Road riding tips?

Question

ok so i am going to be in the 4 of july parade and of corse it is on the road and i havent really ridden on the road before does anyone have any tips????

Answer 1

Will your horse be shod or will you be using boots?

I would suggest boots...more traction and no slippage.

I am assuming your horse is ready for everything that comes with people and parades?

firecrackers, balloons, popping balloons, bicycles, confetti, baby strollers, rollerblades, costumes, dogs, flying candy etc....

That would be my biggest concern...not YOU.  

You'll do fine! :)

The best thing to do is have a nice seat and be calm.  If you feel yourself getting uptight, count to ten and blow out.

Stay in the middle of the road away from the people.  Some smartbutt kid might try and poke the horse or something.

Or a dog jump out of the crowd.

Riding behind another horse will help your own nerves!

Hope you are going to wear a helmet :)

LET US KNOW HOW YOU DO!!!

drop me a line and pics if you can!

Answer 2

You have more than just the road to prepare for.  Before the parade even begins, all kinds of noise and commotion is going on during lineup.  Some parades shoot off cannons.  Some do 21 gun salutes.  Flags galore are all around you.  Bands/orchestras are always a part of any parade, with drums and all.  Often firetrucks with sirens blaring are included....no one cares about you and your horse...they think the manure is disgusting and will let you know it.  Once you start down the road, the crowd of spectators greets you with waving things and noises and......I've made my point.

Answer 3

First of all make sure your horse has drilltec on his shoes to prevent him from slipping.  You can use borum (sp?) or even studs, but DON'T ride with slick bottom shoes!

Other than that, just take it easy.  Most parades that I have been in with my horse, were so slow, we just walked the whole way.  I have gaited horses, so we like to go at a gait, but most parades don't move fast enough for us to do that.

Have fun!

Answer 4

Don't worry you and your horse will be fine. If your horse has shoes it may slip a lil but nothing to worry about. Just don't worry

      Happy Trails = )

Answer 5

Stay relaxed during the whole parade.  Especially pay attention to not clenching your seat muscles because your horse is very likely to tense as a result and become nervous.  Try exposing him to roads as much as you can by riding him along stretches of road with a wide shoulder.  Walk him over tarps and past loud objects and reward him when he doesn't spook.  Prepare him as much as possible for the noise and spooky experiences of a parade.  Good luck!!

Answer 6

Another suggestion to add to already great advice...

If this is your horse's first time in a parade...may I highly suggest wearing a halter with leadrope already attached and looped over your saddlehorn.  That way, if your horse gets to excited and you have to get off...you have some control besides hanging on a bridle that might break

**Edit...Blue...personal experience of watching a horse get too wound up, kid got off and was holding one rein.  It snapped and horse darted into crowd and was caught in a bank parking lot.  Luckily no one in crowd was hurt...but so easily could have been.

Answer 7

#1 hope your horse has a very even temperament & will stay calm with all of the crowds & noise.  Stay calm & relaxed so you will be able to control your horse in case it gets antsy or upset.

#2  ALWAYS be aware of what is around you & where you are on the road.  

#3  best to keep the horse at a walk, especially if shod.  Metal on pavement can be slippery

#4  try to have a good time!!!

***EDIT***

GOOD one BB!!!

***EDIT***

Yikes!!!  Had a King bred gelding with a pretty short fuse.  Decided to ride him in the rodeo parade where I was carrying a flag.  During practice, as soon as the flags came out we went ballistic.  Thought, this is just pissing me off, so I kept it up until I could reach down & calmly take the flag.  Once I had it it didn't matter.  It could flop in his face, pop when the wind blew everything. Thought twice about the jughead being in the parade, but as soon as he has his shiny shin guard covers on & we were ready, the clod tucked his head, bowed his neck, pricked his ear & practically prance the whole parade route.  Never a single seconds trouble.  Weirdo!!!

Answer 8

Your horse ought to be just fine. You do have to watch speed, because roads are much harder and more slippery than trails. Make sure you and your horse have on all the correct safety gear, and you will be just fine. Relax and enjoy it.

Answer 9

Stay calm and relaxed... try not to let your horse trot unless you have to, becuase its easier to slip on pavement. Wear a smaile on your face, have fun, and let your horse enjoy it! oo and wear a helmet too. =D

Answer 10

Hello,

Well we have ridden in 4th of July parades.  My only suggestion, is to make certain you horse is okay with bicycles, motorcycles, crowds, PEOPLE throwing candy!!!, and load noises, lots of horses and riding in groups, riding by cars, FIRE CRACKERS too.

If you work on all of these things first it will make the day a WHOLE lot easier!  My horse was fine with everything except the throwing of the candy!  He didn't like me throwing candy or the other riders in my group....  We also encountered NON horsey people lighting firecrackers when we went by...some people are CLUELESS at what a wreck that could have caused!

Just EXPOSE him to lots of stuff before hand.

IT is fun!  Riding on the pavement was not as big a deal as all of the other things I mentioned!~

Answer 11

your horse has never been on road and your doing a parade? I think it will be okay, but im guessing hes pretty bombproof, considering i've had people throw firecrackers into the middle of the road. (dont worry it wont happen, just a few drunks one time)

just stay calm, therfor your horse will stay calm, smile, pet your horse frequently and tell him what a good job hes doing

i garantee you will be fine, have fun!

Answer 12

pratice with ur horse on the pavment

but not to much if u dont have shoes for ur horse

have friends or family or both make noises in an arena to get him used to loud noises

start softer then get louder