In This Chapter
- Discovering trail riding
- Riding in parades
- Participating in drilling and reenactments
- Going on vacation with (and without) your horse
The greatest thing about horses
is how much you can do with them. The horse world is filled with all kinds of
activities for those who ride — and even for those who don’t like to climb on
board but just enjoy being around horses.
In this chapter, we introduce you
to several of the most popular and enjoyable noncompetitive equine activities.
These activities are meant to let you spend time in your horse’s company and
have plenty of fun doing it. (For details on competitive activities, see
Chapter Competing
on Horseback.)
Riding the Trails
The number-one activity among
horse owners throughout North America is trail riding, a hobby that takes both
horse and rider into the wide-open spaces simply for the sheer joy of it.
Whether you live in the urban wilds of New York City or the untamed wilderness
of the Pacific Northwestern forests, trail riding is something you and your
horse can enjoy together.
What trail riding is
Trail riding is a very old
activity. Before the days of automobiles, riding a horse on the trail was
usually the only way to get from point A to point B. Today, people trail ride
just for the fun of it. Few activities are as relaxing and therapeutic as
riding a horse out in the open. Horses have a way of helping humans feel
connected to nature, and never is this truer than when you are riding on a
shady, wooded trail or through a sweet-smelling meadow.
You can trail ride locally on
your own or with a friend, or trailer your horse out to trail ride. You can
also participate in group trail rides, which are organized events usually
sponsored by a riding club.
How you ride on trails
Trail riding is a pretty simple
activity. You just locate a trail, saddle up your horse, mount up, and start
riding. Trail rides can be as short as an hour or as long as an entire day.
Some trail rides even stretch out over a week or more. You just have to decide
how much trail riding you want to do.
Short rides don’t call for much
preparation. Your tacked-up horse and an idea of where you are going is all you
require. Assuming that trails are available in close proximity to where you
keep your horse, you can probably ride to the trail head (the place where the
trail starts). Otherwise, you need to trailer your horse to get there.
Tip
Don’t forget your horse’s comfort on the trail. Unless you’re riding in extreme cold or desert heat, horse-eating insects are a problem in the wide-open spaces. Spray your horse with equine insect repellent before you go on your ride. If gnats are a problem in your area, you may even want to invest in a simple knitted or mesh bonnet that protects your horse’s ears from these biting insects (available from tack stores and catalogs).
Tip
If you plan to take longer rides, be sure that you and your horse are properly conditioned. The worst thing to do to a horse is let him stand in his stall all week and then get on him on a Saturday and ride him for four hours on the trail. He’ll be sore and miserable the next day, and will be less than enthused the next time you come to take him out. Instead, starting at least one month ahead of time, gradually increase the time you spend riding by about 15 minutes each ride until you’re doing at least two-thirds of the time and distance you plan to do on a long ride.
Remember
On longer trail rides, make sure your horse will have access to water (particularly important if the weather is hot) and that you know where you’re going in advance. Of course, you can always just go exploring, but make sure that you have an idea of how to get back to where you started. Contrary to myth, horses don’t always know the way back home, especially if you’re on a trail the horse has never seen before. If you are going alone, be sure to tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll return, just as you would if you went hiking by yourself.
What you need
One of the nicest things about
trail riding is you don’t need a bunch of fancy stuff to do it. Here are the
basic trail riding requirements:
- A horse: The most obvious thing you need to trail ride is a horse. You don’t have to have a fancy animal that costs as much as a Mercedes. All you need is a quiet, obedient mount that is comfortable being ridden out on the trail. If you plan to go on long rides, your mount must also be exceptionally physically fit.
- Tack: You can’t ride your horse on the trail without a saddle and bridle. You can use any kind of saddle for trail riding, although western saddles and endurance saddles are the most comfortable for longer rides and the tack of choice for those who do nothing but trail ride. The kind of bridle you use depends on what discipline you typically ride. Many trail riders use combination bridle/halters with attached lead ropes so they can safely tie their horses up during breaks on the trail. (See Chapter Getting into Gear with Horse Equipment for details on tack.)
Remember
Make sure that whatever kind of tack you use is in good repair before you head out on a trail ride.
- Clothes: A park ranger will arrest you if you try to trail ride in your skivvies, so clothes are a must. You’ll need comfortable riding clothes if you plan to enjoy yourself. If you’re riding in hot weather, wear a cool shirt that protects you from the sun but lets your skin breathe at the same time. In cold weather, wear layers of clothing to stay warm. Wear appropriate riding pants and high boots, paddock boots, or riding shoes for safety. And don’t forget your helmet. Taking a spill while riding on the trail is a constant concern, so protection for your head is a must. Helmets also come in handy when you ride underneath low-lying branches. (Check out Chapter Getting into Gear with Horse Equipment for more about riding clothes.)
