Riding on Steep Terrain
Riding up and down hills presents its own challenges. For one thing, it's more difficult to control your horse.
Imagine the difference between carrying a child piggyback clambering up a steep, slippery path compared to walking along a nice flat road. With your focus on the arduous task of getting up the hill, you might be less inclined to stop halfway up or to pay much attention to your passenger suggesting that you should turn a certain way or slow down. Remember that the better control you have with your horse on flat ground, the easier time you'll have controlling him on hills.
If you have to get off on a steep trail, be sure to get off on the uphill side, whether that's the right or the left side of the horse. (Here's where it pays to practice mounting and dismounting from both sides.) If you step off on the downhill side, you have a longer drop and you could lose your balance. You might pull your horse off balance as well.
Going Uphill…
When you're riding uphill, your horse will probably want to hurry - whether it's a 10-foot embankment or a 10,000-foot mountain. He's also not going to want to stop and stand at an angle, although that may be the safest thing to do. As he climbs, he will get increasingly tired, raising the chances for a misstep - especially if the footing deteriorates the higher up you go. Instead of letting him get worn out in a dash for the top of a long hill, stop and let him catch his breath several times along the way.
Before climbing a long hill, stop and think it through. Should you tackle the hill as a long series of switchbacks? Will you be able to turn around and come back down if necessary? Are you unsure of what you'll encounter at the top? Maybe you need to find a longer but less-precipitous trail.
…And Down
When you're heading downhill, make sure your horse doesn't get going too fast. If he does, he'll be like a runaway truck. The steeper the hill, the more frequently you should ask him to stop so that he can rebalance and you can keep his momentum from building. Think of it as testing the brakes.
Don't lean too far forward or too far back. Look at the trees you're riding past, and try to keep your back parallel with their trunks.
If you're going downhill and the person in front of you is going more slowly, wait at the top before following. Give that horse and rider time and space to go at their own speed. If there are loose rocks, you certainly don't want to send them down on top of your riding companions.
The better you can steer your horse by moving his shoulders and hips, the better the situation will be. If you steer his nose instead, pulling his head to one side or another, you'll interfere with his balance.
Speed up cue. Any time you want your horse to go forward (e.g., over a fallen log or down a path away from home) or you want him to speed up, you should use a specific cue, kicking lightly with both legs until you get a noticeable change of speed. Many horses go forward easily - until they don't want to. If that's the case, more subtle cues, such as leaning forward, may be ignored.
Calm down cue. The calm down or "head down" cue allows the horse to calm down even when he's excited, giving you a way to work on control when you most need it. Make sure your horse understands and responds to this cue before you take him into more exciting or distracting situations.
Hips over. By getting the horse to take a big step to the side with his hindquarters, you can turn him about 90 degrees. This is effective in preventing him from shying or bolting, and it also lets you slow him down by performing a series of hips-over maneuvers. This is an excellent way to keep your horse focused on you when you're trail riding.
Spook in place. Teaching your horse to face something that startles him can keep him from spinning out from under you. It gives both of you a chance to regroup and assess the situation before reacting (or overreacting).
Sacking out. Make sure your horse is familiar with ropes, towels and various items around his head, hindquarters and feet. One classic scenario involves the simple act of pulling off a jacket or handing a water bottle to a friend. A horse unaccustomed to objects moving around above him like that is very likely to be frightened.
Trail riding is unquestionably one of the most satisfying and enjoyable ways to spend time with your horse. With a little planning and the right focus, you can be assured of great trail experiences that benefit both of you.
Sure, you can head out on the trail without giving a thought to the condition of your tack or what you're taking along. But that's just asking for trouble. A little preparation can make your ride more comfortable and a whole lot safer. Here are some items to consider.
Equipment
Make sure all your tack is in good shape and that it's comfortable and fits your horse well.
Don't leave any essential items behind. (Have you ever assembled at a trailhead only to hear friends bickering about who forgot the cinch, the saddle blanket, or the bridle?)
If you're riding in steep country, remember to bring a breast collar and/or crupper to keep the saddle from sliding out of position.
Consider bringing a spare. Depending on the type of tack you use, it may be wise to pack an extra girth, halter, or set of reins in case of equipment failure.
Take your own "equipment" needs into account, too. Dress in comfortable layers and pack extras (socks, gloves, a sweatshirt, a hat, etc.).
Navigation
If you're venturing out in unfamiliar territory, consider taking maps, compasses, GPS devices - or perhaps best of all, someone who knows the area like the back of his or her hand.
Food and Water
Even if you don't expect the ride to last more than an hour or two, plan for it to be a longer outing. You could run into delays, become lost, or just decide to take the long way home.
Be sure you have sufficient water, snacks or complete meals for the riders. Bear in mind that your horse's water needs (around 10 gallons a day under normal circumstances) could double or even triple on a demanding ride.
Never set out on a long ride unless you know for sure there will be a good water source for the horses. You can pack a concentrate mix for your horse to eat (beet pulp feeds are ideal) or hay cubes, but make sure it's something he's used to eating. You don't want to introduce him to a new type of food out on the trail.
First Aid
Pack first aid supplies for horses as well as riders. You can assemble your own supplies or buy a commercial kit such as the EquiMedic Horn Bag Trail Riding kit (www.equimedic.com/kit002.cfm).
Miscellaneous
You don't necessarily want to pack for your trail ride as though you're going to be marooned on a desert island for a year. However, certain items can come in handy without bogging you down too much.
A multi-tool knife is great to have and easy to carry. A cell phone is standard issue these days, even if you can't get a signal from every spot along the way. (Remember to keep it on your person so that if you're separated from your horse, you'll still have it. Also, make sure it's fully charged before you head out.) And of course, a flashlight, matches, poncho, sunscreen, insect repellant…you'll know what to take if you've ever wished you had it on a previous ride.
