In every issue of Horse & Rider you'll find articles on training by the country's leading experts, the latest on equine health care from top veterinarians, trail riding tips from savvy back country riders, and much more!
There’s no ride like it in the United States!” proclaimed Bucky and Sherry Smith, veteran trail riders from Columbus, Missouri. Our friends ride their Missouri Fox Trotters extensively throughout the United States. For them, the Cross Country Trail Ride in Eminence, Missouri, is special. Bucky and Sherry invited us to come out to the heart of the Ozarks and join them on the last ride of the season, held at the end of October. So, Nate and Cowboy, our Fox Trotters, found themselves in a trailer heading to Missouri. Over the years, we’d heard about Cross Country Trail Ride, LLC (crosscountrytrailrides.com). Every year, beginning each May, there are five all-inclusive riding packages. The six-day package includes three meals a day, campsites with electric and limited water hookups, music and dancing,…
Simply put, ponying means to lead a horse alongside the horse you’re riding. On the trail, ponying comes in handy when training a new horse. As the ponied horse’s herd instinct kicks in, he’ll likely follow his leader through terrain that might otherwise seem intimidating. He’ll also experience spook-inducing, wide-open country without risking a rider’s fall. Ponying horses can come in handy for several reasons on a trail. They’re great for helping carry supplies to a campsite, you can have greater control over a horse a child is riding, and you can also help exercise a horse that doesn’t have a rider. In each case, you’ll need to know how to pony a horse safely. It’s a complex task to carefully ride your own horse and pay attention to another,…
To build your confidence, look for an experienced horse with a mellow, kind, forgiving attitude. For trail riding, also look for a horse that’s been out and about, hauled around a lot, and will enjoy the ride with you. As you shop for a horse, take the following steps to help you decide whether a prospect is right for you. Step 1. Create a budget. Create a budget, then find out what horses in your price range—and slightly above—are really like. Ride several horses. Don’t put an offer in on the first horse you ride. Many riders purchase a horse that seemed affordable at the time, then realize that sending a horse to a trainer is much more expensive than purchasing a trained horse. Often, the work to train or…
