03/22/2024
Of all of the skills that students regularly want to learn, the one that nobody ever mentions is “Mounted Trail Clearing.”
And quite frankly it’s also the skill set I find that, in a pinch, most people are incredibly lacking.
It’s more skill than you’d think. Clearing trail is the ultimate amalgamation of all other skills you have learned in riding and trail riding. It brings together elements of horsemanship, riding, logic, and citizenship.
There has yet to be an EquiTravel trip where we haven’t ended up on a trail that had a fallen tree or some kind of blockage that required clearing. And all too often, I’m the one who has to deal with it solo because even the skilled riders on many of these trips don’t have the skill sets to manage their horse while also clearing trail.
Being able to have a horse in one hand and a saw in the other is a huge part of trail riding, as is knowing how to tie a horse safely while you’re about to make some loud noises.
But it’s not just understanding how to manage the horses, but also knowing what qualifies as a safe and passable trail or an acceptable reroute.
Too often I’ve seen people try to get their horses to clear a log they simply can’t step over, or duck a branch or tree they can’t actually get under —- and it’s ended in some tears and even injuries and concussions.
Of all of the skills that students regularly want to learn, the one that nobody ever mentions is “Mounted Trail Clearing.” And quite frankly it’s also the skill set I find that, in a pinch, most pe…
