For sure!
I trail ride all of my show horses. I think there are valuable lessons that cannot be learned any where but on the trail. I also think it is great for keeping their endurance up. It is also good for their mind... keeps them from getting burned out on typical training (we still have mini lessons on trail). Also, it is just plain enjoyable.
Oh yeh for sure! Gets them out and about, use to new surroundings, very essential when traveling when your showing.
I dont know why anyone wouldnt... :roll:
absolutely! it's good for everyone's minds to get a break from the arena and good training to be equally comfortable in other places. Plus, it's FUN! In fact, I'm off to a trail ride right now!
My trainers are against it and so I am not allowed, too.
but
personally I am all for it. I believe that every horse should get out of their working mode at least once or twice a week. Either it be trail riding, or if you ride dressage hop your horse over a few jumps, or go for a little gallop across a field.
I wish I would be able to do that with my horse.
Trail riding is a valuable place to get your horse used to all kinds of distractions. For me, this is a great opportunity to prepare my horses for the busy show ring atmosphere.
But I understand WadiDraa410s trainers. Trail riding is also a place where a rider sometimes lets his horse goof around. Expecting intense focus on the rider during the entire length of the trail ride is kinda counterproductive. But that is what show horses are trained to do. So most trainers would rather not trail ride.
I said no, because I don't have a horse. But if I did, I would SO go on trail rides at least 3 times a week. I love going for trail rides and it keeps you relaxed and makes a good bond between you and your horse. It also gives you a break from the arena and I'm sure the horses would love the nature and sounds.
My trainers are against it and so I am not allowed, too.
but
personally I am all for it. I believe that every horse should get out of their working mode at least once or twice a week. Either it be trail riding, or if you ride dressage hop your horse over a few jumps, or go for a little gallop across a field.
I wish I would be able to do that with my horse.
English or western, I think that the change in scenery and activity is the most valuable factor. I tend to work on many arena lessons on the trail as well (steadiness of gate, head set, and overall riding manners).
Additional lessons are learned too, as said above - getting used to new surroundings.
Trail riding is just a different learning experience than arena riding, but in my opinion just as valuable if you take it seriously.
My trainers are against it and so I am not allowed, too.
but
personally I am all for it. I believe that every horse should get out of their working mode at least once or twice a week. Either it be trail riding, or if you ride dressage hop your horse over a few jumps, or go for a little gallop across a field.
I wish I would be able to do that with my horse.
No it's everybody's horse that is in full training or the ones that have moved with them from the old place to new place(since they were at a different location when I started riding with them, so I moved when they moved). They believe that it is to dangerous to risk a horse getting hurt. But the new boarders that arrived when they moved are allowed, too. So it is slightly unfair =(
WadiDraa410 - Man, that sucks that your not aloud to take your horse on the trails.
I put yes because I take Sunny on the small trails around the barn. Soon, however, I will be taking him on the "real" trails (maybe next week) almost every Sunday (hopefully...depending if he gets shoes or not). It's really great to get your horse out. Wonderful bonding experience and lovely scenery!
WadiDraa410 - Man, that sucks that your not aloud to take your horse on the trails.
I put yes because I take Sunny on the small trails around the barn. Soon, however, I will be taking him on the "real" trails (maybe next week) almost every Sunday (hopefully...depending if he gets shoes or not). It's really great to get your horse out. Wonderful bonding experience and lovely scenery!
[quote=" No it's everybody's horse that is in full training or the ones that have moved with them from the old place to new place(since they were at a different location when I started riding with them, so I moved when they moved). They believe that it is to dangerous to risk a horse getting hurt. But the new boarders that arrived when they moved are allowed, too. So it is slightly unfair =(
RISK A HORSE GETTING HURT!? Oh of course, horses were designed to live in stalls, eat ultra concentrated feed, and be kept to a strict regimen of exercise going round and round in a circle. Of course.
(I'm not ragging on you, just fed up with the people who think they need to teach a horse to be a horse, and sorry for all the horses that have never been able to actually be one.
So, you're saying you'd rather risk a lowley school horse? Are school horses LESS important than your "show" horse? I don't think so, every horse is equal in my eyes and you should NEVER treat another bad or risk "hurting" it just because it's a school horse. That's the silliest thing I've ever heard.
