Plan Before Trail Riding with Children

It’s crucial to plan your trip from start to finish, whether it’s your first outing riding as a family or your fifteenth. In addition to keeping everyone safe and sound, developing a plan for your next riding adventure can maximize your family’s enjoyment of the trip and help everything go off without a hitch.

Of course, before leaving the arena, children should always be taught to ride independently in an enclosed arena until they are confident and competent to control the speed and direction of a horse appropriate to their level. And if you are riding with a family member that is not your own child, be sure to secure permission from their parent or guardian.

Lifelong equestrian Amber Wighton of Arroyo Grande, Calif., has been taking her two children, Abby, 11, and Beau, 10, on family riding adventures since they were 4 and 5 years old. Together, the trio has made some incredible memories, from galloping down a nearby horse-friendly beach to participating in cattle drives at a friend’s working cattle ranch. Along with the support of her husband, Blake, Amber curates these riding adventures to help her children become smart, independent equestrians who can handle just about anything they encounter on the trails.

Whether you want to take the family on a riding day trip or start small by hitting the trails for an afternoon, here are Amber’s tried-and-true tips for making horse riding with kids as fun and carefree as possible.

1. Keep Expectations Realistic

Check your expectations at the tack room door. Taking kids on a day-long hose ride isn’t always easy, even for an experienced equestrian. Remembering that is half the battle, says Amber.

“I think all [people] get this idyllic vision from time to time about outings with kids,” she says. “I’ve literally envisioned Sound of Music-style grassy knolls with my kids’ hands in the air while the wind blows through their hair and their horses are in a perfect canter. Then I remember that I have two elementary-aged kids, plus horses. Both are incredibly unpredictable. You have to expect some tears, insecurities and frustration. That’s completely normal.”

Even though you might encounter difficulties on your first few trips, don’t let that hold you back.

“Every challenge is an opportunity to teach kids how to conduct themselves on a trail,” Amber says. “A lot of people put off this kind of trip because they want to wait until the kids are a certain age or they’ve got a different horse, but you’ve got to work with what you have. There’s always going to be a reason not to go. Push through it!” (Within reason, of course.)

2. Plan With Care

Get familiar with the trail system or destination that you’re planning to visit. Make sure you know where horses are allowed, where you can park your rig and what facilities are available. When choosing a trail, be honest with yourself about the kids’ riding abilities.

Amber also likes to choose locations where it’s easy to take a fun break, like trails that go past swimming holes and rope swings or that lead to restaurants with hitching rails.
“It’s so much nicer to have buy-in from the kids,” says Amber. “I want them to be excited about where we’re going, and I want it to be a bonding experience for all of us. It’s easier to stay home or ride in the arena, but when we go on trips like these, we have these great recaps of how we galloped through the water or crossed this stream that we didn’t think we could cross.”

3. Put Safety First

Accidents can happen any time you combine kids with horses—that includes experienced kids on their own horses. Children should always wear a properly fitting riding helmet that is less than five years old.

Before you go horse riding with kids, make sure everyone’s cell phones are fully charged, that you will be in a service area for phone reception, and take a portable power bank with you.

“Knowing where we have cell service is important,” Amber says. “When I know I’ve got good service, I tell the kids. Then if something happens to me, they can get the phone out of my backpack and call someone. We also make sure we tell someone where we’re going and how long we’re going to be gone.”

Abby, Amber’s daughter, says that as a kid, part of keeping yourself safe on the trails is knowing your horse.

“I think it’s important to know what you need to do to help keep your horse safe,” Abby says. “If you know he doesn’t like crossing water, for example, don’t push him through it unless you have to. You should also know what your skill levels are, so if you don’t feel safe jumping over something, go around it.”

4. Pack Smart

Be careful in packing so you don’t forget a piece of tack or equipment. Ideally, every rider should have a small first-aid kit on their person, such as in a jacket pocket or backpack. Keep every kit stocked with Band-Aids, acetaminophen, gauze and alcohol wipes. If space allows, the lead rider should carry a full-sized first-aid kit in a backpack. If not, make sure there’s one for both horses and humans stashed in your trailer.

The Wightons like to carry water and snacks, as well as hoof picks, baling twine, small pocketknives and rubber bands.

“A little while ago, we were on a trail ride and my headstall broke,” Abby recalls. “I had a big rubber band with me, so I was able to put it back together to finish the ride. Now we carry baling twine in our pockets just in case something like that breaks.”

Always tack up after you get to your destination before trail riding with children; it can be dangerous to trailer tacked horses, who can snag a stirrup or bridle on a trailer divider or latch and panic, possibly injuring themselves or causing the other horse(s) in the trailer to panic, too.

Horses should be comfortable standing tied to the trailer or hitching rails at the trail head, but bring extra halters in case one breaks.

