Trail Riding is one of the most fun activities you can do with your horse. It gets you both outdoors, it's great exercise for your horse and you both get to bond by spending time together. When you're trail riding with your horse, be sure to follow a few safety rules that will ensure that you and your horse have a fun and safe ride.

First of all, do not ride alone. Anything can happen on a trail, even a trail you know well. Always try to ride with another person when you trailride. If you choose to ride alone, make a map of where you're going to ride and stick to it, that way in the event an incident delays your return, you can easily be found.

Even the best trained horses can get skittish around other animals and ATVs. When you encounter an ATV on the trail, the other driver should turn off his engine until you pass on your horse, however not all ATV riders are that accommodating so you can either ask or take your horse in a wide berth around the ATV. If your horse begins to get skittish about another animal in the immediate vicinity, simply reassure him and try to distract him until the animal is gone.

Take along adequate water. Dehydration is dangerous, make sure it doesn't happen to you. Always pack along enough water for a day of riding and make sure your horse doesn't overheat either.

Just following these few tips will ensure that you and your horse have a great time every time you go trail riding.

Labels: exercise

When you take on ownership of a horse, especially if he is from and abused or neglected background, you will want to begin bonding with him as soon as possible.

Start off slowly and just visit with your horse and make sure he's comfortable with your presence, talk to him and bring the occasional small treat but don't let him see where you hide them in your coat pockets or anywhere else or he'll learn quickly to start nudging you for more treats. If you keep them an occasional thing, he'll learn that you are in charge of treats and he won't be aggressive for getting them.

After he is comfortable and accepting of your visits, you can start leading him around the pen. Watch for signs he is uncomfortable with his bit if he hasn't been harnessed in a while. Some horses will need to have their teeth floated or use a different type of bit if he is uncomfortable in or pain. Keep it pleasurable and talk to your horse as you walk him. Once again when he seems accepting of this, you can move on to the next step.

Riding is the final step in basic bonding with your horse. When he is completely nonchalant about your presence and being lead by a harness, you can then saddle and ride him. If it has been a long time since he has had a rider, you might want to get him accustomed to the saddle again by allowing him to wear it for a few times before you actually ride him. Once you get his trust and he's calm about it then you can start taking him for rides and really let your relationship with your horse grow.

Labels: horse-care