These additional users of the trail can complicate your riding plans, but there are multiple ways to prepare your horse for these unknowns. At the same time, it’s always a good idea to study trail etiquette to help you better cope with other trail users as well.

Acclimate at Home First

Think about all the practice and training you and your horse put into preparing for a class at a show: mastering that lead change, working on collecting, nailing a jump distance. You wouldn’t dream of tackling one of these skills for the first time in front of the judge.

It’s really no different with trail riding. Even though it may seem like a simple, low-pressure environment, you really need to employ the same “training-first” mindset to ensure enjoyment and safety for you and your horse. This includes preparing for whatever you and your horse may encounter while riding on a multi-use trail.

Try Equestrian-Only Trails

See if you can get your horse out of the arena and away from the familiarity of his everyday environment while still in a horses-only situation. Maybe this involves riding in a pasture your horse doesn’t normally access, or riding on some other part of your own property where the setting is unfamiliar but where possible surprises are limited.
Finally, you could experiment with trailering your horse to equestrian-only trails in your area, if they exist.

In any case, the idea is to make sure your horse is calm on the trail in normal circumstances before adding the possibility of encountering other trail users.

Ride with another seasoned trail horse and friend (or more than one!) and let them take the lead, which will help give your horse confidence.

ATVs and UTVs

ATVs and UTVs are naturally a spooking hazard for horses. Not only are they loud, but the engines on these machines also tend to accelerate rapidly from low to high RPMs, creating a startling noise. The good news is you can work to desensitize your horse ahead of time by exposing him to these sights and sounds in a safe, controlled environment.

Once on the trail, if you hear a machine approaching, try stopping, moving as far as you safely can to the side of the trail, and then waiting for the ATV/UTV to either pass or stop and yield to you.

You may wish to forgo trails that are heavily used by ATVs or UTVs. In addition to the noise and action, these trails may become worn or muddy from heavy use, especially during spring or autumn transitional seasons.

Bicycles

At first glance, it might seem like it would be easier to share the trail with cyclists than ATVs—after all, bicycles make far less noise. But some bikers reach very high speeds on a trail, and the lack of noise prior to their arrival may give you and your horse less time to react and prepare, especially around bends in the trail. Such a situation could really trigger the predator flight response in your horse.

Newer electric bikes are gaining in popularity, and you may start seeing them on trails. Although they have some motor noise to warn you they are coming, e-bikes move much quicker than traditional bicycles, and may surprise both you and your horse.

Again, desensitizing at home is wise, especially if the trail you are using is popular with cyclists. Communication with the cyclists can also be key (see below).

Hunters

If your trail of choice winds through rural areas or even crosses into wilderness regions, it’s quite possible you’ll find yourself sharing it with hunters of all sorts. Some of these you may never see or hear; the only indication of their presence may be a parked vehicle or ATV.

Others may have a more visible presence; you and your horse may see orange- or camo-clad hunters out enjoying nature the same way you are, moving in and out of the trail.

A good plan is to do your research. What hunting seasons are open in the area where you plan to ride? This information is easily obtained from your state’s Department of Natural Resources website and can have a meaningful impact on your plans.

Depending on the region, some hunting seasons for specific species are long and rather low-key, attracting few hunters and spreading out the action so that no one weekend is busier than another.

Other hunting seasons may be short and intense, attracting large numbers of hunters and creating plenty of trail traffic. You might wish to adjust your riding schedule to avoid the most popular hunts in a particular region. Again, it’s all about respecting other users of the trail and trying to work with everyone.

There’s also the matter of gunshots; responsible hunters won’t be using firearms when at close range to the trail, but the sound of a gunshot naturally carries a good distance. If your horse is particularly spooky about loud noises, it might be another thing to work on in training.

Dismounting if Needed

If something unusual is happening or your horse seems worried, you may want to consider dismounting until the situation has passed. It all depends on the comfort level of you and your horse, but you can certainly keep dismounting in mind as a safety option in some situations.

Communicate with Other Trail Users

Remember that other users of the trail probably aren’t horse people. Their horse-startling behaviors, such as revving an engine or suddenly moving a “scary” object, probably aren’t intended to be discourteous.