5. Celebrate the Small Victories

While it’s important to make sure your kids are riding safely and effectively on the trail, a trail ride or day trip is not the time to school children on the quality of their equitation. Save those critiques for the arena. Instead, focus on building a child’s confidence on the trail and acknowledge what they’re doing right, Amber suggests.

“I like to acknowledge the little wins,” she says. “For example, if they couldn’t cross a stream last time, but they do it this time, I like to remind them that it’s a new personal best.”

6. Remember to Have Fun

Trail riding with children is an opportunity to make valuable memories. Amber and her kids love to create playlists for the ride, engage in visual scavenger hunts or find little games to play on the trail with each other.

As the kids grow older and become more advanced in their riding skills, start scouting out trails or locations that challenge their abilities and help them learn how to navigate new obstacles on the trail. Above all, remember that the goal of every riding adventure is to have fun!

The Family Business When the Wightons aren’t going on equestrian adventures as a family, they’re designing lightweight, kid-friendly tack for their company, Riding Free Tack. Amber and Abby started the company in 2018—when Abby was just 8 years old—as part of an effort to foster independence in horse-crazy kids. By designing fiberglass tree saddles that weigh just a fraction of traditional leather tack, they help kids develop the ability to saddle up their horses all by themselves. “We started Riding Free Tack because we wanted all kids to feel like they can go out and do things, like saddle up and ride, without needing their parents or older siblings to help them,” Abby explains. “Solving that problem and making the family business has helped motivate all of us to be independent and work hard all the time.” Although she’s only 11, Abby participates in all aspects of the business, such as creating and implementing designs for the tack and helping with marketing ideas. “The business started as Abby’s idea to help kids, but it has flourished into something that we’re hoping to market and reach the entire family,” says Amber. “We’re marketing the lightweight tack we started with for kids, but we’re also moving into traditional all-leather tack with unique designs. It’s been really fun to get into as a whole family.”

This article about trail riding with children originally appeared in the August 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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A car traveling too fast approaches two women and their horses who are riding along a road on their way to a trailhead. They turn and motion to the driver to slow down. Instead, he passes them so closely he grazes the stirrup of one rider, and she yells her disapproval. The driver ends up chasing them off-road in his car and only breaks pursuit when the ladies seek help from people at a campsite. Equestrian self-defense could prevent harm and even save lives in a situation like this.

An experienced rider goes out on the trails alone, leaving a note at her campsite of where she plans to go. Along the way, she deviates from her intended route and is badly injured in a fall. Her horse returns without her, but it takes rescuers hours to find her since she didn’t go the way she indicated. Sadly, she doesn’t survive.

Being Proactive with Equestrian Self-Defense

These and similar situations have actually happened to equestrians across North America. Longtime horseman and Johnson County, Ind., Sheriff’s Office deputy Brett Davis realized that there was a need for mounted self-defense and survival skills training for equestrians. In 2020, he and wife Raquel launched their Trail Safe Mounted Self-Defense and Safety Course. In less than a year, they’ve had numerous requests for classes from equestrian facilities and clubs across the U.S.

“Over years of dealing with people and horses, I’ve heard a lot of stories of people running into bad situations out on the trail,” says Davis. “An example was a person trying to pull a rider off their horse during a confrontation. I thought it would be good to put together a course to teach people how to act in situations like that to protect themselves as well as their horses.”

While his course has no official affiliation with his law-enforcement job, Davis feels that people will benefit from his equestrian self-defense experience in both police work and the horse industry. The four-hour course, about half classroom lecture and half work on horseback, stresses awareness of surroundings and preparedness. He encourages riders to adopt a self-preservation “warrior” mindset.

While Davis emphasizes that he doesn’t want people to think that there are bad things happening out on the trails all of the time, he wants to teach them how to deal with dangerous situations should they happen.

The class is not about teaching people to fight, but rather what to do in these events—how to position their horse if a dangerous person approaches, how to defend themselves, and how to get help—plus some basic first-aid and search and rescue tips. He also covers some items that riders may already be carrying that can be used as makeshift weapons.

Situational Awareness

Davis preaches situational awareness, saying it is an integral part of police work, but it’s vitally important for equestrians, too. He advises that on arrival at a location, riders should take note of all that is happening around them. Look for potential natural and manmade hazards at campsites, in parking areas and along trails and roads. Also, watch for wildlife.

Consider these questions and similar ones:
◆ How many and what types of vehicles are parked in the lot at the head of a trail, in the campground, or passing by on the road?
◆ Are there people acting strangely near me and my horse, and how can I alter course to avoid them? (Try to memorize a description and the location of anyone causing concern so you can pass it on to authorities later.)
◆ What are potential exit routes, should the need arise?
◆ Is there a dead tree or hanging limb that might fall suddenly along the trail?
◆ Are there eroded hillsides or streambanks that could collapse or areas that would likely flash flood?
◆ Is there inclement weather coming?

