Everything You Need to Know About Austin Horseback Riding
The symbol of the horse in American culture has always been one of freedom.
New York Times journalist Sarah Maslin Nir has referred to the horse as "a canvas on which we’ve painted American identity.” The country boasts one of the largest horse populations in the world and a colorful history of the iconic companionship.
Have you ever caught yourself dreaming of seeing the world from the back of a horse? It could be in your blood. From reintroduction by the Spanish in the 1490s and the core of Native American culture, to early settlers raising cattle in the 1600s and the iconic image of the cowboy in the Great American West--Americans have claimed the animal as one of their own kind.
Whether or not you have experience on the back of a horse, we guarantee that the act of moving in tandem with your equine partner out in nature will be the meditation you've been missing. Check out our complete guide to Austin horseback riding below.
What Is Trail Riding?
Trail riding means to go horseback riding on a specific, defined trail. A trail might be a path specifically treated for riding, a beach path, a fire road, a dirt path, or cattle tracks. Depending on what kind of ride you're looking for, you might experience various kinds of terrain and obstacles.
No matter the type of trail you ride, you will rarely have to cross or ride along public roads. This is meant to be a safe and peaceful time away from traffic and the potential hazards of street crossings.
Trail riding can be an individual activity, a group activity, or a great adventure to have a friend or a partner. Treat yourself to a lovely day with a friend, a bonding experience with the family, or a romantic date.
Benefits of Austin Horseback Riding
Wondering if horseback riding is the right activity for you? We're here to tell you that the benefits are endless.
Mental Health Benefits
The gait of the horse (plus the beautiful environment in which you get to trail ride) is a great self-care activity, and greatly beneficial to your mental health. Just taking a moment to breathe, enjoy your group, and communicate with your horse can completely turn around your day (and your vacation!).
Many specialists actually recommend equine therapy to treat or improve mental health conditions like dementia, depression, ADD, anxiety, and autism. It could be your key to relief without the addition of medication. Make trail riding your own personal therapy practice!
Problem-Solving Skills
Riding out on the trail often requires a bit of problem-solving skills. Deciding to speed up, slow down, pass a fellow rider, or how to navigate an obstacle are all moments where you'll need to gather your wits and your skills to get you and your horse safely down the road.
You might actually feel as if you are exercising your brain. The more you put your brain to work, the healthier you'll be.
Core Strength and Physical Fitness
Riding on the trails requires a great deal of core strength in order to sit up tall, push your heels down and stay engaged with the saddle while your horse moves. If they spook or increase their gait at any point, your core needs to engage even further. You might notice your posture and balance improving if you become a regular rider!
By relying heavily on your abdominals, lower back, and hips to help stabilize yourself onto a moving animal, you're working muscles that you might not always move on a day-to-day basis. Don't be surprised if you feel sore in the days following the trail ride-- that's those small stabilizer muscles hard at work!
Next to actual core strength and improved balance, you might also find yourself a little more toned after enough riding experience. What's not to love about that?
Improve Coordination
Staying in the saddle requires a lot of balance-- especially if your horse is young or more "flighty" than the rest of the pack. It involves a lot of coordination to put your entire body together to stay balanced on top of the animal as well as cue them appropriately. Talk about multi-tasking!
You might find yourself more aware of your body after an extended experience as a horseback rider. This can help you in other athletic activities, as well as improve your general presence and posture.
Improve Confidence
There is truly nothing like feeling as if you are in total partnership with you and your equine partner. Once you get the mechanics of the ride down, you might feel as if you are able to let loose or ride a little faster than you had originally planned. The trail ride is about having fun, letting go, and confidently experiencing the world with your horse.
Once you've felt the confidence of a great ride, you might feel as if you can do anything! The rest of your vacation will feel like a cake walk next to crossing this activity off of your bucket list.
Improve Circulation
As your body moves with the horse, you find that you are stretching your muscles and improving the blood flow in your body. For anybody who thinks that horseback riding is a completely stationary activity, they are very wrong. You might even find yourself to be more flexible and feel healthier in your body.
Heart Health
Experts consider horseback riding to be cardiovascular exercise. If this is something that the doctor ordered, we recommend jumping into the saddle as a break from your usual treadmill! We think it's a lot more fun, anyway.
Regular exercise is good for your heart. And as horseback riding is considered to be "exercise," this activity can lower your blood pressure. Lower blood pressure greatly reduces the risk of heart disease!
