The trail horse is exposed to various types of terrain traveled. Therefore, care should be taken to protect the hooves. It starts with a proper diet and of course, help from a professional farrier. There are supplements that can be fed to the horse to aid in retaining a healthy hoof and hoof dressings that are applied to the outside of the hoof to help maintain a proper moisture level.
The average horse should be put, and kept on a regular six to eight week trim and or shoeing schedule. If your horse requires corrective work, that schedule should be kept approximately every four weeks. If a horse has shoes on, most people have them pulled just for the winter and that barefoot horse kept on a regular trim schedule.
Plan ahead for the trail ride. If you're going to have your horse shod, do so no earlier than two weeks before the scheduled ride. That two week time frame will be sufficient time to see if any of the shoes will come off. Most farriers I know, give a thirty day guarantee on their work. If a shoe is lost out on the trail, be sure to keep a “spare tire” known as a hoof boot with you to protect that hoof from chips and such until the farrier can get to it. You can find most hoof boots in horse supply catalogs and horse supply stores. These same hoof boots can replace steel shoes if you prefer not to have your horse shod.
Before and after any trail ride it's always good to clean out and carefully inspect each hoof. Preventative maintenance goes a long way and exercised wisely can end up saving you from a lot of headaches, heartaches, and empty wallets. Not to mention keeping your horse happy, healthy, content and you happy and content.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Accessories for the Trail Ride
My experience over the years has taught me about the importance of trail riding accessories. These accessories I'm about to mention will make your trail ride, no matter how short or how long, much more enjoyable for you and your horse.
Saddlebags & Horn bags. You can carry food and beverage, hoof pick, extra chin straps, disposable rain poncho, mosquito & fly repellent and etc. The horn bags are great for carrying keys, cell phone, and any other small items you feel important to have with you.
Rain Gear. In the middle of your ride, it may start to rain before you can get back to camp. To keep yourself dry & warm, carry rain gear that will protect your body, legs, feet, head and hands. Staying warm and dry can make the difference between an enjoyable trail ride experience or a sick and miserable one.
Halter & Lead Rope. You can put a halter and lead rope in your saddlebags, if you have room, or you can attach them to your saddle. It's great to be able to tie your horse when you decide to take a break from the saddle.
First Aid kits. I can never stress enough the importance of first aid kits. One for your horse and one for you! These kit contents can get quite large. So my suggestion would be to pack the kits according to what your horse and you must absolutely have in the event of an injury, large or small, an internal upset, and insect stings or bites.
Saddlebags & Horn bags. You can carry food and beverage, hoof pick, extra chin straps, disposable rain poncho, mosquito & fly repellent and etc. The horn bags are great for carrying keys, cell phone, and any other small items you feel important to have with you.
Rain Gear. In the middle of your ride, it may start to rain before you can get back to camp. To keep yourself dry & warm, carry rain gear that will protect your body, legs, feet, head and hands. Staying warm and dry can make the difference between an enjoyable trail ride experience or a sick and miserable one.
Halter & Lead Rope. You can put a halter and lead rope in your saddlebags, if you have room, or you can attach them to your saddle. It's great to be able to tie your horse when you decide to take a break from the saddle.
First Aid kits. I can never stress enough the importance of first aid kits. One for your horse and one for you! These kit contents can get quite large. So my suggestion would be to pack the kits according to what your horse and you must absolutely have in the event of an injury, large or small, an internal upset, and insect stings or bites.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Trail Riding Gear
The Trail Saddle. Any saddle can be used as a trail saddle. Here are necessary qualifications of a good trail saddle.
1. IT PROPERLY FITS THE HORSE. This is extremely important, because one saddle will not
fit every horse you have properly.
2. You're comfortable & relaxed in it.
3. It has good rigging, usually 7/8 or 3/4 position. This puts the cinch back away from the front
legs & loose skin behind the elbow.
4. You can attach a breast collar, rear cinch, crupper or saddle breeching.
5. Strings for securing saddlebags, horn bags, & other gear.
6. It has a horn or other place to appropriately & safely dally your lead rope.
No matter what the saddle was made for, if it does all of the above, it should make a fine trail saddle.
Saddle Pads. A good pad can make the difference between a good ride and a bad one.
A thicker pad, 3/4" to 1" made of wool or wool content is the choice. The wicking and heat distribution properties are very beneficial. Especially on long rides.
Breast Collars. When doing down hill work, a breast collar properly attached to your saddle willl hold the saddle in place, reduce friction by saddle slippage, and disperse the stress of holding the saddle in place from the cinch. A breast collar will do the job if it properly fits the horse.
Flank Cinches, Cruppers & Saddle Breechings. A horse with decent withers, generally will do fine going downhill without additional tack to hold the saddle in place. A horse who is mutton withered or if you do a lot of steep downhill riding, addition of a flank cinch, crupper or saddle breeching will aid in keeping the saddle in place, increasing the horse's comfort.
Note: When using a Flank Cinch, also known as a Rear Cinch, be careful not to make it tight. It should never be loose either, because a horse could get a foot hung up in it kicking at insects.
