Now comes the fun part, when all of your careful preparation pays off and you’re ready to hit the trails.
There are many ways to enjoy trail riding with your horse. You can search for new trails that are close to home, explore a little farther by trailering out for day rides, go camping for days, or trail ride with fellow enthusiasts on organized rides.
Unfortunately, trails are dwindling everywhere as urban sprawl and development take over and private landowners, often afraid of lawsuits, prohibit equestrians from riding on their land. However, there are still many wonderful trails for the taking.
If you keep your horse at home, you may already be familiar with many of the trails in your area. But don’t think there aren’t undiscovered gems nearby. Talk to other equestrians, joggers, and hikers in your surrounding area. Often, with a little ingenuity, you can find routes to new trails, nearby state or national parks, or large expanses of land. Finding these trails may mean you have to cut through a neighborhood or even an industrial zone (which are usually quiet on the weekends), but these routes can be viable options for finding new trails if you have a calm, well-behaved horse.
Everyone who enjoys trails should take an active role in maintaining and protecting them or faces losing them in the future. There are many ways you can become involved in preserving trails. First, ride conscientiously. Try to always stay on the trail. If an area is sensitive because of mud, proceed at a walk and ride single-file to avoid disrupting the ground further. Ride single-file at a walk, as well, through water crossings, and don’t let your horse eliminate near or in lakes and streams. Never tie your horse near a water source, as this will damage and erode the sensitive habitat.
When tying your horse on trail, use designated tie areas whenever possible. If you must tie to a tree, use a special tree-saver tie. For your horse’s safety, tie him high to a healthy, sturdy tree.
Follow the rules and be polite; don’t give anyone a reason to ban horses from an area. If you will be riding across private land, get the owner’s permission. Many property owners are hesitant to allow horses on their property because they’re worried a horse or rider will get injured and try to hold the property owner liable, so offer to sign a liability release.
Whenever you ride across someone’s land, leave gates as you found them. Heed signs that indicate equestrians are prohibited from certain areas or that no trespassers are allowed. Never let your horse walk on a farmer’s crops, on flowers or on other sensitive landscaping (and don’t let your horse grab bites of these things, either).
Last, become active in a local trail community. If trails are in jeopardy in your area, find out what’s being done to save them. Even if the trails aren’t being threatened by development, volunteer to help clean and maintain them. June is National Outdoors Month, which features National Trails Day, a great opportunity to get involved. You can also work to organize trail cleanup or maintenance days on your own or ask park rangers at your local state or national park how you can help. There are also national organizations, such as the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource, that work to educate people and preserve trails.
A group of riders fords a stream side by side. Lessen your impact on sensitive habitats by riding single file.
Some of your best allies in protecting and preserving local trails may be hikers, mountain bikers, and other cyclists. Wherever you ride, you’re bound to run into these groups. Although bikers and equestrians have often been at odds when it comes to trail use (some equestrians have even been hit by speeding bikes), it’s best to learn to share the trails peacefully.
State and national parks will usually indicate which trails are open to equestrians and bikers and will post signs that indicate that horses have the right-of-way. Most equestrians assume horses have the right-of-way, but not all hikers and bikers are aware of this. In addition, mountain bikers often whiz downhill and may not see you as they ride around corners. If there’s space for you to easily move out of a biker’s way, do so. You can also call to bikers to slow down, warning that horse are ahead. Always use a friendly tone and thank bikers or hikers who stop or move aside to let you pass.
Desensitize your horse to bikes at home before going out on trail to ensure your horse won’t get too worked up when you encounter bikes. (See Chapter 4 for more information on desensitization.)
If you don’t have endless trails right outside your back door, there are likely great trail-riding opportunities within a short driving distance. State, national, and city parks often allow equestrians, and many even feature staging areas where you can park your truck and trailer. Ask around, then visit these locations without your horse first so you know exactly what kind of trails and terrain to expect. Of course, you’ll need a horse trailer to go out on day rides, or you can plan the ride with a friend who has a horse trailer.
Never plan to go somewhere without first knowing whether your horse loads into and out of trailers easily. If he doesn’t, you’ll need to work on this several months in advance. There are many methods for teaching a horse to load. If your horse has a strong aversion to trailers, you may need to hire a professional instructor to help teach him to load. (Make sure you’re comfortable with the trainer’s methods.)
Whichever method you or the instructor uses, the most important rule to follow is never whip or force the horse into the trailer. You want him to load calmly and quietly in the future, and forcing him into the trailer even once will only strengthen his notion that it’s a scary and stressful event. Never load your horse unless the trailer is securely attached to the tow vehicle and the tires are blocked. If you do so, the trailer could shift or begin to roll with the added weight of a horse.
Once you pick a destination and your horse and rig are ready to go, plan your ride with your horse’s fitness and abilities in mind. If the area you’ll be riding in has different terrain than your horse is used to, such as steep hills, you may need to keep your ride shorter and your pace slower than usual. If there are water crossings, make sure beforehand that your horse is comfortable crossing water. Remember new sights and sounds, such as motorboats on a lake, may spook him. Most horses will be more excited when trailering out to unfamiliar locations than they are at home; so make sure your horse is longed or turned out before you load him, and don’t attempt a ride away from home if your horse hasn’t been ridden in several days and may be extra frisky.
