The Complete Trail Horse : Selecting, Training, and Enjoying Your Horse in the Backcountry

Rating:
Summary: Wealth of Information for Backcountry Horseback Riding
Review: This book provides essential information for anyone riding horses. It does focus on trail riding and backcountry horsemanship but the information provided can be applied to any equine endeavor.

The book presents trail riding and backcountry horsemanship as its own discipline and stresses the importance of having a mount that allows both the rider and the horse to have an enjoyable experience on the trail. Perhaps the point that struck me the most is stressing that a good trail horse is not a barrel, reining, or dressage washout---but an athlete in it's own arena of mountains, streams, deserts, and woodlands.

I have been fortunate enough to meet Dan and I actually have purchased two of his Tennessee Walkers as my current trail mounts. They take me everywhere, from arid sagebrush to mountain passes and all points in between. Their ability as athletic, willing, and stable backcountry companions is evidence that Dr. Aadland has the knowledge of what it takes to breed and train a horse designed for the trail, no matter where it should take you.

The Complete Trail Horse presents the reader with this wealth of information in an enjoyable, readable format.