A Guide for First-Time Trail Riders

Do you have access to a calm, experienced horse to ride on the trails? If you are a new rider, I hope to assume that you are riding a safe school horse. We want your first trail ride experience to be a good one, so we want it on a horse that has been out on the trails before—preferably one who is known for being a great trail horse.

Do you have other people to go with? No one should ever trail ride alone. Even the most experienced riders on the safest horses should not ride out alone. You just have no way of knowing what might happen and when you might need help. Not to mention, horses being the herd animals that they are feel more comfortable in the presence of other equines—preferably other calm and quiet ones like themselves.

Where Should You Go?

If your farm has trail access right from home, that is a great place to start. It will most likely be the place where you will be most comfortable and so will your horse.

If you don't have trail access at the farm, ask other riders where they go and ask them if they can recommend a good place for a first-time trail rider—somewhere with easy terrain and where you aren't too likely to encounter spooky stuff like mountain bikes or things like that. Make sure it is a place that won't require you to have to cross any roads or ride alongside traffic.

Now That You Picked a Place

Plan a day with your riding friends and plan to go on a trail ride. Hopefully, one of your friends has ridden on the trails before and can be the fearless leader.

Make sure that everyone is aware that this is a first-time trail ride for some of you and that you are looking to just have a relaxed, calm experience. In other words, this will involve mostly walking and only going faster if all the riders in the group feel comfortable and want to. Trail etiquette is to ride to the level of the least experienced rider in your group. By doing so, it will keep everyone happy and safe.

Don't plan on a ride that lasts for hours and hours. Just an hour or two is the perfect amount of time to go on your first trail ride.

Safety Precautions

• Wear a helmet. You should be wearing one all the time, and trail riding is no different. If you are a nervous rider and own a body protector, you can even wear that too. There is no shame in taking as many safety precautions as possible.
• Dress for the weather and wear layers. If hunting is allowed where you are riding and is in season, wear blaze-orange to make it known you are a horse and rider, not a deer!
• Carry a cell phone. Obviously, if things are going well, you might want to snap a couple of pictures or selfies. Mostly though, have your cell phone just in case something happens and you need to call for help.