During trail riding season, it is likely that you have already been informed about the lameness or health issues that some of your trail buddies’ horses are facing. The downtime resulting from injuries or illnesses can cause financial expenses through veterinary bills as well as prevent you from participating in your preferred activity.
Despite the perception that horses often encounter Murphy’s Law, there are ways to ensure your trail-riding horse remains healthy and content throughout the season. The foremost step is to ride the appropriate horse. A composed horse will prioritize safety for both itself and you, as health and safety are closely interconnected on the trail. While certain horses find trail riding to be a relaxed experience in nature, others may not be suitable for such activities.
Kristen Reiter, DVM, a veterinarian from Oak Harbor, Washington, and Andy Shaw, who manages the Appaloosa Horse Club’s annual 100-mile Chief Joseph Trail Ride in Idaho, provide the following tips.
15 Tips for Recreational Trail Riders
Get a thorough checkup several weeks before your first scheduled ride
Start by scheduling a comprehensive checkup with your veterinarian a few weeks before your initial planned ride. During this visit, your veterinarian will assess the physical fitness and soundness of your horse to ensure it can handle the planned rides. Additionally, you can also request a Coggins test and obtain the required health certificate if you need to cross state lines during your rides.
Make sure your horse is Vaccinated
When trail riding, you are unaware of the pathogens that other horses may have come into contact with, according to Reiter. Additionally, there is a possibility of encountering mosquitoes carrying diseases such as Eastern or Western equine encephalomyelitis and West Nile virus, as well as wildlife that may spread rabies. Moreover, there are microorganisms in the environment which can cause diseases like tetanus. Furthermore, there is a risk of encountering venomous snakes.
Have your horse shod a couple of weeks prior to extended ride
Before embarking on a long ride, it is advisable to arrange for your horse to be shod a few weeks in advance, and consult your farrier for recommendations specific to your area. Your farrier may suggest the use of hoof pads or boots as a preventive measure against stone bruises.
According to Reiter, opinions among trail riders vary when it comes to shoeing, using pads, using borium, wearing boots, and going barefoot. The condition of the trail obviously factors into this decision, as well as the strength and health of each horse’s hooves. Reiter shares her personal experience, stating that she rode her gelding for 230 miles on a gravel railroad bed over 2 ½ weeks and completely destroyed a set of shoes that were put on right before the ride. On the other hand, she knows a friend who has successfully ridden her horse on multiple legs of the Chief Joseph Trail Ride without any shoes at all. Reiter advises choosing what works best for your own horse. She personally prefers to err on the side of caution and brings a full set of properly fitted boots along with her, in addition to shoeing. This is in case a shoe gets ripped off or thrown during the ride. Reiter keeps one pair of boots in her saddlebag and another pair in her trailer.
Get the Proper Training
Shaw advises that you should undergo training in terrain and at elevations that resemble those you will encounter during the organized ride.
Based on his experience, he has discovered that it is advisable to ride a minimum of 10 miles per session, three times a week, for a duration of at least four weeks before embarking on any long-distance or difficult rides.
Make sure Horse is Trained
According to Reiter, it is important for your horse to be able to stand tied calmly to various objects such as trailers, picket lines, high ties between trees or horse trailers, trees, and bushes. It is also useful to have hobbles on hand. Additionally, many trail riders bring portable corrals that suit their storage capacity, their horse, and the landscape. However, it is crucial to introduce your horse to these portable corrals in the safety of your pasture at home to prevent any attempts to escape.
She suggests that it would be beneficial to practice walking across different types of bridges, including those made of wood, metal, and concrete, both with and without sides. Additionally, she recommends practicing walking through safe water, mud, and bog crossings, as well as walking over rock shelves.
In addition, she mentions that having a horse trained to approach a fallen log gradually is a valuable advantage for individuals who struggle with mounting from the ground. Furthermore, it is advisable to test out trail equipment prior to embarking on the ride. Saddlebags, in particular, can be awkward and unstable. The extra weight positioned behind the saddle may cause discomfort to the horse and transform the ride into a lively spectacle, as the horse attempts to rid itself of the additional burden.
Shaw further emphasizes the importance of ensuring the safety of your horse when in the presence of other horses. If your horse displays resistance to being approached from behind, it is advisable to attach a red ribbon to its tail as a warning sign for others, indicating that it may kick.
He mentions that we also prefer to keep horses in groups of friends. By using a buddy-sour situation, you can conveniently maneuver a horse across a creek or any other obstacle.
Get certified hay well ahead of time
It is important to know beforehand that certain organized rides offer feed, while others do not. Additionally, state or national lands may have a requirement for visitors to use certified weed-free hay in order to prevent the invasion of noxious weeds. To prevent colic issues that may arise from switching forages, Shaw suggests obtaining certified hay well in advance and avoiding any changes in feed types, such as switching from hay to pellets.
Reiter ensures that her hard-keeping horse receives enough forage by supplying weed-free hay in a slow-feeding bag when she is not on the trail or during cool-down periods.
Clean, well-fitting tack in good repair and padding
In order to ensure the comfort and well-being of the horse, it is essential to have clean and properly fitting tack that is in good condition. Additionally, padding should be used to prevent any discomfort or irritation on the horse’s back or other areas.
Reiter advises that in order to determine if your saddle, pad, and cinch are properly fitted and suitable for extended use, you should ride in your gear for a significant amount of time to carefully examine your horse’s withers, back, and girth area. According to Reiter, they are a strong advocate for using mohair cinches and wool pads for both English and Western saddles.
