It’s this weekend, not much time to prepare but I gotta start some where and everything is lining up for me to go ( time, money and husband home to watch kids and rest of horses). So it is a 9 mile ride, which is A LOT, for me and my horse. However I don’t plan on doing much more then walking and a little trotting at most. I have a group to go with that is also supposed to go slowly.
My background: I’ve ridden most of my life (I’m 44), took some time off to have kids and now they are older I’m trying to get more active again. I’ve never done a hunter pace or charity ride before. My horse is an 11 year old pinto that I’ve had since he was 2 months old (he was a nurse mare foal). He is still very green since he has had inconsistent training all by me. Lately he has been really great and i really want to keep expanding his horizons. So any tips or advice??
Talk with the other riders as a group before you all start and tell them you need their help to make this a safe, calm ride for your green horse. Ask them to not crowd your horse from behind, to check with everyone before changing gaits (walk to trotting), etc. Ask if there are any other horses or riders that are green so you are aware of them and can possibly avoid them (don’t say that last bit out loud, it’s just my advice). Green and green aren’t a great mix.
chicamuxen
great advice from Chiamux - try to keep your group small. Horses that aren’t used to riding in big groups can get overwelmed when presented to a large group.
Thank you! I was planning on a red ribbon as well. He does usually need space.
Since you are going with a “slower” group, maybe hang back a bit to let some of the faster crowd get ahead to make for less excitement for your horse, whatever it takes to keep yourself and green horse safe and as sane as possible. I took my green TB mare to a charity ride in the spring and it was a little too much for her brain so I hand walked her for part of the trail, and cut back to the trailers with one of the riders who has an older horse. The rest went on to finish the ride. You want it to be a positive experience for both of you. Have fun.
[QUOTE=Simbalism;7773774]
Since you are going with a “slower” group, maybe hang back a bit to let some of the faster crowd get ahead to make for less excitement for your horse, whatever it takes to keep yourself and green horse safe and as sane as possible. I took my green TB mare to a charity ride in the spring and it was a little too much for her brain so I hand walked her for part of the trail, and cut back to the trailers with one of the riders who has an older horse. The rest went on to finish the ride. You want it to be a positive experience for both of you. Have fun.[/QUOTE]
That is exactly what am a thinking. Thanks for the input!
The simplest to say but the hardest to do at times, is for you to remain calm if he gets a little antsy. Breathe. Tell him how good he is.
And I like some advice I picked up on one of the other forums: “Ride him like he’s going to do everything right.”
Have a great time.
[QUOTE=GotMyPony;7773991]
The simplest to say but the hardest to do at times, is for you to remain calm if he gets a little antsy. Breathe. Tell him how good he is.
And I like some advice I picked up on one of the other forums: “Ride him like he’s going to do everything right.”
Have a great time.[/QUOTE]
Good advice! He is green but all in all every time I try something new with him, he’s been very reasonable.
Are you trailering in that morning or camping the night before? I would try to “buddy” your horse a bit. Tie him with a quiet, steady eddy that’s in your group before you tack up. Let him get a little bond going and then keep him near that horse for the steady influence. RELAX when you get on, don’t micromanage his nervousness (if he is at all) just relax your seat and your hands and let your attitude be: Oh, this is nothing buddy. Go have fun!
I adore hunter paces and charity rides!! My fall calendar has one scheduled almost every weekend. 
9 miles is quite a bit, will probably be close to a 3-hour ride. You said that his training has been inconsistent-- has he done much of any trail riding with groups anytime recently? If not, I would definitely plan to get out on even just a short ride with 1 or 2 other riders this week before “the big event,” if that is at all possible. If he has never ridden in a group, or if it’s been years, then you would be wise to not have his very first time be at the charity ride!!