Along with putting in training time, you have a responsibility to explain what you need to other trail users when you come upon each other. The following are some examples of dialogue that help put everyone at ease:

“My horse is a little skittish about your ATV; if you could just slowly and quietly pass, or shut off your machine and I’ll pass you.”

“I think my horse is a little afraid of your hiking backpack, so if you could just talk softly as you pass it will help put him at ease.”

“Good morning, would you mind putting a leash your dog until I pass with my horse?”

Most people will be happy to comply with requests like these, and such dialogue encourages cooperation so that everyone can enjoy the trail.

Be Courteous

Also remember that people might be intimidated by your horse. It’s easy to forget that not everyone spends time around 1,200-pound animals regularly, so a passing hiker or cyclist may feel unsure.

Good communication etiquette is helpful here as well. Be courteous and friendly. Technically, other trail users must always yield to equestrians, but there may be plenty of situations where it simply makes more sense to stop your horse and let the other trail users pass.

Also, be sure to clean up after your horse; the next non-horsey hiker or cyclist will thank you. And you may want to avoid riding on soft trails after rainstorms where your horse will leave significant divots from his footprints.

Just like safe driving means being responsible and working with others on the road, sharing a multi-use trail safely just requires some planning and effort on your part, along with a little caution. There’s no reason that multiple types of recreation can’t take place simultaneously.

Happy trails!

This article about riding horses on multi-use trails appeared in the August 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Riding Horses on Multi-Use Trails appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

I grew up camping, and I grew up with horses, but I never put the two together until I was in high school. Camping at a nearby state park, I noticed some horse corrals and water troughs and went to investigate. I could bring my horses camping with me? Sign me up!

We went back several times over the years with our horses in tow, and I also joined a local trail riding club and did a three-day ride up a nearby mountain range. If you love being in nature and riding on beautiful trails, then horse camping may be for you. We talked to three experts who share their advice.

Why Horse Camp?

“It’s a nice feeling to wake up next to your horse with the pines all around you,” says Craig Ferdig of Prescott, Ariz. Ferdig is a national director for Back Country Horsemen of America, a nationwide organization committed to protecting equestrian access to public lands.

Local chapters assist with trail maintenance and improvement projects, as well as offering education and hosting events. Ferdig and his wife have camped in numerous states in many ways, from camping in locations with corrals and water provided to dry camping in more remote areas.

“There’s something wonderful about going into the woods and spending several days with your horse just 10 feet away,” says Kim McCarrel, vice president for public lands at Oregon Equestrian Trails and the author of five trail guides for the region. “You can go riding every day and come back to camp and enjoy hanging out with your friends and horses. It’s a fabulous experience.” McCarrel camps eight to 10 times each year, and there are 14 horse camps within an hour and a half drive of her home in Bend, Ore.

Fellow Oregon Equestrian Trails and Back Country Horsemen of America member Marty DeVall of Oregon City, Ore., says there are around 70 horse camps in the state, most with corrals built by volunteers. DeVall is a devoted trail maintenance and website volunteer. He horse camped for many years and has enjoyed experiencing the different scenery and improving trails along the way.

Where to Find Horse Camps

There are many ways to find regional horse camping locations. All our experts recommend joining local trail riding groups. Not only can you learn from veteran members, but they can give you the scoop on local campsites. These groups may even have directories available to members.

You can also find horse camping by searching online. You can look at state park, national forest and national park websites. There are also national camping websites that allow you to search for horse camping.

Keep in mind that amenities will vary. As a newbie, start with locations that provide corrals and running water. Sites can fill up fast, so make your reservations well in advance. As you get more experienced, you can consider camping at more remote locations, which require additional gear and preparation.

How to Prepare

In order to enjoy yourself, it’s important to properly prepare. Your horse should be used to the sights and sounds of trail riding, but also things like tents and unusual encounters you may have along the way, from wildlife to fellow trail users.

“For example, people hike with goats and llamas,” says DeVall. “I’ve experienced that firsthand. If you’re out on trail and your horse hasn’t seen a llama before, he may get very spooked. Try to take your horse through as many things as he might see in the wilderness where you are going. Riding with a more experienced horse generally helps a young horse.”

