Test Ride a Mount On Horse Back Riding Trails
You never really get to know the true character of a horse, pony or mule when you ride only in a fenced in arena. This is true of Olympic show jumpers or backyard ponies. There is something special and exhilarating about being on a horse back riding trail for both rider and mount. Even the most jaded of horses for hire will prick their ears and step livelier when they know they are going to hit the trail. When you are given a test ride of a horse you are thinking of buying, it's best to have that test ride on horse back riding trails.
A Smart Horse Buyer
Hopefully, you will be able to buy your horse, pony or mule from the owner and not from an auction. It's hard to make logical and accurate decisions in the pressures of the auction house. You often will not be able to pet, let alone get to go on horse back riding trails, of any horse for sale going up on the auction block. But when you buy from a stable or an owner, you get that opportunity. Don't pass it up.
When you make an appointment to check out the particular horse for sale, arrive early. In this way, you can see the horse being tacked up or even being caught in the pasture. You can immediately see if the horse has bad stable habits that the original owner was hoping you'd not see. If you have a choice between having your test ride in an arena, a pasture of a horse back riding trail, go for the trail.
Don't argue with the owner if they are worried about your safety or if the horse you are trying out doesn't have much experience at being ridden. Ideally, you need a cell phone on you in case you have an accident on the trail ride. Perhaps the owner might want to ride on another horse with you on the horse back riding trails.
Things To Pay Attention To
To a horse, getting to go on horse back riding trails is like a schoolchild going on a field trip as opposed to having just another boring day in class. They should be intensely interested in whatever is going on. They should be expecting some fun, or at least try to snatch a forbidden mouthful of grass. If they still plod along, bored, this is not a good sign.
If you get near a road, dismount and lead the horse from the ground. Although once trained, most horses can be safely ridden along or across roads, but you really don't want to take that chance on a horse you are not used to. You also don't want to enter any fenced pastures, as you don't have permission to ride there.
