When most people decide they want to go for a relaxing ride on a horse, they will search for “horse riding”. This term is in fact very broad and can include anything from a casual stroll through the bush, arena riding such as dressage, or riding a racehorse (not for the faint hearted or for beginners!). What most people are looking for on a relaxing weekend getaway is what is called trail riding. Here’s a rundown for those wondering “what is trail riding”.
What is Trail Riding
In essence, trail riding is riding a horse along a trail. Simple huh? A trail can be anything from a single narrow cattle-track or a vehicle access road like a fire trail or a dirt track. Generally, trail riding doesn’t mean riding along public roads, however, sometimes riders may need to ride alongside roads to access trails.
Trail Riding can be of any length, for example, our trail rides can run from 1-hour rides to two-day horse rides – but the goal is always the same … to relax and unwind in amongst nature and to connect with your horse in its natural environment.
Trail Riding Tips
Here are some of the things we like to highlight before every horse ride:
- Take a trusted horse
Trails are an unpredictable environment, where anything can happen. Kangaroos may jump out from behind the bushes, limbs may fall from trees, or even something as simple as a sudden change in weather (especially wind!) can unsettle even the quietest of horses. Make sure you know your horse is level headed and quiet enough to assess scary situations without high-tailing it home! That’s why all of our horses are tried and tested long before they’re introduced to the public. - Don’t tailgate!
Horses like to have personal space just as much as you and I. Make sure there’s plenty of room between your horses, especially if they don’t know each other. - Choose a leader
Some horses are born leaders – while others turn into nervous nellies when they’re responsible for the herd! Having a nervous horse in the lead can put the rest of the group on edge, so ensure the quietest horse is in front. - Take spare equipment
There’s nothing worse than being 10kms from home and having something break. We always ride our horses with their halter and lead rope attached (lead rope safely tied around their neck). So we have a backup if a rein breaks … and our saddles are stock saddles which have a surcingle (backup girth). - Wear a helmet!
This should go without saying. Always wear a helmet whilst riding a horse!!!!!!!!! This is highlighted especially on the trails. As the ground can often be rocky or have scattered logs…which don’t agree with skulls!
