Our show is a space for riders and horse owners of all disciplines to learn best practices and to discover skills, strategies, tools, ideas, and insights for better connecting with their horses, with all horses and for getting work done. We love to hear from listeners and often incorporate listener questions or suggestions for topics and guests into our podcast. So, let us hear from you. Contacting us is easy. We offer these shows for free. If you think it’s worthy of a small contribution, we sure would appreciate it. This is Episode 5 of Season 4, and it’s a good one. We have Jec and Amy talking about trail-riding preparation in their Coaches’ Corner. When I saw this topic, I was doubtful. I mean, What’s to know? What’s to prepare? Out here in rural Colorado, where the closest arena is 20 miles away, my horses and I would definitely experience more trepidation heading to the fairgrounds and an arena, than heading out on National Forest. There, we travel on gravel roads and dirt paths. We often bushwhack across country. We meet bikers, hikers, trucks, cars, dogs, and other horses. Last weekend, as I was ponying my young horse, we rode through cows and stopped to cool off at a pond. But Jec and Amy’s conversation gave me a whole new insight to what’s involved in successful trail rides. It pointed out some holes in my training and areas where I could definitely make improvements. Regardless of your riding routines, I think you will love it. Check out Amy's Six Weeks to Calm, Forward, and Straight. First, though, I’m following up on last week’s mention of mental health and horse work. Recently, the LOR Foundation, a philanthropic organization serving the mountain west with an office here in Cortez, awarded the Best Horse Practices Summit a small grant to help with a two-day mental health forum for working cowboys and horse professionals. This project has been on my mind for a few years. I’ve been wanting to organize a gathering like this and am excited that the LOR Foundation recognized the purpose and the niche need. Being awarded the grant is a huge step forward. We hope to offer this forum, (all expenses paid to attendees thanks to LOR!) to a small group of working horse professionals  this winter. Interested? Contact us here. For some thoughts on how horses, horse work, best practices, and mental health weave together, read more here. Our title sponsor is Lucerne Farms, producers of quality forage feeds.  It’s hay season, the rain has let up for a while, and the James family is busy in the fields of northern Maine. That’s where they’re cutting, tedding, and baling alfalfa and timothy. The forage, wrapped tightly in plastic, is perfect for traveling to competitions or horse camping vacations. Thanks to Chill Angel, maker of superfine merino loungewear and sleepwear. Love their jammies! We thank Sampson Moss and his business, Prairie Wind Hat Works for their generous sponsorship. Sampson makes custom hats from his place in Pincher Creek, Alberta. In our next show, we’ll talk more with Sampson about the finer points of ordering and, for him, making a custom felt hat. We’ll talk about regional preferences for hat wearers, brim size and shape, crowns and creases. Thanks to Redmond Equine and Pharm Aloe – for generously sponsoring our podcast. Check out Pharm Aloe’s aloe pellets which you can simply sprinkle on your horse’s feed and Redmond’s Rock on a Rope which you can simply hang on a fence. We think you’ll love ‘em. Also thanks to Patagonia WorkWear for their continued support. Give us feedback, suggest a topic or guest, or make a donation and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two free Patagonia WorkWear items that we give away every month. Don’t forget that Redmond Equine is sending a complimentary syringe of Daily Gold Stress Relief to everyone who drops a tip in our donation jar. Pretty cool and a $15 value. If you get something of value from our