The Jackson County Center History
"So If You Feel A little Glum
To Highest Ridge You Should Come
In Summer, Winter Rain Or Sun
It's Good To Be On Horseback
(You Know, I'd Rather Be On Horseback)"
Mike Oldfield
September 2005
Our very, very first ride. September 2005. We rode in the "arena" field, Mark led, Beth and Cathy, our sisters, side walked and Kit, our niece, rode. Rocky really looked great! He still does and at 23 still loves to work at the arena.
April 2006
Mark and Cheryl looked around Madison County for a suitable site for a riding center and were unable to find a location that would be appropriate without a large investment of cash and time. They determined that if money was to be invested in developing a riding center it should be located on their farm in Jackson County. This picture was taken before excavation was done. You can see Rocky and Jack and some sheep in the background.
May 2006
This picture was taken after the excavation.
June 2006
In this picture the rails have been installed. We were helped with the installation by the donation of the rental of an auger by Equipment Sales and Rental. The black material is Geo Textile which keeps the earth from rising up through the Class I sand which will be added next.
July 2006
The finished arena at dawn, summer 2006.
Abilities Course 2009
After 30 years of trail riding experience, AFTEC’s instructor and horse master developed a design for a multi skill level abilities course that will simulate situations one might find on a trail. The obstacles will challenge balance, improve problem solving skills, provide sensory experiences, develop sequencing skills and provide a safe venue to experience thrill of being transported through these unfamiliar and challenging obstacles by a 1000 lb partner. By being involved in this activity self reliance is encouraged.
In 2009 AFTEC received a grant from the Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation to construct an Abilities Course.
The Abilities Course is a project designed to provide AFTEC's participants and volunteers with an opportunity to develop more complex riding skills outside the arena. At this time AFTEC’s program is limited to activities held within the 150'x 60' arena. AFTEC has desired, from its inception, to focus on the abilities of the participants rather than their disabilities. As AFTEC’s riders’ abilities improve there is a need to provide opportunities to improve problem solving skills, balance, confidence and equestrian skills in a controlled yet more challenging environment than the arena can offer. The families of many of AFTEC’s participants have a great desire for every member of their family to have opportunities to develop their equestrian skills to their fullest potential. When a participant masters a new skill, or squeals with delight at the success of completing a challenging task the whole family unit benefits.
It is crucial, in the development of trail riding skills, to experience uneven terrain, to pass through water crossings, cross bridges, step over logs, weave around obstacles, and to face other unfamiliar challenges. It is not feasible to develop these skills within an arena.
In 2009 AFTEC received a grant from the Kentucky Social Welfare Foundation to construct an Abilities Course.
The Abilities Course is a project designed to provide AFTEC's participants and volunteers with an opportunity to develop more complex riding skills outside the arena. At this time AFTEC’s program is limited to activities held within the 150'x 60' arena. AFTEC has desired, from its inception, to focus on the abilities of the participants rather than their disabilities. As AFTEC’s riders’ abilities improve there is a need to provide opportunities to improve problem solving skills, balance, confidence and equestrian skills in a controlled yet more challenging environment than the arena can offer. The families of many of AFTEC’s participants have a great desire for every member of their family to have opportunities to develop their equestrian skills to their fullest potential. When a participant masters a new skill, or squeals with delight at the success of completing a challenging task the whole family unit benefits.
It is crucial, in the development of trail riding skills, to experience uneven terrain, to pass through water crossings, cross bridges, step over logs, weave around obstacles, and to face other unfamiliar challenges. It is not feasible to develop these skills within an arena.
Elements
The Trail
The trail itself consists of a nearly level 8' wide gravel pathway bedded with geo‐textile and covered with crushed rock. This provides safe footing for leaders, side walkers and the equines. The trail will have optional loops to offer changes in elevation and varied complexity of obstacles depending on the skill level of the participant. The trail and the elements of the course will allow for certain choices to be made, by the instructor, to include or exclude more challenging and difficult aspects of the course. Participants may experience the course mounted on the horse or by leading the horse through the obstacles. The degree of difficulty will vary from level trail to steeper or sidling trail, from a simple bridge to a teeter‐totter, from walking over a tarpaulin to walking through a water crossing, from going around an obstacle to walking over it, from passing
through an opened gate to opening it, etc. We will be able to mix and match elements to keep the course from becoming too predictable. Elements of the course will include the Noodle Gate, Debris Field, Up and Over, Bridge/Teeter Totter, Water Mist, Pass‐through Curtain, Log Walkover, Tire Course, In and Out and Walk the Plank with other elements to be developed as needed.
through an opened gate to opening it, etc. We will be able to mix and match elements to keep the course from becoming too predictable. Elements of the course will include the Noodle Gate, Debris Field, Up and Over, Bridge/Teeter Totter, Water Mist, Pass‐through Curtain, Log Walkover, Tire Course, In and Out and Walk the Plank with other elements to be developed as needed.
Noodle Gate
The purpose of this element is to prepare the horse and rider for dealing with situations in which it is necessary to push through substantial brush and to desensitize the horse and rider to having the noodles brush against parts of their bodies.
Debris Field
The purpose of this element is to prepare the horse and rider to see and step around things which might be encountered on the trail. It will also be used as an environmental awareness activity.
Up and Over
The purpose of this element s to challenge the horse and rider to abruptly change elevations to simulate steep conditions on the trail where a step up over or onto a rock ledge is necessary.
Bridge / Teeter Totter
The purpose of the BRIDGE is teach the horse and rider to cross on wood that makes a sound and to stay on the narrow bridge without stepping off. Situations may arise on the trail when the horse must be willing to trust the rider to go where the rider needs them to go in tight or scary areas. The bridge can also be used to teach stepping up and stepping off which will benefit with trailer loading. The TEETER TOTTER uses the exact same piece of equipment with a fulcrum at the balance point to teach how to deal with a seemingly unstable surface.
Water Mist
The purpose of this element is to prepare the horse and rider for the possibility of rain on a trail ride, as well as offering heat relief for horse and rider during hot conditions.
Pass Through Curtain
The purpose of this element is to prepare the horse and rider for having to push through light brush and desensitize for the feeling of claustrophobia that may effect some equines and participants.
Log Walk Over
The purpose of this element is to challenge the horse and rider to maintain control when going over and around logs that may be found on the trail and to make the decision when to go over and when to go around a particular log.
Tire Course
The purpose of this element is to perfect the rider’s ability to rein the horse walking through, forward and backward through the tire course and by having the horse step up onto the gravel packed into the tires on cue. Controlling the horse’s movement will help the rider and horse to move safely on an actual trail.
In and Out
This element challenges horse and rider to back out of a tight situation.
Walk the Plank
This element challenges both horse and human. Initially the challenge is for the participant leader to encourage the horse to walk the plank from one end to the other then for them to complete the length mounted.
The log is 4 inched thick, 16 inches wide and 8 feet long.
The log is 4 inched thick, 16 inches wide and 8 feet long.
The Course In Use