Burn Calories
Did you know that horseback riding is actually considered to be "moderate exercise?" Even just a 45-minute ride can burn 200 calories. This amount increases if you are doing more strenuous riding that involves a lot of balance and strength.
Plus, if you're involved with caring for the horse (lifting heavy gear, cleaning stalls, etc), you can burn a lot more.
Horseback Riding Fundamentals
Are you new to horseback riding? Look over these tips prior to your trail ride to really feel confident and enjoy yourself.
Listen To Your Instructor
Even if you have a little bit of experience on the back of a horse, always listen to your instructor. Your instructor likely knows things about your particular horse that you are not aware of and is familiar with the terrain. They'll also be able to coach you through fundamentals if you've never ridden a horse before.
Properly Cue Your Horse
Never pull back on the reins unless you intend to ask them to halt or to give them another cue. Pulling back on the reins will irritate horses with sensitive mouths, and is also a universal cue to ask a horse to "back up." To avoid accidentally pulling on the reins, keep your hands positioned in front of the saddle, and allow slack in the reins.
You may be instructed to hold the hands with two hands, or with one. Both are correct. Listen to your instructor, and squeeze your hand in the direction where you want to go.
Correct Position
Always ride with your heels down. The pressure will be in your heels, rather than the balls of your feet on the stirrups. This is the safest position, as it will decrease the chance that your boot will slip through the stirrup and be dangerously dragged on the ground.
If you can help it, avoid holding on to the saddle horn for stability. This gives you less stability and makes you more likely to fall.
If you feel unstable, try adjusting your posture, or extending your legs. You can even hold onto the reins more firmly and gently in your hands.
Never Tailgate
It's likely that you'll be out riding with a group. Avoid a kicking incident and keep an entire horse length's distance between you and the rider in front of you.
Wear Proper Gear
Always wear a helmet on your rides. Additionally, make sure that you wear boots with a heel to protect your feet from sliding through the stirrups.
Greet Your Horse
You and your horse will be a team for the length of your ride. A horse might be tired or nervous, and sudden movements can spook them and cause a dangerous situation. Before mounting, extend your arm and offer the back of your hand to your horse to smell.
Mount And Dismount With Confidence
Horses are tall, but fairly easy to mount with the right mechanics. With somebody holding your horse, stand to the left side and put your left foot in the stirrup.
While holding the reins, put your weight in the ball of your left foot and step up into the saddle. Swing your right leg over and settle in, keeping your heels down.
Dismount while your horse is still. Get both feet out of the stirrups, lean forward, swing your right leg over the horse, and jump off.
Keep Your Eyes Forward
Horses are extremely perceptive creatures and depend on your body language to know which direction to go. If you look in the direction where you want to go, rather than down at the horse's neck, you'll have an easier time steering them in the direction you want.
What to Expect When Horse Riding in Austin
Horseback riding is a great way to get out of the city and explore the greater Austin area. Don't expect to just rent a horse and head off on your own-- you'll want to be aware of basic etiquette and know what to expect for the greatest possible experience. These are our favorite tips:
Horses Always Have the Right of Way On The Trail
Horses always have the right of way on whatever trail you're on. If there are hikers or bikers on the trail, it's much safer for them to yield to you. In case they are unaware of this (not everybody knows), just be aware and prepared to handle your horse to keep everyone safe.
Stay In Control Of Your Horse
When you are trail riding, you have the responsibility to stay in control of your equine partner and to manage the behavior of your horse. When riding with Southern Trail Rides, you'll be riding calm, experienced horses-- however, anything can happen. Be ready to have to "take the reins" in case your horse spooks or becomes curious about different obstacles on the trail.
Choose Your Trail Wisely
Southern Trail rides will provide you with a dependable horse and a trail that matches your experience level. All of our rides are safe and accessible to any experience level, but you'll want to keep that in mind if you were ever to ride on your own.
Keep An Eye On Your Tack
It gets hot in Texas! Always be sure to keep an eye on your horse, and the tack you're using. If anything is pinching or hurting your horse, it may cause poor behavior and a dangerous ride.
Monitor your horse's vitals to make sure they aren't overheating or hurt. If you detect any limping or unusual movements, stop and check your horse or check in with your guide.
Ride With Others
Even if you're an experienced rider, anything can happen on the trail. If you're with a buddy, a group, or an experienced guide, it'll be much easier to get help to you in case anything happens.
