By Renee Carpenter
What do you get when you mix tractor tires, colorful pool noodles, some shower curtains, and a whole bunch of creativity? The horse obstacle course at Foundation Horsemanship.
Located on their 20 acre ranch about half way between Victor and Hamilton less than a mile west of highway 93, Ethan Zimmerman and Lorri Roy have created a unique course to challenge both horses and their riders.
Designed, first and foremost with safety in mind, the circular shaped course was also created with fun at it's core. Among some of the 30 plus obstacles, is a “cowgirl car-wash and noodle squeeze,” log jumps, bridges, pedestals and three water crossings of various difficulty.
“Horses are naturally claustrophobic and skeptical of new situations,” says Roy, co-owner and trainer at the facility. “We use psychology and approach and retreat to encourage horses to try the things we ask them to do. Like walking over a suspension bridge, for example. Horses are instinctually cautious of uncertain footing,” she explains to me. Having horses cross over a multitude of challenging surfaces can go a long way in increasing their confidence. A safe horse is a confident one. “It's not about the obstacle, it's about how the horse feels about the obstacle,” says Roy.
Their initial course, originally on a previous property wasn't nearly as elaborate as the current one. For the current course, an excavator and a post pounder were brought in to create a large pond, also known as “the bird bath,” the suspension bridge, and a gate for riders to practice their opening and closing skills. “You'd be amazed how many people struggle with something as simple as opening a gate on horseback,” Zimmerman tells me. Being able to accurately move a horse's feet is only a fraction of what we teach on the ranch.”
The course is set up for beginner, intermediate and advanced maneuvers; any rider can attempt any obstacle. The flow of the course allows riders to be able to walk, trot and canter between obstacles. But it's less about speed than it is about control, confidence, and communication,” says Roy. “That's what all good horsemanship should be about.”
We asked a Foundation Horsemanship student about her experience learning with Lorri Roy and Ethan Zimmerman on their course. Cathy said, “I've ridden horses nearly my entire life, but it wasn't until I came here that I learned what is really important to horses, and how they learn. Things changed for me after that. A whole new level of confidence showed up in my horses.” Participants from all areas of Montana, and other parts of the northwest: Washington, Wyoming, and Idaho, have come to experience the course.
The Foundation Horsemanship course is open during the warmer riding months of the year in Montana. Clinics happen regularly, and both individual and group lessons are open by appointment. All ages of horses and people are encouraged to participate. Young un-started horses are especially welcome in hand. Dry camping is available, as are a limited number of pens. If you have a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn, give Foundation Horsemanship a call. Your horse will thank you.
To contact Foundation Horsemanship, call 406-381-0988 or email foundationhorseman@gmail.com
You may also visit their website at https://foundationhorseman.wixsite.com/foundation