The nice thing about a 9-mile ride is, he’ll be plenty tired after a little while, and a tired horse is (usually) a good horse. The risky/scary part of a pace/chase/charity ride is that there will be A LOT going on, expectially at the starting line-- lots of horses milling around, some running around, groups of horses disappearing off into the woods, and then when you’re ON course, there will be groups of riders passing you throughout the day-- especially if your group will be going slow. Seeing lots of activity at the trailhead, and being passed on the trail, can be overwhelming for a lot of horses… But again, he has 9 miles to get over it, lol…
Have a conversation with your group BEFORE you go, and make sure everyone is ABSOLUTELY clear on expectations for the group. Ideally, the group should only go as fast (or as slow) as the most timid/inexperienced rider is willing to go. I’d clarify what is meant by “a little trotting” and “slowly”-- for some, that could mean a minute or two of trotting for every half hour of walking; for others, “slow” might mean 50-50 walking and trotting.
If there are any potentially spooky things like bridge crossings and creek crossings, know what to expect from your horse in those situations. If you think he might need a lead over spooky things, then go out with a leadrope looped/tied around his neck-- you can use it to be ponied (if necessary) and it’ll double as a neck strap for you to hold onto.
is your horse shod? If not, how are his feet and what is the footing like at the charity ride? 9 miles on rocky terrain can be rough on a barefoot horse who isn’t accustomed to rocky ground. (My guy is barefoot, but I do boot up for rides on unknown terrain.)
Like others have said, just remember to breathe and enjoy the day-- and definitely go into it with the expectation that your horse is going to be amazing, because in all probability, he will be. 
And be warned-- charity rides and hunter paces are addictive!!! :lol:
[QUOTE=cnvh;7774622]
I adore hunter paces and charity rides!! My fall calendar has one scheduled almost every weekend.
9 miles is quite a bit, will probably be close to a 3-hour ride. You said that his training has been inconsistent-- has he done much of any trail riding with groups anytime recently? If not, I would definitely plan to get out on even just a short ride with 1 or 2 other riders this week before “the big event,” if that is at all possible. If he has never ridden in a group, or if it’s been years, then you would be wise to not have his very first time be at the charity ride!!
The nice thing about a 9-mile ride is, he’ll be plenty tired after a little while, and a tired horse is (usually) a good horse. The risky/scary part of a pace/chase/charity ride is that there will be A LOT going on, expectially at the starting line-- lots of horses milling around, some running around, groups of horses disappearing off into the woods, and then when you’re ON course, there will be groups of riders passing you throughout the day-- especially if your group will be going slow. Seeing lots of activity at the trailhead, and being passed on the trail, can be overwhelming for a lot of horses… But again, he has 9 miles to get over it, lol…
Have a conversation with your group BEFORE you go, and make sure everyone is ABSOLUTELY clear on expectations for the group. Ideally, the group should only go as fast (or as slow) as the most timid/inexperienced rider is willing to go. I’d clarify what is meant by “a little trotting” and “slowly”-- for some, that could mean a minute or two of trotting for every half hour of walking; for others, “slow” might mean 50-50 walking and trotting.
If there are any potentially spooky things like bridge crossings and creek crossings, know what to expect from your horse in those situations. If you think he might need a lead over spooky things, then go out with a leadrope looped/tied around his neck-- you can use it to be ponied (if necessary) and it’ll double as a neck strap for you to hold onto.
is your horse shod? If not, how are his feet and what is the footing like at the charity ride? 9 miles on rocky terrain can be rough on a barefoot horse who isn’t accustomed to rocky ground. (My guy is barefoot, but I do boot up for rides on unknown terrain.)
Like others have said, just remember to breathe and enjoy the day-- and definitely go into it with the expectation that your horse is going to be amazing, because in all probability, he will be.
And be warned-- charity rides and hunter paces are addictive!!! :lol:[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the great tips!
I really hope my horse likes doing this type of event so I can do more! I am going to try and get out with a friend Friday for a shorter ride. I have to say he’s handled every new experience that I’ve put him in this year very well. I always take it slow and don’t over do anything with him. I don’t mind if we don’t do the full 9 miles. Even at a walk that is still a lot for him (and me, I’m sure I’ll be sore!)
He is barefoot and has been his whole life. He is used to hard ground and we regularly cross a rocky area but I am planning on packing his feet after either way when we are done. He’s never worn hoof boots but it is something I’ve been think about.
I am going to put a tag with my name and number on the saddle just in case, and wear a belly-bag for my phone. I’d love to get one of those watch phones! I think that would be perfect for trail riding!
