[Blondehorse]

Besides ground-tying, you could also teach her to accept being hobbled.

[redhotchilipepr]

I would suggest ponying, that is something that is great for any horse to learn. If you wanna do something different, if you hunt, my horse knows not to run away from the sound of a gun shot going off next to him. That is something around here I have found useful, it takes a lot of desenziting to do it but I can also shot from his back. Just a thought, be very safe though and have someone help you with it too

[Bruce Wiley]

The horse must have an understanding of it's role and a good attitude to learn.
Doing the proper foundation training, horses should be able to do most of the general manuvers such as:
Going forward, backward, sideways.
Directional changes, speed ratings, transitions into other gaits & having proper balance. The other important function would be as in the whoa.

The horse should have a good working attitude about things from the arena & on the trail. Some folks may disagree, but I feel what makes a good trail horse is the same that makes a good arena horse... good training & direction from it's leader.
Only having 1... a good arena horse as the example, then it's lacking the other exposure. And, to gain the whole objective is to execute the horse's training in both enviroments.
Heres another idea... every horse needs a proactive, knowledgeable rider & teacher.
I hope this helps.

[redhotchilipepr]

I agree with what he said too. I think any horse show be able to do both...some not as easy as other bu they should be able too

[harli36]

In addition to some of the things already said.

A good trail horse should...

-have perfect acceptance of all forms of road traffic (and also dirt bikes, quads, bicycles etc)
- be willing to lead a pack of horses, or trail a pack of horses.
-be absolutely 100% okay with all forms of wildlife and dogs.
-be willing to stand hobbled.
-be not herd bound at all.
-should be comfortable with a rider performing an emergency dismount.
-should know to stand still next to the rider should the rider come off.
-should be willing to jump natural obstacles.

there's more but that's all I can think of for now.

[dvineequine]

I agree with all the above about what your horse needs to know, jumping things is a bonus, opening and closing gates, water, bridges.

[Mountaingirl89]

Hmm I think being hobbled is the only thing my girl doesn't already know

[Xiphias]

Be willing to walk through mud and puddles, and not hop through them, I mean take their time and walk, so they don't hurt them selves or you....That I think is learned through trust your horse has to trust you....

Sit back and go down steep hills slowly, taking their time, not to stumble...

Walk up steep hills, and not try to run up them...

and what everyone else has mentioned......

Cathy

[Mountaingirl89]

Walk up steep hills, and not try to run up them...

I like that you mention this. Being a trail rider myself my mare knows that she cannot run up a hill, its just not allowed unless I ask her to, which I sometimes do for conditioning. But I have friends who let their horses run up hillls, and if you don't let them, they will get really bouncing and try to run up them anyway. Its rather annoying!

I remember reading or hearing somewhere that it is better excersise for the horse to walk up a hill then run, is this true?

[Beeks]

The only thing about Harli36's list that I might disagree with is the "jumping" of obstacles. If you are talking about things that cannot possibly be walked over, then I agree 100%, however, most good trail horses and their people, want their horses to step over as much as possible. If it does not touch the barrel of the horse, then the horse should step over it not jump. On narrow and steep trails, a horse that insists on jumping over things that can be stepped over, is a danger to not only himself and his rider, but to those horses and riders in front of him.

Another thing not mentioned here, but that I disagree with, is not letting a horse graze while saddled on a trail ride, or riding in the hills, mountains, etc. I let my horse graze at every stop. After all, he is putting out the energy, and refueling just makes good sense. I do NOT, however, allow them to take stabs at tall growing edibles that are along the trail, while we are in motion. I have been critisized for this practice (letting him graze), but I just turn a deaf ear to it with an "If you don't like it, don't do it" attitude. Most of the trail rides I go on, last well over 4 hours and often more than 8. I also help friends round up their leased land cattle, which gets pretty hectic sometimes. I want my horse refueling to keep up the pace.

OK...rant over...guess I have a bit of a chip on my shoulder after years of watching the "pro" trail riders look down their noses at me and my horse as he happily munches along.