Make sure you know the people and horses you’ll ride with before you head down the trail. Photo by Heidi Nyland

Know and trust the people you ride with.

Problem: You’re riding with a group that goes faster than you want and takes unnecessary risks.

Worst-case scenario: You just purchased a new horse and are excited to teach him how to act on the trail. He’s had some training, but you’re a little worried about riding in the wide open with him. Thinking you’re being safe, you find a trail-riding group and head out for your first trail ride together. You’re thrilled to have people to ride with—there will be someone there if something goes wrong. But you didn’t think about asking the other group members how fast they like to go or ask how they communicate on the trail. You also didn’t set up any etiquette rules.

After a half hour on a quiet, forest trail, the group suddenly branches off to enter a wide-open field. The riders in the lead take off at a full gallop. Your horse is farther back in the line, but he can hear the pounding hooves. The whole herd is on edge and ready to run. You sit down and pull back on your reins, but your horse is following the herd. You’re out of control and you’re still riding through the dense forest. The trees are close together and you’re about to hit one. Should you jump off?

Solution: Always communicate your expectations and goals before you begin a ride with a new group. Follow trail etiquette.

How to go about it: Before you head down the trail, make sure all the members of your riding group know what the ride will be like. Have a candid discussion and ask: will you walk or trot most of the way? How will you communicate if there’s a problem and the group should stop? How will you communicate when the pace will increase? Make sure you’re comfortable with everyone’s answers before you agree to ride with the herd.

Also take time to review some basic riding etiquette. Make sure all the riders know what to do if they need to pass a horse. Ideally, you’ll keep your spot in the line up unless you announce that you’re moving up or slowing down.

Make sure that all riders are ready to change gaits. If you want to increase speed through an open pasture, wait until all riders are in the open and know that the pace will change. If you ride through a gate or someone needs to dismount to clear the trail, make sure all riders are back up and ready to move on before the herd moves too far away. With a little communication, you’ll make sure all the horses and riders stay calm and don’t feel left behind.

Keep in mind that horses are herd animals and, when stressed, will do anything to reach the “safety” of the group. Any time one horse is far away from or moving faster than the others, that herd mentality can kick in. Keep all the riders in your group safe and in control by communicating your speed and direction decisions before you move ahead.