Resolution #2 Trail Ride More

Are you stuck in a riding rut? Get out of that arena and on to a trail. No matter what your discipline, trail riding is excellent exercise for your horse and a great change of scenery for you.

Want more then a day on the trail? Equitour offers worldwide riding holidays http://www.ridingtours.com as does Equestrian Vacations at http://www.equestrianvacations.com.

If you prefer warmer climate look up Desert USA http://www.desertusa.com/park.html for their article Things To Do On Horseback Riding.

Before hitting the trail with your trusty steed there are safety precautions you should take:

1. Ride with a buddy. Even the calmest of horses may spook at a "tree monster" and unseat the rider. Your riding buddy can catch your horse or attend to any wounds you incurred.

2. Tell your family, friend, or ranch owner where you are going and approximately when you will be back.

3. Make sure you don't over estimate your horse's endurance. Trail riding is tough exercise and unlike riding in an arena where you can easily walk back to the corral once you head out ten miles means you still need to travel an additional ten miles back to the ranch.

4. Tote a cantle or saddlebag equipped with a human and horse first-aid-kit. Include a water bottle if you plan on being gone more than an hour.

5. Wear a helmet. Remember the rock is harder then the skull.

6. Inspect your tack for wear and tear. You don't want your cinch buckle to break on trail or you'll be hoofing it back to the ranch along side your horse.

Many local equine clubs and breed associations' host trail rides. Ask your local feed and tack store for the name of a club near you or contact the park ranger in charge of the equine trails in your area.

What's nice about trail riding is you don't need special equipment for short jaunts. You can use the english, dressage, or western saddle you usually exercise your horse in.

If you want to trailer your horse into a state park in order to trail ride make sure you get a trail map ahead of time from the park ranger. Extra trail equipment may be needed for longer rides. Griffins Canvas Riding Equipment can help in that department http://www.microsyne/prods/ponyexpress/g... or try Grandpix On-Line Catalog http://gprix.com/dir1.htm.

This year make a resolution you'll add time for trail riding into your horse's exercise program, you and your horse's mental outlook will be healthier because of it.

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