At their local state park, DeVall and other equestrians helped create training stations where trail riders can go to practice obstacles that they may encounter on the trail, such as suspension bridges. There, they built a low bridge that’s safe to practice on, as well as many other stations.

“Look for places locally that you can take your horse and work on training,” he advises. “You don’t want to be thrown off out in the wilderness.”

Ferdig suggests setting up a tent at home.

“Setting up a tent can scare horses if they aren’t trained around them,” he notes. “Make sure the horse has confidence and doesn’t spook at every sound.”

At home, you can work on desensitization exercises and building your horse’s confidence. For example, you can invite some children you know over to play outdoor games nearby.

You can also practice walking through puddles, opening umbrellas, and letting flags and tarps blow in the wind. Just take things slow, always keeping safety in mind.

If you join a trail riding or camping group, make sure your horse is comfortable riding with multiple other horses.

“If you’re used to riding with one or two people, try to expand the number you’re riding with to prepare for a group outing,” says McCarrel. “Also, make sure your horse gets a chance to experience being in the lead, the middle and the back. Make sure the people you’re riding with have good trail manners and don’t do things that can upset your horse, like running off without warning.”

If and when you transition to more primitive camping, you will need to train your horse to accept being tied to a highline.

“If you’re going somewhere you’ll need to highline, I recommend you set up a highline in your barnyard and get your horse used to it,” says McCarrel. “Feed your horse dinner on the highline a couple of nights and let him get used to hanging out there. Also, it gives you practice setting up a highline. For a lot of people, setting up a highline is kind of mysterious, as it can sag.”

She recommends the website trailmeister.com, which not only helps you find horse camping, but also has resources such as step-by-step highline instructions.

What to Pack

If you’ve ever been camping before, you know the list of what to bring is quite extensive. Add horses to the mix, and your list doubles. McCarrel suggests creating a master checklist that you can add to and subtract from for each trip.

DeVall notes that many camping locations require weed-free hay. This is to stop the spread of invasive species of plants. Check in advance if the location you’re staying requires certified weed-free hay, which you can purchase from many feed stores.

If you’ll be crossing state lines, make sure you know what paperwork (such as current health certificate and proof of a negative Coggins test) is required, and have it on hand.

Also ensure there’s a reliable water source for your horse or that you’re bringing plenty of your own.

“We have a 75-gallon water tank that we take in the back of our truck as a backup, even if we know there’s a water supply,” says Ferdig.

Plenty of food and water is important for you and your horse. Hay can help horses stay calm and warm, so bring extra.

Also pack your usual tack, buckets, lead ropes, fly spray, bug spray, sunscreen, warm clothes and bedding for you, all-weather gear, a manure fork and muck bucket, any medications, a horse first-aid kit and a human first-aid kit.

You can also locate area veterinarians in advance, in case of an emergency. If your horse tends to colic or has other health issues, check with your vet about what to bring and how to handle any issues that arise.

For your rides, assemble a trail kit for your saddle bag with things like first-aid supplies, a map/compass/GPS, a rain poncho, water and a snack, a hoof pick, insect repellent, and other handy items like duct tape, a whistle, a small flashlight, matches, a pocketknife or multipurpose tool, and twine.

Bring your phone (but keep it on your person in case you fall off), and ride with a buddy. If you’ll be outside of cell service range, it’s a good idea to have a satellite GPS emergency alert device.

To help keep lands accessible to equestrians, it’s important to be a good steward of the natural areas you visit.

“Make sure you dispose of manure properly,” says Ferdig. “Leave no trace. In your campground, leave it as you found it. Clean up everything.”

If you find you love horse camping, consider volunteering to help maintain trails and add infrastructure, ensuring generations of equestrians can continue to enjoy this amazing pastime.

This article about camping with horses appeared in the August 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Camping with Horses appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Trail Riding Safety Factor: Your Horse’s Reaction

If you and your horse have ever come across a wild animal while you’re on the trail, the experience was either enjoyable or terrifying, depending on your horse’s reaction. My most seasoned trail horse has seen coyotes many times on our rides, and he will stop and admire them with me if we come across them hunting in a field or walking across the trail.

On the other hand, the first time we came across a deer, his reaction was anything but relaxed. He was unable to identify the four-legged creature with a head full of antlers, and every muscle in his body tightened. It felt like he was ready to bolt.

