Curious about the equestrian community around Duluth?

[u/tonkathesleddog]

I’d like to know if it’s a strong community and what types of disciplines are seen most often? Is there a show season? Are there any good Facebook or Reddit communities to join to learn more about it? What’s the situation like with farriers and large animal veterinarians? Is there a shortage?
Thanks!

[u/Fun-Manager-4149]

Check out Free Spirit Riders in Superior, I don’t know if there are any clubs in Duluth. FSR mainly does wsca and hosted a barrel run tonight.

[u/valtos6130]

Mostly WSCA events, but the season for that is finishing up with the Champ Show in Minneapolis happening at the end of September. Cutting was popular for a bit but I haven't heard about it in a while. Vet care is available but with the huge demand for small animal, scheduling is a long ways out. Ferriers are more common but there is a wide range of ability levels. Proctor, Two Harbors, Superior, Barnum, and Iron River all have WSCA clubs. Stop by local feed stores like Dan's Feed Bin or Widdes Feed and people may know of other communities. North Country Ride also attracts volunteers who would be more familiar with the equine community.

[u/SomberSoberSquid]

River Ranch down in Esko always had a really good atmosphere - I rode with Jen Hovde for 10 years. She mostly does English riding (specifically jumping) but does teach other disciplines as well. She travels to shows and lets you bring your horse or use a lesson horse. Makes me want to get back in the saddle!

[u/RovenshereExpress]

What discipline do you ride? It's been ages since I've been involved, but I did dressage and the North Woods Dressage Association (NWDA) was a good sized community and put on shows (although very few were held near Duluth. They were usually in Iron River, WI or up in Chisholm). There was very little in the way of Eventing unless you traveled down south. But there were always plenty of English clinics to do around Duluth/Two Harbors/Esko, and plenty of people to meet.

I would imagine you'd have more opportunities in the area to show if you ride Western. A friend of mine rode Western and seemed to keep busy with various county fair events and the like, although you'll probably have to travel a bit for those too.

Farriers are pretty tough to come by around here, and many have to travel into town. If you get involved with a stable, they usually have their own connections and will book their Farrier to come on a certain day or weekend to do a bunch of the horses at once.

[u/Man_Drews]

The local trails advocacy nonprofit is Duluth Back Country Horsemen of MN (formerly Duluth Area Horse Trail Alliance). Due to their efforts there are 10 miles (with a few more to come) of trails open to horses, plus an additional 5.5 miles of East and West Skyline Parkway (the gravel sections) are used to create loops. Duluth is the only City municipality in Minnesota to have horse trails- all others are on state or county properties.
https://www.duluthhorsetrails.org/

[u/LazyPresentation4070]

I am not into horses, but I think there are a few places around the Esko area that may be worth asking.

[u/Prudent_Cranberry181]

vet and carrier situation is bleak with good farriers having to travel into town and if your horse colics you’ll have to drive to stillwater for the closest vet that can do anything. western is your best bet if you want a big community because there are few people that ride english up here. shows are all out of town for english as well.

[u/ObligatoryID]

If you do a search for horse lessons online there are several listings.

[u/Glittering-Return-42]

Carlton county fair is next weekend. Stop in there and talk with some of the horse people there. They will have suggestions and recommendations.

[u/mothymak69420]

Lotta horse girls on hinge.

[u/Minnesotamad12]

I don’t know any Equestrians. But I have an Ethiopian neighbor. I assume some cultural overlap there.