Follow Your Map
Though you'll always be with a Southern Trail Rides guide, it's important to know where you're going. If possible, bring a map and a cell phone on a trail ride in case you get separated from the group. If that happens, you'll be able to navigate to the right path or make it back to the stable.
Mind the Red Ribbon
A red ribbon onto a horse's tail warns others that the horse is known to kick. If you see this ribbon, be sure to keep at least one length between you the horse. This is actually a great rule of thumb to keep in mind with any horse, as you never know what might happen that could potentially spook the other horses on the trail.
Stay Away From Private Property
When you're riding with a guide, you should trust that you are riding on private land owned or leased y the business, or land that is publicly accessible. If you see signs that indicate private property, stay away. If you receive permission from the landowner, enjoy the adventure!
Don't Mix Alcohol And Trail Riding
Don't ride drunk or bring alcohol on the trail ride. This inhibits your ability to control yourself and a horse-- especially in the event of an emergency.
Additionally, you should never smoke on the trail. Respect your horse, your fellow riders, and the beautiful environment.
Pay Attention
Trail riding should be a time for socializing and having a good time. However, make sure that you still are paying attention to what's happening around you. Anything can happen out on the trail.
Be Respectful On The Trail
You may come across others on the trail. If you see others on horseback, on bicycles, or on foot, feel free to be friendly and interact. Be respectful and keep your distance in case they are nervous around horses, or in case their own horses aren't particularly friendly.
Keep Pace
Always keep the pace of the horse in front of you, and make sure you keep a length's distance in between to avoid any problems. Ride at the pace of an experienced rider. Recieve consent and communicate before passing a rider in front of you.
Stay Safe on the Road
If you have to cross a road at any point, stay off to the right side and make sure you're as visible as possible. Wait to cross until everyone in the group can cross together.
Water Your Horse
While you probably remembered to bring water for yourself, don't forget to give your horse an opportunity to drink if they need it. If the rest of the group is watering their horses, let them all finish drinking before heading down the trail.
Don't Leave Anybody Behind
If you're riding with a group, make sure to be mindful of everyone in the back. If there are slower riders or riders who struggle with bridges, obstacles, or water crossings, make sure they are able to safely get over before continuing down the trail.
Pass On the Left Side
Stay in communication if you need to shuffle around your riding order. If you're passing, make sure to verbalize your intent and pass on the left side.
Leave No Trace
It's your responsibility to respect the environment you're riding in when you're out on the trails. Pack out everything that you bring in, and pick up any litter you might see.
Keep the trail clear for everyone!
Cool Down After The Ride
At the end of the ride, cooling your horse down will keep lactic acid from building up in their muscles and causing unnecessary soreness. Cool down by taking a relaxed walk, and making sure you never put them away cold or wet.
Trail Ride Options and Horseback Riding Cost
At Southern Trail Rides, you can expect highly trained guides to take you on a scenic horseback ride. They will always ensure you have a great time regardless of your age or experience level.
We offer two types of horseback ride options: the "Ranch Ride," and the "Little Dude Ride."
Ranch Ride - $95/rider for a 60 minute guided trail ride
Little Dude Ride - $95/rider for a twenty-minute brushing, a twenty-minute arena ride, and a twenty-minute trail ride
The Little Dude Ride is intended for families with kids ages ten and under.
About Southern Trail Rides
Victory Cheval Estate is a pristine 100-acre estate famous for open green pastures, beautiful tall oak trees, and an all-around peaceful environment. A ride with Southern Trail rides will take you past ponds, creeks, wildlife, and an amazing amount of Texas history. You can even look forward to seeing a graveyard dating back to the 1700s that is said to hold the relatives of Davy Crockett.
If you're interested in one of the most beautiful trail rides in Texas, this is the place.
If you want to continue the adventure, you are welcome to book your stay at the French Polo Estate. This estate is a seven-bed, four-and-a-half-bath manor house that comfortably sleeps 25 people. After booking the French Polo Estate, you will have full access to the beautiful property.
Experiences Are Bigger in Texas
Austin horseback riding is the perfect way to complete your trip to central Texas. Get out of the city, and enjoy the beautiful weather-- your body and mind deserve it.
Southern Trail Rides offers a unique experience that you would not be able to get on your own-- especially in your home city. If you're looking for the "genuine Texas experience," we offer the opportunity to explore the outdoors with your friends and family while on the back of a horse.
Just 15 minutes from downtown Austin, Southern Trail Rides gives you a personable and professional experience-- one with great horses. Looking for the best ride? Book your adventure now.