After seeing deer several times, my horse is no longer scared—he’s figured out they are harmless. But it’s nearly impossible to expose a horse to every wild critter he might come across on the trail in advance of that real-life moment.

Building Trust with Your Horse

Lory Walls and Jamie Dietrich are two experienced North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC) competitors and judges, with thousands of miles of trails around the country under their belts. Both have come across all kinds of wildlife along a variety of trails, and they concur that the secret to dealing with everything from deer to bobcats is teaching your horse to trust you.

“Building trust starts at home, and should be happening all the time,” says Walls. “You can’t expect the horse to be completely unafraid, but you want to be able to channel and deal with the fear. You do his by building that trust and not keeping the horse in a bubble.”

You can earn your horse’s trust by spending time in both the saddle and on the ground, showing him that you can handle anything scary that comes up. Your horse needs to know that you will keep him safe. Time on both the trail and the arena negotiating obstacles can help foster this.

Practice Obstacles

Start by tackling some potentially scary arena obstacles like wood bridges, tarps and poles. Help your horse understand that you won’t ask him to do something that puts him at risk.

Once he has mastered these inanimate objects, expose him to other animals like sheep, goats, barking dogs, pigs—whatever you have access to—while still in the arena. As you help your horse learn to adjust to these animals through regular exposure, he will start to learn to trust you.

Once you feel like your horse is relaxed around domestic animals, go trail riding with someone who has a wildlife-savvy horse for safety and education. Your horse will learn from his trail buddy that wildlife is nothing to fear.

Before you head out on trail alone or with a buddy, be confident that you can control of horse’s feet. According to Dietrich, you want your horse to listen to your hands, seat, legs and voice, even when he’s in a concerning situation.

You also want to teach your horse to wait and watch when he sees something that worries him, instead of just reacting. This takes practice and patience. If your horse stops when he sees an animal or object he’s concerned about, don’t push him toward it until you can feel him relax. It’s important to control you own reaction as well by not tightening your body. If you get nervous, you are likely to produce a fear reaction in the horse.

According to Dietrich, with most wildlife encounters, there’s a momentary startle, and the other critter goes on its way. Big birds like grouse and turkeys make a lot of noise and seem to appear out of nowhere. Even little creatures like rabbits and squirrels can come darting out of a shrub and startle both you and your horse.

In these situations, it’s important to have a good seat to make sure you stay on your horse during that initial spook, and then to work to calm yourself quickly so you can in turn calm your horse.

Dangerous Wildlife While Trail Riding

Most wildlife, like deer, brown bears, coyotes and bobcats, are only a threat if your horse freaks out about them. While these animals will likely freeze or run off when they see horses, a few species are best avoided because of their propensity for aggression.

Grizzly bears are one such animal, and are most often encountered in very remote areas in the northwestern states, Alaska and Canada. Riders in these areas often ride with “grizzly bells” attached to their horses’ saddles or breast collars to help warn bears they are coming and avoid startling them. Grizzlies don’t typically attack riders, but momma bears with cubs nearby can be unpredictable.

Another species that can pose a problem for riders is snakes, specifically poisonous ones. Coming across a gopher or king snake is no big deal, but stepping on a rattlesnake or cottonmouth can prove deadly.

Most venomous snakes only bite if they feel threatened, and most horse encounters with these kinds of snakes are accidental. That’s why it’s important to stay on designated trails and avoid going “off-roading” in snake country.

Many people are afraid of mountain lions, probably because our ancient ancestors were likely prey for similar large cats. But today’s mountain lions rarely attack adult horses, especially ones with riders, because they look even bigger than an unmounted horse.

Mountain lions are good at concealing themselves, and you are unlikely to see one when riding. If you do, your biggest challenge will be keeping your horse calm. Like humans, horses tend to have a visceral reaction to large predators. If this happens, fall back on your horse’s training and let him know he can trust you to handle the situation.

Use Common Sense While Trail Riding

It goes without saying that all wildlife should be given a wide berth whenever possible. Wild animals typically become aggressive if they feel threatened and will always opt for flight over fight if they can.

Keep in mind that female mammals such as bears, mountain lions, moose and coyotes may behave aggressively if they feel their babies are in danger. If you see a mother and her offspring along the trail, turn around and head in the other direction.

