Training Tip: Great Trail Horses Aren’t Born; They’re Trained

The biggest misconception about trail riding, in my opinion, is that people think that every horse should be a good trail horse. Most people think, “Surely if he’s a good riding horse in the arena, he’ll make a great trail horse.” That couldn’t be further from the truth. The number one thing I want you to realize is that trail riding is no different from any other discipline you do with your horse. If you want to be successful in a particular discipline, your horse has to be suited for it and you have to train him to do it. That holds true whether you’re into cutting horses, reining horses, polo horses, jumpers, etc. No matter what you do with your horse, you get out of a discipline what you’re willing to put into it.