Many characteristics define the ideal trail horse. Of course, she should have a good head on her shoulders and not be frightened by every odd noise or each unusual rock that she passes.
A good trail horse is also responsive to her rider, obeying subtle cues and accepting direction willingly. She should be sure-footed and sound, carrying her rider safely over rugged terrain. A trail horse also must be fit so she does not tire quickly while traversing the countryside. In addition, her gaits should be easy to sit, as her rider will be spending ample time in the saddle.
The ideal trail horse is all these things, certainly, and much more. The attributes listed above fall into four general categories that must be evaluated: temperament, training, health, and breeding. Whether you already own a horse or are purchasing one for trail riding, carefully critique her suitability by looking at these four areas.
Although training and experience can change to a certain extent how a horse handles new and unusual circumstances, all horses are born with particular temperaments, just like people. Some horses handle stress and change better than others. Some get flustered or worried and prefer the security of calmer, more predictable environments. You can train horses (and people) to control their emotions and reactions to some degree, but you can’t change their innate temperaments.
For you to enjoy trail riding, your horse also must enjoy it. You need to accept that an extremely high-strung or nervous horse probably will not be happy on the trail, and her rider won’t have a very good time either. Choose a trail horse with the following attributes:
mild reactions and quick recoveries
curiosity
independence
trust
Calm demeanor: A good trail horse candidate will be relaxed and laid-back. You can spot these gentle, easygoing horses by their calm demeanors. A confident horse with a sensible temperament will show relaxed body language as she moves about on the lead or under saddle, whereas a nervous horse will be rigid or tense and ready to react to the slightest disturbance.
Mild reactions and quick recoveries: All horses react instinctively, usually with a flight response, to things that frighten them, but some horses respond more quickly or violently than others do. Although occasional shies are certainly forgivable, a horse that rears, bolts uncontrollably, or spooks violently can unseat a rider and cause serious injury. A mount that puts her rider in danger is most unsuitable.
Even a good trail mount may spook or react to new sights and sounds, but she’ll quickly regain her composure. A horse that can recover from a scary situation willingly and move on is invaluable.
Curiosity: A good trail horse is naturally curious. She will look at unusual items or surroundings with interest rather than fear. If allowed, she will walk forward to investigate rather than bolt. Even a horse that is nervous when passing a frightening object but doesn’t spin around or spook is a good candidate for trail riding.
Independence: Horses are herd animals, and, as such, they feel more comfortable in the company of other horses. This can be a negative. Some horses get very antsy and upset if their friends are out of sight for even a moment. You could plan on always riding with other people, but a horse confident enough to move away from her friends is an important asset; someday, you might need to ride for help or to perform other tasks alone. You want a horse that will listen to you and not lose her cool the minute she’s separated from other horses.
A horse warily examines unfamiliar brush beside a trail. A trail horse may spook if she sees a foreign object, but she should quickly regain her composure.
Trust: A horse that can’t trust her rider or that would rather let her instincts consume her is probably not a good trail candidate.
In addition to having the right temperament, to be safe on the trail, your horse must listen to your cues, which means she needs to be well trained, with a solid foundation. Horses lacking basic training will be difficult to control on the trail and, in some cases, dangerous.
Like show horses, trail horses should be able to walk, jog, lope, back up, side-pass, stop, and turn with hand and leg cues in an arena before heading out on the trail. A trail horse also needs solid ground manners, including holding still while the rider mounts and dismounts, leading without dragging or bullying the handler, and tying safely. If a horse lacks any of these skills, some basic training is in order before you leave the safety of the stable.
Trail horses are also asked to tackle tasks and situations that show horses will never encounter. A trail horse often needs to stand patiently while the rider opens and shuts a gate from the saddle. It’s helpful if the horse knows how to ground tie, as well. She’ll also need to be trained to cross water; this can be daunting if the horse has never crossed water or is fearful of it. Depending on what type of trail activities you plan to do with your horse, she may require additional skills.
For example, if you plan to pack into or camp in areas without corrals, you’ll need a horse trained to stand hobbled or tied on a high line. Know ahead of time what you plan to use the horse for, then devise a list of skills your candidate must possess before you take to the trails.
