5 EXCELLENT TRAIL HORSES Trail riding is so much fun but for safety reasons we just can’t go out there on any old horse. It could be an awful experience, a day ruined by choosing the wrong breed for your days excursion and also dangerous. Instead choose a horse that has the qualifications for adapting to trail riding and has all the necessary traits for being a good choice. The key thing to know is that any breed can be trained for riding trails; but some horses wouldn’t be appropriate for the experience like ponies or large muscular horses.
Best choice would be A.) A horse that you are comfortable with. B.)Known for being a good trail riding horse. C.) Traits to look for: High endurance, calm disposition, stamina for the rugged country trails and a horse that you feel comfortable with. Caution: You wouldn’t want to take a horse that spooks easily or one that is difficult to handle on trails. Safety Precautions are necessary. * Choose a trusted horse, that is in good shape for trail riding.
1.) ARABIAN The breed originated on the Arabian peninsula in 5000 B.C. And is the oldest bred of horse. Their stamina, speed, spirit and beauty makes this breed a number 1 choice. Their intelligence and strength alone stands out and makes them a fine choice for trail riding. The Middle Eastern people (Islamics) were impressed with this breed and cherished their Arabian Horses for being the chosen horse for running races out in the hot heat of the desert and just as a fine horse because of their so many wonderful traits. The Arabian’s endurance, speed, beauty and intelligence have captivated people for centuries. From Alexander the Greats love for the breed; to cave paintings of the Arabian horses discovered by Archaeologists.
Clearly this breed has impressed people all along. Even in movies and books we see this incredible animal as the main character. They triumph at most endurance events and their anatomy is different than other horses. 1 less rib and 2 less vertebra’s. Which produce a smoother ride and they are more sure footed, nice gait and overall incredible potential. This is a perfect horse for trail riding or any other adventure you might think to participate in. With the right training this horse can do anything and come out a winner! You can’t go wrong with the Arabian beauty on the trails.
2.) KENTUCKY NATURAL GAITED HORSE In the 1800′s in Kentucky a horse was bred for conveyance to help with work on the ranch and other traits wanted in a horse. They produced The Kentucky National Gaited Horse. Back in those days were rough times and very hard labor. Living on farms they needed a horse that had all the good qualities that were in demand for those times. From the farm work to transportation and for family fun rides on the horse. Bred for: Endurance, strength, tempered, loyalty, intelligence and for being sure footed. Whatever was needed done or to have help with they relied on their Kentucky Horse which became their perfect breed of choice.
They are known for being smooth and balanced with a beautiful gait. The rhythmic of it is outstanding in dispositional traits. Perfect for trail riding because of the calm, good natured behavior and keeping a gait for many miles. This bred is a popular trail horse and has a reputation for being loyal and good on different terrain.
3.) MISSOURI FOX TROTTER The 1900′s brought about many uses for this bred. From farm labor, to pulling the family buggy, or riding on. The horse was used for everything including for fun on trails and rough terrain. The ancestor heritage is from the: Arabian, Morgan and Tennessee Walker’s. The Missouri Fox Trotter is genetically inclined to an easy gait and a good disposition. Their fox trait makes them an excellent trail horse. Their gait makes the trail riding smooth, balanced and a comfortable ride for long periods of time atop the animal. They can endure long distances, brisk speed without getting tired; this makes them an excellent choice for trail riding.
Park Rangers use this bred in the wilderness because of their incredible endurance and they are amazing with managing rough, rocky terrain. 90% of them are registered Missouri Fox Trotters and owned by trail riders for that purpose. They are a perfect choice when it comes to safety as well. They are often called the common man’s pleasure horse because they are a good horse with excellent qualities. Furthermore, Mountaineers love this breed and anyone else that enjoys spending time riding on trails.
4.) MORGAN In the 1700′s this horse was one of the first horses bred in the United States. Later the breed would be referred to as the Morgan Horse from the earliest ownership of the breed owned by a man named Justin Morgan. The only breed that can trace its heritage to one breed. There is even a museum about the history of the Morgan horse. This breed is a lovely horse with expressive eyes, intelligence, good natured, graceful with an upright neck, compact body and strong muscles. Their stamina and athletic nature make them an excellent choice for trail riding.
They have been used for everything from ranch work, endurance riding, show rings, and back country riding. A very adaptable loving creature. Their trot makes it a smooth ride and they are very quick to learn. There were a favored breed that were used in the Civil War for their traits and disposition. Which says it all of how they were so relied on and being such a wonderful choice for even fighting in wars. They were dependable, loyal, had sense in firing ranges, adaptable to their surroundings and conditions. This would truly be a fine horse for trail riding. Check out the visual tour of the National Museum of the Morgan Horse:
“http://www.morganmuseum.org/html/tour.html”:http://www.morganmuseum.org/html/tour.html
5.) TENNESSEE WALKER
Their inherited traits are of a fusion from six breeds for calmness, speed and form. The bred originally used in the Southern parts of the United States for carrying plantation owners around on their land. Their popularity through the years has put them on the forefront from everything from: TV shows, to riding on them in parades, show horses for rings and such. Used for their calm disposition. They are an excellent breed known for being very good trail horses. People love them for their intelligence, disposition, reliability, gait and good stamina.
Riding a Tennessee Walker gives you a feeling of riding in luxury because you don’t experience being bounced around like you might with some of the other breeds, that happen to trot along. Instead you experience a smooth gliding and graceful ride. A fun horse for trail riding.
EXTRA TIPS Remember to dress for the occasion and wear a helmet if need be. Also use a saddle that fits the horse and yourself. Note: To prevent your horse from becoming dehydrated try Electrolytes for your horse to prevent dehydration while riding.
Photo Credits: Amazon.com