What Makes a Good TRAIL HORSE? (Part 1)

[@guestuser1671]

The most important thing when you want to buy a horse is to be honest to yourself. Honest about your experience and skill level, honest about your goals and what kind of horse fits you, honest about your budget and your lifestyle. I know a lot of horse-owners who have at one point been burdened with a horse that was too inexperienced or too demanding or just "too much" for them. All of them struggled for months before they had to admit that they were in over their heads and needed to find good homes for their horses. Very painful for the owner and the horse...

[@HappieronaHorse]

Yes, sadly this is so common. Ends up being very painful for all involved, as you said. Honesty is so key, thanks for your comment. 👌🏼

[@bonniehenderson1850]

Like another commenter said, honesty is the most important thing when picking out a horse. When I got my gelding, he was definitely a lot harder to work with than my previous horses. My riding and training skills weren't where they should have been when I got him, but I had a good place for him to stay and grow up a bit while I worked on myself and my skills. I was able to take more specialized lessons and get help and advice from a lot of people around me, and all of that definitely helped both of us. We've worked through tons of quirks that we both have had. A lot like you with Fame and having to learn to manage yourself better, I had to work on myself more than I've had to work on my horse. But, not everyone has that same opportunity for help or for the amount of time that all takes.

[@HappieronaHorse]

I love your story and can definitely relate! I'm happy for you that you had the time to improve things for yourself and him. It's true, not everyone is in the position to do that, it's definitely a lot more work. Cheers to you both!

[@jimmyyounger618]

Great info - well organized/indexed and presented! I'd add, and this will be at the heart of why many should consider drafts, draft crosses and mules... Today's riders are frequently much bigger than the 14-19 year old cowboys who spent their working days on quarter-type horses a hundred years ago. We're frequently 200+ with 30+ pound saddles, plus gear for the day. Like many, it would be great if I could drop 20 pounds, but with saddle and gear I'd still be over the "20% of the horses weight" rule-of-thumb, which makes me too big for most horses, especially if I'm asking them to pull hills for the better part of a day. Your horse on the day you bought him. "I'm a draft horse and my new rider is a petite girl? Oh, hell yeah! But how will I know if she's fallen off?"

[@HappieronaHorse]

🤣 Haha I guess Fame has it relatively easy. I love your comment, that's a great point. Things have evolved and changed and it's so important to be mindful of the horse's well being with having to schlep us and our stuff around. Thanks for sharing!

[@AndyTheCornbread]

I think people may not realize that those guidelines were created as part of the U.S. Cavalry Manuals of Horse Management in 1920 and that modern scientific testing has show that the 20% rule is every bit as valid now as it was then. However, modern testing has also shown that a 250lb rider who rides correctly puts less strain on a horse than a 120lb rider who does not.

[@b_3791]

i just found your channel and i love it! your tone is a mixture of education/encouragement/inclusion that i really dig. keep it up :)

[@HappieronaHorse]

Thank you! Will do! ❤️

[@johnwildermuth2311]

As a 40 year retired teacher and western rider in training, I am totally impressed with your knowledge, honesty and very realistic, helpful videos. You are an excellent teacher and I continue to look forward to learning from your experiences !

[@HappieronaHorse]

Thanks John! Happy trails! 🤠

[@AndyTheCornbread]

I like your videos before I even watch them. You do a really good job conveying information and you speak very clearly and concisely. Do you work in a job that involves public speaking or public presentation?

[@HappieronaHorse]

Thank you! I really appreciate that. I've done a lot of presentations at my local shelters on responsible pet ownership and I have a background in writing, both of which help with KZbin. 🤓

[@just_joc]

Love your channel! I also live and ride in Silicon Valley and like you, I used to own an event horse named Jake who was also my best trail horse ever. He took care of me on long trail rides by ourselves up in the hills. You and Fame are soo cute!

[@HappieronaHorse]

Thanks Jocelyn! So cool we are twinning in the Jake department! I hope to see you on the trails sometime. 🤠 We are finally starting to get that consistent spring sunshine - hooray!

[@just_joc]

@@HappieronaHorse Yes I would recognize you and Fame from a mile away! For sure I will say hello if I ever see you guys on the trail. Keep up the great work and I am sharing your channel with my barn friends!