Age is not as important as temperament, training, and health. A four-year-old with a great deal of training and experience may be a better choice than a ten-year-old that hasn’t been ridden or handled as frequently. However, older horses often have more training and experience than their youthful counterparts. Never overlook a senior horse; many horses can still trail ride well into their twenties.
A rider lopes down the trail on his mount, which is riding nicely on the bit. Solid training is a must for trail horses.
Your horse can always learn new skills. As the rider, you must also know how to correctly cue your horse. If you or your mount needs to brush up on any basic skills, find a qualified trainer or riding instructor in your area. Quality instruction can be costly, but your life may literally depend on it. It’s one of the best horse-related investments you can make.
Here are some points to consider when choosing a trainer or an instructor:
Choose an instructor with strong references. Ask horse owners in your area who they recommend, or ask the trainer or instructor to provide references. Talk to other trail riders who have had success with this person.
Walk around the facilities. If they’re dirty or unkempt or if the horses do not seem in good condition, keep looking.
Watch the trainer or instructor at work. How does he or she treat the horses and the clients? If any methods or actions make you uneasy, trust your instincts and look elsewhere.
Find out what qualifications the person has. Did he or she apprentice or get a certificate? As a trail rider, you may not be concerned with the trainer’s or instructor’s show-ring accomplishments, but you will want to choose someone with experience training trail horses and riders.
What methods does the trainer or instructor use to help trail horses? For example, if your horse spooks easily, is the trainer experienced in using desensitization methods?
Does the trainer or instructor have access to trails on which he or she can help you and your horse handle the type of riding situations you may encounter?
You’ll want to consider each of these factors when choosing a trainer or an instructor. Having a trusted professional to advise you is invaluable. Not only can this person help you and your horse master the basics needed to succeed on the trail, but you can also go to him or her with questions or new challenges.
Choose a horse that’s in good general health. A horse won’t enjoy her job or respond correctly and consistently if she’s uncomfortable or in pain. Few horses are blemish free, and minor issues may not be a problem for your intended use, but ongoing or chronic conditions must be carefully considered and may exclude a potential candidate.
Soundness is a key concern when sizing up a trail horse. Many people retire their horses from more strenuous jobs, such as jumping and racing, to become just trail horses. But if you plan to take long rides, go on rides over steep or difficult terrain, or compete in endurance or competitive trials, you’ll need a horse that’s sound and athletic. Horses with conditions such as mild navicular disease or arthritis may be fine for short trail rides over smooth terrain. Always ask your veterinarian exactly what type of exercise and how much is best, or even tolerable, for your particular horse.
Conformation, or the way a horse is built, will affect her soundness and ability to perform a particular activity well. The more athletic you need the horse to be, the more conformation comes into play. Obviously, a trail rider can be less of a perfectionist than a halter class competitor can, but severe conformation defects can cause soundness issues down the road, especially if you plan to ride long distances or to compete. Your trainer, riding instructor, or veterinarian can help you determine if a particular horse’s conformation may hinder her ability to perform the tasks you have in mind.
Here is an overview of essential health factors for you to consider when you choose a trail horse:
good feet. A trail horse doesn’t have the luxury of perfect arena footing. Trail riding requires travel over varying—and often rough terrain—so choose a horse with good, solid, healthy feet. Your horse should have feet that are sound and will hold up well with regular maintenance.
good eyesight. A horse with failing eyesight will not be safe to ride over difficult terrain or through trees and other natural obstacles. In addition, poor eyesight will likely make a horse more nervous and easily frightened.
good lung capacity. If you plan to take long, difficult, or fast rides, your horse will benefit from having large nostrils and a good lung capacity. A horse with small nostrils, respiratory issues, or a small chest or lung capacity will become easily winded.
clean legs. Although most older horses won’t have 100 percent “clean” or blemish-free legs, a horse with a previously bowed tendon or ringbone or other problems that may affect her soundness on the trail will need to be carefully evaluated before going on a trail.
a healthy back. Many back problems are caused by a poor-fitting saddle, but a horse with a painful back for other reasons will have a tough time enjoying her work and will often act up under saddle.
Whether purchasing a horse or evaluating your current mount, address any long-term or major health issues and concerns with your veterinarian to see if they can be resolved or, if not, how they can be managed. Horses with chronic soundness problems, such as arthritis and navicular disease, may have limitations on the type of exercise they do. They also may require a higher level of management, including nutritional supplements, special shoeing, pain medication, and joint injections.
