A lot of people go on horseback rides for endless miles each year. Some of their trips are memorable, beautiful and happy. Sadly, for others, the trips are riddled with difficulties, challenges and bad experiences that they cannot wait to forget. The kind of preparation you take today determines how your trip will go tomorrow.
First, here are our seven most crucial advice pieces to avoid any risk during the ride.
Do not ride alone: we can understand the call of the wild, and we appreciate the bravado, but once your horse falls ill on the trail or you incur any injury, there will be no one to help you. There are areas on popular trails that do not catch any cell service. Not having company can sometimes mean being lost in the wilderness for days without any food, water or shelter.
Jumping over hurdles: Well, it is not the Breeders Cup, and you have a long trail ahead of you that brings many unseen challenges. A marathon trail needs endurance and a lot of patience. Besides, you may end up toppling over, and then your horse can trample you! Even minor injuries to your horse’s leg can become life-threatening for him and you during a long trail, without any help nearby.
Running from a predatory animal: if you spot a group of coyotes or wolves, you have every right to be afraid. Just, do not let your horse run. Running activates their predatory instincts, and it is quite difficult to outrun carnivores in a space they know well.
Dismounting on a slope: usually, dismounting is a lot tougher when the horse is taller. Dismounted needs more effort than mounting and dismounting on a steep trail has a lot of complications, the foremost one being – gravity acts against your horse. With a sudden change of weight, your horse can lose balance and fall on you.
Riding on the unseen ground: jungles are safe havens for hunters and poachers. Shrubbery and thick underbrush can conceal traps, wires and even large holes. Follow the main trail as far as you can. Be careful while stepping into the murky water – it is very easy for sharp debris and bogs to hide in them.
Hunting season rides: it is not as difficult as you think for hunters to mistake trail horses for the game. If you want to go riding during the hunting season, go to an area that does not allow hunters.
You are using a tie down: a tie-down reduces the balance of the horse since he cannot assume the complete use of this neck. If the horse cannot find sure footing, he or she might simply fall. Sudden falls from horseback always pose risks for the rider.
Always pay attention to the real horse riding experts on their experiences of wilderness safaris and long trails. Find out as much as you can about the weather and climate from the local people. Also find out about shortcuts, the hidden dangers and special vistas that only the local people usually know.