the three of you hit the trails together.
The third and most important part of this trail riding menagerie is you, the rider. The reason most organized rides ban dogs isn’t because of the dogs, it’s because the human component has failed in their obligation to ensure that they can control their dog in a safe and responsible manner. Have you taken the time and effort to teach your dog what is expected of it on the trail? The training doesn’t stop with the dog either. It’s a great idea to teach your horse to remain calm during unexpected encounters. After all it may not be your dog that bounds out of the brush alongside the trail. And finally have you spent the time required to become a competent rider as opposed to merely a passenger? As the pack and herd leader it’s your job to address all of these issues before you hit the trail.
From a cowboy’s faithful companion to coach dogs that bounded alongside stagecoaches, dogs have been a wonderful part of the equine world for centuries and I hope that they remain so. For me few things are better than going on a ride with my dog along. That being said, my dog doesn’t get to accompany me nearly as often as he’d like to. His trail rides are restricted to front country areas where the chance of encountering other riders is low. Boo has generally been a good dog, and he’s become even better as the years have gone by, but my concern is for the other riders’ capabilities and their mounts. For me it’s safer and more enjoyable to include my dog on rides where my worry factor can stay low.
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The TrailMeister
The “TrailMeister” is a guy who wants to know the skinny about a riding area before he arrives and wasn’t able to find good, accurate info anywhere else. So he created TrailMeister and publishes for the passion of horse riding.
www.trailmeister.com
Photo credit: Bartek Buczek, Canada