You’ll find all breeds of horses on the trail, and any breed can potentially be a good trail horse. Although you may fancy a particular breed, the three factors mentioned before—temperament, training, and health—are most important when choosing a trail horse. Breeding will, in large part, determine what gaits your horse possesses and her general conformation, but keep in mind that this can vary a great deal from horse to horse. The temperaments of your horse’s parents and grandparents often can give you an indication of what type of temperament to expect from your horse; so if you buy from a breeder, ask to meet a candidate’s sire or dam, inquire about their personalities, and find out what type of activities they’ve been used for.
A western rider lopes through a valley on his American Paint Horse gelding. This hardy, versatile, and calm breed is a popular trail horse.
Breeding also influences a horse’s size and build. If you’re a large rider, you’ll want to choose a horse that can easily carry your weight. Height is not the only factor to consider. Just because a horse is tall doesn’t necessarily mean she will be able to carry more weight.
The horse’s conformation and general build, as well as her health, will also determine how much weight she can handle. In general, heavy riders need to choose larger, stouter horses. If you have an experienced friend or instructor to take horse shopping with you, this person can help you evaluate whether a potential prospect is right for you. You can also ask your vet’s opinion on the size match when the prepurchase exam is scheduled.
Although all breeds are known for particular traits, you’ll find exceptions to every rule. Remember that each horse, like each person, has her own set of attributes; so evaluate every potential horse on her own merits, not just by breed or color. Although one breed may be known for its great temperament, that doesn’t mean all horses of that breed will have great temperaments. And even breeds with a reputation for being hot or high-strung can have very mellow individuals. The following are some of the most common breeds you’ll find on the trail.
Original use: Paint Horses were used to perform cattle and ranch work across the West. They have bloodlines similar to those of the American Quarter Horse.
Characteristics and trail suitability: The traditional Paint Horse features a stock horse build, with a muscular body averaging 15 to 16 hands. The American Paint Horse is known for flashy coloring and a calm temperament.
Original use: Quarter Horses were developed to run quarter-mile races, hence the name, but they have also achieved great success as ranch horses and all-around mounts.
Characteristics and trail suitability: Traditionally, Quarter Horses feature a muscular, stock horse build, averaging 15 to 16 hands high. As America’s most popular horses, they are known for being sturdy and level-headed mounts.
Original use: Appaloosas were developed by the Nez Perce Indians, who prized them for their colorful spots and coat patterns. Western settlers used them for ranch and cattle work.
Characteristics and trail suitability: This breed tends to have a muscular build, in part from the Quarter Horse blood added in modern times. Appaloosas average 14.2 to 15.2 hands in height. Among other traits, Appaloosas are known for their stamina and strong hooves.
Original use: Best known for their stamina, Arabians are the oldest pure breed in existence. Developed on the Arabian Peninsula thousands of years ago, the breed was used in battle and for quick travel across the deserts.
Characteristics and trail suitability: Arabians have refined, delicate features; they often have small heads, dished faces, and high tail carriage. The breed’s average height is 14.2 to 15 hands. Because Arabians were bred to travel long distances swiftly, they are considered a “hot” breed, but they are also known for being friendly, intelligent, and people oriented. Arabians are the mounts of choice for many long-distance and endurance riders.
Original use: Morgans were originally used for farm work and racing under saddle and in harness.
Characteristics and trail suitability: Standing an average of 14.2 to 15.2 hands, Morgans are known for their stamina, intelligence, and good temperament.
Original use: Mustangs are America’s wild horses, originating from stock that escaped or was turned loose on the range.
Long-distance trail riders and competitors often choose Arabians.
Characteristics and trail suitability: Mustangs are considered hardy and sturdy, but be aware that horses adopted off the range will need considerable training. Most Mustangs average 13.2 to 15 hands.
Original use: Standardbreds were bred as trotters or pacers to pull sulkies in harness races.
Characteristics and trail suitability: Standardbreds are known for having great temperaments. The breed features a slightly longer and leaner build than the stock horse breeds and stands, on average, about 15.2 hands. As with other racehorses, off-the-track Standardbreds will need considerable training before they can be suitable trail horses. But the breed is often used for trail riding, and Standardbreds are even making inroads in endurance competition.
