TRAIL HORSE RATING SCALE SCORING DIRECTIONS: The scale below contains 50 items. Score 2 points for each item you check, and then total your horses’ score.
Reactions to the Environment:
Not affected by other horses displaying disruptive behavior (e.g., whinnying, jumping around).
Backs up slowly and in a straight line. Will side pass and step off trail to let other horses pass. Tolerates additional riders, even with different riding styles. Doesn’t “play games” with novices.
Doesn’t react to objects coming into contact with body, such as ropes, brush, Barn and Barnyard Manners: being slapped by branches. Doesn’t resist when being led, doesn’t pull Remains calm when in proximity to against lead rope, stands calmly in cross roadways with vehicular trafc either ties. approaching from the front or overtaking Crossing Water: from behind. Cooperative with grooming and tacking up Crosses rivers, creeks, drainage ditches, procedures. Calmly walks in tight spaces and between puddles without hesitation or resistance. cars, trees, buildings. Releases hoof and raises leg without resisQuietly stands in water, without pawing. tance for shoe exam and hoof cleaning. On command, will turn and face anything Will drink (safe water) from creek or river that his rider wants him to inspect. Stands calmly when being clipped and while rider is in the saddle. bathed. Not bothered by noise of electric Is not startled over unexpected encounters Smoothly enters and exits the water. Does clipper or water, especially near head. on or near the trail (e.g., other riders or not bolt up the bank. hikers rounding the bend, ushing a deer, No excessive reaction when being sprayed, animal darting across the trail). having ointment applied, and receiving Disposition: injections. Calmly and cooperatively tolerates being Is not rattled by movement or noise behind tied for extended periods of time. his head (e.g., donning a poncho, hollering, Cooperative when being led into a stall. clanking equipment). Calm after being left in a stall. Can be caught easily, even in large paddock or pasture areas. Facing Obstacles: Riding In A Group: Is calm, cooperative when loading in trailer. Not skittish when exposed to unfamiliar Demonstrates good group riding manners. trails, new stalls, trailers, etc. Does not have to lead, or follow. Is content Travels well and doesn’t demonstrate nervwith his position in line. ousness or agitation. Eats normally and will Attentive, but not anxious when encounteraccept water when offered. Does not have a tendency to “tailgate” the ing new objects such as a fallen tree on a horse ahead; will back off on command. familiar trail. Cooperative and calm when hobbled, Does not “eye” or kick at horse behind him. staked or on a picket line. Calmly walks on elevated pathways or Can be separated from the group without Conditioning: small bridges, especially those connervousness or resistance, and is comstructed of boards which produce a hollow Demonstrates endurance. Not excessively pliant and cooperative when riding away sound. fatigued or sore at the end of a long ride. from group. Calmly approaches manmade objects, Does not lose focus or coordination (doesDoes not, without command, break into a such as tarps, satellite dishes, trash n’t stumble) on a long ride. faster gait in order to catch up with the horse receptacles, and gates. Respiration returns to normal within a ahead. Will proceed through a gate or other type of reasonable time after ascending steep At the end of the ride, stands quietly while gap without hesitation. slopes or engaged in a fast gait. being unsaddled, groomed, sponged, etc. Doesn’t brush his rider’s legs against trees,
Rough Terrain: brush, gates and fence posts. TOTAL SCORE: Sure footed. Places feet selectively and adTakes natural trail obstacles in stride. Mainjusts weight for balance. No excessive tains an appropriate gait when navigating sliding or stumbling. logs, boulders, ditches, mud. Handles slick surfaces such as pavement, Barn and Barnyard Encounters: pebbles/small stones, mud or icy trails. 0-48: Trail Horse Apprentice Largely ignores dogs in the barn or outside Slows down and shortens stride naturally, He needs more work. areas. Barking and “charging” dogs don’t without command. 50-78: Capable Trail Horse uster him. Picks up feet and easily clears deadfalls, Be careful, Comfortable around other animals. Not brush and other obstacles. but saddle up and go. bothered by livestock in pens, mooing Trail Safety: cows, squealing pigs. 80-94: Exceptional Trail Horse Stops quickly on command, and will stand Ride this horse just about When being groomed or saddled, stands quietly until he receives a new command. anywhere with condence. calmly next to other horses, especially if they’re unfamiliar. Descending steep slopes, does not stiffen 96-100: Dream Trail Horse or drag legs. Maintains focus. Not many like this – Tolerates bothersome insects when being Ascending deep slopes, maintains gait and groomed or saddled, especially when they the horse everyone wants! direction per command. land on him.
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APRIL 2022 • C & C PUBLISHING, INC. ©2022
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