Thoroughly check your trailer before you load up for your day ride. Make sure the lights and brakes are working, the floorboards are in good repair, and all the tires are properly inflated. It’s advisable to carry two spare tires and emergency road flares when trailering.
Feed your horse before you leave on your journey. If you place feed in the trailer, make sure it’s not too dusty, which can bother your horse’s respiratory system. Hay can be wetted down before it’s placed in the trailer. If your trailer doesn’t have a feed manger built in, you can leave your horse untied and place the hay at his feet if it’s safe to do so, or you can hang a hay bag high enough that he can’t get his front feet hung up on it. However, if you’re driving only a short distance and your horse is a good traveler, you may want to forgo the feed in transit.
Trailering out for a day ride also requires a bit of extra preparation. The following are some items you’ll need for your journey:
Protection: Use leg wraps or shipping boots to protect your horse’s legs in the trailer. Also consider a head bumper to protect the top of his head should he jerk it up on his way in or out of the trailer. A blanket for the trailer ride will help if it’s cold out, as wind chill can be a factor on the road.
Water: Many horses don’t like to drink “strange” water, so always bring plenty of water from home for your horse to drink before and after his ride unless you know there’s a reliable water source at your destination that your horse will drink. Bring extra water on hot days, not only because your horse will drink more but also to sponge him down after the ride.
You can longe your horse for fifteen or twenty minutes or turn him loose at home before trailering out for a day ride.
Hay: Some parks allow only weed-free hay on the premises, so call ahead. Weed-free hay is sometimes required to prevent the introduction of weeds into the habitat.
Pooper-scooper: Bringing a pooper-scooper to clean up after your horse at the staging area is a must. Always clean up after yourself and your horse.
Usual trail essentials: In addition to these extra items, pack all your usual trail essentials, as outlined in Chapter 5.
Once you reach the staging area, unload your horse and walk him around a bit. Most trailers have tie rings on them so you can tie your horse as you groom and tack him up. Whenever and wherever you tie your horse, he should be able to hold his head in a natural position, but always tie him short and high enough that he can’t get tangled in the rope. As always, use a quick-release knot when tying your horse, and make sure the trailer is still attached to the tow vehicle, with its tires securely blocked.
Secure any valuables under lock and key before you hit the trail, and remember to pick up a park map if one is available. Whenever you’re riding in a new place, keep track of what trails and turns you’re taking so you can find your way back!
The thought of camping with your horse may conjure images of tents, packhorses, and tie lines, but you won’t need to worry about tying or hobbling your horse for the night if you pick the right destination. Many private, state, and national parks offer horse campgrounds complete with pipe corrals, running water, and RV hookups. You can find these locations by looking online or in guidebooks.
Plan ahead because many horse campgrounds fill up well in advance; you’ll most likely need reservations. Find out exactly what the facility provides and its rules and regulations (such as weed-free hay). Pack your horse’s meals, plus some additional feed just in case.
You will need to pack a large container to hold your horse’s water in the campground corral. It will probably be difficult to pack enough water for your horse to last an entire weekend, so make sure your horse is comfortable drinking “different” water.
If he’s a very finicky drinker, you may have to get him used to drinking flavored water (flavoring can disguise the taste of foreign water), but begin this process many weeks ahead of time. Apple juice is one possible flavoring that you can add to a horse’s water trough. A few drops of peppermint are also a possibility. Another option for a finicky horse is to try mixing your home water with the water at the campground to get him used to it.
If the campground is out of range for your regular veterinarian, locate one in the new area ahead of time in case of emergency. Ask your veterinarian for a referral, talk to fellow horse owners, or contact the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Write down the names and numbers of several veterinarians, then call to make sure they will treat your horse if you have an emergency in their area.
If you’re traveling out of state, you’ll need to carry your horse’s Coggins test and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or a health certificate. A negative Coggins test is required for interstate transit. A Coggins test looks for equine infectious anemia, a contagious and incurable disease. A health certificate is signed by your veterinarian stating that your horse does not show signs of disease. Health certificates are generally valid only for a limited time, and some states have specific rules for what constitutes a valid Coggins or health certificate; so research the rules in your state and any state you plan to travel to. Also, make sure your horse is up to date on his vaccinations. If he’s traveling to an area where different diseases may be a concern, ask your veterinarian whether additional shots are necessary. Also bring proof of ownership, such as pictures of you with the horse and any microchip or registration information in case your horse is lost or stolen.
Make sure your horse’s feet are in good repair before you go camping. Don’t wait until the end of your horse’s shoeing or trimming cycle, as this can crack shoes or make them loose. If necessary, though, ask a local veterinarian to refer you to a farrier in the event that your horse does lose a shoe or have any other foot problem while you’re camping.