Original use: The Thoroughbred was bred for racing and is the world’s most popular racehorse. Thoroughbreds are also successful sport horses.
Characteristics and trail suitability: Thoroughbreds tend to be long and lean compared with the stock breeds, averaging 16 to 16.2 hands. Like Arabians, Thoroughbreds are considered a hot breed and can be sensitive and high strung. Thoroughbreds with milder dispositions are often suitable for the trail. With retraining, even many ex-racehorses adapt to make good trail horses.
Gaited breeds, meaning breeds that have a gait other than the traditional walk, trot, and canter, are increasingly popular on the trail. These breeds are known for smooth gaits that do not bounce or jostle a rider as a trot might. If you’re interested in purchasing a gaited horse for trail, find an instructor who teaches on the breed you’re considering, and take a few lessons. Become familiar with the breed’s gaits, and arrange to take a trail ride or two.
Thoroughbreds are popular on the track and on trails.
Smooth movement and generally calm temperaments make gaited breeds, like this Rocky Mountain Horse, popular.
When evaluating a gaited horse, make sure she goes into her gaits and maintains them easily and correctly. Another factor to consider is whether you plan to ride with friends who own nongaited horses. Many gaited horses “walk” quite a bit faster than nongaited breeds. This can present a problem on a mixed group ride.
Some of the most popular gaited breeds include the following:
Original use: Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses were developed in central and eastern Kentucky as multipurpose family, ranch, and workhorses.
Characteristics and trail suitability: The breed registry features two divisions to accommodate horses of different sizes: Class A for horses and Class B for ponies. Known for their hardiness and willingness, these horses are bred to naturally perform a four-beat, rack-style gait that is smooth and ground covering, traveling up to 15 miles per hour.
Original use: Missouri Fox Trotters were developed for the needs of the settlers in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas and Missouri.
Characteristics and trail suitability: Fox Trotters stand, on average, 14 to 17 hands and are known for their smooth, sliding fox trot. The gait involves the front end walking with animation, while the hind end trots with very little action. The breed is noted for being surefooted, with strong hooves.
Original use: Paso Finos were selectively bred in Puerto Rico and in Latin America to create a sturdy, smooth-gaited riding horse.
Characteristics and trail suitability: Paso Finos average 14 to 15 hands but are still noted for being able to carry large adults. Their gaits are performed at various speeds, with rapid footfall, hock action, and drive.
Original use: The Peruvian Paso was bred to travel Peru’s rough terrain for long distances.
Characteristics and trail suitability: Peruvian Pasos perform a comfortable, lateral gait that features a round movement in the forelegs, powered by strong hind legs. Average height for the breed is between 14 and 15 hands.
Original use: The breed was developed in the mountains of eastern Kentucky as an all-purpose utility horse.
Characteristics and trail suitability: Rocky Mountain Horses are prized for their calm dispositions and smooth, four-beat natural gait that features a near-even cadence and minimal ground clearance to allow the breed to travel long distances without tiring. Rocky Mountain Horses typically stand between 14.2 and 16 hands.
Original use: Spotted Saddle Horses were selectively bred to create a riding horse with a comfortable gait and a colorful coat.
Characteristics and trail suitability: All Spotted Saddle Horses must meet color requirements and exhibit a smooth saddle gait other than a trot, such as a single-foot, running walk, stepping-pace, or rack. On average, they measure 14.2 to 15.2 hands and are popular trail mounts.
Original use: Developed in the South, Tennessee Walking Horses were popular among plantation owners who desired a riding horse with a smooth, ground-covering gait.
Characteristics and trail suitability: These are medium-sized horses, averaging 15 to 16 hands. Tennessee Walkers are very popular among trail riders for their calm temperaments as well as their gliding gaits. Unlike the traditional walk and trot, the Tennessee Walking Horse’s smooth flat walk and running walk carry the rider swiftly forward without bouncing.
If you already own a horse, assess her suitability for trail riding honestly. Evaluate her soundness and temperament for trail, then ensure she has solid training before expecting a quiet ride in the great outdoors. Unless you’ve trained a horse before, it’s best to start with an experienced trail horse. If you don’t already own a horse, take your time and choose your new trail horse carefully.
