Trail Safety & Fun

We hear more and more from folks who feel they have good stock, but when they get out on the trail they have a bad ride. We see more of this in the winter months, when short days and inclement weather keep people from riding as often as the horse or mule might need. Then when they do go out for a ride, the horse or mule is feeling frisky and just wants to run off.

One of the key ingredients of good horsemanship is the ability to evaluate - and then to fix if you see problem areas. When you get to the trail, if you'll do this quick little 6-step routine, you can evaluate your horse or mule's state of mind, and get him "dialed in" so that your trail ride is a pleasure, not a "white knuckle ride."

Start your evaluation: When you halter your horse or mule and stand next to him or her, will s/he stand quietly next to you? OR is s/he distracted, agitated, nervous, impatient?

Standing next to a horse or mule that is standing still, we can have one of three conditions:

1. He or she may be agitated, distracted, unable to stand still for long, unable to focus and listen to you.

2. He or she may be "stuck" or shut down - a time bomb waiting to explode.

Many times we can't tell the difference, especially when we are just starting out.

The difference becomes clear when we add a request for movement. A stuck or shut down horse or mule will do one of two things: He may dig in deeper, still refusing to move; OR he may explode with abrupt frantic movement. Both situations are extremely unsafe. Do not ride such a horse or mule, just yet!

The distracted, agitated horse or mule is also unsafe. Such an animal will be stiff, and will move too fast, with pounding footsteps. Most likely his body will be arced away from you, with shoulder leaning in to you. His head will be held high in the air, looking off into the distance, away from you.

You can use the 6-step series on a daily basis to evaluate your horse or mule before going for a ride. If you don't have time to ride, it's a great way to keep your horse or mule "dialed in" on a daily basis, so that when you do have time to ride, you will have to spend less time in preparations.

2. YIELD SHOULDER, CHANGE THE EYE THAT THE HORSE OR MULE IS LOOKING AT YOU OUT OF

4. YIELD HINDQUARTERS. stepping under the belly, in front of the pivoting leg

A "hole" in any of these steps can indicate a potential problem on the trail. Take a few minutes to work with your horse or mule - get each step soft and fluid, and your horse or mule is not only ready to ride, he or she is ready to excel, to be a pleasure to ride in any situation!

Safe ground handling is clearly explained in his video, "Jerry Tindell Talks About.. GROUND WORK" as well as "Starting over With Rachel, The Troubled Mule."

IS YOUR HORSE OR MULE READY TO RIDE?