Riding equestrian trails will allow you to enjoy the company of your horse in a relaxed manner. Whether you do it alone or with a group of friends, trail-riding is a great way of spending time with your horse. There are no great skills required for this activity. With natural horse care and some common sense, you will have a lot of pleasure.
One of the equine issues you will face when starting out will be hoof care. Perhaps your horse is regularly shod. This can become a problem if he throws a shoe on the trail. Many riders are now opting to leave their horses unshod or barefoot. Most mounts cope with this once they become used to going barefoot. Hoof boots are another option. It is a good idea to carry a boot with you if your horse is shod. Should he lose a shoe, you will be able to continue more easily.
As well as going barefoot, natural horse care involves letting your horse live as much as possible as his ancestors did. Wild horses would have been constantly on the move, grazing over a large area. They also traveled in a herd.
Their coats grew thicker in the winter and were shed in the summer. Their long manes and tails kept insects at bay. Several of the herd would be continually on the alert for predators.
Today many horses are confined for hours on end. Even more live solitary lives. Their only exercise may consist of highly disciplined maneuvers or training. They are fed regularly but spend a lot of time with nothing to occupy them.
Some wear rugs, hoods and bandages all year round. Their manes may be shortened or removed. Tails are often pulled or thinned out. Trail horses will find it easier to cope with the conditions on the trail if they are kept outdoors as much as possible. Stable vices like cribbing and weaving are indulged in by horses that need more stimulation and activity in their lives.
Rug your horse as little as possible. If you intend to camp out for a night or two, you won't want to be bothered with rugs. Unless he has a heavy coat and is likely to become really sweaty, don't have him clipped. Leave the natural oils in his coat so he is better prepared for the weather conditions you might encounter.
A horse which is able to roam his field at will at least during the day will be more contented and relaxed. If your horse is on edge from being confined, a short time spent free in a round yard before you saddle him may help. With his excess energy spent, you will both be more at ease when riding equestrian trails.
One of the equine issues you will face when starting out will be hoof care. Perhaps your horse is regularly shod. This can become a problem if he throws a shoe on the trail. Many riders are now opting to leave their horses unshod or barefoot. Most mounts cope with this once they become used to going barefoot. Hoof boots are another option. It is a good idea to carry a boot with you if your horse is shod. Should he lose a shoe, you will be able to continue more easily.
As well as going barefoot, natural horse care involves letting your horse live as much as possible as his ancestors did. Wild horses would have been constantly on the move, grazing over a large area. They also traveled in a herd.
Their coats grew thicker in the winter and were shed in the summer. Their long manes and tails kept insects at bay. Several of the herd would be continually on the alert for predators.
Today many horses are confined for hours on end. Even more live solitary lives. Their only exercise may consist of highly disciplined maneuvers or training. They are fed regularly but spend a lot of time with nothing to occupy them.
Some wear rugs, hoods and bandages all year round. Their manes may be shortened or removed. Tails are often pulled or thinned out. Trail horses will find it easier to cope with the conditions on the trail if they are kept outdoors as much as possible. Stable vices like cribbing and weaving are indulged in by horses that need more stimulation and activity in their lives.
Rug your horse as little as possible. If you intend to camp out for a night or two, you won't want to be bothered with rugs. Unless he has a heavy coat and is likely to become really sweaty, don't have him clipped. Leave the natural oils in his coat so he is better prepared for the weather conditions you might encounter.
A horse which is able to roam his field at will at least during the day will be more contented and relaxed. If your horse is on edge from being confined, a short time spent free in a round yard before you saddle him may help. With his excess energy spent, you will both be more at ease when riding equestrian trails.
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