The Hitching Post
October 2015
UPCOMING EVENTS:
 SAVE THE DATE – OCT 4TH –
25th Anniversary Open House.
Come see what we do today and
how we started 25 years ago (in
pictures, and memories), watch
various riding demonstrations,
participate in some games,
appreciate live county music, and
feast on a barbecue meal for a
reasonable cost. You can buy
raffle tickets or bid on silent
auction items …. Many items will
be available.
 REMINDER - Daylight Savings
Time Ends NOVEMBER 1st.
DID YOU KNOW: A horse has 4
gaits:
 Walk (2 beats) ~ The average
walking speed of a horse is 4-5
miles per hour.
 Trot/Jog (2 beats) ~ 8-12 miles
per hour is the average speed at
which a horse trots.
 Lope/Canter (3 beats) ~ A horse
can canter at an average of 12-16
miles per hour.
 Gallop ~ Horses can gallop at 2632 miles per hour.
Besides this, some horses have a varied
gait referred to as ambling.
Special Mention: Old Billy was the
oldest recorded horse who lived to the
ripe old age of 62!
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HORSE HIGHLIGHT:
“CHILI PEPPER”
Chili came to Riding Unlimited in April
of 2012. He was healing from a broken
pelvis he acquired during his stay with
his previous owner. He actually came
off of Terry Bradshaw’s ranch where he
was used to round up cattle. A local
teacher bought him and somehow he
managed to break his pelvis. She
offered him to RU and we took him on a
temporary basis to make sure he was a
good fit for being a therapy giver. He
proved to be an extremely mild
mannered horse that loves attention. He
is 16.1 hands high, a Red Roan Quarter
Horse and just turned 15 in January
2015. He is perfect for lightweight or
balanced riders. He treats first time
riders as if they were made of glass. He
has to have his “kiss” every morning and
evening at feeding time. He has found a
forever home.
The Hitching Post
October 2015
FACILITIES:
Some improvements made at
the Ranch recently are:
a. The Ranch house has been
re-roofed and some trim
painting done.
b. Various directional signs
have been added – arrows
for the office and arena,
new volunteer parking area,
rider/visitor parking.
c. The pastures have been
mowed to reduce the weed
population.
d. The arenas are groomed
and look really good.
Ready for class use.
DONATION ITEMS THAT ARE NEEDED:




Postage Stamps
Envelopes (various sizes)
Reams of Paper (8 1/2 x 11”)
A Heavy Duty Lawn Mower
would help Riding Unlimited
tremendously. Our current mower
is on its last legs and we really
need a good mower to keep the
Ranch looking trimmed & neat.
 Horse Care Items – Check with
the Barn Manager or other Staff
Personnel for what is essential for
our therapy givers.
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VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT:
Volunteer training was held on
September 12th at the Ranch.
Training was led by Demi Prentiss,
RU’s Volunteer Coordinator. Lots
of good information was provided
in addition to arena experiences.
Fall Classes started on September
16th. It is really great to have our
riders back in classes. Staff and
volunteers have missed everyone.
Indeed our horses are glad to be
working again.
ATTENTION:
Riders, Instructors,
Volunteers and Staff -IT IS PLAN AHEAD TIME:
Chisholm Challenge is coming …
dates are January 11th through the
13th, 2016.
SUGGESTIONS: If you would like to
submit an item for the Newsletter, please
send
your
item
to
[email protected]. Also, if you
would like a topic discussed or a
question you would like answered let us
know at the above email address.