I am a dressage rider who also does competitive trail. Because I know alot of trail riders, I constantly get asked to help sell horses that wash out as hunter/jumper or dressage show horses. What I try to explain to these people is that a “trail” horse needs to have specific skills just as a hunter/jumper or a dressage horse. Not every horse can transition to this career. Skills that I think are necessary are the ability to stand tied,ability to handle varied terrain, bombproofness (not spooking at every leaf), a good loader in the trailer, must be able to cross water and bridges, not kick in close quarters and travel quietly in a group situation. Some of these ex-show horses cannot handle life outside the ring. Sorry to vent, it is just seems that some of the other riding disciplines don’t take trail riding seriously.
Fairweather - you are correct that the majority of horses, properly introduced to the wide open spaces and “hazards” (water crossings, logs, etc.) can eventually become good trail horses.
However, I have found that many people ADVERTISE horses as “good trail horses” simply because the horse has no formal training in ANY discipline. My husband and I went to try tons of horses advertised as good trail horses who I wouldn’t trust within the four walls of an arena, let alone out on the trail!
When a horse is advertised as a good trail horse, I expect that horse to have basic manners (standing tied at the trailer is a biggy), walk/trot/canter (unless soundness issues prevent canter), and at least some experience on the trail where he has not acted like a fruitcake 
If the horse has no experience on the trail, I would expect him to be advertised as a prospect.
I also do not make the assumption that even an experienced trail horse would make a good distance riding mount. A lot of times, a truly good pleasure trail horse would be miserable traveling the distance and pace required for even the shorter distances (a horse who is happiest to walk on a loose rein for 4/5 mile rides is often NOT going to be happy going at a brisk trot for 25 miles, esp. if he has any even minor soundness issues).
From Dictionary.com:
trail ridingn : riding along a roughly blazed path
can
1a) Used to indicate physical or mental ability: I can carry both suitcases. Can you remember the war?
1b) Used to indicate possession of a specified power, right, or privilege: The President can veto congressional bills.
1c) Used to indicate possession of a specified capability or skill: I can tune the harpsichord as well as play it.
2a) <span class=“ev_code_GREEN”>Used to indicate possibility or probability</span>: I wonder if my long lost neighbor can still be alive. Such things can and do happen.
2b) Used to indicate that which is permitted, as by conscience or feelings: One can hardly blame you for being upset.
2c) Used to indicate probability or possibility under the specified circumstances: They can hardly have intended to do that.
Thus
“any horse can be used for trail riding”
equals to people not doing competetive trail
“any horse has the potential to be ridden along a roughly blazed trail”
Uh, RTM, I’m not sure if you were directing that post at me or not, 
but um,
Who said they were riding lame horses? Cuz thats um…oogy. 
I think some people feel that a trail ride is once around the back 40. I have known horses that are not initially capable of even that but most can be brought to that point. Going further requires training and repetition, just like any other sport. Once your horse has mastered such things as Piaffe described, you can be really proud of him, just as if he mastered the skills of another sport. But I agree that alot of people talk about trail as if any horse can just have the reins dropped on his neck and go on a trail ride (can’t seem to fix the English here - sorry!).
Wow, this thread should be titled “What is trail” and “What is sound”. I think it’s whatever you define it as, and you should be darn sure to discuss that with the person who is advertizing the horse. We all run into that in any discipline - horses advertized as dressage prospects are sometimes mistakenly thought to be able to do dressage because they have a tendon injury that prevents jumping. We all know that at the top levels of any equine sport, any major limitation will not allow the horse to be competitive. At the much lower levels if the horse is used very lightly, they may be able to remain sound and perform fine. I don’t think we should attack eachother just because some say trail ride for a hack around the property and some mean a 20 mile ride in death defying mountains - as long as we explain what we mean by trail ride, it should be okay.
I do think that FW has been slammed on teh soundness issue and some have not clearly read her posts - she never said lame, she said “soundness issues for jumping”. Horses like that can often have great careers doing other things, but the particular effort needed for repeatedly jumping is not for them. Those of you that compete and do rough terrain would never look at a horse that was advertized as such, even if it did say “trail riding” somewhere in the ad. We all have to read the whole ad, and sellers should be careful to include any limitations. I know it’s a pain to have to expalin it each time, but you’ll save a trip out to see a horse that’s not for you if you explain up front what you are looking for. Sometimes, no matter how well you artuculate your needs, the seller will still not get it and tou will waste a trip, but that happens with buyers too (just like the whole “What is an Experienced Rider” debate lol!).
Anyway, I agree with the posters who talk about how they are just starting out with their young horses and trying to teach them to be good trail mounts (in my case I mean a 2 or 3 hour ride through varied footing and winding trails done once a week or so) - it can really be a bonding experience. My guy is a tad clumsy, but is enthusiastic and learning. He is also my show horse, but he loves the trails and doesn’t have a spook in him. We always broke out young TBs that were destined for the racetrack with a little trail riding through the woods back home - was good for their minds and got them thinking independently - most seemed to really enjoy it.
