| Anyone who regularly rides trail on horseback will tell | | | | good long rides and we are usually on the same page. |
| you that a good trail horse is worth his weight in gold. | | | | Remember, though, age doesn't necessarily equal |
| A common misconception is that if the horse isn't good | | | | experience. Real trail experience can be worth the |
| enough for any other sport, he will still be fine for the | | | | extra money on the purchase price, especially if you |
| trail. This is not necessarily the case. A good trail horse | | | | are just starting out or if you are like me and want a |
| is born and trained as much as any other performance | | | | better than average chance that you won't have |
| horse. | | | | problems on the trail. I am just no longer interested in |
| Traits of a Good Trail Horse | | | | having a rodeo 15 miles from the trailer. |
| While most of the qualities that make a good trail | | | | Breed |
| horse are trained, there are a few conformational and | | | | I am not partial to any one breed, including a grade |
| personality traits that I feel are essential. I ride in the | | | | horse, if he has the traits I need. In our area of the |
| Rocky Mountains and, more often than not, I am | | | | Rocky Mountains, we see a lot of Quarter Horses, |
| leading a pack string. So I look for: | | | | Paints, Morgans, Arabians and all manner of crosses. |
| - A calm disposition | | | | We also see a lot of gaited breeds like Tennessee |
| - Ability to get along with other horses | | | | Walkers and Missouri Fox Trotters. Additionally saddle |
| - Good feet - healthy and in proportion to his body | | | | mules are becoming quite popular. All of these will |
| - Pronounced set of withers | | | | make fine trail horses/mules if, once again, they have |
| - Good traveler - will walk about 4 mph alone, but can | | | | the right traits. |
| slow down to 3 mph if we are leading a pack string | | | | One note, if you like to ride with groups or you will |
| - Stands tied patiently without pulling back | | | | always have the same partner, it would be wise to |
| - A good dose of "horse sense" | | | | ensure the horse you are looking at doesn't travel too |
| Additional Training | | | | much slower or faster than the group. One of our |
| Once I have a horse with these traits, I begin to work | | | | customers with a Tennessee Walker tried riding with |
| on other training that will make him an excellent trail | | | | her friends who ride Quarter Horses. By the end of |
| horse. Without question, I require that my trail horses | | | | the ride, both horse and rider were miserable from |
| are able to: | | | | having to adjust his natural gait to stay with the group. |
| - Load and unload without fuss | | | | Gender |
| - Stand tied patiently without pawing | | | | I don't like to get hung up on which are better, mares |
| - Cross water, mud and bridges | | | | or geldings, because I think it comes down to personal |
| - Walk down the trail without falling off | | | | preference and the individual animal. My first choice is |
| - Ride away alone from other horses without | | | | a gelding, but I would never turn down a mare if she |
| argument | | | | had the right qualities. I would, however, avoid a stallion |
| - Turn around on a narrow trail | | | | for the trail. He could be the best horse on the ranch, |
| - Stand quietly on the highline | | | | really well behaved and always good with you. But |
| - Wear hobbles | | | | you never know who you might meet on the trail or |
| People who ride in different terrains may have | | | | how well they can control their horse. |
| different sets of criteria. Consequently, I think it is very | | | | Try Him Out! |
| important to identify your particular needs before you | | | | Ideally when you find a horse that has the qualities that |
| go looking for a trail horse. | | | | you desire and you think would make a great trail |
| Age vs. Experience | | | | horse, you will be allowed to try him out for a week or |
| When looking for a trail horse, age is always a factor | | | | see how he is in at least a couple of different |
| and younger is not necessarily better. I personally | | | | situations. Hopefully, this will tell just what level of |
| prefer to buy a horse that I can get on and ride from | | | | experience he truly has and whether all those traits |
| day one. But other people like to train their mounts | | | | you saw at the barn are still there on the trail where |
| rather than correct someone else's training. If I find the | | | | you really need them. And if the owners won't let you |
| right young horse (one with the qualities I first | | | | try the horse out, it might be a bad sign. |
| mentioned), I am willing to put in a little time on him. I | | | | My Favorites |
| don't fancy myself a trainer, but in these situations, I | | | | After many years and many mounts, there are two |
| think there is nothing better for young horses than to | | | | that really stick out in my mind as having been some |
| be out on the trail behind a steady, experienced horse. I | | | | of the best. Elmo was most likely a registered Quarter |
| have a favorite trail for training young horses that is | | | | Horse, but I never knew for sure. He was steady, |
| fourteen miles round trip and offers a variety of | | | | willing and loved people. We had four great years |
| experiences including creek crossings, a short bridge | | | | together before he retired with a little girl nearby. |
| and mud. | | | | Moose, however, was NOT a people horse. But he |
| But as I said, my personal preference is to buy a trail | | | | was a terrific trail horse once you caught him. He was |
| horse that I can get on from day one. So I certainly | | | | a good looking Paint who knew he was the leader, |
| never hesitate to buy one with a little age on it. A | | | | and so did the rest of the string. He was agile, strong |
| healthy 10- or 12-year old horse still has many good | | | | and he always paid attention to where he was going |
| years left in him and the fun can start right away. I | | | | and where he put his feet. I miss them both. |
| might have to work out some kinks, but a couple of | | | | |