Palo Duro Equestrian Center

The fires are close, but I think we will be ok, I'm here keeping an eye on things ❤️

We are currently out of the way of the fires. If you need somewhere to go, message me and we can help.

Hey ya'll! DJ Equestrian here. I'm doing a "summer kick off" deal for lessons starting now through May 31st! 🌞🌼 All the info is in the flyer below, and if you're interested, you can email, call, text, or message me on Facebook! See ya'll this summer!

Hey y'all, I KNOW we need this!

If you're interested, message me and I will get you more information, or check out the post on the Big 5 Horse Show Association.

Something to think about...

https://www.eqsaddlescience.com/blog/understanding-the-twist-of-the-english-saddle-and-how-it-relates-to-rider-comfort?srsltid=AfmBOopAjmDosEtTbPGTpnf88fL3KxLDVSVOjOUCRPtEGu2BapdbwQiz

The TWIST of a saddle. Many English riders know this. I struggled with western until I found a 1930s ladies ranch saddle and a youth barrel saddle. Both have a narrow twist, which is sometimes hard to find in a western saddle.

I love a narrow twist and a wide seat because I could be 100 lbs underweight and still struggle with wide hips, thighs that snuggle no matter what, and curves. The majority of my riders prefer a narrow or medium twist, as most women prefer, but a couple prefer wide twists. Men generally prefer wide twists.

If you are struggling with riding, and you feel like everyone else just "gets it" and you don't, take a minute to look at your pelvis shape and try some different twists. See how different you feel.

If you are struggling to ride without being rubbed in *ahem* uncomfortable places or you feel insecure about staying on the horse at any speed...

Look at the twist of your saddle.

Body shapes, mechanics and angles are important for you to find the saddle that fits both the horse and the human.

It's out there, I promise.

Understanding the twist in an English saddle, and how it relates to rider comfort — EQ Saddle Science It’s my personal mission to help riders understand that they can and should have excellent saddle fit, and not just for their horses. If you compromise your own comfort, it will be difficult to sit in balance, or to give quiet and effective aids. It’s well worth your time to figure out the eleme...

Because the best lesson horses only eat mushy feed, we haul hot water to soak the old horses feed. Dorothy the chicken has discovered this and hops in the buckets as soon as she sees us add hot water.

She says it's like a tasty sauna for her butt.

Breaking ice with a hammer is so 2025.

We have all been there... OXER!

🐴 How to Navigate the Showjumping Warm-Up: A Totally Serious, Not-at-All-Sarcastic Guide
1. Enter with Confidence.
Even if you have no idea what you’re doing.
Stride in like you own the place.
Your horse will sense your confidence.
Everyone else will sense that you’re lying.

2. Establish Eye Contact.
With every rider.
Every. Single. Rider.
Because nothing says “I respect your space” like making increasingly frantic eye contact while both of you approach a cross-pole at the same time.

3. Identify the Arena Species.
You will encounter:

The Overachiever: Jumping the oxer that’s definitely “just for trainers.”

The Wanderer: Trotting diagonally across everyone’s lines like a majestic lost sheep.

The Helicopter Parent Trainer: Hovering so intensely you're surprised they don’t actually levitate.

The Horse Who Is Definitely Possessed: And his rider, who is reconsidering all their life choices.

4. Memorize the Warm-Up Rules.
The official ones are posted somewhere.
No one follows them.
Instead, you follow the unofficial rules:

Left shoulder to left shoulder… unless someone decides they’re special.

Call your jump… loudly… repeatedly… like an auctioneer.

Don’t jump the oxer backwards unless you enjoy being judged by strangers and possibly haunted.

5. The Art of Claiming a Fence.
Step 1: Shout "OXER!" with the energy of a Viking going to battle.
Step 2: Approach your fence.
Step 3: Someone cuts you off anyway.
Step 4: Mutter something polite-ish.
Step 5: Try again.

6. Manage Random Chaos.
At any given moment, at least one of the following will happen:

A pony will bolt.

Someone will drop a whip.

A rider will be having a full therapy session with their trainer in the middle of the track.

A horse will refuse a fence and then do interpretive dance.

A rider will warm up for a 90cm class by jumping 1.40m because “he’s strong today.”

Just breathe. Pretend this is normal. Because it is.

7. Exit Gracefully.
Which means:
Not dying,
Not crashing,
Not accidentally shouting “OXER” at someone in the parking lot.

Smile like it all went perfectly.
You are a showjumper.
You live for this chaos.

Chicks saddlery has some nice schooling helmets for almost half off!

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