- Accessories: All kinds of fun accessories are available to trail riders. The basic ones you need for longer rides are a saddlebag, a water bottle and holder, a hoof pick, and a small first-aid kit (see Chapter Examining and Treating Equine Health Troubles for information on what a first-aid kit should contain). Your saddlebag can hold the hoof pick, the first-aid kit, your lunch, insect repellent, lip balm, a compass (if you know how to read one), and whatever other items you want to bring with you. The hoof pick is to remove any rocks that lodge in your horse’s hooves. The water bottle and holder are for your hydrating needs, and the first-aid kit is to deal with any minor injuries (yours or your horse’s) that occur on the trail.
Tip
If you own a cell phone, consider bringing it with you on trail rides. In an emergency situation on the trail, a cell phone can be a lifesaver.
- A buddy or two: Riding alone on the trail can be relaxing and enjoyable, but going with a friend is always best, especially when you’re first starting out as a trail rider. If an emergency arises — such as your horse becoming seriously injured or you falling and becoming immobile — having another person with you can make a big difference in the eventual outcome.
Companionship is another reason to ride with a buddy. Trailing riding is a great way for horsy friends to enjoy each other’s company.
Strutting Your Stuff in Parades
If you’ve always wanted to
participate in a parade but you couldn’t walk and play the sousaphone at the
same time, then a horse may be just the answer. Maybe you can ride and play the
sousaphone, instead! Then again, maybe not, but have you ever seen a parade
without horses in it? Probably not. Horses and parades go hand in hand. And as
an equestrian, you automatically qualify to move from parade watcher to parade
participant.
Riding in a parade can be
tremendous fun. You and your horse are in the spotlight (along with your
mounted comrades), and all you have to do is look good and wave.
What a parade equestrian unit is
The equestrian units that you see
in big parades are part of organized riding groups. The riders may be members
of a youth riding club, representatives of a breed organization, or part of a
horseback drill-team group (see “Joining a Drill Team” later in this chapter
for details on this type of group). The group’s theme in the parade usually
represents whatever the riding club is all about. For example, if the club is a
military-style riding group for youngsters, the kids wear their uniforms and
most likely carry flags. If the riders represent a local palomino horse club,
all the horses are palominos tacked up in their finest garb.
How you participate in a parade
To become a participant in a big
parade, you must be a member of an organized riding group, unless, of course,
you are a celebrity or can justify participating on your individual merits. (If
you have to think about whether you’re a celebrity, chances are good that
you’re not.) In many smaller towns and cities, however, the parades are small
and informal enough that individual riders can also sign up.
If riding in big parades is for
you, your first step is to join a local riding group. Of all the different
kinds of riding groups, pick the one that best suits your age group and riding
interests. Your parks and recreation department should be able to provide you with
some names and numbers of riding groups in your area.
Remember
If you’re joining an organized group primarily to ride in parades, make sure that parades are a regular part of the group’s activities before you sign up.
Parade rides usually start early
in the morning and last for several hours. The equestrian entries tend to be
spaced apart in between other parade participants, and all participants start
the parade route at a specific time. The equestrian entries are expected to
ride through the entire parade route to the end with no breaks. You’re on
stage, after all, and parades don’t have intermissions!
What you need
The basics of what you need to
ride in a parade vary, depending on your riding group. However, some basics are
the same for all parade riders:
- A good parade horse: Parade riding is a blast for humans, but for some horses it can be nothing more than a series of nerve-wracking horrors. Marching bands, weird-looking floats, cheering crowds — all these things can drive certain horses to distraction. To have a good time riding in a parade, you need a horse that has a quiet personality and some experience with crowds and loud noises. Your riding group can help you mentally condition your horse for parades, but you need to start with an animal that is relatively calm to begin with.
If you want to ride in parades, you also need a horse that loads into a horse trailer easily. The I’m-not-going-in-that-trailer attitude just won’t cut it on the morning you’re rushing to get to the parade grounds on time.
Tip
You don’t have to own a horse trailer to participate in parades. Other people in your riding club will own trailers, and your horse usually can double up with one of theirs when you need to take them to the parade grounds.
- Nice tack: If you want to ride in parades on a regular basis, you probably need to invest in a nice show saddle, complete with silver trimmings. Most — but not all — equestrians in parades ride in western show saddles. Check with your riding group to find out what type of tack your fellow members use for parades.
