I want to take my horse to trails that back up behind the place she is boarded. She has never been on trails and there are no trail obstacles to work her in around the stables. I was wondering if I could just take her out to the trails, where there are mainly hills and just work her there? I don't have a trailer so I can't take her to a trail riding training place. Any advice would be great! Thanks.
Answers:
If she doesn't spook easily, then she should be just fine. She may even enjoy the ride more when she is out in the open (although she may be more distracted than usual). If you are worried about her spooking, you can desensitize her in the barn before you go. Even though you said there aren't any trail obstacles at your stable, you can make some that will do the job. For example, to get her used to water, you can lay down a blue tarp in your arena and have her walk across it. You may need to be next to her on the ground first if she scares easy. Another easy favorite is practicing opening and shutting the mailbox at your barn while mounted. This helps with steering and patience. Also, cones, planks, barrels and anything else you find around the barn can be turned into mini obstacle courses to practice on. Have fun!!
does she spook? if not than you should be fine. now she will be excited and will want to see every thing. so i suggest you take a friend with you. because you never know what will happen. but if you just take her out she will be just fine. just don't rush her in to it let her get use to it. than it will be time for 3 day trail rides lol. those are always fun. :)
a wa yi got my horse use to trials is to take tarps, plasitc bags empty (METAL) cans and other noisy objects. then in a ring or a open padock i lay the tarp down and put water on it( depending if your horse dosn't like getting it's feet wet) and have them walk across it. i also wolud have someone shaking the cans and plastic bags so that she is use to the noise.
And empty feed bags are good desensitizing for the crunching of leaves sound. I also use stuffed dolls and balls( bigger than a foot wide and let them play with that. once your horse is fine with that type of stuff she should be fine.
Just take her out and enjoy the ride. Don't get complacent if you see she is doing fine (and she will MOST of the ride); always be watchful for things that might look scary to her. When she stops and her neck stiffens as she is looking at something, don't try to force her to move forward. If she tries to back up and run away, just face her back toward whatever it is and let her look. After a minute or two, encourage her forward. If she won't go forward, you might get off and lead her to it. The only way your horse is going to learn trails is to get out on them and get some experience. Great trail horses aren't schooled in an arena, they are schooled on the trail.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment