1. Your horse should be conditioned for the trail ride. Many riders and horses took a
\nbreak from trail riding over winter. Your horse\u2019s stamina and strength need to be
\nslowly brought up again. Don\u2019t go on a long, hilly ride without preparing your horse
\nfor it. They can injure themselves!<\/p>\n
2. On top of physically being prepared, make sure they can mentally handle the
\nchallenge. A spooky, nervous horse would likely benefit from the company a quiet,
\nexperienced trail horse. You might also want to keep rides short and familiar until
\nthey\u2019ve earned your trust.<\/p>\n
3. Check the fit and condition of your tack. The last thing you want is a broken
\nstirrup or bridle on your ride. Make sure your tack is in good repair. It should also fit
\nyour horse properly.<\/p>\n
4. Don\u2019t forget necessities. You can fit important items into a saddle bag. Some
\nsuggestions include a hoof pick, first-aid kit, pocket knife, protein bar, cell phone,
\nand rain gear.<\/p>\n
5. Ride with friends. A trail ride is always more enjoyable with good company.<\/p>\n
6. Choose appropriate trails. Know you and your horse\u2019s level. If you\u2019re beginners,
\nthen start on easy trails that are recommended by other riders.<\/p>\n
7. Always check the weather before you head out. Getting stuck in a thunderstorm
\ncan be dangerous. If you do, dismount and find a safe place to weather through it.<\/p>\n
8. In the summer, plan your rides according to the heat. The early morning is often
\ncooler and more enjoyable than midday.<\/p>\n
9. Let someone know when you leave and plan to be back.<\/p>\n
10. Wear a helmet. Safety first!<\/p>\n
11. Have a trail map handy! Phones don\u2019t always work the further out you get. A printed
\nmap or photo of one will help to avoid getting lost.<\/p>\n
12. Be aware of other trail users, such as bicyclists and hikers. If your horse seems
\nconcerned, stop and face the approaching person.<\/p>\n
13. Be respectful of the trails\/park. If you trailer to a park, make sure you follow the
\nrules. Some ask that horses stay off the path when they\u2019re wet and muddy. Clean upany trash and manure in the parking lot.<\/p>\n
14. Always check your trailer and truck before heading out for an off-farm trail ride.
\nThey should both be in good repair. Make sure to have a spare tire.<\/p>\n
15. In the event of an emergency, you should have your vet\u2019s number saved in your
\nphone. You should also know someone with a trailer and truck, who could pick up
\nyour horse if needed.<\/p>\n
16. Follow good riding etiquette. There should be at least a horse\u2019s length distance
\nbetween your horse and the one in front of them.<\/p>\n
17. In groups, allow the most experienced rider and horse to lead the way.<\/p>\n
18. Don\u2019t allow your horse to rush back home. If they get anxious, keep their mind busy
\nby flexing them or asking for a shoulder in. You can still \u201ctrain\u201d on the trail.<\/p>\n
19. Desensitize your horse to as much as you can at home. Flags, tarps, bikes, and
\nchildren are all great ideas.<\/p>\n
20. Don\u2019t forget to have fun! Turn off your phone, take some deep breathes, and relax.
\nTrail riding is supposed to be enjoyable.<\/p>\n
Who\u2019s ready to get out there and have some fun?!?<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/yourhorsefarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Trails1-Large.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Trail riding is a wonderful way to enjoy your horse. You get to step outside the arena and explore the wilderness. Some will walk through pine tree paths and cross gentle streams, while others will gallop across wide open spaces and climb mountainous terrain. There\u2019s so much to see and experience on trail rides! Before…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":38532,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[63],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38530","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-riding"],"yoast_head":"\n