Training Your Arena Horse to Go on Trails

Two an a half months ago, I purchased a new dressage horse. She is a 15.1 hand American Warmblood and my first mare. She is eight years old. I named her Amara.

Amara has spent her life in an arena and is well started in Dressage. Had I not had to have knee surgery shortly after I bought her, I would have shown her at first level in dressage this summer. But, oh well.

As the author of three equestrian trail guide books for Colorado, any horse I own has to be able to function both in an arena and on the trails in the beautiful Colorado mountains.

Since Amara was not a trail horse, I needed to begin the process of training her to be one. The horse on the cover of the trail three books I have written is Kit, my thoroughbred. When I got him as a six-year-old, he was afraid of stepping on a shadow! He ended up showing in Dressage and becoming the world's best trail horse. He was so good that everyone with a new or young horse wanted to be in line right behind him. I love that horse!

 So, I've done this before. Amara is going to be easier to train because she has a very good brain in her head. But, that being said, there are some common sense steps one needs to take to move a horse from the arena to the trail.

STEP 1: Make sure your gas, brakes, and steering are well established while in the arena. Arenas serve a very important purpose when training by reducing the variables!

STEP 2: Venture out of the arena on your property. This is like sticking just your toe in the water. Practice walking, trotting, halting, circles...the usual arena stuff but outside the arena.

STEP 3: How is your trailer loading and unloading? If it is not good, stop here and work on that. If it is good, you may proceed to step 4.

STEP 4: Know the trail you are going to. You can hike it first or get a good trail guide book to advise you. I found that the regular trail books don't really deal with equestrian concerns which is why I wrote my own. What horse-hazards are you going to encounter? You don't need to do water crossings, bridge crossings, rocky ledges, etc, etc, on your first outing. You want it to be simple and successful.

STEP 5: NEVER GO ALONE. But don't take just anyone. Ask someone who has a steady, reliable trail horse. (Like Kit!) You don't need another horse upsetting your beginner and you may have noticed that horses feed off one another! Keep your first group small, 1 or 2 other horses.

STEP 6: This is not Endurance Training. Keep your first ride a nice calm walk. Talk to your horse, rub her withers and stroke her neck as you go along.

STEP 7: Think like a horse and be one step ahead. Anticipate what might be scary to him. Puddles will eat them, as will rocks! Look beyond the threat, keep calm and just ride past it. Or, let the seasoned horse lead.

STEP 8: Play Leapfrog. Take turns with the other rider(s) being in front, middle and back.

STEP 9: As your horse gets more experienced, add short sections of trot when the footing is good.

STEP 10: Go to the same trail a couple of times then start adding new ones.

STEP 11: Bikers - Stop and face them if they come up from behind.

STEP 12: Water Crossings: Take your time. Keep Calm. Let other horses go first. If that doesn't work, make a hundred circles, gradually getting closer to the water's edge until you actually get a foot in. Then move back away from the water and complete the circle and do it over and over.

Trail riding will become a favorite with your horse if you keep it safe and fun! It will also benefit your training. I practice my dressage on the trail: flex and bend around trees. Halt with just my seat and legs...you know...all that arena stuff but in a prettier setting!

VISIT MY WEBSITE TO SEE ALL MY AWARD-WINNING FICTION AND NON-FICTION BOOKS THAT HORSE-LOVERS LOVE!

www.dancinghorsepress.com

RIDING COLORADO III--Day AND Overnight Trips With Your Horse

ANNOUNCING! ANNOUNCING!! 

I have just released my third equestrian trail guide book for Colorado. What's different and unique about this book? This book is perfect for you even if you aren't lucky enough to live in Colorado. If you have a  horse and a horse trailer and a dream to ride in the beautiful Colorado mountains, then you need this book. It has 17 destinations throughout the mountains where you can go and bring your own horse. Whether your tastes lean toward the cozy comfort of a Bed & Breakfast, the variety found at a resort, or camping in the rustic wilderness, Colorado's mountains have a place for you and your horse! I made a careful evaluation of both the human and the horse accommodations as well as descriptions of some of the trails found in the area that you might want to explore.

The cover picture was taken of me on my thoroughbred (future unicorn) Kit. He is now 23 years old and has been my constant companion since he was six. I love that guy, as I have said in previous posts. In this picture, we are seen riding in the Dolores River Canyon in the southwest corner of Colorado.

 Here we are at a resort in the northern area of Colorado called Beaver Meadows.

Here is one of my test riders, Tia on her horse Rain, in Big Meadow in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Here is Larry, another test rider, and me on Kit, at Fooses Creek in the middle of the state. 

So, no matter what part of the state you go to, you will have a fabulous time!!!

It will be available on the website soon. If you can't wait, email me at:

mjevansbtm@gmail.com and I can arrange to have one mailed to you.

Just $19.95!

While you are driving to Colorado with your horse, listen to the audio version of Behind the Mist! 

It is fabulous!

 Available NOW on the website or on Amazon:
www.behindthemist.com

RIDING THE TRAILS IN COLORADO

Most of you probably do not know that, in addition to my fantasy stories, "Behind the Mist," "Mists of Darkness," and "North Mystic," I also write equestrian trail guide books. The two that I have completed are titled: "Riding Colorado" and "Riding Colorado II."   Non-fiction books take a lot of research and the research for my trail guide books is truly grueling! Just imagine having to get up early to feed the horses and clean the stalls. Then pack a lunch, hook up the trailer to the back of the suburban, load the tack, being sure not to forget my helmet, putting on travel boots and loading my horse in the trailer. Then I have to brave the Denver traffic to get to one of the hundreds of trails within a two hour drive of Denver, find the trail head, unload my horse, groom, tack-up, then actually have to ride on the trails. I know, I know...you feel terribly sorry for me! However, remember, somebody had to go home and sit at the computer and write the evaluation and description of each trail. So, it isn't all just fun and games. My dear friend, Susan DeSilva of Prohorseproductions made this video for me. You are going to be really jealous that you don't live in Colorado after you watch it! Just click here:
http://youtu.be/FNIWI1sexos

I am currently working on "Riding Colorado III." The sub-title of the first two books is:"Day-Trips from Denver With Your Horse." I only sell those books through tack and feed stores from Colorado Springs to Longmont along the front range. However, the third book is sub-titled: "Over-night Trips From Denver With Your Horse." I am visiting cabins, bed and breakfasts, resorts and campgrounds where you can take your horse. I am trying to cover locations in all parts of the state. It has been so much fun and I still have several
places yet to visit.

Happy Trails to all of you!

Remember: When you are not riding, curl up with a great book. You will love my horse lover's fantasies: Behind the Mist and Mists of Darkness. Order them on the website: www.behindthemist.com to save $1 off the cover price AND get it autographed.