Mary Allen
Explore pure nature on horseback for several days at a time – a dream for many riders! Trail riding is an incomparable experience and is therefore booked by interested parties during their vacation. Most of the time, the tours take place with a guide, after all, it goes through unknown terrain on strange horses.
The Right Tour for Trail Riding
If you are interested in a guided tour to see horses, maybe even lasting several days, the best way to find out in advance is online about a riding school near you. There you will find all the dates and you can register for a suitable tour right away. If you haven’t ridden for a long time or have never ridden, it is better to opt for a short day tour at the beginning, because the effort of sitting in the saddle for several hours should not be underestimated. Even if the trail riding is rather leisurely, since the participants also want to enjoy the beautiful nature, you are sure to have sore muscles the next day.
The Horses
The horses are selected by the trail riding professionals according to their characteristics. They have to be very resilient and persistent and ideally not too big in order to move safely on unpaved roads. Since they do not only carry one – “their” – rider, but various unfamiliar riders, the animals have to be particularly friendly and calm. You must have no problem with changing riders and of course, be absolutely off-road.
The horse breed is also selected according to these criteria. Trail riding horses are often of robust, well-muscled stature and can cover long distances without any problems. In principle, any horse can become a trail riding horse as long as it is healthy and meets the required criteria. A small or medium-sized horse is certainly better to pack than a very large one. In addition, it will be difficult to get on and off the terrain, especially with luggage if the horse is too big. Social compatibility also plays a role, as the riders usually travel in groups and the horses stand together during the breaks.
Tour Alone
On a hiking tour alone with your horse, you can enjoy the silence and tranquility of nature again in a completely different way than in a group. There is no chatting, so you can move forward according to your own ideas. If you want to master exactly such a tour with your horse, you should take some precautions so as not to endanger your safety. In advance, you should think about which route you want to take. How many kilometers can you trust your horse without any problems? Would you prefer to stay on a farm for the night or enjoy nature in a tent or bivouac? Of course, your availability in an emergency is also very important. Let your loved ones know exactly the route you are going to ride and if you want to be absolutely sure, broadcast your live location from your mobile phone. This makes it possible to understand where you are if, in the worst case, rescue workers have to find you. Please note that the internet reception is unfortunately not reliable across the board. Therefore, it is better to stay on the route that you have already communicated. Contact your family or friends at regular intervals.
Luggage for Trail Riding
Aside from safety, there are a few other things you should think about. This includes, for example, a first aid kit in case you injure yourself or your horse easily. You will of course also need provisions and water. Depending on the duration of the tour, you should plan stations where your horse can get its usual feed and water. It makes sense to organize this in advance for a multi-day tour. You shouldn’t forget your mobile phone and a map, as well as a tent if you want to spend the night in nature. Since your horse should be safely housed, you would also have to take a trail riding paddock with you or a picket rope if your horse already knows this well. You notice that luggage is not exactly easy when a single rider has to think of everything. So go through your luggage in peace and think about what you will deposit in advance at a point on the route and what you will take with you on the horse in order to only have the bare essentials with you and to keep the weight, including the rider’s weight, as low as possible. The strain on the horse’s back should not be underestimated, especially over a long distance. Perhaps a tour for two is a good compromise for more peace, less luggage, and more security. It will always be an adventure!