We’ve all seen stories on the news of hikers being lost or stranded in the wilderness for days. Generally, they were not well-equipped when they set off: in flimsy clothing, with few or no supplies. When you hit the trail with your horse, you don’t want to be the equivalent of a hiker in flip flops and a tank top.
If your horse sprang a shoe, would you be able to remove it? How about a bleeding wound? These are just a few scenarios that could occur on even a very ordinary trail ride. If you aren’t sure you’d be ready, see what our expert vet recommends packing and check out her tips to respond to the most typical trail emergencies (pg. 44). For more trail recommendations, we turned to our contributing writer Audrey Pavia, an experienced competitive trail rider, for her favorite accessories. From pommel bags to protective gear, having the right equipment helps ensure your ride goes right (pg. 42).
A trail ride is always an adventure, but we met one rider who is taking it to the next level with her quest to ride every breed of horse in the world. The official count is at 46, with more in the works. Meet Alyssa Mathews and see which breeds made her list so far on pg. 56.