Trail riding involves riding a horse on a trail.It's a great way to spend time outdoors.Trail rides can last an hour or two, or they can involve overnight camping.It is possible to do trail riding safely and have an unforgettable experience.
Step 1: You should know your abilities.
You should be an experienced trail rider if you are going to ride alone.If you're inexperienced, it's important to ride with an experienced rider you know or as part of an organized trail ride.You are at risk of injury, getting lost, or getting exposed to the elements if you ride alone.
Step 2: You should plan your route.
It's important that you know the route you're going to take, regardless of your level of experience.The risk of getting lost will be reduced.Purchase a map of the area in advance, study the route you intend to take, and bring the map with you for reference.A map is waterproof.If you get caught in a storm, make sure your map holds up.Don't depend on technology for navigation.If you are riding a trail in a wilderness area, you should expect poor reception.Take a look at the native animals and insects in the area you'll be riding.You should know in advance if any animals will startle your horse, and be aware of the insect situation to make preparations.Search online for the area you'll be riding in to find this information.Tell others where you're going and when you expect to return.If something should happen, your friends or family members will know where to look and when to start looking.
Step 3: Prepare for ride conditions.
You should be aware of the conditions on the trail before you go for a ride.It also means planning for issues like riding in the dark if you plan to be out late.If it's cold or hot, wear comfortable clothes that will keep you warm.Bring a rain jacket if there is a chance of rain.It's a good idea to bring and wear bug spray.If there is any chance at all that you will be out at night, bring reflective clothing and a flashlight.Just in case, you should put an extra set of batteries into your pocket.On a hot day, your horse will get warm.A quick and easy way to cool him off is to tie a long rope around one or two sponges.When crossing a stream or other source of water, wring the sponges out of your horse's neck and shoulders.
Step 4: Wear safety gear.
It's important to wear the right safety gear, in addition to dressing for the weather and environment.No matter how experienced you are, a hard hat is at the top of your list.If you fall off your horse, you may want to consider wearing a protective vest, which will help protect the organs and bones in your abdomen.If you are riding with an organized trail riding service, they may give you some equipment, but not other pieces.You may be required to provide your own gear.Find out what you need to bring.If you are near hunters, wear bright orange.No matter what season you'll be riding in, you should wear sunglasses.Too much exposure to the sun can cause long-term vision problems and being unable to see where you're going can make it unsafe to ride.If you want your sunglasses to fit under your helmet, choose sunglasses that are made with polycarbonate materials.
Step 5: A first aid kit is a must have.
There's a chance that you and your horse could get injured in a wilderness area.You should bring a first aid kit if there is an emergency.A proper first aid kit should include: cotton wraps/dressings surgical tape gauze pads in various sizes a sharp, clean pair of scissors antiseptic wipes and/or rinse saline solution latex gloves clippers.
Step 6: Match your horse to you.
If you're a new rider, you should avoid trail riding on a high-energy, athletic horse, as his drive matched with your inexperience could cause an accident.If you're an experienced and adventurous rider, you may have a hard time riding a horse with no sense of curiosity.If you're not sure how to choose a horse that will fit your needs and experience level, talk to a trainer at the stable or someone who works with a trail-riding group.Pick a horse that can carry someone with your height and weight.If you're not sure how to size up a horse for your body, talk to someone who knows.Make sure your horse is well-conditioned for the kind of riding you intend to do.
Step 7: You should desensitize your horse.
Before entering a wilderness area, you should get your own horse used to riding around other horses and animals.If your horse has never been on rides with other horses and will be riding solo with you for the first time, gradually build up his comfort and confidence by taking short rides together on a regular basis.Gradually introduce your horse to new riding situations.Don't expect a horse that has never been on a trail to suddenly "get it" in the woods.Before hitting the trail, make sure you have mastered the basics of riding with your horse.Do not bring a horse onto a trail.It endangers your safety, the horse's safety and the safety of anyone else who might be on that trail.
Step 8: You should know the other horses.
If you're riding with a group, it's important to know if any other horses have any issues.A horse that is prone to kicking could endanger the rider(s) directly behind him, which would affect how closely the next rider would follow behind.Tie a red ribbon to the horse's tail if it kicks.This is a universal marker of kicking.Extra space is given for riding behind a horse with a red ribbon.The rider should put at least one horse length between their horse and the horse directly in front.If the horse in front has a red ribbon or is known to kick, you should double that distance and make sure your horse doesn't tailgate.
Step 9: Double check the cinches.
When riders fit cinches in place, many horses puffed up their chests.As the ride progresses, loose cinches can occur.After you've mounted the horse, it's a good idea to check the cinches about 5 to 10 minutes into the ride.Just to be sure, you may want to check the cinches around halfway through the ride.Accidents and injuries can be caused by loose cinches.Checking the cinch above the horse's elbow can give you a false sense of its status.To find out how tight the cinch is between the horse's front legs, check it.If you want to make sure the horse's hair is flat, you have to slide your finger underneath the cinch from the back.You should be able to fit a single finger up to the first joint.The cinches might be too lose if you can fit anything more.The cinch may be too tight if you can't fit that far.
Step 10: Know the rules of the trail.
If you are on private land, you will probably only see other riders.You may cross paths with hikers, bicyclists, and even off-road vehicles on public lands.The trail protocol is important to ensure everyone's safety.When another rider approaches from either the front or the back, form a single file.If you see hikers or bicyclists, reduce your horse's trot to as slow a walk as possible and stay to the side of the trail so that they can pass.
Step 11: It's a good idea to approach risky situations cautiously.
There are a lot of situations you can't control on the trail.There is no way to change the trail conditions.If the trail becomes rocky, slippery, or otherwise slick, approach slowly and with caution.If you can keep your body centered in your saddle, you will be less likely to have your horse lose balance.Caution should be used when crossing streams.A horse can fall in water if his legs are swept out from under him.Once the water gets halfway up the horse's side, the risk of this happening greatly increases.A muddy trail can cause a horse to slip and fall.Slow down and approach carefully if you are riding through a terrain where you can't clearly see the ground.Even if the ground is stable, you may encounter holes that could cause your horse to trip.
Step 12: You can use controlled falls.
It would be best if you did not have to fall.If your horse rears back and knocks you off, it's important to use a controlled fall to minimize the risk of serious injury.Don't try to break your fall by sticking out your arms.This could result in a broken wrist, arm, or both.If you can't turn in time, try to use your shoulder or thigh to absorb the shock when you fall.If you're not wearing a hard hat, you might want to cover your face before you hit the ground.As soon as you hit the ground, try to tuck and roll.This will spread the blow out as much as possible, because it will reduce the impact in any single part of your body.It may seem strange to spread an injury out, but remember that a lot of small injuries will be easier to recover from than a big hit.
Step 13: You can learn how to restrain your horse's rear leg.
It's possible that your horse won't be able to make it back to the trail if he gets stuck by a porcupine.You can easily get kicked by a horse if you treat an injured rear leg.The easiest way to restrain a horse is to tie up one of his rear feet.Should the situation arise, it's good to know how to restrain a horse.Place a length of rope in a loop around the base of your horse's body so that you don't get kicked and make sure the cotton rope is long enough for the horse to stand on.