Who Says A Trail Horse Isn't A Performance Horse? Speed Control By Jenny Lance and Angie Robinette-Dublin Many folks believe that a trail horse is just a horse that doesn’t show, and that a trail horse should be a lot less expensive to buy than a show horse. We at “Live To Ride” beg to differ! We believe a good trail horse is invaluable. It is said that if a horse is walking faster than you want it to walk, it is a “run-a-way.” This is because your horse is not listening to you and is choosing its own speed. But you are in the “driver’s seat” and you decide the speed you want to travel, not your horse. A horse has a “slow spot” (the shoulder) and a “go spot” (the hip or engine.) An important point is to practice at home, as we do with all exercises before heading out on the trail. If you have control at home 90% of the time, you can expect you will only have 50% control on the trail. Distractions of any kind impede your horse’s ability to respond. So once you are solid without distractions, practice and train with them at home and then on the trail. Yes, you do need to “train” while trail riding until your horse is solid on the trail! Take the time to teach your horse to respond to your seat and one rein as slow down cues, and your seat and leg aids to speed up. Do this at the walk, trot, and canter. Don’t forget to also teach the all-important emergency stop. Its easier do this training in a snaffle bit because it gives you one rein control side to side as well as front to back. You may have to take “baby steps” and work your way to using a snaffle bit on the trail with control. Add steps gradually, whenever you need to in your training, so you stay safe. Your trail horse is a performance horse and, just like a performance show horse, learns it patterns at home. First, you need to practice in a safe enclosure at home. Once you are confident you have the control you need, you can venture out to the beautiful wide-open spaces. Remember n your life may depend on it! Jenny Lance and Angie Robinette-Dublin are professional trainers at Live To Ride, www.LiveToRideHorses.com.