trail newborn

[trinabug]

I am looking forward to trail riding but am hearing how frustrating it is for you pro's when us newbee's start and don't know the trail rules....Is there just common rules that all trail riders use or do they vary from ride to ride...example....I was told that if you ride a kicker your supposed to tag it with a ribbon so other riders know to avoid your rear....what are some more common trail tips I need to learn to make it less stressful for me and for others?

[breburtch]

be polite and respectful
don't ride up on another horses butt
don't gallop around blind corners
don't go galloping or speeding past other horses whether there strange or not.
don't litter
if theres nervous horse on the trail give them as much room to pass or move your horse to the side and stop and wait for them to pass.
Notify other riders you may pass of any dangers on the trail(loose footing, holes, large fallen trails, wire etc)
If you spot anything on the trails that could be unsafe that you can move yourself dismount and move it.

thats all I can think of right now to make the trails easier and safer for you your horse and other riders

[Huckabuck]

Im not sure what section its in but there is a Trail Etiquette (think thats how to spell it). But has alot of good info about trail riding and stuff.

http://www.backcountryhorse.com/

[sherriawright]

I was always told to tie a green ribbon to your horses bridle if you're a new rider, a yellow one if your horse is "green".

[cameo05]

Try to keep your kicker to the back of the pack. Yes the red ribbon in the tail.
Do not block the rode, if you have trail riders that are going faster, move your horse to the side and let them pass.
Never ever ride up behind children on horses if you are moving at a fast pace.
If your horse is acting up amongst a pack of horses, remove them form the situation. Never school them in the middle of the pack. Very dangerous.
If you have a biter, control the head at all times. One like to have caused my daughter to come off her horse. I was angry.

I do not ever have a problem riding with green riders, I was there once. So the only way to learn is from seasoned riders and horses.

[Fancy's Mom]

If they have a hay wagon, do not ride your horse near it or someone might fall off when your horse reaches for a bale and knocks it off and the person too...

*from experience* I was talking to someone that was riding the wagon and Fancy was like Yum and snatched the bale and nearly pulled my friend off..

[beaner1962]

And if you park your trailer at the area's trailer parking lot make sure you bring a fork to clean up the poo your horses generate there.

[fishing_trex]

* "Know" your horse (do some trail prep at home if possible)
* Teach your horse NOT to charge hills! (I was riding with a group of 100+ people and one lady's horse charged the hill and knocked me and my horse over the edge -- no one got hurt, but it dinged up my saddle pretty good. She said "oh, he always does that".)
* Stay on the trails (and make sure they are HORSE trails)
* Don't smoke or litter or drink alcohol
* Even though bikers yield to hikers and both of these yield to horses, typically the uphill rider gets the right-of-way
* Bikers coming around a blind corner all at once are inevitable if you share the trails with them. Be prepared. I try to make a little noise (or put a bell on my horse) on these blind corners so they'll know me and my horse are there.
* Be nice to the people you meet (this includes comments)
* If you pass someone, let them know (like skiing -- "passing on your left", etc.). Don't squeeze past riders. And be careful when meeting horseback riders from the other direction.
* Leave things like you found them (gates, parking lots, etc.) with the exception of picking up trash you find (or, depending on the park, breaking off a branch in the riders' way -- but warn people around you that you are going to do it as a crack can send some horses galloping down the trail). And don't move a branch out of the way and let it snap the person behind you. Take only pictures; leave only footprints.
* Be alert at all times -- know what is in front of you, behind you, around you
* Take bridges single file
* Notify riders behind you if you are going to gallop
* Carry ID on you (and a separate one on your horse in case you get separated -- it can and does happen)

[BklynCwgrl]

Are you going to go out with alot of people? Like group rides? If you are inexperienced and your horse is inexperienced, I would try it with one other horse first...and build up to more than one. If you are going out with a big group...then yes, the red ribbon on the tail indicates a horse who kicks.

I am an experienced trail rider with a youngish horse...I've been trail riding her for about 2 years already...but for the entire first year I went out by myself or with one other calm horse.

Last weekend we went out with 4 other horses...and she was a bit nutty at first. And she does kick. I told the other riders and they stayed a respectful distance away. I was always pretty far ahead of them...not at the rear. And that's because my horse walked faster than their horses.

I think the important thing is that you have to be able to handle your horse. I was willing to go home alone if my horse got too crazy.

Oh...and as the poster above me said...ALWAYS notify other people if you intend to canter/gallop or in any way go faster/pass them up. There is nothing worse than someone galloping up behind you with no warning and your horse takes off either in fright or to keep up with the herd.

