Q: What is your biggest on-trail pet peeve?
A: When riders lope their horses away out in front of other riders. It's a really inconsiderate thing to do, and causes tremendous problems for other horses. Herd instinct takes over, and makes the horses prancy and anxious. If you want to lope, go behind the group, not out in front.
If your horse gets very anxious on a trail ride, you can just lope a big circle around a small group of five or six other horses and riders as they're walking. This really works well to defuse any potentially explosive horses or situations.
Q: The top mistake you see on trail?
A: People who constantly hold their horses. They never turn the horse loose and are in the horse's mouth all the time. This is like driving your car with the brakes on. It takes all the handle off him, and also takes the stop off him. You should be able to ride your horse on a loose rein.
If your horse is chargy and high-strung with a big engine, he doesn't need sugar and starch in his system before you ride. Feed him grass hay instead, so he can be relaxed physically and mentally.
Q: What do you see as trail-riders' top training problem?
A: Letting their horses eat on the trail! This creates a lot of problems, not only for you, but for the riders around you. If your horse is eating, he's not paying attention to where his feet are, and that's when he can stumble, fall, or get into trouble. Instead, let him eat when you eat.
A habit is the easiest thing to create and the hardest to break; create good habits in your horse. You might not think you're training, but your horse is always learning, so be sure he's learning something good.
Q: What's the most challenging situation you've ever encountered during a trail ride, and what's your advice to handle this situation?
A: One of the most challenging things I've encountered is a horse getting stuck in a bog. The second you feel your horse start to go down in a bog, try to turn him and get out of it. If you can't get out, get off your horse. Many times, a horse can get out better on his own. Sometimes a rider will actually pull a horse over and get him stuck worse.
Listen to your guide; ride where he rides, and go where he goes. A bog doesn't always look boggy, so be careful and ride smart.
Q: What should someone look for in a prospective trail horse?
A: Find a really gentle, well-broke horse that knows how to walk. It's a heck of a lot easier to speed one up than slow one down. Test drive this horse a couple times just like you would a car. A lot of people don't even get on the horse they're going to buy, but you should ride him at least a couple times, and also watch him being caught, handled, and saddled.
Q: What should a buyer avoid?
A: If you're a novice or intermediate rider, stay away from young and green. Remember this saying: "Green-on-green makes black-and-blue."
