Low Budget Trail Class Training - A Video

LOW BUDGET TRAIL CLASS TRAINING

Today, we broke out our “low budget” trail class training gear (obstacles) and headed over to Pioneer Park Arena in Somerset, CA. They have a “warm up arena” that is just about the size of the one we will be competing in later this week and over the next couple of months.

After we did our “standard” groundwork to ensure communication was flowing we saddled up and got to work.
Our “course” is made up of safety cones. PVC pipes, rope and scrap wood. The goal was to make it portable. We are currently working on a real horse safe wood “bridge” but that is a story for another time. You can, with a little creativity and some smart shopping, craft your own trail class training course for under $200.00. If trail classes, trail trials and cowboy challenges are your thing then this is a cost effective way to enhance your training tools.

You and your horse need to have trust, communication and control to enjoy these types of activities. The skills most often used for these types of competitions are: Backing, Stopping, Yield the Forequarters, Yield the Hindquarters,, Side passing, Being desensitized to a variety of “scary objects”, tight turns, gait transitions and a general “ good handle” on the horse. Your seat/leg cues need to be fairly tuned in as well. Everyone can walk and jog along a rail –although doing so in a group is tough! For our show dollar, it is all about the application of a variety of skills in unique situations that is the true test of one’s horsemanship. You can find “trail classes” happening at most shows.

This video shares some ideas for a low budget trail course and demonstrates some of the basic skills needed to be comfortable in the area for a trail class.

Thanks for watching.