Trail Riding Is Fantastic, Here Are Some Things To Remember!

• Need to bring negative Coggins/health papers if traveling out of state, in state, negative Coggins needed only
• Wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet
• Check cinch/girth before mounting/during ride
• Keep kickers in back; identify them
• Riders should not pass at a different speed than gait you are traveling at
• Let others know when passing and what side you will pass on; choose a clearing
• Keep at least a horse length back
• If passing a branch, do not let it swing back into next rider’s/next rider’s mounts face – can lift it straight up
• Do not hold onto a branch until you fall off!!
• If you hear a strange noise, turn your horse to face it when you hear it which will help the horse identify it and may prevent it from running off
• Hikers and bikers and vehicles should yield to you but may not: be prepared!
• Put riders with less experience in the middle of the group
• If you need an equipment adjustment, let lead rider know and stop the horses to fix it
• Never tie a horse with the bridle reins and tie only to safe/secure items on trail
• Lead horse should be well-trained
• Lead rider should be experienced and know where they are going
• Lead rider should block the trail with mount if in a safety situation or for tack adjustment while backup rider attends to situation
• Lead rider should alert other riders to gait transition, stops, wildlife, hazards on the trail
• Stallions, if allowed along, should be ridden in front and by person experienced in riding/handling stallions

Advice for crossing a road:

• If riding on road, ride facing traffic
• Wear clothing that is visible
• Consider a reflective vest
• Have horse acclimated to traffic
• If riding in a group, have last rider come to front and stand on yellow line, blocking road and stopping traffic for others
• Have everyone else walk directly across the road
• Be prepared for honking, stones flying, etc.

Advice for crossing streams:

• Have horse negotiate water in arena prior to going on the trail
• Sandwich effect – put the horse unfamiliar with water behind a horse that is familiar with water and in front of one that is familiar with water
• Look straight ahead
• Allow horse to touch water with hoof, take a drink, encourage it to go forward

Advice for riding uphill:

• Traveling uphill changes the horse’s center of gravity, therefore lean forward slightly to center your weight over the horse
• Stay out of horse’s way
• May need to use a breast collar to keep saddle in place

Advice for riding downhill:

• When going downhill the horse’s center of gravity will change, the rider should lean slightly back to center your weight over the horse.
• Trust horse
• Look up and ahead

Advice for encountering wildlife/other trail users:

• Sudden emergence of wildlife/other users may cause a horse to spook
• Horses are prey animals therefore they have a flight instinct
• Keep a bold horse at the lead of the ride
• Teach horse to recover rapidly through ground handling and exercises
• Turn horse toward a noise if you hear it