[@HappieronaHorse]

Yes please definitely say hello! Thank you so much for sharing and happy trails to you! 🤠

[@tespy5028]

You've created a wonderful channel. Informative and thoughtful. Thank you!

[@HappieronaHorse]

You're so welcome! Thank you so much! 💙

[@gkseeton]

Fame improved your horsemanship. I’ve had all sorts. Each taught me to be better. My two year old mini gypsy cob is a new challenge. Not my first youngster, not my first light draft, not even my first filly but her assertive, confident personality has pushed me to become a better horsewoman. I even had to get help to figure out where I was wrong so to make things work. She is the right challenge for me in my 50’s after riding since childhood and driving a bit in my 30’s. She is going to be a blast in harness and I think after miles and experience will, in her teens, be the sort who could teach a young rider well.

[@HappieronaHorse]

Totally agree! I think this is what keeps me hooked on horses. Always learning. Best of luck to you and your youngster!

[@miabc9528]

I started watching your video 2 days ago and you had 800 something followers and I watch your earlier today and you had 980 something and know you know 1k!! That amazing!! Can wait see your Channel grow

[@HappieronaHorse]

Crazy right!? I am super grateful. Thank you so much for watching! Glad to have you along for the journey. ❤️

[@miabc9528]

Happier on a Horse can’t wait to watch this week video!!! 🥰

[@luckyrainbowrose]

Can anyone please recommend any other channels like Stephanie's? I really love this channel but it hasn't got very many videos just yet, so soon I will have seen them all. I love this type of horsey content. And I'm not asking for recommendations with any of these specifics I'm about to go on about. Just any good horsey channel recommendations please! But I especially love watching stuff like this of down to earth horsey people, especially strong women out there living the dream, trucking and riding and caring for their own horse and sharing it all with us. I love watching ALL of it, every aspect of horse ownership. My dream is to do what Stephanie does basically. Be a horse owner again one day. But would have to use stable facilities like her and truck to riding destinations and would have to do alot of the work all on my own. Being the only horse person in my family. So seeing just every day people not necessarily people with multi million dollar stables and horses and high level competing and all that, (which is alot of what I get when just searching horsey content on here) honestly standards unattainable for the average horse loving girl who sees what Stephanie is doing as her more realistic dream for the future, so love seeing every day people who own like one horse and are actually out there living and doing my dream, showing how it is doable, strong women showing all aspects to non billionaire horse ownership and good kind riding in the modern world of right now, my true dream of horse ownership. Please any recommendations of inspirational chanels like this for me to watch while I work towards this dream life goal.

[@TheLunita333]

I live in Norco, CA and bought my horse from someone locally that would go to the local bar all the time...now I can't pass by that bar without my horse wanting to go in hahah

[@HappieronaHorse]

That's hilarious!

[@alyx4411]

I found you through your video about if Draft Horse's made a good trail horse, and I can't wait to watch more videos from you!!!! :) edit: I was ur 1000 subscriber oop :O

[@HappieronaHorse]

Woot woot! You're my #1000, thank you so much! Excited for you to see what's coming. Thanks for the sub!

[@kate_likes-horses6626]

I have a gained horse and he is just great lol but wide stride and pretty forwards lol

[@HappieronaHorse]

So cool! Yeah the ones I’ve met can really move out! 😍

[@chantallamb8652]

I have a Tennessee walker,high energy and very forward with long strides 😅 I can ride up front or behind but due too his gaits, I usually end up.... way up ahead in front since my boy out walks most horses due to his gaits and strides😌

[@HappieronaHorse]

I love TWHs! We would make good buddies on the trail lol.

[@chantallamb8652]

@@HappieronaHorse would love that ☺️

[@cybrarian9]

