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A word about trail riding Parents: This is for you
With the nice weather here everyone wants to enjoy the time with their horse friends. I have been able to take some of my advanced students out on the trails and they've enjoyed it immensely.
Many people are asking when they too can go out on a trail, a very valid question! Here's my philosophy:
My horses and ponies are not automatic trail animals. They have to be ridden. Period. Piero, for example, is a VERY safe pony. However, ponies can be unpredictable. I need to know that you or your child can handle yourself properly in case of an emergency on the trail. An emergency being if the horse or pony spooks, jumps sideways, suddenly stops and spins, or the worst, runs off. In the case of a run away, you need physical strength to perform the emergency one rein stop that I teach everyone. An 8 year old child is not capable of that. Period. In order to automatically do the right thing in this situation you cannot take the time to think about it. Your body just has to perform the moves without thought, an automatic response.
So, how do I know if you are ready?
Here are some things I look for: - Can you ride at a walk around the arena while standing?
- Can you walk around the arena by yourself, halt, and walk again, off lead?
- Are you trotting yet?
- Are you trotting off lead line?
- Can you post to the trot without losing balance?
A student not yet proficient at trotting is not safe on the trail. Please understand, it is a BIG, wide open space. You need to be comfortable because often the horse will attempt to trot home and you need to be able to control his speed. I teach only one child capable of trail riding and she's been riding for 6 years. She spent the first 3 on a lunge line developing her seat. I am not being a prude about this. I am protecting your children. This is a dangerous activity and it is my job to eliminate unnecessary risks.
Are there places that allow children to trail ride? Sure there are. There are also places that teach trotting before they have control, cantering before they can trot correctly, and jumping before they have a good seat at the canter. These same people do not know what it is when a horse cocks their leg or licks and chews. They do not know how to properly catch a horse or say hello. You will not find that here. I am proud to offer horsemanship skills and will teach everyone how to be a safe trail rider, when they are ready, in their own time.
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