- Fancy clothes: Again, what you wear depends on whom you are riding with. If your group has a western theme, then some attractive western show clothes are in order. If you belong to a breed club, the group may prefer to dress in clothing that emphasizes the breed’s heritage. And guess what you wear if your riding club is a military unit? If you said anything other than your uniform, drop and give us 50!
Joining a Drill Team
What drilling is
Drilling on horseback is an old
activity, one that goes back all the way to the Roman legions and possibly
before. In the old days, when horses were the primary vehicles of war, drilling
was used to train mounted soldiers to follow commands with precision and
obedience.
Today, drill-team work is done
mostly for fun. Riders who enjoy drilling get together and form clubs that
practice at least once a week and sometimes more. They perform their precision
drill work in parades, at county fairs, and during horse shows. Some local
horsemen’s associations have their own drill teams or can refer you to one in
your area.
How you drill
Most drill teams consist of ten
to twelve horse-and-rider duos, sometimes more. A drill caller gives drill commands
that horse-and-rider teams follow. Each command requires a specific movement;
when several horse-and-rider teams perform these moves in conjunction, the
group ends up moving as a unit.
Remember
Because of its military foundation, drill-team work calls for discipline on the part of the riders and obedience on the part of their horses. You need to memorize each maneuver and have your horse execute it at the moment you hear the command. You rehearse exhibition drills, and after a few practices with your group, you know exactly what is coming from the drill caller. The drills you perform at exhibitions and horse shows are the same drills that you and your team have performed at home many times over.
What you need
One of the perks of drill-team
work is that you don’t need to invest a whole lot of money to participate in
the activity. The following is all you need:
- A cooperative horse: Just about any horse can do drill-team work, as long as the animal is obedient and well mannered. Some horses really enjoy drill-team work and look forward to it (you can tell by their happy, relaxed attitude when they’re working — see Chapter Understanding Horses from Head to Hoof for tips on reading equine body language). They like the excitement of working right next to other horses and the quick movements and sharp turns that drill-team work requires.
Warning!
Horses that don’t like being in close proximity with other horses don’t do well at drill-team work and can even pose a danger to others if they have a tendency to kick or bite other equine participants.
- Good tack: You don’t need fancy tack to ride in a drill team unless the riding group you belong to demands it. At least for practice, anyway, you can simply ride in a comfortable, well-fitted western saddle. (Some groups use English saddles or the old-style military McClellan saddles to more closely replicate the tack used by the cavalry.)
- An outfit: Drill teams usually are color-coordinated, so your group probably will tell you what you need to wear when the drill team is performing for the public. You’ll definitely need some kind of hat (most likely a western one), plus a shirt and pants in specific colors or even designs. This outfit is unlikely to cost you much money. You may even be able to pull it together from stuff you already have in your wardrobe.
Reliving the Past in Reenactments
Like to watch period films,
particularly those set in Civil War times or during the Indian Wars? Then
you’ve no doubt seen reenactors in action. Although the vast budgets of today’s
motion pictures may lead you to believe all those soldiers and cowboys you see
on the silver screen are actors, in reality, they’re usually mounted
reenactors, or riders who dress up in period garb and ride their horses in mock
battles on a regular basis — whether cameras are present or not.
What a reenactment is
Reenacting famous battles has
been the hobby of thousands of horsemen for decades. For that matter,
non-horsemen play the part of foot soldiers in mock warfare. Reenactors live in
all parts of the country and recreate battles from a variety of different wars
and periods. Civil War reenactments are the most well-known, although
reenactments of Indian and U.S. cavalry fights, Revolutionary and British
battles, and scuffles from the Mexican-American War are among the many other
events that are commemorated year-round in the United States by people who seem
possessed by the spirits of those who have preceded them throughout history.
How you reenact
Tip
Getting involved with reenacting first means joining one of the many reenactment groups. They aren’t hard to find if you have access to the Internet. Entering “reenactment” and “horse” and the name of your state in any of the popular search engines should give you a list of groups near you.
After you find out about
reenactment groups in your area, contact one or more of them and tell them that
you’re new to this activity and would like to find out how their particular
group works. After you get to know the group and what it does, you can decide
what type of person from the past you want to portray. If the Civil War
intrigues you, you’ll need to decide if you want to be on the Union side or the
Confederate side. If you like the idea of reenacting U.S. Cavalry battles,
you’ll have to decide which part you’d like to play in these events.
After joining a group, you’ll
discover all about how reenactments work and how you can incorporate your horse
into them.
