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TRAIL
SUCCESS BEGINS ON THE GROUND
By SUSAN
DUDASIK
What makes
a successful trail horse? Aside from being able to walk, trot,
lope, stop and back up, a good trail horse, whether in the show
arena or on a cross-country ride, should also be proficient
at turning on the haunches and forehand, side-passing and confidently
negotiating a variety of obstacles. However, one of the biggest
misconceptions people have toward trail training is that the
main emphasis is on working obstacles. In fact the success of
a top trail horse begins long before it works its first obstacle.
It starts when the horse is taught to lead. To do anything,
there must be forward motion. Without it, you can't get anywhere,
not even out of the stall. Basically all training requires forward
motion, even backing-up. A horse that constantly pulls back
or refuses to go forward is dangerous; the next step is rearing.
Most successful
trail horses are started on the ground and have strong basic
ground manners. They are well "halter-broke”, meaning
they will not pull against their halter and will lead anywhere
as well as stand tied and trot in hand. There are many horses
that can be ridden over a tarp but not lead over it. Just because
a horse will do something under saddle doesn't mean he is halter-broke.
Lack of proper halter-breaking is also a major cause for horses
refusing to load into a trailer.
There are
two simple tests a rider can use to determine how well their
horse is halter-broke. The first is to simply lead the horse
a short distance then ask him to stand for about three minutes.
The horse should quietly stand about a foot and a half from
the rider without tossing his head, dancing around, pawing or
using the rider as a scratching post. A horse that does any
of these things lacks respect and confidence in its handler,
two major ingredients needed to create a top trail team.
The second
test is to take him for a walk around the barn. Lead him up
to a blanket flapping over the hitch rail or other "spookie"
objects. Walk through a mud puddle, step over some logs or poles,
lead him through a gate, walk over a tarp or piece of plywood
and back him in hand about 10 feet. If the horse has done most
of these without pulling back, rushing forward or crowding you,
congratulations! If you have instilled enough trust in your
horse that he will allow you to lead him up to something that
frightens him, you have won three-fourths of the battle. If
the horse has done any of the aforementioned things, there's
lots of work to do.
Creating
a top trail horse requires confidence between horse and rider.
The horse must accept you as leader and be willing to follow
your command even when his good sense tells him not to. Why
cross a wooden bridge when there is solid ground all around
it? Or walk through a puddle when he can go around or jump it?
Most of the moves required to succeed in trail are learned.
It's rare to see a loose horse turning on the haunches, backing
up or sidepassing, unless he has been taught to do them. All
of these moves can be taught from the ground. Whether the horse
is six months-old or 16 years-old, it just takes patience, repetition
and communication.
The best
way to learn about your horse is to observe him when he's turned
loose. Place him in a small corral and put a coat, sack of cans
or some other object in with him. Sit back and watch. Most often
he will walk around the object, observing it from all directions.
Then he will walk toward it then back off. Next he'll move a
bit closer, sniff and back off. This will keep up until he finally
touches the object. Most likely he will touch it, back off,
then come back and touch it again. This is his nature and the
method you want to use in your training. The goal is to have
the horse willing to approach and accept things.
Now, armed
with horse treats or carrot slices, take the horse back to what
he spooked from. Let's say he wouldn't go up to an empty feed
sack on the ground. Walk him toward it until he starts to spook.
Talk to him and encourage him forward. If he sticks his nose
out or steps forward, stop and pet him. Give him a treat. When
he relaxes, ask for another step forward. When he responds,
pet him. Keep repeating this until he is near the sack. It may
take 2 minutes to an hour but stick with it. Ignore those telling
you to "swat him on the butt or to drag him to it."
This will just create a vicious cycle of fear. Establishing
trust and respect takes time but will pay off in the long run.
When he's standing next to the sack, encourage him to touch
it. Start establishing a cue word such as "touch it"
or "smell it". Be prepared, he will probably touch
it and instantly pull back. Praise him and try again. Allow
him to back up but bring him right back and have him touch it
again. Offer a treat and praise when he does. Before long he
will realize there is nothing to be afraid of and he wasn't
scolded for his fear. You have given him time to figure out,
on his own, that the sack wasn't going to eat him and you weren't
yelling or hitting him for his fears.
By using
this method of advance and retreat, you can introduce your horse
from the ground to a variety of trail objects such as a sack
of cans set on top of a barrel, mailboxes, jackets tossed over
rails, bridges and tarps. Observe any type of trail competition
and you will soon notice that the biggest obstacle for many
exhibitors is not the obstacle itself, but getting the horse
to approach it in the first place. Here lies one of the secrets
to a successful trail rider or competitor: trust between horse
and rider that the rider would never ask the horse to do anything
that will hurt either of them. And accomplishing that trust
takes time and getting on the ground, back to the basics.
Susan Dudasik
Shadow Rider Equine News
srider@salmoninternet.com
Member: Idaho Press Club
North American Saddle Mule Association
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