from show ring to trail...

bishopsangels · 06-12-2005, 10:24 PM

If you got a horse that has been a show horse and wanted to trail ride them what would you do?

Laceycowgrl · 06-12-2005, 10:30 PM

I bought my cutting horse a while back, and she had NO experience anywhere but show, trailer, and barn. I took my new mare out with a experienced trail horse the first time. She spooked a LOT (she's silly anyways), but now (been a few years) she trails really good! we've even been to the beach!!! we first started going out in my neighboors cattle pastures, then graduated to actual trails with spooky branches and trees.

belle4 · 06-13-2005, 02:32 AM

Just go! Stay on well marked/groomed trails, take a cell phone and don't venture too far from home the first few times out.

I'm assuming your show horse is pretty well schooled, it shouldn't be too much of a problem on an already trained horse.

Joe was 5 years old before he was ever on a real trail ride. Most show grounds have tons of scary things around, the trail should be no different, just natural.

I start my young horses in a big pasture with a seasoned trail horse. The first few times out the seasoned horse comes along with a confident rider. I get them through water, stepping over poles/logs/plywood, in tall grass, between trees, tight spaces at home first etc... then we venture out.

You can do all these things on your show horse before you ever leave home. Chanaces are, you will be pleasantly surprised. Have a great time! We are going trail riding this morning on our show horses!

My Mr. Ed · 06-13-2005, 04:44 AM

I'd say just hope on and go.

cassidy · 06-13-2005, 08:29 AM

i think its a case of just getting on an going

Equestrian118 · 06-13-2005, 08:30 AM

I said just get on and see how it goes from there. If he likes it then great, if he's not so sure about it then you have something to work on.

sher327 · 06-13-2005, 09:17 AM

depends on your horses personality and amount of training and exposure to outdoor things. I know horses who show and do trail wonderfully, I aslo know show horses who can NOT handle a trail ride, and trail horses who can NOT handle a show

The amount of varied stimuli they have been exposed to has alot to do with it my opinion.

If you can, do what Belle said, there are MANY trail scenarios you can get a horse used to right at home and make your first ride relaxed,short and see how he does

Pay attention to the things he has issues with,if any, and use time at home to get him comfortable with it.
Good luck, there is nothing more relaxing than a quiet ride thru the woods on your horse regardless of their occupation

AQHA_Gizmo · 06-13-2005, 09:19 AM

Go out on the trail and see how it goes from there!

Gizmo was a TOTAL show horse when we bought him, and he spooks at a LOT of stuff...so I have no idea how he would act on trails...

Zoomarsgirl · 06-13-2005, 02:03 PM

Go on a trail, and see how he acts. Take things slow.. don't immediatley go galloping through feilds. Tackle some creeks, trot through a feild or two, see how he acts! Maybe he had prevous training as a trail horse, you never know!

mustang_dodger · 06-13-2005, 04:07 PM

i would go on the trail and see how he does. horses need change in their lives. plus it will give the horse a chance to act like a horse. my friend takes her show horses out for trail rides all the time. it makes them so not ring sore.

View Poll Results: Which would you do
hop on and go to trail	12	24.00%
retrain or desensitize	2	4.00%
go to trail and see how the horse acts, then go from there	34	68.00%
other, please specify	2	4.00%
Voters: 50. You may not vote on this poll

06-12-2005, 10:24 PM	#1
bishopsangels Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 955 Images: 40	from show ring to trail... If you got a horse that has been a show horse and wanted to trail ride them what would you do? __________________ It is the blessing of old friends that you can be stupid with them~~~Ralph Waldo Emerson

06-12-2005, 10:30 PM	#2
Laceycowgrl Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: California Posts: 345 Images: 31	I bought my cutting horse a while back, and she had NO experience anywhere but show, trailer, and barn. I took my new mare out with a experienced trail horse the first time. She spooked a LOT (she's silly anyways), but now (been a few years) she trails really good! we've even been to the beach!!! we first started going out in my neighboors cattle pastures, then graduated to actual trails with spooky branches and trees. Last edited by Laceycowgrl; 06-12-2005 at 11:35 PM.

06-13-2005, 02:32 AM	#3
belle4 Senior Moderator Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 8,830 Images: 417	Just go! Stay on well marked/groomed trails, take a cell phone and don't venture too far from home the first few times out. I'm assuming your show horse is pretty well schooled, it shouldn't be too much of a problem on an already trained horse. Joe was 5 years old before he was ever on a real trail ride. Most show grounds have tons of scary things around, the trail should be no different, just natural. I start my young horses in a big pasture with a seasoned trail horse. The first few times out the seasoned horse comes along with a confident rider. I get them through water, stepping over poles/logs/plywood, in tall grass, between trees, tight spaces at home first etc... then we venture out. You can do all these things on your show horse before you ever leave home. Chanaces are, you will be pleasantly surprised. Have a great time! We are going trail riding this morning on our show horses! __________________ "Never has an adult stood so tall as they were when they bent down to help a child....." (from my friend Sandra)

06-13-2005, 04:44 AM	#4
My Mr. Ed Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,178 Images: 195 Blog Entries: 5	I'd say just hope on and go. __________________ Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.

06-13-2005, 08:29 AM	#5
cassidy Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: england - its sunny sometimes honest! Posts: 21,413 Images: 815	i think its a case of just getting on an going __________________ May your life be like toilet paper - Long and useful A horse doesn't care how much you know until he knows how much you care. - Pat Parelli http://www.freewebs.com/linz88055/myprofile.htm

06-13-2005, 08:30 AM	#6
Equestrian118 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 756 Images: 22	I said just get on and see how it goes from there. If he likes it then great, if he's not so sure about it then you have something to work on. __________________ ~Carly~

06-13-2005, 09:17 AM	#7
sher327 Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: illinois Posts: 7,130 Images: 583	depends on your horses personality and amount of training and exposure to outdoor things. I know horses who show and do trail wonderfully, I aslo know show horses who can NOT handle a trail ride, and trail horses who can NOT handle a show The amount of varied stimuli they have been exposed to has alot to do with it my opinion. If you can, do what Belle said, there are MANY trail scenarios you can get a horse used to right at home and make your first ride relaxed,short and see how he does Pay attention to the things he has issues with,if any, and use time at home to get him comfortable with it. Good luck, there is nothing more relaxing than a quiet ride thru the woods on your horse regardless of their occupation __________________

06-13-2005, 09:19 AM	#8
AQHA_Gizmo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sittin' on a sidewalk in Freso...braided hair and a tye died t-shirt on... Posts: 3,948 Images: 11	Go out on the trail and see how it goes from there! Gizmo was a TOTAL show horse when we bought him, and he spooks at a LOT of stuff...so I have no idea how he would act on trails...

06-13-2005, 02:03 PM	#9
Zoomarsgirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hicktown, Virginia Posts: 7,338 Images: 274	Go on a trail, and see how he acts. Take things slow.. don't immediatley go galloping through feilds. Tackle some creeks, trot through a feild or two, see how he acts! Maybe he had prevous training as a trail horse, you never know! __________________ -Jennifer Country 15 y/o chestnut thoroughbred hunter/jumper gelding RIP Zoomar.

06-13-2005, 04:07 PM	#10
mustang_dodger Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Illinios Posts: 15,099 Images: 415	i would go on the trail and see how he does. horses need change in their lives. plus it will give the horse a chance to act like a horse. my friend takes her show horses out for trail rides all the time. it makes them so not ring sore. __________________ Proud owner of Smart Devil a registered appendix, registered paint mare Eye's White Feather, and a breeding stock paint filly Firefly.

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