Now that your search for a horse has been met with success, you are now ready to be with your horse as much as possible. So let's say you enjoy trail riding. You are likely very eager to go on some horseback riding trail rides with other riders. Well, here are a few suggestions for you.

TIPS FOR HORSE RIDING:

• Horses, horses and more horses? Sometimes less is more, particularly when you are riding a new horse. The more riders out together on the trail, the more situations there will be. For example, you may want to learn how to canter a horse new to you. If there are only a few of you riding, it will be easier to coordinate with other riders so that you can lope on nice flat areas of the trail. When there is a large group of riders it can be hard to let riders up ahead - or those toward the back - know of an emergency situation. Smaller groups are more easily organized and communication made much easier.
• Knowing how to work safe while on the trail is a must. So choose your riding buddies not only for their traits, but for the traits of the horses they will be riding as well. For example, the last thing you need is a situation where in your horse gets kicked by a horse on the trail. While it’s important for you to be responsible and keep your own horse a safe distance behind the horse beside or in front of you, it's unacceptable for another rider's horse to kick out at other horses on a routine basis.

I've had the unfortunate experience of having my horse get kicked and get bitten. Both the kick and the bite were unprovoked and the rider never warned any fellow riders of the horse's tendency to kick and bite. The rider didn't even bother to flag the kicking horse's tail. Yes, it is a fact that all horses can kick and can bite. But there are those horses that routinely do so. You and your horse are far better off if you can avoid riding with such disrespectful horses.

Where to go horse riding depends, then, not only on where you want to go and what type of trails you enjoy, but on the quality of the riders and their horses. Set yourself up for success by surrounding yourself with like-minded riders who appreciate good horsemanship. Your horsemanship skills will continue to improve, your friendships will grow, and you will create a lot of wonderful trail riding memories.

As always, happy trails!