Blog - The Narrow Trail

2021 Horse Books

If you love to read and missed out on the latest books that hit the shelves in 2021, then this list is for you. After the debacle of 2020, we were all happy to be getting together with friends and family again, and that also meant more time riding and events. So perhaps you had little time for reading. Well, I thought it would be fun to look back and showcase some of the horse books published in 2021. Maybe you’ve heard of some of these and maybe there’re some you missed.

So, as it’s still winter, it’s a great time to grab your favorite throw and curl up on the couch with a book and a hot drink. Ok, I don’t know about you, but that sounds heavenly to me! So, let’s dive in so you can pick out your next new horse book!

[Read more…]

Winter Horseback Riding – How to Stay Comfortable

Winter can be a beast, especially when it impedes our horseback riding and training. Unless you have access to an indoor arena, it takes the fun out of riding. Because it is no fun freezing to death. But there are ways you can stay comfortable and enjoy riding in the winter. There’s absolutely no reason your horse should have to be pastured until Spring. So, with a few tips and tricks and layers, you’ll be ready for the saddle.

It’s important to check the weather before you plan to ride. That way you are fully aware of what the temperatures are going to be for the day, and also any inclement weather that might move in. That is why I chose to break these tips into categories of coldness. When you know what the forecast is going to be for the day, you then can be prepared and dress appropriately.

[Read more…]

Horse Podcasts for 2022

I love a good podcast. In fact, I often listen to them more than music these days. I know I’m not the only one because podcasts are growing in popularity. There are a ton of genres and topics out there to choose from. A quick Google search told me that, in 2021, there were 850,000 active podcasts! And the top 5 podcasts were The Joe Rogan Experience, Call Her Daddy, Crime Junkie, TED Talks, and The Daily. While I don’t listen to any of those, I have some favorites and it’s no surprise that several of the podcasts are horse related. And I wanted to share some of them with you.

[Read more…]

Equestrian Fitness

Staying fit as a rider in 2022

Whether it is a goal to get in shape, lose weight, or be more active, 91% of American New Year’s resolutions include some kind of fitness goal. The sad fact is that by February they’ve already given up.

The best way to keep a goal is to make it a lifestyle and part of your every day or weekly routine. The key is to not make unrealistic goals for yourself. You know your habits and tendencies, so take that into consideration when making a plan for your fitness goals. What is going to work with your schedule and keep you motivated?

Knowing those things will keep you on track, but keep in mind you may still have to tweak your schedule throughout the year depending on what changes happen in your life. Also, the change of seasons can affect where and how we workout so being flexible with what you do is also important.

Here is a list of things you can incorporate into a weekly routine with your horses and out in the barn.

Equestrian Fitness - Carrying feed sacks — Carrying this really heavy feed sack

[Read more…]

Bernice Ende – Lady Long Rider

You may ask yourself what is a long rider. By definition, a long rider is someone who has ridden 1,000 cumulative miles on horseback. I’ve read a few books by authors who’ve ridden across the country and it is no small feat. Then there is Bernice Ende, who not only tackled a cross-country ride, but then, just kept riding, creating a lifestyle of long riding. After her first cross-country trip, I guess you could say; it got into her bones. In fact, she rode over 30,000 miles total.

[Read more…]

12 Days of Generosity for Equestrians

Ways to be Generous this holiday season

Christmas is a time of giving and generosity. We aren’t all in a position to give generously with our money, and that’s okay. This is a list of ways as a horse person specifically you can give back this holiday season. It is more blessed to give than to receive, and we are never more like Christ than when we are serving others.

I believe we are able to give because God has given to us already. In fact, I believe that God specifically blesses us so that we may bless others. If we look at it from that perspective, we are more apt to give generously and cheerfully.