You’ll probably begin your search for a horse by looking through ads from the newspaper, Internet, or local tack-store bulletin boards. Below are tips on searching for and evaluating horses.
Here are a few tips to help you with your search:
Evaluate the horse’s description: Look for a horse that’s advertised as “good on trail.” Most ads will say what the horse has previously been used for, so stick to the ones that indicate the horse already has competence outside the arena.
Call for more information: Find out exactly what trail experience the horse has had; see if it matches what you plan to do with her. For example, if you’re looking for a good pleasure horse that enjoys a few miles on the trail, horses currently competing in 100-mile endurance races will not be the best match. Find a horse that will be happy doing what you would like her to do.
Schedule a visit: If the horse sounds like a good match, take an experienced friend, trainer, or riding instructor on a test ride with you. This person can help you determine if the horse is appropriate for you in temperament and training. You may want to ask your companion to record the ride. That way, you can review the recording later to discuss the horse as a potential candidate in greater detail or to compare the horse with other prospects.
These two horses work well together, neither one acting up. Evaluate how well a prospective trail mount interacts with other horses before purchasing.
Take your time during your evaluation. Don’t let the seller pressure you. If you aren’t allowed to thoroughly try out the prospect, move on. Here are some tips for evaluating your trail horse candidate:
Get the horse yourself: Ask to go get the horse from her pen yourself, groom her, saddle her and bridle her, or watch the owner perform these tasks to evaluate how the horse handles them. Her ground manners are just as important as her behavior under saddle.
Note her ground manners: If she doesn’t tie or has a bad attitude, note these facts. It’s inconvenient to have a horse that won’t tie or to have to retrain one to tie, and tying will be necessary in many situations. It’s always safer to have a horse that will tie well on trail rides in case of an emergency or even if you want to stop for lunch. A bad attitude about being handled and ridden could indicate physical pain or reflect the horse’s overall temperament.
Let the owner ride first: Watch the owner ride the horse in an arena (or in a paddock if an arena is not available) to show you what the horse can do. Don’t consider a horse that doesn’t willingly walk, jog, lope, side-pass, turn, stop, and back up.
Ride in the ring: Once the owner has demonstrated that the horse knows her basics, ask to ride her yourself. Again, have her walk, jog, lope, side-pass, turn, stop, and back up. A horse that performs for her owner but does not respond to you may not be a good match for your riding level.
Trail ride: If all goes well and you still think the horse is a good candidate, see if you can take the horse on the trail. If the owner does not have another horse that he or she can ride on the trail with you, or if you plan to ride the horse alone on the trail, ask the owner to walk along with you while you go out for a short ride. Even a short trail ride in a nearby field will help you get a feel for how the horse handles when leaving the confines of an arena.
Assess a horse’s trail skills: The more you can test the horse, the better. If you can, watch how she responds to traffic and water crossings.
Test her trailer loading: If possible, ask to watch the horse being loaded into a trailer. Even if you don’t plan to trailer her often, you’ll need to do so in an emergency and, of course, when you take her home (if you decide to buy her). You want a horse that will calmly enter and exit the trailer.
Once you’ve thoroughly evaluated the horse you would like to purchase and are happy with the results, it’s time to call the veterinarian. As with any horse purchase, your should give a trail horse a prepurchase examination from your veterinarian or a veterinarian recommended by a trusted friend. (Have someone other the current owner’s veterinarian perform the examination, as this can help to avoid a conflict of interest.
Although the prepurchase examination will initially cost you, it could save you hundreds of dollars in the long run if the horse has a problem that is not obvious. During a prepurchase exam, the horse’s general health and soundness are evaluated. The veterinarian can also confirm the horse’s approximate age.
No horse is perfect, and the veterinarian may find problems in the exam. This doesn’t necessarily mean you should rule out the horse, but make sure you understand any limitations the horse may have and the prognosis for her health and usability. Tell the veterinarian exactly what you plan to do with the horse so that he or she can determine if the horse is physically up to the task.
This careful selection will help ensure that you and your trail horse have a long and satisfying partnership. Once you have found your future trail horse, it is time to take her home and get to work preparing for all the enjoyment and adventure trail riding offers.