[Vengeance]

I was talking with a friend this morning while at school (her and I both own horses, so we always have something to talk about, even though she's not a closefriend)... Anyway, we got into a friendly little debate over what makes a good trail horse.

She said that any horse can be a "good" trail horse... any meaning Halter horses, Dressage horses, Western Pleasure horses, etcetera...

I said differently. I said that yes, any horse can be a trail horse, but I think that some are definately suited for trails while some are not. To me, some horses love trails and seem to thrive on the knowledge that that's where they'll be going when they're taken out of the pasture... others prefer the arena, no matter how confident their rider, it sems like some just go to pieces on a trail.

We debated on it until the bell rang, but I got to wondering what everyone on here thought.

I also have one question that goes along with this topic... (we also debated over this, but the bell rang to go to our next class and we didn't get very far...

Should any and every trail horse know how to ride double?

Again, she said no... she didn't elaborate on why, because the bell rang, but I've had all day to think of my answer.

I said yes, because I think it's crucial for not only every trail horse to know how to ride double, but for every horse to know how to ride double.

So, this is supposed to be a friendly... well, I won't say 'debate', because I don't want this to get nasty... but yeah... I want to know yalls opinions on this.

[Nugget]

I don't think every horse can be a good trail horse. Some horses relax completely out in the woods, others fall apart out in the open, and still others can learn to love it. I think it depends on the horse.

As for knowing how to double, I definitely think horses, especially trail horses should be taught to carry two riders. If there were ever a problem out in the woods and one horse went down [ie crazy accident with a hunter. Not probable, but still possible.] or ran away or something, someone else's horse should be able to carry the person who lost a horse to safety.

[Auzzie Honey]

I dont think every horse likes trail riding .. I knew one horse that would get into sweats after a 15 min hack from being out of home and in the bush .. then there are some horses that LOVE it. Each to their own I guess

Hon loves it .. we're on a farm, so everyday is something new. I like doing new things, testing ourselves etc .. and I need a horse that backs me up .. if I say 'can we go thru a drive thru on horse back' I know Hon will say 'ooh does that mean I get a smoothy?'

Each horse is different ..

[Arco]

I believe that what makes a good trail horse for one person does not necessarily make a good trail horse for another person. Different people like a different level of spiritedness in a horse. Also I believe it depends on the place you are trail riding. There are just so many variables.

But basically yes, I think any horse has the potential to be a 'good' trail horse for somebody in some place.

No I don't believe every horse or even every trail horse should have to be ok with carrying 2 riders. I have been in an emergency before where a rider was injured and the horse ran off - I helped the injured rider onto my horse and led them back to safety. If the person is too badly hurt to walk then chances are they will need to be led anyway. If they aren't too badly hurt to walk then to me it just seems to be case of convenience to ride double, which is not fair on the horse.

[Vengeance]

Interesting...

What about just training a horse to ride double... and not ever actually riding double... Just enough so that if the need ever arose, the horse would have a basic understanding of what was going on? Just doing it as another way of desensitizing...?
My colt is two, but when he's 5 I plan on teaching him to ride double, and my mare will ride double and triple without a problem... Most horses I know know how to ride double, because so many times out here we give pony rides by doubling up.
Also, what about trail riding where you go on the same trails all the time? Some horses love doing the same thing daily, but others get bored with the repetition...

[Dixiefordgurl]

I think that the biggest thing that a trail horse should be is realiable. I think that a trail horse should be able to be ridden on a loose reign, and you should not have to worry about a thing. When I go out, I go out on my guy with a halter and lead rope and bareback, and I know that I will be able to go over things, and through water, and over bridges, and I could ride double, and a crazy animal(deer, rabbit, big bird, ect) could jump out in front of me and I would not end up walking home lol. I also think that a trail horse should ground tie, that if something were to spook him and i fall off, or for any reason I should come off, he should plant his feet. I fell off one time because a snowmobile came flyng past, and as soon as I fell off, even though he was scared he stopped dead in his tracks and waited for my "command". I know you do need to be aware of your surroundings cause anything can happen, but I know that if something were to happen with my man, he would have me covered!

[Mountaingirl89]

I think any horse has the abilility to be a trail horse, if started as a trail horse. So many horses are only riden in arenas that they are too uppity out on the trail, but given time to adjust to it, they could do just fine.
Some horses are deffintaly better then other by just being more comforitable with incountering scary objects and whatnot. And some are more herd bound then others and its harder to take them away from their friends.
My horse can be jumpy at times but because she has been riden out on the trail from a young age she is a super trail horse.
I think it also depends on the rider. Someone who isn't used to riding out in the open might be nervous that the horse will take off with them, and of course the horse will pick up on this. Whereas a confident trail rider will be more relaxed and help the horse to calm down and be relaxed as well.

But to me the perfect trail horse should be one that you love spending hours with exploring new places. That is my idea of perfection!

As far as riding double, I do not think it is at all nessesary for a horse to be trained to carry two people. For those who plan on riding double at some point, yes, but otherwise there is no reason for it. I guess I still have a little bit of my old instructer in me who always said that riding double was dangerous because the second person was sitting too far back on the horse and sitting where there was no ribcage to support them. So therefore it was bad for the horse, or uncomforitable. I don't quite remember what she said, but I have never found a good reason to put more then one person on my horse. Not sure how true, but I'm sure it can't be that bad or so many people would not do it.

[ParkedOut]

Hello!

Just my opinion(silly, more than likely.):

Riding double? Not necessary, but helpful. You never know what is going to happen at ANY riding event....especially a trailride. LOL

Any horse can be ridden on trails, I guess, but not all can be 'trail horses'. I have a gelding that detests the trail. He is not spooky or afraid, he simply doesn't like it. He prefers arena work and games. Then I have a mare that can darn near do everything and do it all well. I hope that wasn't confusing (sorry if it was).

[LateralFlexion]

A trail horse should be trained to jump, drag logs, stand still for mounting from darn near anything, cross creeks, rate their speed at any gait, be sure footed, and sane.

[Hopeful Wishes]

Personally, on top of everything else every one has mentioned, I like my trail horse to be able to open gates off of...