What you need
You need a love of history and a
burning desire to relive the past to be a reenactor. You also need a sense of
adventure and a bit of courage, because some of the battles that take place
during reenactments can really get the adrenaline flowing.
The type of equipment and apparel
you need depends on the reenactment group you join. Here are the basics:
- The right horse. You’ll need a horse that looks the part. If you want to represent a U.S. cavalry soldier, you need to have a horse that is bay, chestnut, or black. The U.S. Cavalry did not use Appaloosas and Paints, so those breeds won’t fit in with the group. If, however, you want to help reenact shootouts between outlaws and sheriffs, the color of your horse won’t be that important.
Your horse needs to be calm and steady because reenactments often involve the sound of gunshots, galloping out in the open, and even battling on horseback. Special training will likely be needed so your horse can participate.
- The right equipment. Your horse also needs tack that is appropriate to his position within the reenactment. If he’s a cavalry horse, he needs a regulation cavalry saddle and bridle. You’ll also need the appropriate gear for yourself, such as a sword, rifle, and any other accoutrements carried by cavalry soldiers. The reenactment group that you join will help educate you about the kind of tack you need.
- The right apparel. Clothing is an important part of reenacting, and you’ll be expected to purchase a uniform or other apparel to look the part. The reenactment group that you join will help educate you about the kind of apparel you need.
Having a Horsy Vacation
Can’t get enough of your equine
companion? Want to take that horse with you next time you go on vacation? Don’t
laugh — many people do just that, and have a great time, too! The practice of
taking a horse along on vacation is becoming more and more popular every year.
People are discovering that having their horse along on a trip — when they can
do more than weekend riding — is just plain fun.
If your usual vacation spot is a
beach in the Bahamas, you’ll need to alter your plans a bit to accommodate your
horse, but not by much. The number of neat places you can go with your horse in
tow is amazing.
You can take your horse on
vacation with you in one of two ways:
- You can go camping with your
horse in specially designated horse-camping campgrounds or in the backcountry
(where the paved roads don’t go).
- You can trailer your critter to
a horseback vacation resort that allows you to bring your own horse.
Even if you can’t bring your own
horse with you, you can still enjoy a great horsy vacation. Check out all your
options in the following sections.
Camping out with your horse
If you love regular camping, then
you will really love horse camping. Few things are as wonderful as
waking up on a dewy morning in your tent and hearing your horse munching his
hay just outside.
Horse camping is not a new
activity. Before the days of cars, plenty of people on long journeys were forced
to horse camp! Today, horse camping is a recreational activity and quite
enjoyable at that.
What horse camping is
Horse camping is, simply, camping
with horses. It has all the same elements as regular camping, except that your
horse comes with you and you get to ride him on your camping trip. Horse
camping can be done the same way as car camping, where you drive up to your
campsite, or the same way as backpacking, where you hike — or in this case ride
— to your campsite.
Many people go horse camping in tents, with their horses tied or corralled nearby. Others bring RVs along so they can have a bit of luxury in the great outdoors. Many people think that the best horse camping comes when you sleep in a tent, though. When you tent camp, you stand a better chance of hearing your horse moving around
through the night. Not only are you able to keep watch on your horse, but you
also get neat, regular reminders that he’s out there. Sure, if you’re a light
sleeper, you won’t get a really good night’s rest this way, but we think that
knowing your horse is okay is better than sleeping like a rock. Save that for
when you get home!
The biggest reason people take
their horses camping is so they can go trail riding with them. Although most
campers hike on camping trips, horse campers ride. Coming out of your
tent in the morning, feeding the horses, cooking up your breakfast, and then
heading out on the trail is a great feeling.
How you camp out
Camping with horses is a little
more complicated than camping without them. You need to trailer the horse to
the campsite and then secure the horse so he doesn’t wander off in the middle
of the night.
Tip
Horse campers use a few different ways to keep their horses close to camp:
- Campground corrals: Campgrounds that are specially designated for horses often have permanent corrals made of pipe or other strong material. These corrals usually are secure, and they’re your best bet when horse camping. When your horse is in a permanent corral, you tend to rest a little easier. You rarely see campground corrals in the backcountry, so keep that in mind if the security of a corral is important to you.
- Portable corrals: A number of different portable corrals are on the market. They’re designed to keep camped-out horses from leaving the campsite of their own accord. These portable corrals fold up; you can store them in a truck or horse trailer — or even in a horse pack (a backpack that goes on a horse whose job is to carry only equipment) — and then put them together when you set up camp. Some of them come with electricity so the horse gets a mild shock if he tries to bust out.