“Trail horses” and “endurance horses” are two completely different things. Around here it does seem that horses advertised for trail do tend to be horses that may be older, have soundness issues, just “generic” horses that have no specific talents. I think that most horses are capable of being decent trail horses, with the exception of maybe horses that are very hot and/or very spooky.
Endurance horses have to be extremely sound to compete- I agree that many horses have some little issues that would prevent them from being considered 100% sound in a pre-purchase vet check, but an endurance horse has to pretty darn close to 100% or you just wouldn’t be able to complete. It is still always amazing to me how my horse can go for so long, sometimes over such incredibly rough terrain and come back looking great.
Some ex-show horses can’t, but a lot of them can, and seem to relish their new job. I have taken a dressage horse, a former show jumper, and a former barrel horse, all three have easily made the transition into great trail mounts. But-I take a close look at their temperament before I trust my aging body miles from home!
On the flip side, we purchased a QH mare who was supposed to be a seasoned trail horse. Gak, worst trail ride I have ever had was on her. Tried showing her English because of her movement, she HATED that. After watching her blow easily past TB’s and another QH in the pasture, and checking deeper into her bloodlines, we decided to try Barrel Racing with her. She LOVES it! And is pretty darn good at it so far, with only three real competitions under her girth. Can’t wait to see how she does this season.
I retired my ASB show horse a number of years ago as I was getting into TWH’s, and he is not that happy on the trail, plus he is tall, long and narrow so his lung capacity is just not up there. Even when physically fit, he just didn’t have the cardio pulmonary necessary to do long hilly rides. Now we putter, and he loves being a pasture ornament.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>PS. I alway feel so sorry for people who try to ride their beautifully show-trained horses out, and just have an awful time with the spooks and misbehaving. I see it too much in my neck of the woods. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I dont. I feel sorry for the horse that is expected to behave impeccably to a situation its never been exposed to.
I dont begin any type of ring work until I’ve ‘broken’ my horses to trails. I think it keeps them happier, healthier and sounder.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>an event horse can also be a trail horse, but a horse with a soundness issue … however limiting or limited … is just that – an unsound horse. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Then we got a whole lotta unsound horses out there 
Yes, trail riding (no matter how you classify it lol) is so good for their minds. A friend of mine had a beautiful young warmblood that she mainly jumped and did a little dressage. She started trail riding him on ocassion and his jumping improved dramatically. He was more careful with his feet, was able to make sharper turns with better balance, etc. Just made a huge difference for the better.
I have nerver competed in trail or endurance, but have to agree that a good trail horse is worth it’s weight in gold.
I am actually thinking of giving up my dreams of comptetitve dressage and trade my Ansur for a Circle Y!
Elizabeth
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>Originally posted by gdolapp:
Prudance
the cool part with my gelding is we are still
working on diffrent things. I look at each
ride as a bonding adventure because we
don’t really know what we will come across.
one of the things I like about him is that
when he goes down a very steep incline
wether a ditch or hill he will put his head
down a bit I lean back and he feels with his
feet before he puts his foot on the ground and
is so carefull doing this. We have accomplished
alot TOGETHER and we are proud of one another
He is a one person horse he really gets nervouse
if I even allow someone to just sit on him </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
My 18 year old QH is just about the best mountain horse I know. He and I know each other so well that sometimes we think alike and make the same decisions on where to go and what to do. There was one trail we were on last year that was pretty narly and hard to negotiate. I spotted what looked like an abandoned logging road up on top of a steep hillside that looked as if it would be easier on him. I even picked out the route I would take to get up there. I didn’t even tell my horse what to do when he spotted the same thing, and picked the exact same route I picked. I hadn’t even motioned at all for him to go for it, he just blew me away. If that’s not a true partnership, I don’t know what is.
Hmmm. Well, I’m a Trail Rider. But, I consider it pleasure riding, not competitive. We always ride to the “weakest” rider’s level (big barn, and lots of different people to ride with). Some days we walk, some days we go all out at break-neck speed for the entire ride. Up mountains, through rivers, etc. And Mustangrider: we NEVER drink beer while on the trail, even when all we do is walk – we are serious and safe riders. We all do ride for the pure pleasure of it. But, fast is fun too!!
I didn’t mean to offend but that is the picture I got as I know people who do just that. In my opinion, a cold brew tastes best after the ride sitting around the camp.
Fast is definitely fun when it’s done at the right time and place.
I ride with Backcountry Horsemen of America and our ride schedule for the year includes some pretty agressive trails as well as easy conditioning trails. People who are unfamiliar with our style of riding and show a sincere desire to learn and taken under wing and given whatever guidance they need. If they are green riders on green horses, we would recommend what rides to attend appropriate to their experience level. However, if they choose to attend a ride beyond their level, they have to understand that if they find themselves overfaced after being warned, they shouldn’t expect special treatment (i.e. babysitting). Of course, if they get into trouble we’re not just going to abandon them and will help them out.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>do remember a few times the show people at barns where i used to board thought of me as less a rider and my horse barely trained because i was a trail rider, until they went trail riding with me, </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Oh yeah! As in another boarder (did not even SHOW) who told me and another rider “I can’t trail ride with you two, you don’t stay on the trails!”
