Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a beautiful Saddle bred named Harlem Belle... she has been a show horse all her life, but we are trying to get out of the show circut, and just do fun trail rides! but does anyone have any tips on how to change a high performance saddlebred into a trail hores?
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Lots of love from me, and all of my critters!
~ 2 border collies, Faye and Sky
~ 1 pug, Kc... she does agility if u can belive it
~ 2 rats, no names yet just got em
~ 3 horses, Adam and Babe r halflingers, and Harlem Belle is a saddlebred
~ 3 Chameleons, Jack Janet and Chrissy (Three's Company)
~ 1 cat, Lincoln
~ 2 Russian tortioses, "Horny Toad" and Shela
~ 2 Map turtles, Gator and Croc
~ 7 Hermit crabs- including one Giant
yeah, in know im insane!

Changing a show horse into a trail horse all depends on the horse itself. If you have little experience taking a green/inexperienced horse out on trails, it might not hurt to go to a knowledgable friend or trainer to "test" your horse. But going out on short trips near home and creating "natrual" obstables at home will give you a good indication. Such as stepping over poles or fallen trees, walking through water and puddles, how careful she is about placing her feet and walking on uneven and less stable footing, and so on and so forth. Taking a good old, steady trail horse as company is always good reassurance for the green horse as well. Basically, start out with short quick trips, and if all lights show green, gradually make them longer and see what happens. Remember, this is all going to be very new, so be paitent, go slow, and give her plenty of time to adjust.