can easily become micro-managing. Both are equally unproductive to a relationship. Truly listening is not some-


thing many males, including me, are instinctively good at. When Rocky began to understand that I was making a concerted effort to listen, he provided answers. If I was not sure what he was saying, my response was a guess. Based on his response, I could tell if I


was on the right track or needed to try again. By truly listening, I discovered Rocky’s sense of hu- mour. It has created many oppor- tunities to laugh. Rocky was not a patient horse just like I am not a patient person. By observ- ing his lack of patience, it was easier to see it in me and do something about it. Rocky is much more likely to stop pawing at something (his main sign of impatience) when I acknowledge it rather than scold him. Many of the issues we have


had to deal with have taken time. Working through his laminitis has been a slow, methodical process. I had to deal with Rocky being down at not able to do his job as a trail horse. I found myself doing things to give him an emotional boost when the physical parts of riding and exercise were not possible. Paying attention to


details and listening has helped me to learn Rocky’s “normal”. Repeatedly, I have been told that Rocky is not a normal horse and our relationship is not nor- mal. It became crucial to learn what his normal is. This knowledge makes it much easier to react appro- priately and make timely adjustments. I feel gratitude for the


way we have learned to manage his pain together. Careful listening has cre- ated an understanding of


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Rocky’s needs. When Rocky was too sore to move, I could trust he was not being lazy or attempting to get away with something. Pain meds were something between me and Rocky. I never felt a need to justify choices to anyone. It has been an opportunity


of joy to share this time with Rocky. Our lives have been better for our relationship. It has been a labour of love to document our journey toward partnership, heal- ing, and understanding in our book, “Many Trails Still to Ex- plore”. Check it out on Amazon at


www.amazon.ca/Many-Trails- Still-Explore-Understanding- ebook/dp/B09673QBPJ


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.


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