Horse Trekking

Having had a go at falling off almost anything with a board or wheels it was inevitable that someone would one day suggest I tried my hand at tumbling off big hairy things with a surplus of legs. As a hardened city slicker I have always been wary of horsey people, so it came as a pleasant surprise to find that the world of horse trekking is, by and large, amazingly easy and laid-back. If there is a pitfall, it is that it can be just a little bit too laid-back. If you're planning on a dedicated trekking trip with a professional outfit then you have little to worry about - that's their job. If, as is so often the case however, your trekking is likely to be a largely impromptu decision based on a local operator's suggestion, then there are a few questions you may want to ask:

What kind of tuition will there be? This is a quick way to tell cowboys from cowboy operators. Everyone will say they offer tuition, but for some that means showing you which end is the front before leaving you to your own devices. Even if you are already a confident rider, you can get the measure of the operator by listening to what they think is sufficient tuition for the route they are planning to take you on.

Can you take a look at the horses in advance? In developing countries anyone with a horse suddenly becomes a trekking operator, but when you get to look at the animals you may find they're in poor condition. Such animals will probably only start to look lively as they approach home and hay at the end of your trek. There are other considerations. I once went pony trekking in Iceland where they have a unique breed of beast descended from Viking mounts. They were gorgeous and knew their way around the tundra like pros. Unfortunately they were also knee-high to a vole, every single one of them, which would have ruled them out for tall people.

What kind of saddles do they have? The American-style saddle with a high pommel is great for beginners as you can just sit in it like an armchair and cling to the pommel when it gets bumpy. European style is less comfy, more slimline and unforgiving. Saddles made of carpet and reins made of old rope are best avoided altogether.

If you've chosen the right trek tour you'll get all the advice you need from them. Just in case you're not sure however, here are some tips for getting on with your big new hairy friend.

Leading the horse is best done by walking level with its head and turning it by leading it around the outside of you - don't try turning by walking across its front or you'll end up pushing against half a ton of horse while trying to avoid the hooves.
Going through a gate means leading the horse all the way through, probably turning it around so that you are able to shut the gate again. Don't expect the horse to make room for your legs as you go through together.
As you mount the horse make sure you have the reins in your hand but not held so tightly that you pull the horse's head back as you swing onto the saddle. Failing to hold the reins means that your horse is very likely to wander off just as you are trying to get up - cue hilarity all round.
Keep the reins in your hands, which should be centred in front and low. Don't have too much slack otherwise when it comes time to rein in you'll have to pull right back which will shift your own weight backwards and destabilise you.
Nudging the horse (you shouldn't have to kick it) takes it up a gear and doing it again takes it up another gear, though for much trekking a walk is the fastest speed you will have to worry about.
If you do want to break into a trot then rise and fall with the motion of the horse. To help that, keep your heels down, close into the sides of the horse. While the weight is distributed down the whole of your leg the impetus comes from the heels (which is why they are kept firmly down).
If the horse wants to pee you should stand up in the saddle - something to do with kidney pressure, it seems.


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