10 Trail Skills to Master for the Summer

Unless you’re lucky enough to live in a place where you can ride all year long, the arrival of warm weather months brings with it a burst of equestrian activity.

Many riders enjoy going out on extended hacks and even endurance rides in spring, summer, and early autumn.

But riding away from the stables requires skills that are quite different from training in the arena. Here are 10 you should know to make your trail rides fun and safe.

1. Horse and Rider Fitness

Trail riding can be fatiguing for both you and your horse. You never want to be in a position where you go too far out on a ride and can’t make it back.

Therefore, it’s essential to work on your horse’s stamina and your ability to spend hours in the saddle before you venture too far from home.

Start by adding a little bit to your riding time every session, gradually working up to longer and longer rides.

Make sure to include some hill work away from the stables because riding on a flat surface with arena jogging is much less arduous than ascending and descending more natural terrain.

2. Group Social Behavior and Trail Etiquette

For safety’s sake, it’s always best to go with at least one other person when heading out on a hack. If this isn’t possible, be sure to carry your mobile phone and stay within range of a tower.

Also, leave a detailed itinerary of where and when you plan to ride, in case you don’t return at the expected time.

If riding with others, be aware of the rules for interaction, and make certain your horse is calm around other equines. Plan on keeping at least one horse length between your horse and the one in front of you when riding single file. Know when it’s appropriate to ride abreast of other horses and when it isn’t.

Many trails are shared with other nature lovers, such as hikers, cyclists, and dog walkers. Be sure to look for signs or markings indicating where horses are permitted and where they are not on shared trails.

3. What to Pack

Packing for a trip is an art form, and putting together gear for a trail ride is no different. Whilst you don’t want to be bogged down with loads of stuff, it’s generally better to have some extra items and not need them than the opposite.

In addition to personal things that are unique to your needs or the purpose of your ride (sunscreen, birding binoculars, fishing rod, etc.), it’s always smart to carry the following in your saddle bags, at a minimum:

• Food (for you and your horse)
• Water (for you and your horse)
• First aid supplies (for you and your horse, including emergency medications for life-threatening allergies, diabetes, etc.)
• Extra tack in case something breaks
• A warm layer of clothing
• A hoof pick and any other grooming equipment you need
• A halter and a lead rope

If you stop and dismount, never tie up your horse with the reins. If the horse tries to pull away for any reason, the bit will put too much pressure on its teeth. Always use your spare halter and lead rope instead.

4. How to Tie Up Your Horse

Speaking of tying up your horse, that’s another skill you should know. Since the consequences of your horse getting loose are much higher in the wild than in the arena, this needs to be foolproof every time.

If you’re not sure how to do it, have a stablemate or trainer show you how to tie a quick-release knot. In the wild, tie your horse to a sturdy, immovable object at about the horse’s eye level.

Resist the urge to give the rope lots of slack, as this can actually be dangerous if the horse gets caught in it and panics. About an arm’s length is all you need. If your horse can’t yet stand quietly when tied up like that, practice at the stables first before going too far on the trail.

5. Mounting Away from the Stables

Dismounting whilst out on a hack brings up another common challenge: how to remount without the help of a mounting block. A fallen tree, stump, or boulder can help, but there’s no guarantee something like this will be available to you.

If you are out with friends, one of them may be able to give you a leg up, jockey style. However, it’s best if you know how to mount without any assistance using the one-bounce technique:

• Check that the girth is tight.
• Face the horse’s shoulder.
• Gather the reins in your left hand.
• Place your left hand on the withers, at the base of the mane.
• Put your left foot in the stirrup iron.
• Place your right hand on the saddle cantle.
• Pay attention to the horse. Is it calm and not distracted or ready to move?
• Bounce with your right leg, whilst pressing down on the left stirrup simultaneously.
• Try to lift from your legs rather than pulling on the cantle, as if stepping up on a very steep staircase.
• Move your right hand forward on the saddle as you swing your right leg over the horse.
• Press your right knee into the saddle, and slowly lower yourself into position.
• Find your right stirrup, and you’re good to go!

This is definitely a skill you should master at the stables before attempting a hack.