Any thing else? Anyone?
find a calm song you like and either hum or sing to your horse when you feel either him or yourself getting antsy
it makes you breathe and focus on something ELSE and can be a hoppy place once you both are used to your song
sounds corny but Happy Trails to You is a good song - you don’t need to know all or any words just the tune
Even though Im an east coaster I like a lot of the old western campfire songs - but whatever floats your boat
And I agree - keep your group smaller
avoid the faster crowd
ask your group to help you keep this ride safe and sane for your horse to get used to the new game
most horses come to enjoy these events and they are a great way to see new country and support a cause
Well we did it! I am so proud of my bratty pinto! He was a star!
He was nice an relaxed when I got there and then the very start of the ride we had to go through a huge puddle. I thought, no problem, I take him through puddles all the time and our creek crossing. Well he wanted no part of it! It took a few minutes but he finally scooted through on the edge. Not long after that we came to a REAL river crossing! I was thinking, oh no! He hesitated but went right through like a trooper! We then had to cross it another two or three times, I lost count. We also crossed rail road tracks, which he was very unsure how to cross, but we got another horse to go right beside him and he finally figured it out! ( the crossing the way back was a road type crossing and much easier!)
I went with a great group, which really helped. We mainly walked but did quite a bit of trotting and I even did a bit of cantering! All the horses I was with were very experienced and that gave my guy a great lead. We were able to stay on a loose rein almost the entire time. All in all it was a GREAT experience and I will definitely do it again! Thank you everyone for all the advice!
Congratulations!
Congrats! Happy your horse was well behaved. One thing to be aware of, though, is that when you allow your horse to walk along uninhibited on a loose rein for a while, the horse tends to “take over” the leadership role, since you have not given him any cues in a while. I’ve even heard a trainer call trail riding, “untraining.” With a green horse, that kind of thing can go bad because the horse will start making his own decisions. For example, if the group is not sure of the direction at a fork, and one or two people split off to check each direction out, your horse may pitch a fit or get upset at having to stay put, or he may not want to leave the group if you elect to go explore one of the directions. So ever so often, I gather my horse up and do a little lateral work as we go down the trail, such as moving the shoulders or hips over. It’s a gentle reminder to the horse that I am in control. But it sounds like your horse is really doing well!
When I say “loose rein” I really mean that I didn’t feel tense and neither did he and we were able to stay relaxed. I didn’t feel like I had to have a strong contact for most of the ride. I did in places but when ever he was relaxed I tried to reward him. He really exceeded my expectations! Today we are both a bit stiff but nothing too bad thank goodness!
"I’ve even heard a trainer call trail riding, “untraining.”
Hopefully this trainer meant “untraining” as a good thing, as in “giving your horse a break and allowing him time to process his ring training while benefitting from using his brain and body in a more natural environment [for horses who can deal].”
Otherwise, I think this trainer is extremely limited.
(No offense meant, Flash!).
We went on a hunter pace today! Just did hill topping and it was great! I’m so proud of my little horse, he’s really becoming the horse I always wanted him to be! It’s been great for him to go out with the same group of sane horses who show him that there is nothing to worry about. He was even better today! I think I am now hooked on hunter paces!
OP, that’s great! I’ve been wondering if you went on your ride and it’s great to hear how well he (and you) did. May you have many more happy trail miles to come. Some distance riding (competitive trail or endurance) ahead maybe??
Meanwhile, I hope you’ll excuse a small rant:
I’ve even heard a trainer call trail riding, “untraining.”
That kind of comment really frosts me and I hope we won’t be perpetuating it on the “endurance and trail riding” forum of all places. A good trail horse is worth its weight in gold, period, and can put up with so many things from bad footing to unexpected wildlife to having to bushwhack around downed trees, etc., and all with a calm, can-do attitude.
Don’t take my word for it, I recently interviewed UL eventer Beth Perkins for an article. She was the youngest person and first women ever to be named to the USET eventing team, came in 6th individually at the 1974 World Championships while still 18; and won Team Gold and 5th individually at 1975 Pan Am Games, and has completed at Rolex in 2012 and 2013. In training her young event horses she takes them trail riding because “it teaches them to be clever with their feet, teaches them balance and gets them looking ahead.”
All riding disciplines deserve respect. End of rant.
