From: Carla
Hi...I asked your advice a while ago. I wasn't happy with my instructor. Well I am going to lease a morab, 30 minutes away for 3 months. It gets looked after by the owners, I just have to ride it. Anyway. When I'm alone I wonder if you know how I can give the horse a good workout without doing something to put me in danger. I wouldn't mind taking trail rides, but I know it's dangerous to do that alone. Are there any unusual things I can do for a change when my friends can't ride with me? Thanks.. Carla
Hi Carla! It sounds as though you need a list of things to do so that you won't be bored when you ride alone. Trail rides are fun, but to be safe, you'll be much better off if you save the trail riding for days when you can go in a group, or with at least one other rider. Three riders is really my preferred minimum number for trail rides: if anyone gets hurt, it means that there is one person to stay with the hurt individual and one person who can ride for help.
If you're going to ride someone else's horse, you'll want to be especially careful anyway!
You don't have to be bored while you ride in the arena or pasture, though. Here's my recommendation: get a copy of Cherry Hill's book "101 Arena Exercises". It's designed to be hung over the top fence board so that you can check the book while you're riding, and it's useful whether your preferred style is Western or English. Each exercise is explained and illustrated, and there's advice about what to do about the various problems that may arise. It's a good investment. ;-)
Jessica
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