2. Use your crop to “persuade” your mount to cross. T is might work one time but forcing your mount in this manner won’t prevent the problem at the next stream crossing where the fi ght might be worse.
3. Wait till the river dries and cross then. Desert riding is wonderful but even here you may have to wait quite a while.
4. Turn around and try again another day. Working on the issue at home may be your best bet if it’s not imperative that you cross today.
T e sights and sounds of water splashing as horse and rider make their way
through a creek on a warm aſt ernoon is a wonderful image; unfortunately, wa- ter crossings can be among the most exasperating and hazardous experiences while trail riding. Although horses aren’t necessarily averse to water, many have qualms about
stepping in it. On the trail a stream crossing can present a challenge because it’s hard for a horse to determine the depth of the water. It can appear as if they are about to step into an endless dark hole. T e key is to get your horse comfortable with water crossings before you’re 10 miles into an overnight horse trip. Exposing your horse to water or water-like situations at home will go a long way towards keeping you and your gear dry on the next trail ride. T ere are many sources of training material from clinicians to articles in trailBLAZER that will help you devise a training regimen to proactively address this type of issue. With that we should start wrapping up this installment.
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the straightfor- ward knowledge that the High Desert Trail Riders of Oregon have shared with us today. Few people around the country match their practical trail experience and knowledge. If you ever have the opportunity to ride the trails in Oregon, this impressive group has most likely helped maintain them and has certainly spent countless hours riding them. Please send us your questions about trail riding situa-
“...water
crossings can be among the most
exasperating and hazardous experiences while trail riding. “
tions you’ve encountered or that you have concerns about encountering, and we’ll see what some of the best horsemen in the country have to say about your Trail Survival questions. Until next time have fun and ride safe!
Robert Eversole owns and operates
www.TrailMeister.com, a website dedicated to providing maps and trail information to equestrian trail users. In addition to providing trail maps and re- views he also provides pertinent trail-use data to riders across the nation. A US Marine and most recently a refugee from corporate America, Robert is enjoying his new career helping fellow trailrid- ers stay found and safe on the trail.
STATS 13%
46 | June 2013 •
WWW.TRAILBLAZERMAGAZINE.US
from our trailBLAZER readers
said they have lost a dog on a trail ride
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