Trail Riding Guidelines
NBLA Code of Conduct:
(“Horses” means all equines)
Safety
Safety is the responsibility of all; unsafe behavior on or off horseback will not be tolerated. Helmets and proper footwear are required to ride in NBLA events.
Well-Being
The well-being, health, and safety of horses and others are the priority. Horses must be in proper condition to participate in NBLA events, including body score, hoof condition and overall health. Horses are to be treated with kindness, respect and compassion. Horses are not to be corrected with harsh or abusive methods.
Ambassadorship
Individuals should act as ambassadors for horses and the sport of horseback riding by promoting a positive relationship between horseback riders and all others.
Sportsmanship
Model fair play, respect, and inclusivity.
Environment
Respect the environment, don’t litter, clean up after your horse and trailer.
Universal rule of trail riding: Ride to the ability of the least experienced or capable rider and horse.
Be sure you start out with a tight girth and check it after riding for a while.
Start out the ride with a walking warm up. The first 5-10 minutes of riding should be at a walk, especially if your horse is older and has any arthritic conditions.
In a group ride, establish the lead horse and stay behind the horse in front of you. It’s fine to switch every so often so all the horses who want to be in front get a turn there. Don’t pass the front rider without asking.
If the horses aren’t happy with the order, some want to be closer to their pal or feel threatened by certain other horses, change the order so that your horse isn’t so anxious.
When riding out in front, check behind you occasionally to be sure all is well. Some horses have a very hard time being left behind and can get a rider in trouble. Before you gallop up a hill, let other riders catch up.
Keep your horse a safe distance from the horse in front of you. Work with your horse on establishing and maintaining a consistent space between him and the horse in front of you. (Red tail ribbon means the horse kicks but any horse might kick.)
When picking up the pace of the ride, check in with your group and let them know you are going into a trot or a canter. Be sure they are ready before you begin.
When crossing the street, wait for the entire group to be ready to cross before stepping into the road. Horses may get nervous and bolt into the road if they think they are being left behind.
When returning to the barn, keep your pace slower as you get closer, so your horse has the habit of walking back. It’s no fun to ride a horse that jigs and prances all the way back to the barn or decides to bolt for home. Walk only on the farm driveway.
If someone needs to dismount for any reason, stop and wait until they are settled back in the saddle before moving on.
When on the road, take up your lane. Do not hug the side tightly as you will encourage two-way traffic with cars passing much too close to your horse. Let the cars stay behind you in your lane. It’s just a short distance to go.
The larger the group of horses, the more excitable they can be, keep the pace a bit slower when in a group of more than 2 or 3.
When riding out alone, let somebody know where you are heading unless you are just out in the fields. Bring your cellphone along on your body, not on your horse.
Check your horse’s breathing occasionally. If they need it, give them a break and let their breathing return to normal. Those hills are hard work (try hiking them some time!!)
Don’t let your horse run up every hill or you will have a horse you can’t hold back on the hills. Walking up hills is great exercise for strengthening and conditioning.
Don’t let your horse build up steam coming down the hill. Ask your horse to walk, use their hind end. Stop every so often and let them gather up. If your horse has front foot or hind end issues, she may have trouble coming straight down the hill. In this case you can help your horse out by serpentining down the hill. This is also helpful on slippery terrain.
Ground bees on the trail - the first horse disturbs them, the second horse might get stung once, the third and subsequent horses are in trouble unless you move out quickly. If you are riding in the Fall and your horse suddenly starts stamping his feet, swishing his tail, yell “Bees” and take off so that the riders behind you aren’t stuck in a swarm of mad bees. Go 100 feet down the trail, stop and regroup. You’ll want to dismount and check your horse as there still may be a bee or two crawling on her.