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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, Ju ly 26 ,2 01 8 | 36 Wearing shorts is ac- ceptable, but may not be the most comfortable option, he says, adding that he per- sonally would not ride in anything other than trou- sers. "Shorts are fine if you ride a fair bit, but the prob- lem with most people who come is they don't," he said. "And bare legs on saddles in any place is generally an uncomfortable experience for them." Wearing sunscreen and bug repellent is recom- mended Remember that you are riding outside and subject to the elements. Protecting your skin from the sun is a good idea when riding on hot summer days. Also, Drummond adds, Fallbrook Ranch is 100 acres with a large portion of forested area. "If you're going through a sheltered, shaded area you are pretty much a buf- fet for mosquitoes," he said. There are specific in- structions on how to mount the horse, begin to ride, steer and stop "In regular riding, whether English or West- ern, you get on from the horse's left side. Left foot in the stirrup, hands on the front of the saddle. Never from the back, because then you're hauling on that and twisting the horse's back," Drummond said. The horses at Fallbrook Trail Ranch are trained in two reining disciplines. If your horse is trained in neck reining, you hold both reins in one hand. You then place that hand gently on the back of the horse's neck and hold the top of the stirrup with the other. To turn, you gently pull the reins to one side. To stop, you gently pull the reins back toward your waist. To go forward you gently pull the reins up, while simultaneously giv- ing the horse a little squeeze with both of your feet. If your horse is trained to drive (pull a wagon), they are trained split reined, which means you would hold one rein in each hand and steer the horse that way, by gently pulling on one side when you want them to turn. Once you gently pull a horse's reins one way, you can stop, as the horse will have received the message, Drummond adds. "It's not like a car," Drummond said. "You don't have to keep the wheel turning." Be aware that you are riding something that has a mind of its own "You have to deal with working with an animal that has its own ideas," Drummond said. "You have to learn that you can't force it to do what you want. If you try to do that you are not only a poor rider, but in my view, a poor human be- ing ... It's a co-operative ef- fort; you have to work with what you get as well." Becoming a professional requires commitment If you want to continue to learn to ride and be suc- cessful, repetition is re- quired, Drummond says. That means taking classes on a regular basis until you learn the fundamentals. Once classes are complete, a rider can decide the type of riding they would then like to pursue. Fallbrook Trail Ranch offers camps, trail rides and lessons, which accommo- date a wide range of individ- uals of varying age groups. For further information and pricing, visit https:// fallbrooktrail.com/. COMMUNITY Continued from page 35 'YOU ARE RIDING SOMETHING THAT HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN' IFP reporter Veronica Appia listens to instructions while on her horse. Gary Drummond/photo "If you're going through a sheltered, shaded area you are pretty much a buffet for mosquitoes," - Gary Drummond Visit www.georgetownsoccerclub.com today for details! Visit georgetownsoccerclub.com today for details! MARK YOUR CALENDAR! • U13-Adult Rep coaching applications due August 15th • Indoor registration begins end of August • U8-U12 RepTeam ID Day Sept 9th atTrafalgar Sports Park • U13-Adult RepTryouts Sept 29th & 30th atTrafalgar Sports Park SALES SERVICE INSTALLATIONSESA #7003060 DEKEReLeCTRIC ltd. 905-702-0515 www.dekerelectric.ca TIONS 2016SMALLBUSINESSOF THEYEAR Our incredible offer has returned!