16/12/2008 by admin.

Highland Wildrides is proud to announce that Kirsty Davies, who is one of the very first original Wildriders, has now progressed to owning her own horse.

Kirsty became a Wildrider three years ago as a beginner, and has been a diligent and motivated student. She has got a good grounding in horsemanship during her three years with us  and combined with a real love of horses she has now found a partner in Bonzy.

Everyone here at Highland Wildrides would like to wish Kirsty and Bonzy the very best and we are sure that they will have a fantastic time together. We look forward to them coming back for lessons as well as joining us on trail rides next summer and at our Parelli Seminar.

Lots of love,

Wildrides Crew.

For more information on becoming a Wildrider go to www.highlandwildrides.co.uk and click on “Lessons”.

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16/12/2008 by admin.

Highland Wildrides is offering FREE RIDING for volunteers in a case study of riders who have lost their confidence in order to help us put together a holistic confidence building course which looks at the physical, emotional and mental areas that cause the problem.

Lack of Confidence in riding is far more common place than it is in other sports with almost every rider experiencing it to a degree at some point in their life. People who lack confidence can be left feeling weak, foolish, and very, very alone.

It can become a problem in many areas apart from in the saddle with some finding being on the ground, stable management, or even catching from the field just too daunting and preventing them from ever getting to the stage where they have a ride.

The team at Highland Wildrides understand and have helped many riders over the past few years to deal with their fears and nervousness where ever it exists.

Volunteers who participate in this programme will be asked to work on their problem areas by completing trials in natural horsemanship groundwork, equine psychology, stable management, guided sports meditation, and alternative therapies including crystal regression and Reiki. Some work will be done individually and some in small groups.

We are looking for children as well as adults and will be having short interviews with those who would like to be involved after Christmas with the hope of starting the first groups in March. We are happy to help anyone – even those who think they are “uncurable”.

If you are interested in finding out more about the study, becoming a volunteer or Highland Wildrides generally then please contact us on 01863 766 771 or by emailing stacie@highlandwildrides.co.uk

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16/12/2008 by admin.

Getting fit after Christmas can seem like such a chore, and it doesn’t get any more fun if you spend countless sweaty hours jogging off “Christmas Pud Pounds” on a tread mill. The New Year can be a pretty bleak time so why not lose weight doing something more passive and far more enjoyable like riding and trekking? Crisp, sunny winter days are so beautiful viewed from the back of a horse and far more appealing than staring at someone else puffing on a rowing machine!

Riding is an excellent way to tone up muscle, loosen stiff joints and stretch out. The horses skeleton moves exactly the same as a human skeleton and simply sitting on the horse will move your body correctly so you can get fitter whilst just sitting still – amazing!

At Highland Wildrides we offer riding in and out of the school that will help anyone of any age or ability to improve their fitness. For information on discounts available for block bookings go to www.highlandwildrides.co.uk

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16/12/2008 by admin.

Highland Wildrides near Bonar Bridge, Ardgay is hoping for an early Christmas present. Work has begun on its new facilities and it hopes to open its brand new yard before Christmas. The barn will house all the horses, the feed, the tack, a new reception and the petting zoo and will provide a completely covered area to enjoy pony care and activities such as tack cleaning competitions, quizzes and talks.

The barn is part of the continued expansion of the stables which opened three years ago with just ten horses. Now Highland Wildrides has 25 horses, a petting zoo where smaller children can meet the animals while older siblings have their riding lessons, and a kennel of sled dogs which next year will offer sled dog training trips giving a taste of life of a modern musher, using a specially adapted dune buggy.

As well as riding lessons for both children and adults, Highland Wildrides offers trail rides of different lengths.

“If you can sit up, you can sit on,” said owner Stacie Macdonald. “We have first class trekking in this area and there are trail rides to suit different abilities which can held build confidence.”

Trail riding packs – the perfect Christmas present for horse lovers – include special options such as the Ride and Steak (a trek followed by hot steak dinner), or Ride and Reiki which includes a ride followed by a Reiki treatment.

For a festive celebration with a difference, join the Shortest Day trek on December 21^st.

Stacie revealed: “We set out just as it starts to get dark and ride to a viewpoint where you can watch the sunset on the shortest day of the year.”

The yard is staying open over the winter, although it’s closed on Mondays in December and on Christmas Day. However it’s open for a trek on New Year’s Day for the perfect hangover cure in the fresh air.

“We’re taking it as it comes. It depends on the weather,” Stacie warned. “Obviously over Christmas we’d rather stay in beside the fire, rather than get hail-stoned on!

“On days it’s too wet to ride, children will have pony care lessons instead. We don’t want kids to lose interest over winter and find themselves back at the beginning in the spring.

“But there will still be days when it’s just too rotten for small kids to be out at all, or weather which is too dangerous to be on the yard such as high winds when the horses become spooked. On days like these we will post a cancellation on our website.”

For details of events in December, or news of the opening day visit: www.highlandwildrides.co.uk or call 01863 766771

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