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  Discussion on Breaking for Trails
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Posted on Monday, Feb 25, 2002 - 10:56 am:

My 3yo Friesian hasn't ever been ridden out of an arena. I did some trail breaking with my Paint, but he had already been started on trails when I bought him at 2-1/2.

What's a good first lesson outside of the arena? We have walked around the farm buildings, but I want to take him into the big field. Of course, it's going to be a walk-only, but what fundamentals should I concentrate on, and which are OK to wait until the next time?

Thanks,
Joni

Posted on Monday, Feb 25, 2002 - 8:05 pm:

Hi, Joni,
I do almost all my training on the trails, after doing ground training, basically because I don't have an arena, so I can tell you what has worked for me. First of all, I'm glad you are thinking "walk only."

Your horse needs to be really solid on your forward cue and on your rein cues. He needs to not pull on the reins, but give softly into your hands. This is for safety. If your horse gets frightened of a deer or rabbit or leaves blowing in the wind, then you have the control of his head (thus his entire body)should he desire to flee. You can focus the horse on what YOU are asking of him rather than have him focus on whatever caught his attention. Most importantly, you need to be able to keep the horse's attention on you, whenever you ask.

Keep soft eyes as you ride. Be aware of your environment as well as your horse's attitude toward the environment. Stay relaxed, with your weight down on the horse, keep soft arms and keep breathing! Don't look for trouble; don't tense up. Expect to have an enjoyable turn around the field, but don't be surprised or dismayed if your horse decides to balk, hop, attempt a spin, etc. if he sees something "scary." As long as your horse is not turning away from things that cause him to hesitate, just sit calmly, allow him to stare for a few seconds if he needs to bring something unfamiliar into focus, and as you feel him start to relax (you'll see his head DrOp slightly and his neck will soften) then ask for forward movement again with whatever cue your horse knows, and continue on your trail ride.

Have you ever seen someone "spook-proof" a horse? If you can get some videos of some of the natural horsemanship trainers who do spook-proofing, it is well worth the extra time to do it in the ring. You'll need to make sure your horse is really soft to your rein cues, and you will need the help of a friend who will bring "scary" objects (plastic bags, balloons, baby carriage, bicycle, mailbox, dog on a leash, etc.) into the horse's field of vision. Basically, you will be training your horse to face what he is afraid of and not spin and run madly away from it.

Enjoy your trail rides this spring and summer.
Holly

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 27, 2002 - 9:59 am:

Another piece of advice is to go out with a horse who is very calm on the trails. The greener horse will usually take their cues from that horse.

Teresa
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