Everything you need to know about trail riding

Heading off down the tracks, living day to day with your horse, building the kind of bond that would take you to the ends of the earth and discovering the wonders of nature… these are just some of the feelings that trail riding brings. Fancy giving it a go yourself? We cover it all in this article.

The rider's kit for trail riding

Discovering the countryside at your horse's pace, sharing a real understanding with your horse, riding out — it's for you! If you ride fairly regularly, you'll need a few items that are essential for your safety and comfort.

The riding hat or helmet

Essential for your safety, a riding hat is compulsory in every riding school. It must meet the current standard. Some hats are adjustable and very affordable. You'll find good-quality ones at La Sellerie Française.

Breeches

Breeches give the rider far more comfort in the saddle. With no seams on the inside of the leg and reinforcement at the inner knee, they keep rubbing against the saddle to a minimum.

Tall boots or short boots with half chaps

The footwear you ride in must not allow your foot to get stuck in the stirrup. Riding footwear is designed to keep you safe. What's more, tall boots or short boots worn with half chaps reduce rubbing of the calf against the saddle or the stirrup leathers.

Trail riding: the key points

Horses allow anyone to simply "be carried along" for a while, to reconnect with nature. This return to basics inevitably brings a sense of well-being and of letting go, something that can be hard to achieve on command. Breathing becomes more effective thanks to contact with a healthy environment, but also thanks to the way the rider's position opens up the body. The relationship of trust and understanding between human and equine partners brings a gentle feeling of harmony with nature and the living world.

The horse doesn't judge, and so becomes everyone's partner, helping people to discover and rediscover their surroundings, and also to discover themselves. Being out in this ecosystem, facing the elements but kept safe by your equine partner, is a chance to accept your strengths and weaknesses without any risk of judgement.

Trail riding qualifications

The Brevets de Randonneurs recognise a rider's ability to take part in supervised rides or to travel independently. There are three levels: Brevet de Randonneur de Bronze, Brevet de Randonneur d'Argent and Brevet de Randonneur d'Or. The Brevet de Randonneur de Bronze is the equivalent of Galop 2 in the outdoor riding stream, along with 4 days of riding logged in the electronic record book.

For those who want to develop the techniques and knowledge specific to equestrian tourism and horse travel, there are certificates in various areas: navigation — emergency saddlery and shoeing — care, equine first aid, horse management — ropework and packing.

Themed videos on these subjects are available on the YouTube channels of riding experts.