We recently took the horses to Lord Hill Park in Snohomish for a break from their usual arena routine. It was a chance to spend some time on the trails and ask them to use their training somewhere different.
Trail riding can be useful cross-training for dressage horses. In the arena, we choose the figures and work on consistent footing. On the trail, the terrain shapes the ride. Horses have to pay attention to where they put their feet and adjust their balance as the ground changes.
Taking the training outside
The basics still matter away from home. We want a horse who responds to the aids, maintains an appropriate pace, and can settle into a purposeful walk.
But the rider has a different job, too. We need to look ahead, choose a line, and give the horse time to negotiate it. There is often less to gain from adjusting every stride and more to learn from staying balanced and allowing the horse to work out where their feet belong.
A change of setting can also reveal our own habits. It becomes easier to notice a tight rein or a gripping leg when we’re concentrating on unfamiliar surroundings. Riding without an arena wall gives us another way to assess how clearly we steer and how much support we provide.
An outing that suits the horse
The route and length of a trail ride should reflect the horse’s fitness and experience. Footing matters, especially as fall weather changes trail conditions. So does company: a familiar, settled companion can help a less experienced horse feel comfortable outside the arena.
For a horse in rehabilitation, an outing needs to fit the veterinarian’s guidance and the current stage of the program. Uneven ground or hills may be appropriate for one horse and too demanding for another.
There’s no need to make every trip a conditioning session. Sometimes a quiet walk in a different place is plenty.
Making room for variety
We spend a lot of time developing balance and communication in the arena. It’s useful to take those skills outside and see how they carry over.
At Seven Hills, occasional trail rides are part of that variety when they suit the horse and rider. Our trip to Lord Hill gave us time to enjoy the horses away from the usual exercises, with a few things to bring back to our next ride.
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