Encountering wildlife on the trail can be an exhilarating experience. It is something many trail riders hope for in their journeys, and something they remember for a lifetime. Establish an understanding of wildlife safety and work with your horse to build trust so when you come across a new animal while trail riding, you will both enjoy the moment.

This article about wildlife safety while trail riding appeared in the August 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Wildlife Safety While Trail Riding appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Crossing water is one of those things that’s either fun to do with your horse, or it’s exasperating—there doesn’t seem to be much middle ground. However, if a horse is trained to cross water willingly, it’s easy and very useful.

To teach your horse to cross water, pick a water crossing that isn’t too deep so that you don’t get into trouble. Generally, the narrower the water crossing, the easier it is to get the horse to the other side. However, the narrower the crossing, the more likely the horse is to try to jump it instead of going through it. An area without heavy mud is better because if the horse feels his front feet sinking in the mud before he even gets to the water, you’re going to have more trouble getting through.

First Steps to Crossing Water

Ideally, you’ll want to start introducing your horse to water crossing by following a rider on a more experienced horse through the water the first few times. In some situations you won’t have another person to help you, however, so we’ll treat this as if you’re by yourself.

Start by riding your horse back and forth beside the water a few times. This lets him see the water, and turning back and forth also lets him know that you’re the one calling the shots. Occasionally when a horse gets near water, he will get nervous and stop listening to you. The more your horse does this, the more you should turn back and forth before attempting to cross the water.

NOTE: When turning your horse back and forth, always turn toward the water. I never turn away, because if my horse is nervous, he might bolt away once he’s facing away from the water. Also, for the purpose of this exercise, I don’t want him thinking that turning away from the water is an option.

Approaching the Water

Once your horse is listening well, it’s time to approach the water. Pick the spot where you’re going to cross. You must be very specific here. Don’t attempt to just cross the water wherever—you want to cross at that one specific spot. If you’re too vague, your horse might take advantage of your indecision and go near the water but not through it.

It is now your job to keep your horse’s nose pointed at that spot no matter what he does. If he spooks, bolts, backs up, et cetera, you still need to keep his nose pointed at the spot you want to cross. If you can do that, eventually the rest of the horse is going to follow his nose. Approach the spot straight on; don’t come in on an angle, or it will be too easy for him to veer off to the side.

Walk your horse toward the water; chances are he will get close and then stop. When he stops, just sit there and let him look. Take all pressure off him and pet him if you can. If you let him stand for a minute, this will let your horse know that this spot is a good place to be.

This is important, because if your horse starts to really resist going into the water and you end up in an argument, it’s easy to find yourself farther away from the water than where you started. If you let him have this one rest spot, at least you will be able to get back to it and start over from there.

Now that he’s standing and looking at the water, chances are he will start moving again after a few moments. If he moves toward the water, allow him to go. If he tries to move to one side or the other, keep his nose pointed at the spot and then use your legs to keep him straight.

If your horse backs up, squeeze very lightly with your legs. Eventually he’s going to stop, and the moment he takes a step forward, release the leg pressure. If he takes 20 steps backward and only one step forward, I’m still happy.

Keep working at this. Most horses that don’t want to cross water will give three or four good attempts to get away by turning to the right and left and by backing up. If you stay with this and remain calm while keeping your horse’s nose pointed straight at your designated crossing spot, your horse is going to start to see that there is no escape.

Once he realizes this, usually he’ll take a few steps closer to the water. Be sure to let him stand and relax when he does this. The biggest mistake you can make is to start squeezing and kicking when your horse starts moving forward. He’s already doing the right thing by moving ahead, so don’t ask for too much.

Investigating the Water

Eventually your horse is going to get right up to the water. Chances are high that he’ll now start pawing at the water and put his nose down to investigate. Allow him do this, because even though he’s not crossing the water, he’s interested enough to be investigating it instead of running away from it.

It might take two minutes and it might take 20, but if you keep up with this, eventually he’s going to cross the water. How long it takes depends on how quickly he understands that moving forward is the only option.

