18 July, 1962
Step By Step Training Walker For Trail Riding
( Editor ' s Note— Here is the second article in a special series by Mi ' s. Virginia Lamb of 2901 " 7tli Avenue. Sacramento. Calif. The Voice regards the " discovery " of litis dedicated young woman as a major step in development of resource personnel who will contribute articles that are Certain to make this the best horse breed magazine in existence today. Read this second article— and read the first in Lhe June issue. You trill then agree to much of our statement. BAG.)
By Virginia Lamb( Second Article In A Series) By now, you have selected a horse suitable for the purpose you have in mind and are now ready to start his basic training as a trail horse. Now that you have the horse, you will have to decide which style you are going to do your riding, VVesiern or English. Western is the best lor trail riding, and this part ol the article will deal with that type ol riding in the high country, but English will do providing the country is not too rough. One thing to remember is that the horse will have to be taught to neck rein and back up, regardless. Either way that you decide to ride, the training of the horse will be the same.
Needed equipment will be as follows: A good bridle with a standard curb bit( the regular TWH bit is fine), a strong breast plate( not a martingale), a Western stock saddle, either % or a full double rig and a good saddle blanket or pad. The breast plate holds the saddle in place going up steep inclines so that the saddle will noL ride down the horses back, possibly causing a raw spot. The Vi or double rig on the saddle will also keep the saddle where it belongs, the second cinch preventing the back or the saddle from flying up in case you have to jump Lhe horse.
A saddle bag is almost a must on any trail horse and is considered standard equipment. In this you should carry a first aid kit for yourself and the horse, a hoof cleaner, a few horseshoe nails and a small hammer in case the shoe becomes loose. If you are afraid to tack the shoe back in place, it is best to pull the shoe completely off.
Learn To Saddle Correctly
Now that you have your equipment, you must learn to saddle him correctly and at the same time become acquainted with the horse. EirsL, the bridle should be placed on the horse and the headstall adjusted so that the bit will rest in his mouth lightly, wrinkling his mouth slightly at the corners. If the bit is too loose, there will be loo much play and the port may bang against his teeth. The chin strap should barly rest on his chin, being just light enough so that pressure on the reins will bring it into play. Being too light will likely rub a sore spot.
The Western saddle, if you have never had one, will weigh anywhere from 20 to 40 pounds. It placed on the horse correctly, he will be able to carry this weight withouL difficulty. Unlike the English saddle, which rests behind the withers with the rider sitting on the kidneys of the horse, the Western saddle should be placed over and slightly in front of the withers. Tighten the front cinch so that you can just barely slip your fingers, by lightly forcing, between the horse and the cinch. If you stop and think about how you feel when you pull your belt too tigliL around your waist, you will know why Lhis is important on the horse. He will not be able to do his best if he is being“ choked” by the " belt”.
The back cinch should be pulled up so that it barely rests against the horse or hangs about an inch away from him. If the second cinch is too loose, it is doing no good and might as well not be there. There is always the chance of the horse getting his hind feet hung up if it hangs too low and it is best to avoid this to start with. Now, the breast plate, or collar as it is sometimes called, wraps around the chest of the horse and attaches to the cinch rings on both sides of the saddle.
There is usually a strap thaL is attached to the breast plate so that it comes up and over the horse’ s neck, crosses in front of the withers, and snaps or buckles to the other side of the plate. You should be able to slip vour hand between the neck of the horse and the plate without any difficulty.
Learn To Mount From Both Sides
Now that the horse is ready, you are also ready. As in English, you mount from the left, however, learn to mount from the right as well. This is important as there may come a time when mounting from the left is impossible and if the horse will not stand to let you mount from that side, you may have trouble. There are three ways to mount.
( 1) Put your back to the head of the horse, gathering the reins with your left hand and placing it and the reins on Lhe pommel of the saddle. Turn the stirrup around, placing your left foot in it. As you swing around and up, pull with the left hand. Your right hand may remain free, or you can use it for balance anywhere on the saddle that is easier for you.
( 2) Stand directly facing the side of the horse, gathering the reins in the left hand and placing on the withers or Lhe pommel. The right hand can then be placed on the pommel or the cantel for balance as you mount. From this position, it is usually placed on the cantel.
( 3) With you facing the head of the horse, place your right hand on the pommel, your foot in the stirrup and with your reins gathered in the left hand, either free or on the withers or pommel, too, lightly jump and pull with your right hand, swinging your right leg up and over the back of the horse. It will depend upon your height and the size of the horse as to which way is the easiest for you. You may have to make a slight variation, but try them all and stick to the most comfortable for you.
After mounting, the stirrup length is important for comfort to the rider. To check this, place your right hand on the pommel and stand up. There should be a two to three inch clearance between you and the saddle.
Get Acquainted With Your Horse
Spend the firsL few days becoming acquainted with your horse. Ride him just as you would any pleasure horse. This period of time will let you get the feel of the horse and will also let him know that you are the boss. You will find yourself enjoying every minute of this acquainting time.
Now then, without realizing it, from the first day, you and the horse started the training. As mentioned before, the horse should be taught to neck rein. The easiest way for the beginner is to cross the reins under his neck. You ride with a loose rein on any trail horse, so if the horse has been trained with a short rein, to keep the head set, lengthen the reins so that they are loose, but just short enough so that you have complete control at all
( Continued, on Page 19)