THE TRAIL AND YOUR HORSE or TenderFoot

Now since trail riding takes a good understanding,, let's take a look at whats standing under you

     Things to consider, type of terrain of course, (sand, rock, pavement ), condition of terrain, (wet, dry, icy ) and condition of the hooves, ( clean, dirty, shod, or not ) the type of shoes etc.

      Sand is generally accepted as optimum footing for a horse, and if riding unshod a great way to trim / form the hooves. However an eye must be kept out for soft spots, burrows and the like. As well deeper sand can hide broken bottles, metal and other debris. Soft spots out here can develop a variety of ways, from rains washing chutes under the sand, seeps forming under the surface etc. Your horse would probably have a better idea than you of what to watch for.

     If riding along you find yourself surrounded by holes in a sandy area, ( for this example we are talking about the more packed sand flats etc, and not the dunes ) it could mean that the ground around you is webbed with underground tunnels. Not always a bad thing,,, depending on the type and size of holes there may be more than enough support ( being deep enough ) for you and your horse. The bigger the entrance usually the deeper the shaft, small mouse / rat holes usually aren’t big enough to bother you. Most animals use the holes for escaping the heat during the day and keeping warm at night, providing protection for their young and other reasons. Going deep enough to do this will mean that there is a good solid base between them and the surface. The holes also if giving the impression of not being freshly dug is a good sign, showing that they have been stable a while. Remember as well if it looks messy and fresh around the entrance might just mean it was dug into by a coyote after a meal. Areas of raised ground around bushes may be more of an issue, as animals will use the roots etc for support down into their tunnel and the bush to help hide the entrance. If you are really dubious remember that a horse at a walk only steps down with one foot and has three for support and balance. Generally at a walk a horse will seldom get into trouble as they can pull their foot up before it drops to far. His reaction will usually be to back away from the hole.

     Prairie and thick grown underbrush offer a different scenario as it is harder to see the dens, entrances etc. This balances out somewhat due to the ground being more solid. Open holes are always more of an issue. Having a horse in the lead that is used to these types of terrains is an advantage and following in their tracks a good idea.

     Pavement ( tarmac, asphalt, concrete ) may offer some problems. When approaching the pavement let your horse feel it out to adjust footing and such ( and to also deal with those really scary yellow lines…) If your horse is shod remember certain types of paving may be more slippery for them. You do not want to come off dirt or sand onto a road at a high speed or you may think you stepped onto an ice rink. Letting them jump, run up out of a ditch onto pavement is also not a good idea. Being unshod might give your horse an advantage in footing but certain smoother concretes can negate that. Keep in mind too, that wet pavement can be even more slippery for both shod and unshod. ( especially here in the desert and other arid areas where we get the oil floating to the top ). In more seasonal areas remember that black ice may not be seen if you are not paying attention. Even with temperatures above freezing a good wind can cause black ice to form on roads.

     Rock ( everyone’s favorite ) … This of course is going to bring up the issue of shoes vs. barefoot. Many people with shod horses think that the shoes make their horses invulnerable to stone bruising and the like. However , some points to consider, if your ( shod ) horse is used a firm, even ground most of the time, his sole, frog etc, is elevated off the ground more by the thickness of the shoe. The shoe itself will give more protection from splitting or chipping the hoof at the hoof wall. Now being conscientious you clean any foreign matter from their feet quite often. Now you go for a ride, the shoe hits the

GHOST WRITER GORDON WIKS
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