A Fine Horse in New Country

Tempting though it may be to 'saddle up and go', the rider and the horse will have a safer and more enjoyable time if they are properly prepared for a trip in unfamiliar territory. On this page are some principles which we've learned from experience! The page Little Bea - Baby Steps looks at the progress of a 3 year old filly as she takes her first steps into distance riding - firstly as a pack pony, then under saddle.

The page Yeoman - Work in Progress looks at preparing a slightly older horse who is fairly well established under saddle (a six year old, in this case - with a healthy degree of attitude!) for his first real long-distance trips, initially with a more experienced buddy, then on his own.

Doogs - Got the T shirt looks at a very experienced guy, veteran of many thousands of miles on the trail.

(Right) - We've been accused of just being travelling bums! Well...yes...

The all-important first rides

You can tailor your early rides to your horse’s level of training and fitness – you don’t need to wait until he’s foot perfect in every way before venturing out. He will learn a great deal out there – and so will you. The purpose of these rides is to build his confidence (and possibly yours). It's a big ask to expect a young or inexperienced horse to tackle these on his own (although some bolder animals don't mind) - the ideal is to have a steady and reliable companion. If that's really not possible, someone on foot is a help - many horses will be more confident if they have someone to 'follow' past any tricky spots.

There is a basic minimum level of training without which it would be foolish to go anywhere, in my opinion. If you cannot answer ‘yes’ honestly to the following questions, you need to spend more time in a safe enclosed area practising these skills:

Will he stand for mounting and dismounting?
Will he lead politely from both sides, without pulling, hanging back, barging or treading on you?
Will he go at the pace you ask when ridden?
Can you stop him?
Is he obedient in light traffic?
Is he relaxed with the saddlebags you intend to use, and the gear you are intending to wear? (The middle of a windy hillside in a strange place is not the ideal moment to introduce him to your new fluorescent crackly overtrousers).
Is he happy with you unfolding a map (dismounted to begin with)?
If the route involves going somewhere in a trailer or lorry, does he load and travel calmly?

If he doesn't do it at home, he's not going to do it out on the trail, when he's excited and/or nervous!

It’s common sense, but with an inexperienced horse, try to avoid selecting routes with the following for the first few outings:

Road sections where heavy traffic may be expected;

Large sections of very soft or very stony ground;

Significant river crossings;

Steep hill sections (up or down);

Overgrown tracks where you have to push through dense undergrowth (can be the case in high summer or little-used tracks) if branches whipping against him are likely to worry him;

Difficult bridges (metal, narrow, without sides, suspension bridges);

Fields of frisky livestock.

In time he will cope with all these challenges (and many more), but for the time being, you want him to finish up having enjoyed his day. For the same reason, don't be too ambitious at first - a route of 10 - 15 miles is ample and will give you both enough of a challenge. If your horse is young (or elderly), unfit, or if the route involves lots of hills, err on the cautious side. You may find that you have to walk with him for a proportion of the route if he tires more quickly than you expect– how fit are you?!