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June 2000
Happy TWHails to You - Taking to the Trails Safely
In support of our mission statement for educational development, here is the
Fourth edition of Info Gaits.
Riding horses safely is like snow skiing. The danger comes when you lose
control. Because the horse is a herd animal that relies on the ability to escape
danger rather than confront and conquer it, trail riding can be dangerous if
your horse is prone to panic when faced with the unknown. Trail riding should be
fun and relaxing for you and your horse. Here are a few tips to help you prepare
your horse for the possible "spooks" you may encounter on the trail.
CAUTION! If a small child were afraid of something, would you hit, kick, yell &
yank on the child until they overcame their fear? NO! That would be stupid and
abusive. Sadly, many horse owners hit, kick, yell & yank on their horses when
the horse is simply afraid to step into a puddle or go near a piece of plastic.
It is also foolish to treat a stubborn horse the same way you would a scared
one. If you do not know your horse well enough to tell the difference between
fearful behavior and stubborn behavior, ask an experienced horse person to help
you.
I prefer using a 5-step approach. As an example, let's use a bicycle and rider
like you may encounter on a trail at a state park. The same method can be used
to introduce your horse to other likely trail challenges such as logs, trash
bags, wildlife (use stuffed animals on a string), clothes on a clothesline, etc.
- INTRODUCTION WHILE HORSE IS FREE TO FLEE: Take a bicycle and park it
outside your horses' paddock where it can seen but is not a threat. The next
day, push the bicycle around inside the paddock. Stop periodically and let the
horse approach the bike only if he/she wants to. After a short period, remove
the bicycle from the paddock and out of the horses' sight. Continue this until
your horse no longer shows any fear of the bicycle and you are able to hold the
bicycle and pet your horse at the same time. For safety reasons, don't leave the
bicycle in the paddock with the horse.
- INTRODUCTION WHILE HORSE IS ON A LEAD ROPE: Lead your horse out of
the paddock area and into an open pasture they are familiar with. Have a friend
ride the bike where the horse can see it but is not threatened by it while you
are holding (not riding) your horse. Ask your friend to walk/ride the bike in
large circles gradually moving the edge of the circle closer to you and your
horse. Continue to stroke and talk calmly to your horse while you both watch the
bicycle. Repeat this exercise until the horse stands calmly while the bike
approaches from any direction within 3 feet of your horse and moves away without
the horse moving his/her feet.
- INTRODUCTION WHILE MOUNTED BUT HELD: Saddle and mount your horse and
repeat step 2 while another friend holds your horse from the ground.
- INTRODUCTION WHILE MOUNTED AND FREE: Repeat step 3 while mounted and
no one is holding your horse.
- INTRODUCTION WHILE MOUNTED WITH VARIETY:Repeat step 4 with
variations. Have the rider wear a hat or a rain slicker. Have the rider sneeze
or stop suddenly and fall over. Have the rider appear from behind a barn or over
a hill. If any of the variations cause your horse to become nervous, dismount
and repeat the variation using steps 2 & 3.
You and your horse may move through steps 1-5 in an hour - or - it could take
weeks. Don't rush this process. The more scary things you and your horse
conquer, the faster and easier it will be to conquer new scary things. You may
find that you can skip a step or two with some challenges but I don't recommend
it. "Better safe than sorry?" Pushing your horse too fast can result in a horse
that is sour toward your training sessions and/or potentially dangerous. Relax.
Have fun. Your horse won't if you don't.
Another method of helping your horse learn to control their natural fears is to
introduce new things to them as a part of their daily routine. Hang an open
umbrella from a tree limb in their paddock or pasture. Stake out a piece of
plastic tarp on the ground near where your horse eats. Place a log in the
doorway of their stall so they have to step over it to come and go (start with a
small log and progressively replace it with bigger ones). Hang a plastic or
stuffed bird from a limb or rafter where it can swing above their head. Take a
small branch and stroke your horse all over. As your horse accepts (and enjoys)
this stroking, progressively use larger branches with more limbs and leaves
until they remain relaxed when branches swish by and touch them everywhere.
Use steps 2,3 & 4 above to introduce your horse to other things you may need to
be prepared for. Take a trail map out of the saddlebag, unfold it, rattle it
like it would on a windy day, fold it again and put it away. Take out your rain
slicker and put it on. Have your horse stand quietly while another horse
approaches from the front and then from behind.
If possible, repeat these exercises using the steps above in a place the horse
is not used to. Many horses become more nervous when separated from their
comfort zone environment (their barn or away from their pasture pal). Take your
horse to a friends place for a day of trail training then have them bring their
horse to your place to do the same. You will need a friend to help you with
steps 2 through 5 and the two of you will be able to coach and assist each other
on future trail rides as well.
Those of us who own Tennessee Walking Horses already have a head start on other
trail riders. Our breed is famous for its' smooth ride and calm
temperament….BUT….our horses are horses too. Even TWH's are prey animals whose
instincts tell them to flee the unknown. Patient, persistent, and playful
training can help prepare them and us for trail rides free from tragedy and
frustration. May all your trails only end in bug bites, sunburn, sore butts, and
many wonderful stories to be shared around the campfire.
Contributor: Tom Kakac. Riding wasn't a recreational activity on the
Missouri farm where Tom grew up. It meant riding to find a missing cow and its
newborn calf, or to plow the fields until dark. Only occasionally there was
time to go riding (and racing) with a couple of the neighbor boys and their
horses. From the time he was just a young colt himself, Tom was riding,
driving, and training horses with his Granddad. Gently. Patiently.
Respectfully. Today, Tom, his wife Deborah and his 5 children (Michelle,
Melissa, Whitney, Rachel, and Tyler) enjoy their two Tennessee Walking Horses,
Sun's Midnight Passion and Shades of Blue.
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