You covered a great deal of topics, but you left out the differences in sex of the horse, riding a stallion, a gelding, and a mare [*** Never mind, you cover this issue in Video # 2 ***]. In my limited experience, while it comes down to training for sure, I've ridden lots of geldings and marea and this I can say: Geldings tend to be a lot more easier going, but if you gain the trust and affection of a mare, you've got a friend for life. Likewise, one's own sex and how you get along with a horse of the same or opposite sex is its own thing too as men and women don't always ride the same based on my limited experience. The personality of both the horse and rider is something good that you mentioned, especially the personality of your horse being around other horses. Likewise, I tend to be a bit more anxious on the trails, but then I've ridden some tremendously well-trained trail horses that are phenomenal nursemaids. I have a friend with an Arabian gelding that she uses for 100 mile endurance races (or did when he was younger). I've never ridden a more competent and trustworthy trail horse than him. I've been on all sorts of horses, lots of different breeds, lots of different trainings, all sorts of saddles and riding styles. But in the end, my personality prefers to be a slow and steady rider, enjoy the view, take some excellent photos on horseback, and once in a while enjoy a good fast canter, maybe a short gallop, on a horse I can trust, which is a lot of fun. Something else I think it's important for you to mention that I didn't hear you cover is the financial investment of having a horse though I think you covered it in another video I saw. As the saying goes, the cheapest part of owning a horse is usually buying it, heck, some you can get for free or next to it. But all the extra expense from stabling, feed, vet bills, shoeing, tack, showing (if you want), trailering and buying a vehicle than can tow a trailer, zoning issues and how far you might live near your horse, the usual weather conditions in addition to the trail types in your area -- how often can one get out on the trails if the weather is rainy or the trails are icy for example, and the simple fact that one small injury can lay up a horse for weeks and months at at time while it recovers are all things to consider in addition to constant lessons for your horse and yourself. Horses are our best teachers and they darn well will keep us honest about our riding skills if nothing else. P.S. I've ridden Paso Finos and Icelandic Horses, and in terms of riding a gaited horse, it's like riding a choo-choo train on the rails. A lot of fun and smooth.

[@HappieronaHorse]

You make some really excellent points, thank you. How wonderful that you’ve had the chance to ride so many different horses and figure out what you truly love on trail. I’ve also heard Pasos are wonderful to ride. And an Icelandic! Lucky you. Would love to ride one someday.

[@gkseeton]

Spent my life mostly on geldings (various breeds and ages) who are soooo nice compared to my experience with mares. I’m older and wanted to push my skills so my youngster is a filly. Definitely different from the boys but totally satisfying as I learn to be a better horsewoman. Mares are a different challenge.

[@mish3560]

Awesome video! Really good information. Thanks for posting these videos, your work is appreciated ❤️

[@HappieronaHorse]

Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@triangleequestrianvaulting8702]

Another great video. You are always so informative and thorough. We are not looking for a new trail horse, but if we were, we'd know exactly what to look for now, and everything to consider... Oh, and right now, you're at 999 subs. That is a amazing! A couple weeks ago, when we first saw you on here, you had like 350. Keep on posting these awesome videos. You're going to explode on youtube soon!

[@HappieronaHorse]

Thanks so much for the feedback! Yeah the growth has been crazy, right? I'm super grateful. Hope you're doing well!

[@mizzed6421]

Recently subscribed - love your videos :) One video idea I have (maybe you have already done this) is to explain all the horse lingo. Sometimes I get lost in the lingo, especially when looking at horses for sale (e.g. easy keeper, sound, go vs woah, etc.).

[@HappieronaHorse]

This is a GREAT idea, thank you!

[@HappieronaHorse]

Not sure if you saw this one yet: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5DbpKSEmdJpa7c

[@merpequestrian5122]

How long do you think you should ride before getting a horse of your own? Also I’m riding western for the first time next Saturday! My friend owns 2 horses and they are both western trail horses, we’re both going on a trail! I hope it will be fun!

[@HappieronaHorse]

I think it depends on how balanced and comfortable you are at all the gaits, everyone develops their skills at different rates. How exciting to be going on trail! And what an awesome resource to have a friend with horses. She/he would probably be able to give you some helpful input. Have a great time next weekend!! 🤠

[@morganmilmoe4058]

Congrats 🎉🍾🎊🎈 on 1k!!!

[@HappieronaHorse]

Thank you so much! 🤠

[@ahahahamike8081]

Ive got a 17.1hh off the track thoroughbred mare as a trail and dressage horse. She dosent seem like a good trail horse at first glance, but shes super calm, perfectly fine without other horses. Its honetly not abotu the breed, all about the horse!

[@HappieronaHorse]

Amen to that!

