Trail Riding. Micaela Myers

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      Choosing the Right Horse

      Many characteristics define the ideal trail horse. Of course, she should have a good head on her shoulders and not be frightened by every odd noise or each unusual rock that she passes.

      A good trail horse is also responsive to her rider, obeying subtle cues and accepting direction willingly. She should be sure-footed and sound, carrying her rider safely over rugged terrain. A trail horse also must be fit so she does not tire quickly while traversing the countryside. In addition, her gaits should be easy to sit, as her rider will be spending ample time in the saddle.

      The ideal trail horse is all these things, certainly, and much more. The attributes listed above fall into four general categories that must be evaluated: temperament, training, health, and breeding. Whether you already own a horse or are purchasing one for trail riding, carefully critique her suitability by looking at these four areas.

      Temperament

      Although training and experience can change to a certain extent how a horse handles new and unusual circumstances, all horses are born with particular temperaments, just like people. Some horses handle stress and change better than others. Some get flustered or worried and prefer the security of calmer, more predictable environments. You can train horses (and people) to control their emotions and reactions to some degree, but you can’t change their innate temperaments.

      For you to enjoy trail riding, your horse also must enjoy it. You need to accept that an extremely high-strung or nervous horse probably will not be happy on the trail, and her rider won’t have a very good time either. Choose a trail horse with the following attributes:

       calm demeanor

       mild reactions and quick recoveries

       curiosity

       independence

       trust

      Calm demeanor: A good trail horse candidate will be relaxed and laid-back. You can spot these gentle, easygoing horses by their calm demeanors. A confident horse with a sensible temperament will show relaxed body language as she moves about on the lead or under saddle, whereas a nervous horse will be rigid or tense and ready to react to the slightest disturbance.

      Mild reactions and quick recoveries: All horses react instinctively, usually with a flight response, to things that frighten them, but some horses respond more quickly or violently than others do. Although occasional shies are certainly forgivable, a horse that rears, bolts uncontrollably, or spooks violently can unseat a rider and cause serious injury. A mount that puts her rider in danger is most unsuitable.

      Even a good trail mount may spook or react to new sights and sounds, but she’ll quickly regain her composure. A horse that can recover from a scary situation willingly and move on is invaluable.

      Curiosity: A good trail horse is naturally curious. She will look at unusual items or surroundings with interest rather than fear. If allowed, she will walk forward to investigate rather than bolt. Even a horse that is nervous when passing a frightening object but doesn’t spin around or spook is a good candidate for trail riding.

      Independence: Horses are herd animals, and, as such, they feel more comfortable in the company of other horses. This can be a negative. Some horses get very antsy and upset if their friends are out of sight for even a moment. You could plan on always riding with other people, but a horse confident enough to move away from her friends is an important asset; someday, you might need to ride for help or to perform other tasks alone. You want a horse that will listen to you and not lose her cool the minute she’s separated from other horses.