If your camping destination is several hours away, you’ll need to give your horse’s comfort during transit a great deal of thought. Pack various blankets to outfit your horse as the weather changes. For example, he may need a heavy blanket if it’s cold when you start out, but you’ll want to switch to a lighter blanket as the day warms up. Even if he never wears a blanket at home, the windchill factor in a trailer can make one necessary when it’s cool out.
As you drive, allow more room than usual between your rig and the vehicle in front of you because it takes longer to stop with a horse trailer. Always stop slowly and make your turns carefully. Remember that your horse cannot see a stop or turn coming to prepare for it, so keep his situation in mind. Standing in a trailer and bracing for turns and stops is a lot of work for a horse. It’s not restful, so stop every couple of hours to let your horse stand and relax in the trailer. If your horse loads easily and you’ve found a quiet grassy area, you can unload him and offer him water. Offer him water at least every four hours on a long trip.
A rider tacks up while a companion patiently awaits his owner at the stabling area.
Horses need to lower their heads to clear their lungs, so leave your horse untied during transit if it’s safe to do so. If you do tie him, use a tie with a quick-release snap on the end that attaches to the trailer. Either way, undo his lead rope so it doesn’t get tangled on his legs or any part of the trailer. As mentioned earlier, check your trailer thoroughly before you load up, pack the appropriate emergency gear, and be considerate about what and how you feed your horse in the trailer.
For your health and your horse’s, consider your destination. If you’re traveling into high-altitude areas, you and your horse will need several days to acclimate, or you’ll have to keep your rides shorter and easier than you do at lower altitudes. When traveling into the desert to ride, remember to tailor your rides according to the heat and possibly deep, sandy footing. As always, hot weather necessitates more frequent water breaks for your horse, so don’t plan long rides on routes that do not have drinking water available for your horse.
Remember to tell someone where you’re going and how long you’ll be gone when you leave for a trail ride. Pick up a map of the trails if one is available, and pay attention to the route you’re taking so you can retrace your steps if needed.
Camping with your horse is a great way to explore our nation’s fabulous parks and see some spectacular sights. If you’re properly prepared, it can be a relaxing and inexpensive vacation. If camping isn’t your cup of tea, there are even some “barn, bed, and breakfast” inns around the country that can accommodate you and your horse near great trails. For more information on finding places to camp or stay with your horse, see the Resources chapter.
Where there are horses, there are trail-riding groups. Even if you live in a small town, there may be one in the next city over, or you can organize your own! There may be a small membership fee. Some local groups are part of larger nationwide organizations, such as the Back Country Horseman. Groups may organize rides weekly, monthly, or semiannually. They may organize day rides or weekend camp outs or fun competitions, such as poker rides.
Joining a trail-riding group can have many benefits, including making friends and finding new trails. With a little looking, you can find a group that’s a good fit. Some groups will be mostly older riders, others younger or a mix, and certain groups will be serious, whereas others are out to party and have a good time. Once you locate a group, ask if you can go on a ride or volunteer to help with a ride before joining (if there’s a membership fee). This will allow you to see if the group is right for you.
The best way to find a group near you is to ask around. Inquire at the feed store and ask fellow horsemen in your area, including your veterinarian and farrier. Local riding clubs that put on horse shows may also have trail- riding groups.
Planned rides are different from trail-riding groups in that they are one-time sponsored group-ride events. They’re often put on by local riding clubs, including trail-riding groups and organizations, and they usually have small fees associated with them (which sometimes includes a meal). Riding clubs, groups and organizations also put on planned trail rides for benefit, where the donation or ride fee goes to a designated charity.
Breed associations, including the American Paint Horse Association and the American Quarter Horse Association, sponsor many trail rides each year. You usually do not need to be a member or to ride a registered horse to participate. However, most breed associations offer points programs for members; the more hours in the saddle you log, the more prizes you receive.
Joining a local trail-riding group is a great way to meet other riders and explore new trails in your area.
Planned rides are often day rides, but weekend rides are also common. Participating in a planned ride offers similar benefits to joining a riding group; the chance to meet like-minded individuals and explore new countryside.
At some point in your trail-riding career, you may yearn for a bit of competition, and trail riding offers many choices. Here are a few options:
Poker rides are basically organized group rides with a game of poker thrown in.
Trail trials, or judged pleasure rides, are half-day or day-long trail rides with judged obstacles along the way.
Competitive trail rides cover 25 to 90 miles, at speeds between 3.5 and 6 mph. Riders are judged on their presentation, grooming, trail equitation, trail safety and courtesy, and stabling, while horses are judged on their condition, soundness, and ability to traverse natural obstacles.
Endurance rides range from 25 to 100 miles, over one or two days, and the rider who completes the course first and who passes all the vet checks wins.
Ride-and-tie events match two riders and one horse in long-distance rides, racing against other teams. Riders alternate riding and running.
Mounted orienteering is a competitive sport that pits groups of riders or individual riders against each other in a type of treasure hunt.
With so many options available, you’ll be loading up your horse and exploring new trails in no time. All you need is a horse, a trailer, and a bit of preparation.