Cinches. Like saddle pads, a good cinch can make the difference between a good ride and a bad one. Cinches come in several styles and materials. If your current cinch doesn't work, then try another one until you find one that does works.
Stirrups. Stirrups can easily be changed to fit your needs. A good trail stirrup should have a wide base to give your foot plenty to rest on.
Halters & Leads, Headstalls & Reins. There's a lot of choices for halters, lead ropes, headstalls, and reins. It's just a matter of personal choice. Just so long as it fits your horse.
Horse Shoes & Boots. Depending on the terrain you ride your horse on, will be the determining factor as to whether your horse gets shod, will use boots, or be left bare foot. Always keep your horse on a regular trim and or shoeing schedule.
Trail Riding Gear is a broad term. It can be defined 21 different ways by 21 different people.
I hope what you've read here gets your mind thinking about how well equipped you should be for the trail ride & camping experience.
1. IT PROPERLY FITS THE HORSE. This is extremely important, because one saddle will not
fit every horse you have properly.
2. You're comfortable & relaxed in it.
3. It has good rigging, usually 7/8 or 3/4 position. This puts the cinch back away from the front
legs & loose skin behind the elbow.
4. You can attach a breast collar, rear cinch, crupper or saddle breeching.
5. Strings for securing saddlebags, horn bags, & other gear.
6. It has a horn or other place to appropriately & safely dally your lead rope.
No matter what the saddle was made for, if it does all of the above, it should make a fine trail saddle.
Saddle Pads. A good pad can make the difference between a good ride and a bad one.
A thicker pad, 3/4" to 1" made of wool or wool content is the choice. The wicking and heat distribution properties are very beneficial. Especially on long rides.
Breast Collars. When doing down hill work, a breast collar properly attached to your saddle willl hold the saddle in place, reduce friction by saddle slippage, and disperse the stress of holding the saddle in place from the cinch. A breast collar will do the job if it properly fits the horse.
Flank Cinches, Cruppers & Saddle Breechings. A horse with decent withers, generally will do fine going downhill without additional tack to hold the saddle in place. A horse who is mutton withered or if you do a lot of steep downhill riding, addition of a flank cinch, crupper or saddle breeching will aid in keeping the saddle in place, increasing the horse's comfort.
Note: When using a Flank Cinch, also known as a Rear Cinch, be careful not to make it tight. It should never be loose either, because a horse could get a foot hung up in it kicking at insects.
Cinches. Like saddle pads, a good cinch can make the difference between a good ride and a bad one. Cinches come in several styles and materials. If your current cinch doesn't work, then try another one until you find one that does works.
Stirrups. Stirrups can easily be changed to fit your needs. A good trail stirrup should have a wide base to give your foot plenty to rest on.
Halters & Leads, Headstalls & Reins. There's a lot of choices for halters, lead ropes, headstalls, and reins. It's just a matter of personal choice. Just so long as it fits your horse.
Horse Shoes & Boots. Depending on the terrain you ride your horse on, will be the determining factor as to whether your horse gets shod, will use boots, or be left bare foot. Always keep your horse on a regular trim and or shoeing schedule.
Trail Riding Gear is a broad term. It can be defined 21 different ways by 21 different people.
I hope what you've read here gets your mind thinking about how well equipped you should be for the trail ride & camping experience.
Camping & Trail Riding with Your Horse
So, you've decided to take your horse along camping. It will open up new trail riding adventures for you.
Before taking off down the "dusty trail," please do prepare and plan your adventure.
If you're an experienced outdoors person, awesome! If not, don't be discouraged. Remember, when you take a horse camping with you, it opens up a new dimension to the adventure.
To get an idea as to what's involved, discuss the don't and the do's with experienced horse camping people.
Never camped with a horse? Then the ideal situation would be to go with someone who is experienced. Join a group of people who are going overnight. Let them know that it's your first time camping and you would like to be placed with the experienced people in the group. Not only are those people experienced, but their horses are well seasoned which would give a measure of confidence to your horse as well.
Think about joining a horse club or organization. You'll get the support and the "know how" you need to get started. A wonderful thing about horse camping people? They are so willing to help a novice get started. Enjoy your adventure, and stay safe!
Before taking off down the "dusty trail," please do prepare and plan your adventure.
If you're an experienced outdoors person, awesome! If not, don't be discouraged. Remember, when you take a horse camping with you, it opens up a new dimension to the adventure.
To get an idea as to what's involved, discuss the don't and the do's with experienced horse camping people.
Never camped with a horse? Then the ideal situation would be to go with someone who is experienced. Join a group of people who are going overnight. Let them know that it's your first time camping and you would like to be placed with the experienced people in the group. Not only are those people experienced, but their horses are well seasoned which would give a measure of confidence to your horse as well.
Think about joining a horse club or organization. You'll get the support and the "know how" you need to get started. A wonderful thing about horse camping people? They are so willing to help a novice get started. Enjoy your adventure, and stay safe!
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