[@easprotsandthots1693]

i have a mare who i want to sell eventually she does better just going in a straight line and gets really nervous being around large numbers of horses like a show environment so i’m looking to make her a trail horse for at least someone experienced i didn’t think i could do it but this has given me so much confidence that “trail” doesn’t mean dead head super calm although i do have a different horse like that who is my only trail horse lol we are always at almost the very back bc she’s soooo slow lol

[@katinkaenglish2435]

What age horse would you suggest for a beginner rider? How young is "too young?"

[@HappieronaHorse]

Hi Katinka! This is a great question and also one that’s hard to give a blanket statement on without knowing more about you or your situation. I can share my experience instead: the advice I got when shopping for my first horse was to search for horses in their teens that had lots of experience doing what I wanted to do (trail). And it served me well. Jake was 15 (supposedly) and a great first horse for me. By contrast, Fame was 5 when I bought him and I was in over my head for my skills, experience and support network at the time, even though I had been a horse owner for several years by that point. I would encourage you to get some professional input based on your current skills and goals. Hope that helps and that you find a wonderful horse to enjoy! ❤️

[@mikeperyam7057]

Enjoy your videos , how did end up with a gypsy ? Is he your first horse . Keep up the good work even if it’s California lol

[@HappieronaHorse]

Thanks! Fame is a Drum and I found him online, 2nd horse. 👍🏼

[@FirewrestlingATV]

I don’t trail ride but this is helpful

[@HappieronaHorse]

Glad you found it helpful, thanks!

[@S.mu8yz]

I love your page so much

[@HappieronaHorse]

Thank you so much! We love having you here! ❤️

[@lucylohan8894]

Bumper of horses is considered to be controversial? Please don’t take offense to this. Is that a San Francisco thing? I actually just moved from the East Bay. But I’m from the south on the coast. In my time of living there I got scolded and yelled at for the simplest of things. Such as giving a firm hand shake and saying “hey dude check this out” lol. I’ve never heard that (bomb-proof) was controversial. If this even makes any since😅 again I promise I’m not trying to offend I genuinely want to understand why it would be and who deems it as so? In my 18+ years I’ve never Also absolutely love your videos! Thank you for sharing with all of us ❤️

[@susannah_hb4388]

Usually they just expose the horse to a lot of loud noises and aren’t technically always safe. There is no way a horse is “bomb proof” since every experience differs and it also depends of the person. It’s just that it’s not a good way to judge a horse. I don’t believe it should be controversial.

[@lucylohan8894]

Susannah_HB ah I can see that. Where I’m from it just means your horse can go through all kinds of obstacles and stand still for damn near anything. Even a bomb. Not just exposure to loud sound. But can do it all

[@HappieronaHorse]

No offense at all! Some folks I've talked to feel it's a misleading term because in their view it denies that horses are still capable of being unpredictable and unsafe. I think they are a minority though. LOL it could very well be a Bay Area thing, the culture here is unique to say the least. Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks so much for your comment! ❤️

[@HappieronaHorse]

@@susannah_hb4388 Great point, there are lots of factors at play.

[@HappieronaHorse]

@@lucylohan8894 Yes, think that's what most folks mean when they use it. 👍🏼

[@jonathanblanny7954]

Do you ever go riding in Almaden?

[@HappieronaHorse]

Yes, love Quicksilver 💙

[@angelabryant4517]

❤️❤️❤️

[@edagregory2007]

Is riding a horse selfish? I just started riding and I've been seeing people say that.

[@olive_eq08]

No lol, most people who say that have never touched a horse.

[@S.mu8yz]

As long as its done right, absolutely not. The people saying that are usually uneducated people who don't work with horses and some vegans, as a vegan, it is actually beneficial to ride horses as otherwise it can cause early on arthritis etc. Once again as long as its done right that is.

[@HappieronaHorse]

There are lots of strong opinions and judgments when it comes to horses. I've found it's a great opportunity to discover what I believe through my own experience. As others have commented, it's always helpful to assess the experience of the critic! 😜 Congrats on your foray into riding! I hope you enjoy it. 🤠

[@HappieronaHorse]

Riding well for the horse's well being, yes 👍🏼

[@HappieronaHorse]

😂

[@Polarisarts11]

YOU 👏 SHOULD 👏 NOT 👏 BUY 👏 A 👏 HORSE 👏 IF 👏 YOU 👏 DONT 👏 KNOW 👏 HOW 👏 TO 👏 RIDE.!!! Unless your super rich