Warning!
The benefits of portable corrals are that they allow the horse freedom to move about and lie down. The problem, however, is that they serve mostly as a mental barrier rather than a physical one. If a horse really wants to get out of a portable corral, he will — and that includes the electric ones.
- Tie-outs: Many horse campers opt to tie their horses to a tie-out, or picket line, strung between two trees or staked to the ground. For a horse to be safely tied out or staked out, the animal must be used to this kind of restraint. Otherwise, the horse may get himself tangled up, panic, and incur serious injuries. (See Chapter Working with Your Horse from the Ground for details on tying a horse properly.)
Warning!
The benefit of tying out a horse when camping is that it gives you the freedom to camp wherever you like, knowing your horse is secure. The downside is that the horse is at risk for getting tangled in the line.
- Trailer tying: Some horse campers tie their horses to the rings on the side of a horse trailer with a lead rope. This method is good for keeping the horses nearby and under close watch, but the problem is that the horse can’t lie down, something he needs to do to get valuable REM sleep (see Chapter Ten Horse Myths for information on how horses sleep).
What you need
To really enjoy your
horse-camping expedition, you need the following:
Remember
- A plan: Embark on your camping trip with a solid idea of where you’re going and how to get there. Make reservations for your campsite, if possible, and be sure to choose a campground that has drinkable water, which is available to your horse at all times. Horses need plenty of fresh water to stay healthy, especially in hot weather.
- An experienced horse: Horses that never leave the stable are not good candidates for horse camping. A horse needs to be used to traveling and riding on unfamiliar trails before you take him on an overnight trip. Your horse also needs to be relatively calm. Horses that frighten at the drop of a hat can be a hazard on a camping trip. The horse must load easily into a trailer, too, unless you want to begin and end your camping trip with a battle!
- A horse trailer: Unless you plan to ride from the stable to the campground, you need a horse trailer to pull your steed behind you. Make sure that your trailer is in good shape before you head out on a camping trip (see Chapter Competing on Horseback).
- Camping experience: Don’t make your horse-camping experience your very first camping experience. Successful camping — especially tent camping — takes some practice. Learn how to do it on your own before adding your horse to the mix.
- Camping buddies: Plan your horse-camping trip to include a friend or two. Camping with friends is not only safer, but it’s much more fun, too!
- Camping gear for humans and horses: Don’t throw all your gear together at the last minute. Make a list a week before your trip so you won’t forget to bring something important.
Besides your usual camping equipment, your horse needs you to bring some stuff for him too: a halter and lead rope, saddle, bridle, saddle pad, grooming tools, a first-aid kit for the road, a water bucket, a supply of your horse’s usual food, and insect repellent.
Towing your horse to a resort
Before you pick a horse resort
for your vacation, do some research. First, figure out how far you want to
drive to get there (remember, your horse will be in tow!). Then, start scoping
out the horse resorts within that driving distance. The Internet is a great
resource for this research. By putting “horse” and “vacation” plus the state of
your destination in a search engine, you’ll get a list of horse resorts to
choose from.
Warning!
You can consider shipping your horse ahead of you by using a horse transportation company, and then flying to the resort yourself. This option will cost you a bit of dough, though, so be prepared.
Remember
Before you make reservations at any horse resort, ask these questions.
- Can I bring my horse?
- What health certificates are required?
- Can you send me written information on the facility, including rates?
- Can you provide me with some guest references?
- Do you have what I want in a vacation?
Taking a trip without your own horse
If you can’t take your horse with
you, or would rather not go through the hassle of transporting your equine
buddy, you can still have a horsy vacation. In fact, if you want to combine
horses with your holiday, you have a plethora of options to choose from. Just
put “horse” and “vacation” in any Internet search engine, and you’ll see what
we mean.
Horseback vacations come in many
different styles. Some take place at resorts, where riding is one of several
activities in which you and your family can participate. Others are intensive
adventures where you ride for days on end while you see the countryside.
Remember
Spending time on a horseback vacation is a great way to learn to ride, provided you choose the right kind of vacation. A weeklong, training-intensive vacation can provide an incredible opportunity to learn while you get away from it all. If your riding skills don’t need honing, and you just want to enjoy some new scenery on horseback, you can go to a dude ranch or other riding vacation facility where daily trail rides are the main activity.
Whatever horseback vacation you
choose, be sure to research it first. Ask plenty questions and get referrals
from other guests to make sure the vacation is everything that it’s hyped up to
be. Then pack your boots and your helmet and go have some fun!
by Audrey Pavia with Janice Posnikoff,DVM
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