Be aware that your horse might jump a narrow crossing, so you might have to grab the horn or some mane if that happens. When horses cross for the first time, some will cross at a snail’s pace. However, most will rush through once they get partway in. Just let your horse rush out and then walk some big circles once you reach the other side. Keep doing that until he is calm and relaxed.

Cementing Success in Crossing Water

Once your horse has settled, I recommend crossing back and forth several times. You’ve done the hardest part, so repeat it until your horse is doing it easily so you won’t have to start at square one another day.

Once you’ve crossed a few times, ask him to go through without letting him stop or put his head down to investigate and think about it. You now want him crossing the water as if he’s expected to, not like he has to decide whether it’s a good idea each time.

If you have a horse that keeps on jumping water instead of going through it, you there are a couple of things you can try. One is to keep crossing back and forth until your horse becomes a bit tired. At this point, most horses start to slow down and think about the crossing instead of overreacting.

Also Read: Teach Your Horse to Go Through Water on the Trail

If I have a horse that will not stop jumping the water, sometimes I’ll find a water crossing to practice that’s very wide, where the horse can’t reach the other side if he jumps. A shallow pond or a round pen after a heavy rain are good choices. Once the horse realizes he can’t jump to the other side, he’ll likely start going in properly.

Try to end your session on a calm note. If you repeat the water crossing lesson a few days in a row, you will likely have a horse that crosses water willingly for the rest of his life.

All the best to you and your horse!

This article about crossing water with your horse appeared in the August 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Training Your Horse to Cross Water appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

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!

The post Prep for Trail Riding with Children appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

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!

The post Self-Defense for Equestrians appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Safety First

• Always tell someone where you are going to ride and how long you plan to be out.
• Take a fully charged cell phone and keep it with you, rather than in a saddlebag, in case you and your horse become separated out on the trail.
• Only ride on trails you or your trail partner know, and use a GPS app to track your route in case you get lost and need to backtrack.
• On longer rides, it’s a good idea to pack a first-aid kit in your saddlebag.
• Pay attention to trail conditions. Storms and rain can cause flooding, deep mud and other hazards on your favorite trails.
• Obey “no trespassing” signs, and be sure you have permission to ride on private property. Leave gates the way you found them (open or closed).
• Wear high-visibility colors so you can be easily seen, especially during hunting season or if your ride takes you along roadways near traffic.
• Remember to wear your helmet! Even though trail riding is fun and casual, unexpected things can happen.

Riding on the Trail

• Lean forward going uphill to take the weight off your horse’s back so he can use his hindquarters to power himself up the hill. Grab a little mane to help hold yourself up.
• Use caution on slick, rocky or uneven footing. Go slowly and try to stay centered in the saddle so you don’t throw your horse off balance.
• Don’t overwork your horse. If you haven’t been riding much, choose a shorter, flatter trail and go at an easy pace.
• If you want to go on longer rides, build your horse’s fitness up gradually. For example, building up to a four-hour ride will take at least two months of gradually increasing ride length.
• Keep your tack clean and condition leather regularly. You don’t want your cinch or bridle to break out on the trail.
• Check your cinch after you mount and during the ride.
• Always walk on the way home so your horse doesn’t learn to jig and rush. If he starts picking up his pace, put him to work to refocus his attention on you. Work on circles, bending and changes of direction so that you control the speed.
• If your horse has the annoying habit of grabbing grass on a ride, correct him by pulling up strongly on just one rein. Be quick and firm—don’t get into a tug-of-war. Then send him forward. You’ll need to be consistent and correct him every time so that he knows you mean business.

Riding in a Group

• Keep one horse length between horses so nobody gets kicked. You should be able to see the heels of the horse in front of you through your horse’s ears.
• Keep the group together. Horses can panic if they think they are being left behind by the herd.
• Make sure everyone in the group is comfortable riding at faster speeds before trotting or cantering. If one horse is misbehaving, be on the safe side and just walk.

Trail Riding Tips – After the Ride

Take good care of your horse when you get back to the barn.

Cool him out and let him have his fill of water. In warm weather, hose or sponge him off. Remove dried sweat and dirt from his coat, including his face. Pick out his feet and check his legs for any cuts or scrapes. And finally, give him a pat and be sure to thank him for being your trail buddy!

This article originally appeared in the September/October 2017 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Trail Riding Tips appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.