Trail / General
Intermediate
35 min
Trail Etiquette Practice Ride at the Canter
Focus: Safety, Manners, Trail Skills
Equipment: None required
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Practice the protocols for encountering other trail users while riding.
- Meeting hikers: halt your horse, greet the hiker verbally, and allow them to pass while your horse stands still.
- Meeting cyclists: stop, alert the cyclist that you're on a horse, and hold your horse steady as they pass.
- Meeting other horses: keep a safe distance, match the speed of the group, and don't rush past.
- Passing a horse going the same direction: call out, wait for acknowledgment, then pass at a canter.
- Practice these scenarios in the arena with friends playing the roles of hikers and cyclists.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not halting for hikers or cyclists, which is dangerous for everyone.
- Allowing your horse to crowd or nip at other horses on the trail.
- Galloping past other trail users, which can cause spooking and accidents.
- Not communicating with other trail users — always call out when approaching.
Variations & Progressions
- Practice trail etiquette with dogs by having a friend bring a calm dog to the arena.
- Simulate meeting a stroller or wheelchair for additional exposure.
- Practice sharing narrow trail sections by riding past close objects in the arena.
Tip: Trail etiquette isn't just polite — it's safety. A horse that stands calmly while a bicycle passes is a horse that protects its rider.
