There comes a time in most trail riders’ lives when they think about either making the jump to horse ownership or purchasing their next trail partner. This process can be both exciting and nerve racking, especially if you don’t know what you are looking for in a horse.
A good trail horse has to be many things. I’m sure many of you have read this quote (author unknown as far as I know), but I think it is important to keep this in mind when trail horse shopping:
I can’t count the number of times that I have heard the words “Oh you just trail ride” or “It’s just a trail horse”, especially from other riders who focus on only one discipline. And each time I have to smirk a little. To be JUST a Trail Rider you need a very special talented kind of steed for which many folks don’t realize the expertise required:
- He needs to be as maneuverable as a Dressage Horse…to be able to place each foot exactly where and when you need because there is a steep cliff drop-off on one side and a wall of solid mountainside on the other. A sure-footed horse is a must to be a good Trail horse.
- He needs to be as bold as a Foxhunter….to go willingly where she is pointed, whether that is over a log, up a steep hill, down a gully, through rushing water, boot-sucking mud , across a rickety bridge, or bushwhacking through thick scrub.
- He needs to be as agile as a Show Jumper….able to easily twist and turn around trees and bushes, boulders and hop over fallen logs.
- He needs to have the stamina of an Endurance Horse….because a 10 mile ride can easily turn into a 20 mile ride if his “on-board GPS” (aka rider) takes a wrong turn.
- He needs to have the calm mind of a Rodeo Pick-Up Horse….because many horses can not hold it together under stress. But a good Trail Horse must be able to cope with the high emotional energy often coming from other horses in front, behind and either side of her. He needs to always be level-headed and sensible.
- He needs to manage being squashed against others like a Polo Pony….because on some trails his nose might be pushed against a tail in front, or flanks pressed side-by-side with rider’s knees banging against other rider’s knees, or another horse breathing down his back. He needs to have patience and get along well with others.
- He needs to cope with bursts of speed like a Racehorse…..because if that “on-board GPS” (aka rider), stated above, turns the short ride into 20 miles you won’t get home till dark if walking that whole distance, or you come across a nest of bees!!
- He needs to be a clever problem-solver with his mind and feet like a Cutting Horse….sometimes his rider is gonna get him stuck in places that seem impossible to get out of!
- He needs to be brave like a Cow Horse because not only will he have to deal with protective mama cows and bulls out on the trails, but she’ll also be faced with mountain bikes, ATVs, motorcycles, strollers, tractors, logging equipment, chainsaws, horse-drawn carts, bullet-riddled appliances, floating plastic bags and balloons, booming thunder and pouring rain with flapping slickers, loose wild horses and burros, and all forms of wildlife.
- And they need to be cuddly and sweet like a Child’s Pony….because he will spend countless hours exploring trails with her rider.
- It always irks me when I hear people say “oh he’s just a trail horse;” yeah we may not compete or do much in the ring…but he dominates at what he does.
So, what specifically do you look for when looking for a new horse? Here are a few of the things that I like to asses:
- Soundness. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s key for any trail horse to be sound. You’ll be asking this horse to deal with a variety of terrain, and you want to make sure this horse’s body can take the strain. When I first look at a horse I like to run my hands over their body to check for any sensitive areas or injuries. I always recommend a thorough pre-purchase exam for any horse.
- Feet. “No feet, no horse” as the saying goes. If you’re serious about a particular horse, it may be worth having your farrier take a look at the horse’s feet to point out any potential issues. Things to know would be whether the horse needs shoes (2 or 4), if their feet will hold up to rocks and hard packed dirt roads, and if they will be prone to hoof soreness.
- Experience. This will vary depending on what level of horse you are looking for, but if you’re looking at a horse who has been ridden a fair amount, some trail experience is a plus. It’s hard to know how a horse will react to the varied things on the trail unless they have been out. Remember, the less experienced rider you are, the more experienced you want your horse to be.
- Manners. I always want to see the horse being caught in the field (if possible), tacked up, and see how they stand on cross ties. Do they stand quietly while you are taking with the owner? Are they anxious or do they fidget the whole time? Are they girthy? Do they bite?
- Disposition. For a trail horse, I generally like a horse who isn’t super reactive. I also like to have the owner ride the horse first and see how the horse is with a rider he or she knows. Assess how distractible the horse is during the test ride. If possible, see if you or the owner can ride the horse outside of the arena. If something does distract the horse, what does he or she do?
- Spatial Awareness. One thing about a trail horse is that he or she needs to be aware of their feet on the trail. You can do these things mounted or on the ground. If possible, scatter some poles on the ground or take the horse out of the arena to see how they manage their feet. Walk the horse up and down a fairly steep hill if there is one. Take note of how they place their feet. Are they tripping over the poles? Do they confidently walk up and down a hill? You will need to place your trust in a horse when out on the trail, so this is really key.
- Trailering. This one is really important to me. If possible, see if you can watch the owner load and unload the horse. Trailering issues are hard to correct, and it is best to know about any issues up front. As trail riders, we are often trailering all over to go to new trails. A horse who doesn’t load or loads poorly can cause a lot of stress in the long term.
- Water. Does the horse have a fear of water? Will they cross water without a fuss? This is another issue that can take a long time to fix, and you should definitely know about it before you’re out on the trail with your new horse! If there is any water nearby when you’re trying the horse, make sure to walk them through it to see how they react.
- Conformation. Is the horse overall balanced? I like my trail horse to have a fair amount of bone. To be a trail horse, their conformation doesn’t need to be perfect – I don’t care if their neck is set a little low or high or their head isn’t particularly refined – but I do care if they have certain conformational flaws that speak to long-term soundness.
- Herd-bound. Does the horse loose its marbles when he or she leaves their friends? This is key information to know, especially if you plan to trail ride without a buddy.
That is my general list. I also have just a few pointers for the buying process.
- Take some time after meeting a horse to make a decision. We all love horses, so it’s easy to jump into something not quite right with rose colored classes.
- See if the owner will allow you a trial period. This gives you some time to get to know the horse at your barn.
- If you can’t do a trial, go and see the horse multiple times.
- Remember, sometimes the best horses come in plain bay packages. You can’t ride color.
- Don’t shop above your budget. It’s so tempting to look at horses who are just a little bit more than your budget, but there lies danger. You shouldn’t spend more than what you can comfortably afford on the purchase price when horses come with so many other expenses.
- I reiterate, get a pre-purchase exam! Even if the horse is only $500, it is worth it to get the exam. An unsound horse or one with chronic issues can cost you way more than the pre-purchase exam in the long run.
I hope these tips help!
Happy trails!
Kerrie
