Adventures on the hoof.
First things first
Do you have a horse, or will you be renting one?If you have your own horse, is it trail safe? Many horses who are quiet and gentle in familiar settings become very anxious and unpredictable in strange areas, with unknown sounds and weird scents. Be sure that "green" horses are paired with experienced riders and a steady trail veteran to lead the way. Any beginner riders should be on a horse that is well accustomed to the trail.
Is it in good physical condition for strenuous exercise? It is not fair to your horse to expect it to haul you over 15 miles of hills and muddy creek bottoms if it has not been ridden for months. Kind riders start slow in the early spring, and train regularly and gradually, to condition their animal for hot summer rides.
(Another lens I'll bet you'll love: Gaited Horses
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Training for the Trail
Day riding
Many of our state parks offer well maintained and marked equestrian trails. Here is a partial list of several in the mid-Michigan area. Use the DNR website to find one near you, and add your favorite!
Fort Custer Recreation Area
0 points
Sleepy Hollow State Park
0 points
Lakelands Trail State Park
0 points
Pinckney Recreation Area
0 points
Maybury State Park
0 points
Day riding, or camping?
Many websites offer tips on camping with horses, including what you'll need to bring, first aid and emergencies, and general horse camp etiquette.Visit a few of these sites to reduce the chances of forgetting something important, and to help your trip be more fun for everyone.
Trail Reviews and Guides
WE ARE LOSING TRAILS!
Your help is needed. Be present at meetings and voice your concern about the loss of horse trails and camps to other, more vocal users of our shared wild places.
Be a good example by staying on marked trails, being polite to other users, and not polluting.
Be an ambassador by promoting charity rides and other uses of our equestrian trails to horse lovers who would not ordinarily use them.
Horse camping at state parks
Not all state parks have equestrian trails, and even fewer allow overnight camping with horses. Here are some that are horse-friendly, with rustic campgrounds. Lots are roomy for parking your rig, and most include posts for easy picket line set-up. (Call ahead to see if portable corrals are allowed.)
Ionia State Recreation Area
1 point
Brighton Recreation Area
1 point
Waterloo Recreation Area
1 point
Yankee Springs Recreation Area
1 point
Elk Hill Trail Camp
0 points
Goose Creek Trail Camp
0 points
Highland Recreation Area
0 points
Hopkins Creek Trail Camp
0 points
Ortonville Recreation Area
0 points
Pontiac Lake Recreation Area
0 points
Riding and Camping Gear
eBay has great prices on horseback riding and rustic camping essentials. Beware of cheaply made tack, which can break and be very hazardous. Be sure your saddle is comfortable for you and fits your horse precisely.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
More opportunities
Besides the available public access areas listed above, here are some other places you can ride and/or camp in Michigan and nearby.
Michigan Horse Trails and Campgrounds
An index of sites, with reviews, from HorseTrailDi more...1 point
Michigan Trails, Campgrounds, Trail Rides, Overnight Hosts
Michigan listings for Horse and Mule Trail Guide U more...1 point
Grace Grange
bed and breakfast with horse boarding and easy acc more...0 points
Farmlane Campground
horse camping with electricity, near Waterloo trai more...0 points
Michigan Trail Riders Association
Lots of information on the Shore-to-Shore Ride and more...0 points
The Most Important Thing
SAFETY! For you, for your horse, for other guests and for the wildlife around us.
Be sure you and your horse are in shape for the length of the ride, and have proper emergency gear.
Practice safe riding and help others to avoid accidents, no tolerating reckless or abusive behavior.
Do not pollute or litter, stay on the marked trails, do not remove flora or fauna ... and enjoy the view!
Your turn!
What's your favorite Michigan trail or tip?
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Reply
- RedSportNiac RedSportNiac Jul 3, 2008 @ 10:06 am
- Nice lens and congratulation on being the Giant Squid. Now I know where to learn about horse. Well done.
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Reply
- The_Homeopath The_Homeopath Jul 2, 2008 @ 10:23 pm
- I'm in Colorado and we've got some great rides, but I really like seeing the pix of Michigan!
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Reply
- AllHorses AllHorses Feb 20, 2008 @ 2:14 pm
- I can usually be spotted at Ionia or Waterloo, when I can get riding time in!
My biggest peeve is groups that do not slow down to pass you. Having a herd thunder by is enough to unsettle almost any horse.
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HAPPY TRAILS
Visit the Michigan Trail Riders Association at mtra.org to learn more about the Shore-to-Shore Rides in our state. There are several options available for those unable to complete the route in one trip.
by AllHorses
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