Preparing for a Ride

Davis advises that preparation ahead of a trail ride is the key to success and offers the following tips:

1. Prepare yourself and your horse, both mentally and physically. Teach your horse how to calmly deal with unexpected situations and desensitize him to things such as gun fire, vehicles and dogs. Make sure your horse is conditioned well and ready to handle the terrain. Be honest in assessing your physical capabilities and boldness.

2. Know the trails and take along detailed maps. Remember that cell service may be interrupted in some locations, so don’t rely on a connection. Instead, take a screenshot of web-based maps to store in your phone.

3. Understand the degree of difficulty of the trails on your route, and consider if all of the horses and riders in your group are ready. Note the length of a trail and the expected timeframe to complete. Plan safe places for breaks along the trail. Know north, south, east and west from your location.

4. Check the weather before you leave. Carry rain gear and layers for warmth.

5. Pack smart. Prepare to be stuck on the trail. While some things can go in saddle bags on the horse, riders should consider a small gear bag that attaches to their leg, arm or back to hold necessities.

6. Pack vital medications and first-aid supplies, including a tourniquet, phone, water and snacks, maps, matches or road flares, a flashlight, a parachute cord, a knife or multi-tool, a jacket, hat and gloves, bandanas or towels, bug spray, and something that can be used as a weapon.

7. Attach an identification tag to your horse with your name, phone number, an emergency contact, and your planned route. Cross off completed trails to give rescuers an idea of where to start looking if your horse comes home without you.

8. Riders should wear a card with pertinent medical information and should always carry a cell or satellite phone on their person. That way if you part company with your horse, the phone is with you. Make sure it’s securely on you in case of a fall, since you don’t want it to go flying.

9. Know your human and equine riding companions. Know the experience level of all participants, any medical conditions, and be aware of any alcohol consumption. Also note if any of the horses tend to kick or bite.

10. Appoint a trail boss and a trail caboose who understand their duties. Encourage all riders to take the same route around obstacles and go one at a time. Do frequent head counts and discuss before taking on difficult terrain.

11. Leave word with someone at home or a note at your campsite of the planned route and approximate time away.

12. Learn CPR and basic first-aid.

13. Check all tack before your ride to make sure it is in good repair. Check that there’s nothing underneath the saddle pad or bottom of the saddle that will irritate your horse.

Getting Ready for Anything

Davis tells riders to be ready for the unthinkable, and says law enforcement are taught the acronym PEDA: perceive, evaluate, decide and act. This applies to encounters with humans acting suspiciously along the trail as well. He says that criminals have a plan, so you should too.

If you are riding and meet an individual acting strangely, Davis says you should be confident, sit tall in the saddle, and try to steer clear of that person, if possible. But you should also develop a plan in case of confrontation and look for escape options.

“Stay calm and think,” he advises. “Be nice, but be clever.”

Wilann Beeson of Shirley, Ind., who participated in the equestrian self-defense course with her horse Chico, shares that she has put many of the techniques taught into action already.

“One of the first things I did after the class was to purchase a luggage tag and wrote my information on it,” she says. “That tag is attached to my horse when I ride. Now all of us who go out tell several different people where we are going and when we should arrive home.”

This article about equestrian self-defense tactics originally appeared in the August 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Few things can ruin an otherwise pleasant trail ride like a horse that just won’t walk. If you’re frequently faced with an utter refusal to move forward, an outbreak of the jiggity-jogs or a prancy dance all the way home, then you already know that this habit is annoying. It’s almost enough to make you skip the trails and stay barn-bound. Fortunately, there are ways to help your trail horse achieve and maintain a nice walk. Here’s an overview of the three most common problems, with tips on how to fix them to have a calm trail ride.

Calm Trail Ride: Hopelessly Herd-Bound

If you have a herd-bound horse, his sense of security is derived from proximity to his equine friends (think: safety in numbers). Riding toward the gate and embarking on the trail alone always elicits an overblown attack of separation anxiety. Woeful whinnies are only part of his histrionics as your horse refuses to walk forward in any semblance of a straight line.

Contributing Factors: Are you rather tentative when handling your horse? In general, do you lack confidence in the saddle? Are your rides—both at home and on the trail—missing a clear agenda? If you’re nodding “yes,” then your horse’s allegiance probably remains with his four-legged friends. You must prove you have the qualities necessary to be his herd leader.

