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| Lucy |
I read once that it takes more training for a trail horse than a horse that works in the arena. I did not realize this until I thought about it. It is true though. A horse that is worked in the arena is used to seeing the same thing every time he goes out there. No matter what arena it is. A few times around and he has it down to the post.
The trail horse on the other hand has to deal with a fox jumping out or a deer running past. It is totally a different game to your horse. You as the rider have to be ready to expect the unexpected.
Control of your horse is the key here. If you can not control him in the arena do not even think about the trail.
Eating on the trail - your horse is going to want to snack while on the trail. Some people will never let their horse eat while wearing the bit, others will let them snack. IF your horse is not well controlled or inexperienced on the trail you had better not let him eat. Keep his mind on other little jobs and on you.
When he goes to grab a bite ask him to tuck his head or to side step or some other little job. That will keep his mind on the job not on eating.
What you have said about preparing a horse to be safe for trail riding is so true that whenever tried and true methods become available in writing, a trail rider/horse handler needs to know about it. Many people believe trail riding is something you do to let a horse training in an arena relax. That may be so if the trail is wide open and very limited, but real trail riding requires a performance trail horse! If a horse is classified as "just a trail horse" it may indicate an older, very experienced horse. On the other hand if you want a young horse to perform safely on trails and be able to compete in judged obstacle trail rides, it's necessary to teach the horse, as you would teach one for any other discipline. Basic Training for a Safe Trail Horse is a small, inexpensive paperback that offers an innovative way to relate to a horse to teach it to be as safe as a horse can be for trail riding. A few videos to be found on You Tube under "granny with a trail horse" give an idea of what can be found in this book. More videos will be made showing granny mounting, riding, and performing trail maneuvers and obstacles.
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