What makes a great trail horse, and what kind of training goes into that horse? I'm going to get on my soap box for just a little bit and talk about what I think makes a good trainer which by default creates great horses. Anybody can make a horse look good in a 30 second video clip, but what are the things to keep an eye out for in consideration to what is important to you as a rider. Keep in mind there are always exceptions to any rule.

     When you are considering a trainer to send your horse to or to purchase a horse from, I think it's really important to objectively evaluate your skill level and the type of riding/terrain you want to use the horse for. What type of horse does this trainer consistently produce ..... quiet and relaxed, or anxious? What type of horse are you wanting? Do they ever ride with a loose rein or do the horses require constant contact? Do you like to be able to have your horse on a loose rein with them maintaining gait and speed? That is a learned skill that they only master with experience and time to practice. Don't be fooled by the hands free gaiting where the reins are tightly wrapped around the horn, that doesn't count lol. Same with loping or cantering, if that is something you want your horse to be able to do well, they need to be allowed to do it. A lot. Some gaited trainers do not lope their horses. Do the horses constantly chomp the bit or do they quietly accept contact? Do they know how to accept leg pressure with anything besides going faster?

      Consider the type of terrain the trainer lives in and the type of terrain you want the horse experienced riding through. Do they only ride on flat and wide areas? Do they mainly ride in the arena? Are they only exposed to obstacles in an arena? Navigating tricky terrain and maintaining body control on things like hills, rocks, sage brush, etc is another skill they can only learn to do well with miles and experience through that type of setting. There is nothing that can take the place of actual trail experience. Just because a horse can navigate an obstacle in an arena well, does not mean that they can or will navigate natural trail terrain and obstacles well. I'm not saying that obstacle work doesn't have its time and place in their training routine, but it cannot take the place of actual trail time. Does the trainer only ride solo? Or only in a group? Which do you mainly ride with or do you want your horse experienced with both? If in a group, do they utilize all positions in the group- leading, following, middle?

      One last thing to consider ...... budget. What things are you willing (and capable) of exposing your horse to? Holes in their training and experience are holes that you as the rider will need to be able to fill in. Do you want a horse with all the bells and whistles and experience to go along with them? Reputable trainers, especially small scale trainers with only 1 or 2 horses being worked (like myself) have COUNTLESS hours into these horses to create a well rounded trail horse. Be realistic about what their time (and EXPERIENCE) is worth.