Training Tip: Exercises Your Horse Should Know for Trail Riding

Before taking your horse on the trail, he should know the entire Fundamentals Series. That ensures he respects you as his leader, he knows how to use the thinking side of his brain, and you have control of his feet. When you head out to the trail, you’re no longer in a controlled environment like the arena is. Out on the trail, anything can happen. A deer can jump out in front of you, a bicyclist can whiz by you, hikers can startle your horse, and you’ll need to cross obstacles in your path.

If your horse knows the Fundamentals well, you’ll likely encounter very few problems with him on the trail. If you do encounter a problem, because you have a good foundation on your horse, it’ll be easy to correct him and safely handle the situation.

In my perfect world, everyone would teach their horses the entire Fundamentals Series before going out on the trail. However, at a bare minimum, your horse should be able to do the Fundamentals exercises listed below before you take him out of a controlled environment and ride down the trail. Each of the exercises should be done to at least a B-level. (If you’re not sure what a B-level looks like, check out the Testing the Method Series on the No Worries Club website and Downunder Horsemanship app.) I recommend spending three weeks working with your horse in an arena before taking him on the trail. Two of those weeks should be spent riding your horse.

Exercises Your Horse Should Know:

1. 1. Yield the Hindquarters Stage One
   2. Backing Up – Tap the Air
   3. Lunging for Respect Stage One
   4. Flexing the Head and Neck
   5. Sending Exercise
   6. Lunging for Respect Stage Two
   7. One Rein Stops
   8. Cruising Lesson
   9. Follow the Fence
   10. Yield to a Stop
   11. Bending at the Walk
   12. Draw to a Stop

Looking for more training tips? Check out the No Worries Club. Have a training question? Send it to us at [email protected]