Trail Riding. Micaela Myers

is not as important as temperament, training, and health. A four-year-old with a great deal of training and experience may be a better choice than a ten-year-old that hasn’t been ridden or handled as frequently. However, older horses often have more training and experience than their youthful counterparts. Never overlook a senior horse; many horses can still trail ride well into their twenties.

      A rider lopes down the trail on his mount, which is riding nicely on the bit. Solid training is a must for trail horses.

       FINDING A TRAINER

      Your horse can always learn new skills. As the rider, you must also know how to correctly cue your horse. If you or your mount needs to brush up on any basic skills, find a qualified trainer or riding instructor in your area. Quality instruction can be costly, but your life may literally depend on it. It’s one of the best horse-related investments you can make.

      Here are some points to consider when choosing a trainer or an instructor:

       Choose an instructor with strong references. Ask horse owners in your area who they recommend, or ask the trainer or instructor to provide references. Talk to other trail riders who have had success with this person.

       Walk around the facilities. If they’re dirty or unkempt or if the horses do not seem in good condition, keep looking.

       Watch the trainer or instructor at work. How does he or she treat the horses and the clients? If any methods or actions make you uneasy, trust your instincts and look elsewhere.

       Find out what qualifications the person has. Did he or she apprentice or get a certificate? As a trail rider, you may not be concerned with the trainer’s or instructor’s show-ring accomplishments, but you will want to choose someone with experience training trail horses and riders.

       What methods does the trainer or instructor use to help trail horses? For example, if your horse spooks easily, is the trainer experienced in using desensitization methods?

       Does the trainer or instructor have access to trails on which he or she can help you and your horse handle the type of riding situations you may encounter?

      You’ll want to consider each of these factors when choosing a trainer or an instructor. Having a trusted professional to advise you is invaluable. Not only can this person help you and your horse master the basics needed to succeed on the trail, but you can also go to him or her with questions or new challenges.

      Health

      Choose a horse that’s in good general health. A horse won’t enjoy her job or respond correctly and consistently if she’s uncomfortable or in pain. Few horses are blemish free, and minor issues may not be a problem for your intended use, but ongoing or chronic conditions must be carefully considered and may exclude a potential candidate.

      Soundness is a key concern when sizing up a trail horse. Many people retire their horses from more strenuous jobs, such as jumping and racing, to become just trail horses. But if you plan to take long rides, go on rides over steep or difficult terrain, or compete in endurance or competitive trials, you’ll need a horse that’s sound and athletic. Horses with conditions such as mild navicular disease or arthritis may be fine for short trail rides over smooth terrain. Always ask your veterinarian exactly what type of exercise and how much is best, or even tolerable, for your particular horse.

      Conformation, or the way a horse is built, will affect her soundness and ability to perform a particular activity well. The more athletic you need the horse to be, the more conformation comes into play. Obviously, a trail rider can be less of a perfectionist than a halter class competitor can, but severe conformation defects can cause soundness issues down the road, especially if you plan to ride long distances or to compete. Your trainer, riding instructor, or veterinarian can help you determine if a particular horse’s conformation may hinder her ability to perform the tasks you have in mind.

      Here is an overview of essential health factors for you to consider when you choose a trail horse:

       good feet. A trail horse doesn’t have the luxury of perfect arena footing. Trail riding requires travel over varying—and often rough terrain—so choose a horse with good, solid, healthy feet. Your horse should have feet that are sound and will hold up well with regular maintenance.

       good eyesight. A horse with failing eyesight will not be safe to ride over difficult terrain or through trees and other natural obstacles. In addition, poor eyesight will likely make a horse more nervous and easily frightened.

       good lung capacity. If you plan to take long, difficult, or fast rides, your horse will benefit from having large nostrils and a good lung capacity. A horse with small nostrils, respiratory issues, or a small chest or lung capacity will become easily winded.

       clean legs. Although most older horses won’t have 100 percent “clean” or blemish-free legs, a horse with a previously bowed tendon or ringbone or other problems that may affect her soundness on the trail will need to be carefully evaluated before going on a trail.

       a healthy back. Many back problems are caused by a poor-fitting saddle, but a horse with a painful back for other reasons will have a tough time enjoying her work and will often act up under saddle.

      Whether purchasing a horse or evaluating your current mount, address any long-term or major health issues and concerns with your veterinarian to see if they can be resolved or, if not, how they can be managed. Horses with chronic soundness problems, such as arthritis and navicular disease, may have limitations on the type of exercise they do. They also may require a higher level of management, including nutritional supplements, special shoeing, pain medication, and joint injections.

      Breed

      You’ll find all breeds of horses on the trail, and any breed can potentially be a good trail horse. Although you may fancy a particular breed, the three factors mentioned before—temperament, training, and health—are most important when choosing a trail horse. Breeding will, in large part, determine what gaits your horse possesses and her general conformation, but keep in mind that this can vary a great deal from horse to horse. The temperaments of your horse’s parents and grandparents often can give you an indication of what type of temperament to expect from your horse; so if you buy from a breeder, ask to meet a candidate’s sire or dam, inquire about their personalities, and find out what type of activities they’ve been used for.

      A western rider lopes through a valley on his American Paint Horse gelding. This hardy, versatile, and calm breed is a popular trail horse.

      Breeding also influences a horse’s