[Mountaingirl89]

I have been riding out on the trails for a couple years now, but was just thinking of all the things a good trail horse should be able to do. I know there are some very importaint things, but am not sure what they are

The first things that came to mind were teaching the horse to pull small logs.
And ground tying.

Anyone have any other ideas? Anything that you have found to be particulary usefull?

Thanks!

[Blondehorse]

Any horse should know these things, but they also come in very handy for a trail horse:

Backing up, and backing up WELL, not a couple of half-hearted shuffles backwards with the horse's head in your face and mouth gaping

Moving the forequarters laterally

Moving the hindquarters laterally

Sidepassing

And, of course, desensitizing to all sorts of stimuli is very important in the training of a trail horse. No one likes a horse who can't go down the trail without spooking every 20 yards!

I'm not sure if that's the sort of thing you were looking for or not, but those are some important things that I want my trail horses to know!

[redhotchilipepr]

Make sure that your horse is also in shape for long trail rides...i have seen horses almost die cause they are not fit for a trail ride.

I agree with everything above...you can never do enough desensitizing at any age. Make sure you work on being away from others (horses) and making him come back and go away from them. That always seems to be a problem with the trail horses around here.

[Curly_Horse_CMT]

A good trail horse should be able to:

*Lead changes
*Flying lead changes
*Move well on forehand
*Deal with any kind of weather/vehicle
*Water
*Be surefooted

[Sonny-Dee-Girl]

Originally Posted by Blondehorse

Any horse should know these things, but they also come in very handy for a trail horse:

Backing up, and backing up WELL, not a couple of half-hearted shuffles backwards with the horse's head in your face and mouth gaping

Moving the forequarters laterally

Moving the hindquarters laterally

Sidepassing

And, of course, desensitizing to all sorts of stimuli is very important in the training of a trail horse. No one likes a horse who can't go down the trail without spooking every 20 yards!

See, you took the words out of my mouth, er... fingers.

I find a lot of trail people seem to think that a trail horse doesn't need to know anything as technical as lateral movement, but I wholly disagree.

It is very important for avoiding potentially dangerous obstacles.

I would also add a really good STOP! very important for trail safety.

[Mountaingirl89]

Hmmm, most of this is basic stuff that I too agree that any horse should know. My horse is already an excellent trail horse, I am looking for other things a trail horse should know.

My girl sidepasses, moves her hindquarters and forquarters, stops VERY well, backs very well.

I have been riding out on the trail for quite some time besides having learned a lot of english riding before that.

I am looking for more things like pulling a log, or ground tying. Perhaps not many people have found trail specific stuff.

But thank you for shareing your ideas!

[lvmypnt]

One thing that I taught my girl, which is good for all riding. Is if a rein hits the ground while riding she stops in her tracks.

I am getting ready to start teaching her that if they "drop" on her neck (in front of the horn) for her to stop.

[Amber.Molly]

Opening/closing gates!! And being able to be ponied or pony another horse

just my 2 cents

[Beeks]

Willingly cross water no matter how deep.
Be comfortable in the front, the middle or the back of the string
Cross bridges

I also desensitized my boy to having things fly around on top of him. I swing my reins (rommel reins) beside and over his head, take off, put on, my slicker or any type of coat tied to the saddle,

STOP for low lying branches

I also spend alot of time, when stopped and resting, slinging my reins around his legs so he gets used to the sensation.

Respecting the space of the person in front of you.....especially MARES

and then of course, all the basics mentioned earlier. Trails are a good place to practice the manuvering of front and hind quarters.

I taught my gelding to neck rein by taking him through sage brush.

Oh...and speaking of sage brush...it is also a good idea to get them used to the feel of things brushing their bellies. I saw a bad wreck once, when a gelding got into some thick brush. He goosed from the feel of it on his belly and ended up feet up in a ditch. Luckily the rider bailed first.

[Mountaingirl89]

Hmm most of this my girl already knows! Although she has never been very good about crossing bridges! But that is my own fault!

The idea of teaching them to stop if they feel the rein on their neck is interesting, but I quite often lay my reins on her neck to do something, so that wouldn't really work. But teaching her to stop if the rains hit the ground could be usefull.

Thanks guys!