If you're riding anywhere but your ring or arena, there's a chance you might encounter some rough terrain, or perhaps a water crossing. Trail riding requires many of the same skills that you'll learn in the arena, but you'll use them in a slightly different way. The most basic of these, and something you'll often use when riding out on trail is sitting two point. You'll also need to know how to use your rein aids to guide, but not hinder your horse.

Different horses have different levels of 'trail sense'. Some horses will know how to pick their way over rough terrain and take crossing water in stride. Others will require you to guide them until they gain experience and confidence. Ideally, as a beginner rider who wishes to ride out on trail, you will buy an experienced trail horse, so you can focus on learning how to be a good trail rider, and not have to worry about training your horse.

Riding Over Rough Ground

Rough ground may be soft footing like a tilled field, or a deep sandy stretch. It could also be muddy, rocky or strewn with tree roots. Whatever the situation, you'll want to know how to handle it. As a beginner, you'll want to walk your horse over this terrain. Going fast only increases the chance that your horse could injure itself, or trip, sending you overboard. A hazard in soft footing like deep sand or mud is that a horse could over-reach as it steps, and pull a shoe off. Or, going fast through deep or rocky footing cause muscle strain or even cuts and bruising.

Both you and the horse will want to go slowly, and watch where you are stepping. If your horse is new to trail riding, it will take some extra vigilance on your part to pick the safest path.

You'll also want to use your seat, legs and hands to aid your horse. You may feel most balanced staying in the saddle, or you may want to free your horse's back a bit by sitting two point as you go. You want to stay in contact with your horse's mouth, but let it get its head down so it can see where you are going. Sometimes it helps to use a 'release' as if you were jumping, with your hands slightly up the horse's neck. If you need balance yourself, use the horse's neck or mane, rather than the saddle. Just be sure to keep control, while letting the horse use its head and neck to balance itself. Over very rough ground, you may wish to dismount. It's better to walk alongside, than risk having your horse lose its balance with you on its back. Never walk in front of your horse. If it lunges to get over a round spot, it could land on top of you. Don't brace yourself as you cross rough terrain, as this will hinder your horse's balance. Try to be a help, rather than a burden.

Crossing Water

First of all, you'll want to be sure any body water you plan to cross is absolutely safe, and the footing beneath the surface is reasonable stable. You'll also want to be sure the current is not too strong, and the water level is not deep. Especially after spring flooding and heavy rains, the bottom and depth of rivers and creeks can change, so don't take for granted that the spot you crossed safely over last autumn is identical this spring.

Some horses object to crossing water, and I've covered how to help your horse learn to behave when crossing water. As you enter the water, keep your eyes on your landing spot on the opposite side. Then, ride across slowly. You might not want to look down, as the forward motion of the horse, combined with the sideways motion of the water current can make you quite dizzy. Stay focused on your destination. Be aware that some horses on a hot day might try to take a cooling dip. Keep your horse moving forward if you don't want a dunking.

As you and your horse become more experienced, you'll feel more confident and be able to ride over any terrain. Just be sure to go slow and stay in control, being a help rather than a hindrance to your horse.