6 tips for a safe and successful fall horse trail ride

Cooler temps and fall colors can make trail riding this time of year enjoyable. Some things to consider as the season changes:
• Cooler temps can cause horses to feel more energetic. This can result in a horse acting differently such as shying, giving a little buck or trying to speed up unexpectedly.
• Trail conditions can change as wetter fall weather affects the trail with muddy and slippery areas.
Also, falling leaves can hide an obstacle such as a hole, dip or wet area.
• Wildlife may act differently as deer go into rut and bear are foraging hard before hibernation. Hunters are in the woods, also.
Wear orange and make noise so hunters and wildlife know where you are. Some riders use bells on their horses to make noise as they ride.
• Horses getting in winter coats will need extra cooling out so as not to be damp and get chilled in the cooler air.
Sweated areas will need brushed out when dry so as not to cause irritation to the skin.
• Beware of burrs on your horse’s legs and tail after riding through fields. They can irritate and you also don’t want to bring them home to your pasture.
Also, a burr on a saddle blanket can cause a sore and unhappy horse on your next ride.
• Have good ventilation in your horse trailer even though it is cooler out.
Horse trailers quickly build up warmth and moisture from horse’s body heat. Even with cooler outside temperatures, the inside of trailer can become uncomfortable for your horse, especially if he has some winter coat coming in.