In order to give horses more freedom to move their shoulders and improve their ability to climb, the speaker suggests using pulling collars instead of standard breastcollars. For English riders, a Y-shaped or yoke-style attachment with three or five points can achieve the same results. The speaker strongly emphasizes the importance of using a breastcollar while trail riding, unless the terrain is completely flat. This is because saddles can slide and cause painful rubbing during ascents and descents, but this can be prevented by using breastcollars and cruppers.
Reiter also stresses the significance of maintaining cleanliness in tack and pads. According to her, a grass blade that gets stuck underneath the saddle pad can cause discomfort and even sores after being under the saddle for five hours. As a precaution, she always carries spare gear such as pads, bridles, and cinches. This allows her to use dry equipment every morning and clean off the dried sweat and dirt from the tack whenever necessary. Consequently, her horse starts each day on the trail with clean gear.
Groom your Horse
Reiter emphasizes the significance of grooming your horse and giving special attention to the placement of the tack. According to her, it is essential to remove the crusty dried sweat from the girth area and back, and also examine the horse for any rubs or galling after riding.
“If there is inflammation or swelling in an area, it is recommended to use tack that fits differently the following day,” Reiter advises. “Apply a cream on the skin lesion to provide protection and aid in its drying.”
She advises carrying a hoof pick while on the trail in order to remove rocks from shoes and clean out your horse’s feet after each ride.
According to Reiter, a sponge bath can serve as a wonderful reward following a tiring and dusty ride. Additionally, it is important to clean the horses’ eyes and nostrils thoroughly if they have been in dusty areas.
Prepare for weather changes
If you live in a warm climate and plan to ride in the mountains, you’ll need to take into account that depending on where you live, your horse might not handle sudden changes in temperature and humidity well.
Reiter advises being prepared for any weather while on the trail. She warns that the mountains can bring unexpected changes. She shares her own experience of leaving camp on a sunny day and enjoying lunch in the colorful wildflowers. However, shortly after getting back on the trail, the weather suddenly changed and it became dark and windy. It started raining heavily in a freezing cold manner. Unfortunately, Reiter had left her rain gear back at camp. As a result, she became soaked, cold, and extremely uncomfortable for the few hours it took to ride back.
To ensure preparedness, she suggests including proper rain gear like an oilskin Australian coat in the packing list. Additionally, consider including gloves, a jacket, or a riding vest for warmth, if necessary.
According to Shaw, in such circumstances, it is advisable to have a blanket or even just a sheet with you. Shaw states that keeping your horse dry is usually more crucial than shielding them from cold.
Reiter advises to pack for the region and advises that temperatures often drop after sunset. Reiter brings a waterproof winter blanket, a rain sheet, and a fly sheet and mask for their horse. Packing all the suggested horse luggage is only necessary for point-to-point or wagon-wheel rides where riders return to the trailer every evening. However, for those who are packing their gear, they should only bring the essential equipment.
Reiter explains that when it comes to temperature changes going the opposite way, his approach is as follows: “If there is a worry that they might be becoming too warm, I will use cool water on their necks, particularly on the jugular vein, in order to lower their temperature. If I sense that their condition is compromised due to the heat, I will alight from the horse, loosen their cinch, and walk alongside them to give them a chance to rest. Whenever water is accessible, I let them drink and employ a sponge or towel to wet them down, eliminate any dried and crusty sweat, and cool them.”
More Tips…
Bring a calm, experienced buddy.
When thinking logically, choose the horse with the best behavior to accompany you. It also doesn’t hurt to have a calm and experienced rider with you.
Bringing a seasoned and composed trail horse with you will provide your horse with a source of calm and controlled energy to draw from. If you opt for a highly excitable horse, yours will probably struggle greatly in achieving a state of relaxation.
Have Fun.
Starting off with a positive mindset and the firm belief that you will enjoy your ride is essential. The act of thinking optimistically about your ride will undoubtedly enhance your experience.
It is important to have patience and kindness towards your horse. Additionally, it is beneficial to have a sense of humor and not take things too seriously when your horse misbehaves. Although it is preferable for your horse to behave well, be prepared to let go of any issues and continue with your ride if necessary.
Relax.
Taking a deep breath and staying calm is crucial during your ride as it is possibly the most significant aspect. It is essential to remember that horses can detect your energy, so if you feel anxious, it will have a calming effect on your horse and enhance the enjoyment of the ride. In case you start to feel tense, remember to take a deep breath and count to 10. This simple action will assist in redirecting your energy and maintaining a composed state.
Wear a helmet.
Making sure you protect your head is crucial, especially when embarking on a trail ride.
Many riders often believe that because they are riding an experienced horse or have never experienced any accidents before, they can overlook the importance of wearing a helmet. However, it is crucial not to make this mistake. It is far more important to prioritize the safety of your brain than to “look cool” and worry about appearing silly in a helmet. Numerous individuals regret not wearing a helmet to protect themselves, so it is imperative to avoid making the same error.
Bring a phone, just in case.
It is wise to carry a phone with you during your trail ride as it can be helpful if you or your riding companion encounter any unexpected issues, allowing you to escape from a problematic situation.
A tracking app is also favored by many riders to monitor their distance and route while riding. Tracking your ride can also be useful in case of separation, as it helps individuals locate you or your horse.
Wear the proper clothes and footwear.
While someone else might be able to engage in trail riding without a saddle and wearing shorts, it is not advisable to attempt this on your first outing with a horse. Wearing suitable attire is crucial for maintaining stability on the horse in case they become lively and startle easily.
To avoid the risk of getting a foot stuck in a stirrup or sliding off your saddle due to lack of grip, it’s important to wear appropriate riding footwear along with breeches or jeans.
