Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Maybe for the new riders and for those of us who need
gentle reminders from time to time, what are qualities
you value in a good trail horse. How do you train that
horse. What's important to you?

Chris, you REALLY covered most of the good points in your post, but I will
add that I think it is really important that a young horse either have
turnout in
rough terrain, or be taken out on a rugged trail from an early age, both
being
ponied and running loose following.  This is essential for developing a
riding
animal that has a good feel for the ground and where it's feet are.  A horse
that
is not surefooted, and does not figure it out over time is NOT one I am
going to
keep (having the Foxtrotter crash down going up a hill).

Ponying is great becuase you can teach verbal commands for the different
gaits;
they have the security of a buddy horse to teach them the ropes; you can
have
them saddled with weird stuff hanging...etc.  But this does not teach them
where to
put their  feet  I am a huge advocate of letting them follow loose (provided
you have one
bonded that will not run off, no traffic or wire or other riders).  My young
horse learned
how to negotiate hills, rocks, mud, creeks, etc, and had to make her own
decisions and mistakes.

I felt she was pretty surefooted until she tripped yesterday at a trot and
went down to the
knees several strides, fortunately regained her footing.  Now I have to
figure out why!

There is so much you can do with a young, unrideable horse by taking them
out in the world.
Karen



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Just because someone tells you that your horse isn't "fit" for
endurance...doesn't mean it isn't, it just means your horse isn't fit to be
"their" endurance horse! Go for it, you never know what you'll accomplish
with that "saddle horse" or "trail horse" of YOURS!
~ Darlene Anderson - DPD Endurance

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