I understand the different perception of “trail riding” (going out for 60 - 90 minutes around the fields and farm) versus TRAIL RIDING (going out for 4 or more hours, at varied paces, up and down hills.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>Originally posted by FairWeather:
Yes, there are some people who just like to go take a stroll through the woods, and unless you have a psycho animal, almost all of them can do it. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Uh, NOT! Beg to differ but having come from a lot of disciplines (eventing, dressage, hunting, endurance, and pleasure trail riding) I see so many horses that are just NOT suited to the uncertainties and frightening world outside the controlled environment of the ring. Even event horses, so brave cross country, can have major heart tremors at the weird things one sees out on the trail. Ditto dressage horses and hunter/jumper types who breath ring dust for a living. YOU may see it as a simple stroll down the road, but a lot of horses see a trail ride as going into Death’s door! So many horses will require a buddy alongside for a “quiet” ride. Unless they are TRAINED to hack quietly and happily down the road BY THEMSELVES, are SOUND to cover the uneven, different surfaces at all different speeds, and are calm and willing, they are not trail horses.
Unsoundness is just as important a detriment to trail horses as it is to any other discipline. Hello?? Who wants to hack out a lame horse or something that is going to start limping a mile down the road or stumble over every dip or clod in the trail?? Why deal with it? A trail horse should be sound and ready to handle the vagaries of the natural terrain – rocks, roads, uneven turf, etc. – that will be found outside the artificial ring.
A trail horse is not a throwaway ”" it’s a valued athlete in its own right for an environment that demands a calm mind, a healthy body, and a good attitude towards heading happily into the unknown. Kinder all around to sell your unsound horses as pasture ornaments or family pets for light riding around the barn. You do no service selling them otherwise.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>Originally posted by Hannahsmom:
I am considering trying a CTR of the lowest possible level but I think even that will be a huge challenge for my horse’s brain and I’m reading this forum to try to learn more before I try one. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Good for you Hannahsmom. 
If you consider the CTR as a training ground, you’re yards ahead already. Sometimes it’s necessary for a horse to understand that a trail ride may be anything from 1 mile to 50. CTRs are a GREAT way to teach a horse not to blow it’s whole wad of energy being spooky and idiotic for the first few miles out. When they realize (usually right after the first vet check) that they have to go out AGAIN (“OMG! What? You’re climbing on again?? You CAN’T be serious, Mom!”) that little light bulb in their brain goes on and suddenly the ride is not a venue to be stupid – it’s WORK!! It is oh-so-true of so many horses – it’s almost funny to watch their expressions, and to hear their riders afterwards talk about the BIG CHANGE in their mount’s formerly-silly-now-resigned-to-being-good-and-doing-their-job attitude. 
You should do it, H. Take a friend with you and ride as a pair just for the experience. 
CTRs are inexpensive and super fun with great dinners, lots of friendly people, and lovely trails to enjoy for the day. You will learn TONS about your horse, his fitness and readiness, his metabolics and his abilities, and he will learn that the big bad world is a pretty tempid place when you gotta keep moving along at a trot for miles and miles and miles. It’s a very thoughtful, quiet, relaxed sport that (surprisingly) builds an incredibly strong bond of teamwork between horse and rider – far more than ANY of the other disciplines. Adding CTR to your mutual “education” will also help you strengthen your relationship with him for eventing – a nice plus in both your favors.
You are absolutely correct, Piaffe. A lot of people don’t think that trail riding is a “valid” discipline.
I remember when Conny and I stopped showing and started trail riding exclusively. I got the smirks, the looking down the nose, the catty comments about how he obviously couldn’t do anything else, so may as well make him a trail nag.
Conny was bred for performance, and with the crowd I was in at the time, that meant SHOWING. Oh we tried it, but he absolutely hated the show ring, and although we did our share of winning it was a constant battle with him. He’d pin his ears as soon as he saw the trailer pull up, and then be a nasty, no-ears horse the whole time. Stressful and difficult for us both.
The first time I tried trail riding, he was a completely different horse. Ears up, eyes bright, and always looking to see what was around the next bend in the road.
He’s a champ at water and bridge crossings, and we always take him out as the lead horse when we’re trying a new youngster. If he does spook, it’s usually in place and he’ll just stand and look at the object, then blow at it. It takes a lot to make him bolt and run.
He trusts me implicitly, which is a must in a good trail partner. We were in one situation where I had to get off and ask him to back UPHILL.
There are many other examples of what makes him a good trail mount, but I think you get the picture. Not every horse is cut out to do trail riding; only the best! 
What you say is so true! Also the part about working with your horse is so important. When I ride my trail horse I know him so well I can tell where his feet are and I know his moods, his muscles, and pretty much how he is going to react in situations. He spooks sometimes which is absolutely part of being him but they are little happy spooks. We are partners and I hope he enjoys it as much as I do. Time is needed to develop such a partnership; we’ve been working for two years on trail and sometimes when I think about it I realize how amazingly better we are than when we started or even a year ago.