Training Tactics

• Practice structured exercises (in groundwork and under saddle) that require clear cues and accurate aids. Be consistent when you correct your horse; reward him the moment he achieves a reasonable objective. These interactions will help to establish you as your horse’s leader.
• Instead of orchestrating another major showdown, venture away from home in small increments. For example, begin your ride away from the barn, but then put your horse to work on a large circle. Send him forward with soft hands and strong legs. As you meet with success, increase the circle’s size and travel further down the trail.
• Whenever possible, trailer your horse away from home. Trails in an unfamiliar environment eliminate the visual allure of leaving herd mates behind. Your horse will learn to function independently of his herd and focus more on you.

The Mid-Ride Meltdown

The typical mid-ride meltdown happens when you’re several miles from home, and it goes something like this: Your trek on the trail was uneventful until you crossed paths with an unfamiliar horse or paused to readjust your tack. Then your horse goes temporarily insane. He begins to dance sideways, almost cantering in place. When you try to steady him by taking up more contact, he tosses his head and leaps upward like a Lipizzan doing airs above ground—repeatedly.

Contributing Factors: Excess equine energy has ruined many a trail ride. While your horse may have lazily poked along for much of your ride, seemingly innocuous stimuli—or a brief break in the ride’s humdrum routine—can unleash a whole bunch of silliness.

Training Tactics

• Horses aren’t great multitaskers. Use that to your advantage. If you can reconnect with his brain and get him to bend around your leg in a small, soft circle (as opposed to cranking his neck to one side and spinning his body), you’ll likely interrupt his current case of the yahoos.
• If you can’t extinguish the outburst of energy, then control its direction. Find a level area and put him to work on a small circle, preferably at a forward trot. Don’t stop until he’s willing to settle down and behave.
• Remain calm. Mid-ride meltdowns are usually short-lived and transitory. Focus on gaining your horse’s attention and controlling his direction. Once you become frazzled, and your demeanor becomes that of a passive rider, you’re feeding into his burst of adrenaline and allowing his silliness to flourish unchecked.

Basically Barn Sour

Much like homing pigeons, horses have an uncanny sense of direction. They seem to know when they’re heading home. Who can blame them? “Home” represents friends, food, comfort and security. Even the best trail horses walk with a tad more zest to their step on the way back to the barn. Problems ensue when that sprightly walk erupts into an unrecognizable jumble of several frenetic gaits.

Contributing Factors: Repeatedly riding the same trail, especially if it’s one big loop, encourages barn sour behavior. Your horse soon recognizes landmarks that signal he’s getting closer to where he really wants to be.

You could also be reinforcing the Hurry Home effect without realizing it. If you immediately untack, give him access to his herd mates, or stuff his feeder upon your return, you’re providing positive rewards that exemplify just how fabulous it is to be back at the barn.

Training Tactics

• Give your horse the option of walking or working. The moment he jig-jogs, trot or canter in several large circles. If the footing is questionable, work him on the trail in the opposite direction. Then ask him to walk again. As long as he behaves, he can continue. If he revs up again, put him back to work.
• Resist the urge to shorten the reins and hold onto your horse’s mouth. A barn sour horse will always win a tug-of-war. Instead, use a series of half-halts to slow him to a walk, and soften the reins as soon as he complies.
• Consider putting your barn sour horse to work when he gets home. Spend a few minutes in the arena or the round pen before you truly end your ride. It will make the barn seem a bit less glamorous and reinforce the notion that you’re the one who gets to plan the agenda.

5 Steps Toward a Calm Trail Ride

The best way to deal with a horse that refuses to walk is to prevent the problem from developing in the first place. Consider these five suggestions.

1. 1. Use the Arena: Practice regulating your horse’s speed and influencing the movement of his body in an arena before you expect to do so on the trail. If you don’t have access to an actual arena, a flat, open area with good footing will do just fine.
2. 2. Choose More Schooling, Not More Tack: Neither a harsh bit nor a short tie-down will magically fix a horse that refuses to settle down and walk. In fact, both can restrict a hectic horse to the point that he rebels by focusing his energy forward (bolting) or redirecting it upward (rearing). Instead, school your horse to respect your aids and trust your decisions.
3. 3. Don’t Train a Racehorse: There’s nothing inherently wrong with cantering on trail rides. Yet if you frequently incorporate furious sprints or match races against your barn buddies, guess what? Your horse will begin to anticipate the moment when he’s allowed to impersonate Secretariat.
4. 4. Take the Scenic Route: Choosing the long way home makes the trip back to the barn less predictable, especially if you double back in the opposite direction every now and then. It also reinforces the concept that you’re the one charting the ride’s course.
5. 5. Don’t be a Martyr: Some horses take their anti-walking issues to the extreme. If your attempts at correcting them result in equine temper tantrums, seek help from a local professional who has experience addressing your horse’s specific issue. Allow them to help your horse develop a relaxed and reliable walk on the trails.

This article about having a calm trail ride originally appeared in the August 2018 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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