Once you learn how the equine eye functions, you’ll better understand your horse’s actions. And you’ll have insight managing your trail horse when it becomes skittish for no apparent reason.
Most people wouldn’t think of getting up from a desk job and heading off into the mountains or hill country for long hikes without first getting into condition. The same should be true for your horse.
Readers react to the death of the National competitive trail mileage record holder Elmer Bandit.
Horses that are mainly ridden on weekends require special care and training to avoid injury.
Many people worry that horses coming from near sea level will have trouble acclimating to the mountain altitudes. If they are physically fit, horses have an easier time adjusting than humans, and it’s all due to physiology.
Look for a horse that’s alert to its surroundings and pays special attention to unusual objects. This is where the subtlety comes in. You want the horse to be observant, but you don’t want it to become agitated and frightened when it sees something.
Once you have your destination in mind and have set about procuring all the necessary information, think about your equipment, such as packsaddles, tents, sleeping bags, cooking and eating utensils, and, it seems, a million other things.
Once you have committed to a pack trip, the preparation begins, even though it might be a year away. First of all, you must decide where you are going and obtain all possible information about the area.
Does your horse walk along quietly with at least a horse length between him and the horse in front, or does he want to tailgate the lead horse without watching where he places his feet?
I have a 17-year-old Arabian mare. When trail riding, she looks for every opportunity to jump, spook, or take off, especially now that my other horse, her companion, no longer accompanies her. Is there a safe daily supplement just to take the edge off while riding?
In a discussion of proper temperament in a trail horse, words like solid and steady come to mind. You want a horse that will carry you over a trail with little to no fuss or fidgeting–a horse that is solid and steady in the bridle.
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