Trails

	Trail Rules

We want you to have a memorable Trail Ride because you had a GREAT TIME. We do not want it to be memorable because your horse threw you in a pond and escaped off into the woods. For you safety and the safety the horses we ask that you always listen to the instructions which are given to you and to the group as a whole.

Our Trail Rides are not your typical "Nose to Tail" ride you will find at big horse venues and parks. However, we do ask that everyone in the group to stick relatively close together. You and your horse should always be visible by a staff member.

Our rides are generally easy going rides fit for the entire family. There will be times when you will be able to get your horse up to a brisk trot. If you are an experienced rider there may be opportunities to get your horse up to a canter or even a gallop. However, this should only be done with the permission of a staff member. The areas we ride are varied and some of these areas are perfectly safe for a walking horse but can be hazardous for a running horse and their rider.

All trail rides will have a designated Trail Boss. The Trail Boss will set the pace and choose the trails. The Trail Boss has ultimate responsibility for the safety of all the riders and horses. No one should ever pass the Trail Boss without permission being granted first. The Trail Boss will raise his hand as a sign that he is either coming to a stop or slowing the pace down.

For larger rides there will also be a designated Drag Rider who will be the last horse and rider. It is their responsibility to ensure all riders are staying on the trails and to communicate with the Trail Boss if any issues arise that requires the ride to be stopped so a situation can be handled. For very large rides, the Trail Boss and Drag Rider will carry Walkie Talkies to aid in communication.

Once a horse is tacked and ready to go the horse and rider should move to the arena area to lessen the chaos around the barn. This is a great time to do some warm up activities in the arena, obstacle course and general workouts in the pasture by the arena. All trail rides will start in the arena.

Once everyone has arrived in the arena it will be discussed who the Trail Boss and Drag Rider will be. We will discuss the pace of the ride. The pace will be strongly influenced by the least experienced rider and/or horse. There are three general paces that we will do.


	Easy		This will be a walk only trail ride with very little trotting, if any. If we cross any creeks it will be the easier crossings.

	Moderate		This will include lots of trotting in areas considered safe to trot. We may do some light cantering if everyone is in agreement.

	Advanced		This will include lots of trotting, cantering and possibly galloping.

While the above are general guidelines, each ride can be customized.

Once the pace is determined it is up to the Trail Boss to determine when and where different paces are done. Safety is the primary focus. It is not acceptable for the riders to ask the Trail Boss “let’s do this” or “let’s go here”. It is perfectly acceptable for the Trail Boss to stop the ride and consult with all the riders to determine the next route. It is the responsibility of the Drag Rider to communicate to the Trail Boss if they notice that individuals are having issues and thus, the pace needs to be adjusted down.

All horses that depart on a trail ride must stay together at all times. The Trail Boss, as required, will pause the ride to allow riders to catch up. All riders are asked to keep their horses at a respectable distance from the horse in front of them, preferably, one horse length. Riders also need to stay alert for when the ride comes to a pause so that horses are not running into each other’s rear ends.

At some point riders may choose to separate. This will only be done during a pause in the ride and with full agreement of the entire group. A Trail Boss and Drag Rider may be determined for the separating group. Before the group separates the Trail Pace will be discussed and agreed to before the new group departs. It is not acceptable for either group at this point to take off at anything but a walk until you are a significant distance from the other other.

There will be times when there are concurrent trail rides taking place. When you approach another group from the rear, all horses should go into a walk. Do not trot, canter or gallop up on another group. This is extremely rude and can cause significant stress to the horses up ahead which can in turn into serious injury for horse and rider. The Trail Boss of the back group can work out with the Drag Rider of the front group how to pass or blend in with front group. If the back group takes off on another trail this needs to be communicated to the front group. They are not to take off running on the other trail until they are a significant distance away so as not to stress out the front group’s horses.

If you come face to face with another group, all horses should stop. The Trail Bosses of the two rides will determine the best method to pass each other. Ideally, one group will pass by while one group pauses. The pass will be done at a walk.

If you are a loud group you need to calm down when you approach another group. Once you have negotiated how you will pass the other group and you are a significant distance away from the other group you may continue your loud ways.

STAY ON THE TRAILS - Do Not Take Short Cuts

We strongly encourage you to keep your horse on the trails. We constantly work to keep our trails as safe as possible. Once you wander off of a trail you run the risk of your horse stepping into very deep hole or coming across barbed wire. There is lots of Iron Weed around and other vines that would love nothing more than grab your horses feet and tangle him up or pull you by the neck completely off your horse.

No Riding in ANY Horse Pasture

Pastures without horses are not to be used as ad-hoc arenas. These pastures are in a rest phase so that the grass can heal. Taking horses into these pastures is counter-productive to what we are attempting to do, which is give the pasture a break!

Return to the Barn

When returning the the barn area please keep you horse in a walk.

Once you reach the horse trailers
Riding between horse pastures