Some may question why a person would write a book on pleasure trail riding. What could be simpler then you and your horse out in the woods enjoying a leisurely ride? One only has to spend a little time at an average boarding stables to see why there is a need for this book. I have watched frustrated owners and horses struggle with simply taking a walk in the park. The horses are frightened and excited from leaving their safe barn. Some won't leave at all. They prance, bolt, spook and balk. Their riders are frightened and angry with their horse's behavior. Sometimes there is no such thing as a simple trail ride. It becomes a battlefield.
By nature, horses are shy and tolerant animals. When one considers it, it is amazing how much they endure and learn as a result of their partnership with man. They are herd animals and creatures of flight. They run first; then reason--the complete opposite of man. The modern world is a scary place for our pampered, underexposed equine partner. The fear generated by an out of control horse is like being caught in a flood. We are in jeopardy and our fear response kicks in. We and our horses build off each other's emotions. Which can only make the situation worse or possibly better.
This is when our ability to reason is our ally. This book is your plan and will give you the tools to help you and your horse. We need to train our horses to trail ride for the safety of all concerned. We train our horses to race, jump and do airs above the ground. Why not to trail ride? A set of goals and guidelines can create communication and a sense of achievement on both your parts.
I have had such success with this advice. I have become an infinitely more confident rider. My horse is much more relaxed because he knows what to expect from me when we are faced with any obstacle. I know where to look for help and how to use this guide to be a thinking rider instead of a reacting rider. It may sound strange to train a horse to do something that looks so simple, but teaching your horse to act predictably in an unpredictable situation can make any ride better. So will teaching your horse to go calmly to and from the barn at any gait and to approach and conquer obstacles. All horses benefit from trail riding, and training your horse to trail ride can help you achieve that idyllic picture of partnership between horse, man and nature.
Some may question why a person would write a book on pleasure trail riding. What could be simpler then you and your horse out in the woods enjoying a leisurely ride? One only has to spend a little time at an average boarding stables to see why there is a need for this book. I have watched frustrated owners and horses struggle with simply taking a walk in the park. The horses are frightened and excited from leaving their safe barn. Some won't leave at all. They prance, bolt, spook and balk. Their riders are frightened and angry with their horse's behavior. Sometimes there is no such thing as a simple trail ride. It becomes a battlefield.