[BarnBum]

Originally Posted by fishing_trex

*
* Carry ID on you (and a separate one on your horse in case you get separated -- it can and does happen)

Keep your cell phone on YOU and not in the saddle bags < just in case you lose your horse, you have no communication>

DOnt run out from behind. Walk your way to the front of the pack then state you will trot/canter off.

Don't disgard trash/cigs on the trail.

Stay on marked trails

Clean up after your horse.

HAVE FUN !!

[HorsingRound]

This website has rules for group rides:

http://etinational.com/trailetiquette.html

This website has suggestions for riding in the backcountry:

http://www.bchcalifornia.net/ (Click on "Publications")


And my pet peeve: Please train your horse to walk and poo at the same time. On a level trail, it's annoying to have someone hold up the entire ride while their horse poops (believe me, if a mountain lion were chasing 'em, they'd run!), but it's downright dangerous to stop if you're traveling with a group along a narrow, ledgy trail because if you do stop, someone behind you may be in a bad spot with loose footing and the could slip off the trail. (Seen it happen--more than once, unfortunately.)

"Mentoring" beginners is always a good thing--the more people interested in trail riding, the more company I might have, and the better it is for all of us if equestrians use the trails. For those taking beginners under their wing: know their limits and don't get them in above their heads--take it slow.

And...wear a helmet--every ride, every time. Because even on a well broke horse, "poop happens" sometimes.

[trinabug]

thank for all the advice and please keep it coming....I have been riding my whole life but have not been on a trail ride in several years....getting tired of the show scene I decided to get back to my roots so to speak so three years ago I bread my favorite stallion in order to have my own pleasure horse....he is at this time in training and is doing well....very calm...takes to the trail thing like he was born for it....but because he is so young I plan on starting out with short rides with small groups and work my way up to longer and more crowded rides...most of your advice has been good common sense...but there has been some things I didn't think of....my trainer has been riding with and without others and when riding in small groups he will separate himself from the others from time to time and has been having the others ride off without him ....something I would not have known to teach him....thanks again and keep it coming

[JosieGirl]

Great advice by everyone...
Whenever we (as a group) would trail ride - we would purposely let our presence be known... we would talk in louder voices - it really would help when the group was at a blind corner or hill where there may have been bikers or other riders on the other side; just kind of made it easier. also, it kind of helped steer away wildlife; once again, they would hear us before we got to them; therefore avoiding scary encounters.
Also, I was always big on communication between riders. If you don't like the way someone if riding by you; be sure to let them know. Also, some trails can be "tighter" where it is not always appropriate for people to pass or ride side by side. Be sure to let others know what you are comfortable with to avoid potential problems.

[Ima Different Breed]

Everyone has offered great advice.

It's great that your preparing.
Alot of trail riders are pretty easy going and will be happy to show you the ropes and teach you trail ettiqutte. My one, BIG pet peeve, is peoples whos horses slow down or stop. Stop to poo, stop to snatch that nice bit of grass, or slows down to practically a stop. It drives me mad, so try to keep your horse at a good pace and always give the riders behind you a heads up if you need to stop (better yet, ask them and make sure it's ok....some hotter horses may need to get infront of you if you are going to stop)

[trinabug]

since you have brought up the subject of snacking on the trail ,I was wondering if that is common practice to let them snack....since I have mainly been showing this is something I would not allow my show horses to do even when just warming up outside... they have also been taught to use the bathroom in motion if they do it at all ...most have been taught not to while in the ring...so I was wondering if this is something that most trail horses do( snack while riding)? ....or should this be discouraged until you stop for a rest...seems it would be a hard habit to break once you start allowing it...

[cameo05]

I do not allow my horses to eat while on the trail while riding. I do not want them putting their heads down or eat while in the bit. For my trail horses that is bad behavior. Now when we stop for lunch we put their halters on and let them graze from there. My horses have to follow just as strict guidelines any show horse and anything else. Aot of new horses wil slow pop and espeicailly
to pee.

[paso_lover]

My biggest pet peeve is other riders concerning themselves regarding my horse. I ride a stallion and people automatically think STUD=CRAZY/STUPID. Always am I saying "you concern yourself with your horse and I'll concern myself with mine".

[cameo05]

Originally Posted by paso_lover

My biggest pet peeve is other riders concerning themselves regarding my horse. I ride a stallion and people automatically think STUD=CRAZY/STUPID. Always am I saying "you concern yourself with your horse and I'll concern myself with mine".

I ride with stud owners. It is not a big deal to me as long as my mare isn't in heat. If she is I keep her to the back of the pack I have never had a problem with a stud, I think you are right, they need to keep there eye and mind on their horse.