I don't really believe that's true at all. I guess it only would be if your horse is a BAD trail horse or never been out. My horses grew up in the mountains and around trails their whole lives. They were going on trail rides before they were even broke! Trail is VERY important for a horse's mind or just a nice hack through a field. I have not ever met one TRULY happy show horse that never seen the outside of a an arena. I showed my gelding all summer last year and only trail rode once at the ocean. I'll tell you what, he changed. He got VERY sour and to this day he throws a temper tantrum in the arena, take him to the trail and he's happy as a clam.
Any horse I own MUST be versitle, meaning it will do anything. I couldn't even think about owning a horse who could never go outside of the arena and truly feel sorry for people who let OTHER tell them they can't. If it's your horse, you need to do what YOU want with it, trainer or not. IMHO. No one tells me what I can and can't do w' my horses, just let them try!
Jenn
(sorry if it's harsh but your comment really upset me)
No school horses are not lowly. I respect school horses more than any other, putting up with all kinds of crap from riders who don't know what they are doing. They are the most respectable horse.
The reality is that as far as money goes, our school horses aren't worth anywhere near what the show horses are. The risk factor is very low, but there still is one and we have made the decision to not trail ride our extremely valuble horses for that reason.
About being a bad trail horse, my horse is extremely calm and I'm sure he would do ok on trails, but the reality is that he is meant to show. He was bred to show, born to show, raised to show, and trained to show. I can tell you that no matter what you think he loves to show. He gets to go all over the place experiencing all types of things. He loves to jump and that he does. He is in his element when he is showing. He is always ready to pop into the trailer in hopes that he is going to a show and is always waiting at the fence when I come, hoping I may take him out to jump and school him. He jumps every log he sees in the field because he just can't get enough. So, no I believe he is doing what he is meant to do and loves it.
As far as letting other people tell me what to do with my horses. I fully respect my trainer. She has much more experience and knowledge then I could ever hope to have. We pay her for her opinion and help and I am definitely going to listen to it.
Well then, that's great if your horse and you like to just show. To me I'd be BORED stiff. I travel alot too, I have been all over Oregon and Washington w' Slick. We've been to Mt. Rainier, the ocean, wilderness trails, and sometimes where there are NO trails.
I guess I am just all for finding what your horse likes best. Great, that you've found it! As for the trainer thing.....I've never had one, I do it all alone. I took riding lessons for 7 years w' a horse I leased until I got married and my husband had horses. We can't afford a trainer so we do it ourselves. Guess I am just not accustomed to people who just do what others tell them is all, seem kinda weird to me
Whoa whoa whoa hold up. Lets not all gang up and attack the person now :wink:
Attack me if you will.
I have a english and western show horse that i refuse to take on trails. REFUSE. I don't want him getting hurt, i don't want the risk of him pulling up lame, or something along those lines. Im very picky with head set, so when im on a trail with him, he doesn't have a head set. Then the next time i work him, guess what? I have to work extra hard for him to have a head set. He is still young and still is learning.
I do hard core trails, the ones where if you horse slips, you and your horse and falling backwards and most likely are going to get killed or severly hurt. Those are the only trails i enjoy. I have a pony that will do those trails and more. I take him on my trails. I have trail ponies and show horses. I let my show horse get out and i ride him around my yard bareback or i take him on a easy bare back trail. But he trips alot i know im always the one who says that your horse needs to know where its feet are. But if he isn't a arena, he doesn't care. He is too busy looking at everything else.
He would make a wonderful tail horse, he was born in the woods and such. But no, he stays in the stall and comes out when i stick him in the back pasture or when i work him. Thats it. Is that abuse? I think not, he still gets out. I don't think he is neglected and such just because i don't take him on trails.
I think that there's different situations (on trails) for different horses. I completely respect this, however it's natural for horses to be out in the wilderness (mustangs, for example, are used to the rocky terrian, climate, etc).
During show season, I understand, but that's a completely different thing rather than a few weeks after show season.
But anyway, that's my opinion. I understand that some horses are priced more expensive, but I think it's really calming and can talk stress away from both horse and rider (unless ou have a very spooky horse that'll freak - but once again, a different story).
But guys - no need to attack eachother!
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