First off the property trail ride...

[TWH_Girl]

…is happening on Saturday. What should I expect??

My horse is a pretty quiet 12 yr old Walker that I show and do pleasure riding around trails at the barn on. He normally does not do much in the way of spooking, and is great at shows! He did give me one scare in mid April when it was still quite cold out- 35- dinner time, and deer were running across the field. He bolted, and I came off. He didn’t run home but waited for me. Since then, we’ve ridden out through our woods and fields without any issues but I am not a very confident trail rider. We will be going with 2 quiet horses, one of whom is my horse’s pasture mate and alpha who is a been there-done that trail horse. It will be a relatively short ride since his pasture mate is 19 and is has not been ridden much so he is sort of out of shape. The trail we are going on is quite easy and not rocky or steep.

I wear a helmet, and have seriously considered getting a protective vest! lol :eek: 95% of me thinks my horse will be just find and will do great. My older horse who used to be very reactive was always better trail riding off property than at home, so that is encouraging to me.

So, anything else I should know or be aware of??! Encouraging words or good stories welcome!! I feel like this is something I need to do for me so I know that I can do it.

[AmarachAcres]

It sounds like he’s a good guy, he even hung around for you after a fall.

I’d say expect to have a fun time. You already know what horses can do, so just make sure you don’t get passive and stay confident.

Most of all, have fun!

[AmarachAcres]

As another note, when I ride, alone or in groups, I carry a knife and cell phone on my person. I have a luggage tag with my phone number tied to either my saddle or horse’s mane.

And I give treats when I get off to encourage the stick with me if I fall behavior lol.

[kkmrad94]

I had an accident last year when I was trail riding out alone. My horse bucked and I wanted to stay on and I still ended up coming off and I broke my ankle.

Fast forward to now. We’ve been doing a lot of arena work and I am riding him in a snaffle (which has limited brakes which makes me a bit nervous). I went out yesterday with my phone and helmet (no other horses just me) and he was EXTREMELY jumpy. I just kept telling myself if he tries to take off pull out with one rein and up with the other then emergency dismount. He did relax towards the end of the ride.

If you’re riding WITH friends and other horses I would not be worried. Just be ready for any spook (at anything!). I just kept my “emergency stop” (sharp pull to the outside with one rein) in mind and did just fine.

Don’t forget to have fun too!

[TWH_Girl]

Appreciate the feedback…Yes, riding with 2 other nice friends who ride slowly and quietly like I do. Guess you can never be certain what other riders or horses will do though. My guy is not overly reactive though so I am hoping we can both relax and enjoy, without letting our guard down.

I like the idea of keeping a few treats on me just in case. And my cell phone.

kkmrad94, how the heck did you get back out trail riding alone with a broken ankle??!

[SharonA]

If you are nervous, you will make your horse nervous. Relax and be calmly confident, or at least do a really good job of faking it.

[TWH_Girl]

[QUOTE=SharonA;7619180]
If you are nervous, you will make your horse nervous. Relax and be calmly confident, or at least do a really good job of faking it. :-)[/QUOTE]

Thank you, Sharon. I agree. Today I’ve decided to let go of the anxiety, ride my horse as confidently as I school him at home, and have fun!

[katarine]

Go have fun. Feed treats from the saddle. Feed yourself a treat too.

Look where you’re going, sit softly in the saddle.

[Cindyg]

I share your concern. I’ve had my horse a year and a half, and I haven’t taken him trail riding yet either. I wish you the best of luck on your ride. I will be thrilled when my day comes (and is over with successfully).

[Simbalism]

I am taking my OTTB mare on her 3rd off property trail ride on Saturday. I am going with my riding club. My usual riding buddy from the farm where I board is going. I will just take it slow and quiet, mostly walk with a little trot. This will be a bigger group than I have gone out with the last two times. Take a deep breath, then let it out and have fun.

[HPFarmette]

I am usually not a talkative rider but when I am nervous I find it helps to keep talking to my riding buddies and I think it helps my horse too. Makes you breath and loosen up your midsection. Used to have a real Chatty Cathy friend I rode with, and I loved it because it also helped warn the deer we were coming.

[TWH_Girl]

[QUOTE=HPFarmette;7620046]
I am usually not a talkative rider but when I am nervous I find it helps to keep talking to my riding buddies and I think it helps my horse too. Makes you breath and loosen up your midsection. Used to have a real Chatty Cathy friend I rode with, and I loved it because it also helped warn the deer we were coming.[/QUOTE]

Lol…oh I am a chatty Cathy so no worries there! I’m really looking forward to this, and I’ll be sure to update on how things go!

[BruBoy]

My new mare was somewhat spooky in the indoor riding arena last winter, so when spring finally arrived, I thought “let the chips fall where they may and we’ll figure it out” because I love to trail ride. Off we went for our first hack. New family, new farm, new terrain, and springtime fresh. She was looky but awesome. Not one spook.

Second hack was on an extremely windy spring day and we went quite far from home with 4 riders in total. The other horses were wound and two started bucking and rearing, she just got really forward but no buck, spook or rear.

Currently, we’ve probably been out and about 13 times and she’s had maybe 3 spooks but she easily comes back to me.

You and your horse will probably be awesome!

When I get a bit nervous about the surroundings, I sing and I’ll give her a treat once in a while especially if we are riding alone. The singing makes me breath, and the treats and singing keeps her focused more on me than the scary, horse-eating monster in the bushes.

I’ve also noticed when she really wants to go forward and I encourage it…she’s not so keen on galloping off lol. So when she wants to really go forward and not easily listen to me (like when she’s in heat), we go into work mode. Collected canter, etc. she decides a nice trail ride is just fine. I’m now trusting her to open her up on the trails and let her go and it’s starting to be so much fun.

Have fun and enjoy your horse.

[wateryglen]

I second the singing! Good for both of you! Since mine know my voice tone meaning; I swear they think I’m calm & relaxed… I had a horse once that I swear loved a certain song too…It had a regular, walking kinda beat to it.
Good luck!

[TWH_Girl]

Singing- love it! Wondering if my friend/trail riding partner would appreciate it??! These are wonderful suggestions and tomorrow, I hope to update everyone on a successful first outing.

[TWH_Girl]

Well…it went perfectly! My guy was an angel and we only saw one deer. All 3 of them gave a little spook in place, no big deal. We were both nice and relaxed. I can’t wait to go again!

[Cindyg]

I’m so happy for you!!!

[SharonA]

Woohoo! Great news. Big pats to your boy (and to you).

And, singing works great, especially if you’re out alone. Be warned that your horse will pretend he doesn’t know you at those times (and they will happen) when you are singing away up there, you come around a corner, and there is a hiker grinning at you singing to your horse.

[wendybird]

Be sure to get out often, don’t let this one ride become a landmark in your riding career!
The more you do it, the more enjoyment you’ll have, you and your horse will become a team as you become more confident. A fun thing to do is get Endomondo for your phone to keep track of where and how far you’ve ridden.
Then, when you think about doing a 15 mile endurance ride, you’ll KNOW you can do it, and that’s the best fun.