The trail in hand is a relatively new class that has been added to many breed associations and some open shows as well. It is a class that, as the name implies, allows you to guide your horse through obstacles on the trail. This class is usually open to 1-year-olds and 2-year-olds not yet shown in the saddle. The obstacles are generally the same as for the standard trail classes, with the exception of the drop offs.

I think the trail in hand is a great addition to any horse’s show and training and is a great way to start teaching your horse how to maneuver obstacles. It gives young horses an extra area to focus on that isn’t as hard on their legs as resting and teaches them to work with their handler. Not only does it prepare your horse for the usual under-the-saddle trail classes, but it’s also a great way to start teaching showmanship!

The class of trails in hand generally includes the following obstacles: a gate, steps and jogs, turn steps, side passes, a mailbox or raincoat, a bridge, a box turn, and walking and/or jogging through and around. Cones The course may include all or just some of these obstacles and generally the bigger the show, the more and more difficult the obstacles! Let’s go through these obstacles one at a time and see what needs to be done and the best way to do it.

The door:

Most shows now use a rope door instead of a true wooden door. Generally, this is done with 2 jump standards placed about 6 feet apart with a thick rope tied to one side and looped over the other. In the most basic form, the handler should lead the horse to the side of the gate, lift the end of the lasso, lead the horse through the gate (the opening between the jumping standards), and reattach the end of the lasso to close the door. As he does this, the horse should calmly stand and walk forward willingly when prompted.

The best performance of this obstacle is achieved when the horse moves into the exact positions it would be in if someone behind it opened the gate. This means that he must stop parallel to the door, with just the right distance so that the guide does not crowd him. After being led through the gate opening, the driver must back the horse so that it is again parallel to the gate and his forehead is level with the point at which the lasso is hooked.

Walks/Jogs:

These consist of 3 or more ground posts that are placed a set distance apart (2 feet for bridges, 3 feet for bridges). The horse should pass without hitting any of the posts with his feet and, ideally, should place each foot midway between the post he is stepping on and the next post in line. The hardest part for some guides is the fact that they don’t have to go over the posts with the horse! The handler must be able to walk along the side of the posts while the horse rides over the center of them. This requires a lot of practice. At home, the handler should gradually work up to this, moving away each time he practices his steps/jogs. I find that teaching a horse to rest well helps the horse feel comfortable working further away from you.

This hurdle is truly a “practice makes perfect” situation! Most horses will learn to pick up their feet after they have bumped into a few logs. Once your horse is good at not hitting any posts, you can try picking it up slightly off the ground. If you can easily get over raised 4-6″ poles, you’ll have no problem at shows getting over flat poles!

Steps back:

Back steps on shows can be configured straight, L-shaped, T-shaped, or zigzag. Back steps can also consist of a triangle of cones or barrels that the horse has to back between or around. The horse must travel evenly spaced between the obstacle, turning when told to do so by the handler. This is an obstacle best taken in stride!

Start your work by simply asking your horse to back up in a straight line. Don’t worry about dirt posts or cones, just teach the horse to back up on command, without resistance. Go forward until back in a straight line between 2 ground posts. Build from there, but don’t rush. Patience is key! If you get mad at your horse for not doing well, it will remember and start giving you trouble every time you stop.

side pass:

Lateral passes seem to be the most difficult obstacle for most people. In a show you may be asked to pass sideways in any direction and it may not be just 1 straight pole that you have to pass. Side step obstacles can be set up in L or V where the handler must turn the horse on its haunches or right into the corner. The best handler won’t even need to touch the horse to get it sideways correctly, even on these tricky obstacles!

On most horses, you can begin teaching the side pass by holding the leash firmly (to prevent forward movement) and pushing the horse on the side (right where the heel or spur would go if he were riding) until he gives a small step to the side. Every time he walks away you must release the pressure on his side, this is his reward! Again, practice, practice, practice! Eventually, you’ll be able to just hold out your hand to him, next to him, and he’ll start to walk past you.

Mailbox or Raincoat:

This is a fairly simple obstacle, but it requires the horse to calmly stand up and trust you. If you find a mailbox in your trail pattern, you should walk (or trot according to the pattern) your horse to the mailbox and stop with the horse with its barrel about a foot from the mailbox. The controller then opens the mailbox, removes the envelope and holds it up for the judge to see, then puts it back. A raincoat is made in much the same way. Bring the horse to a halt next to the raincoat (which will likely be hung on a post bender or similar sturdy item), remove it and place it over the horse’s back, then return the raincoat to its original position.

To prepare for these obstacles, your horse must stand calmly when asked and be insensitive to your movement around him. I always overprepare my horses for these things. At home, I grab the mail and raise my arm very quickly or I slam the mailbox open and shut. I do the same thing with the raincoat working to the point where I can throw the raincoat over the horse and even pull it over my horse’s head! Of course, you won’t do this in the ring, but it’s always better to be overly prepared. That way, nothing will disturb your horse when it’s in the ring.

the bridge:

The bridge is the obstacle on the path that is most visible in the photographs and is known to all. However, when a trail is shown in hand, the guide is not supposed to cross the bridge with his horse! As he walks across the bridge, the horse must travel in a straight line and centered on the bridge. He must not be nervous or try to cross quickly but the horse is allowed to sniff the bridge and/or duck his head as he crosses.

Although many shows have heavy arched bridges, you can start by laying a piece of plywood on the ground. This requires gradual work and can take hours to get your horse to calmly cross a full bridge, but it is well worth the effort. Doing this work will make your horse more comfortable walking on odd foundations when attending shows, such as grids, metal areas, or arena entrances/exits!

Spin in a box:

As easy as it sounds, this is a problem area for many exhibitors when it comes to trails. Most shows set up the 6’x6′ box, which isn’t small, but it’s also not big enough for you to turn the horse or walk in a circle. That means the handler must move both the horse’s shoulder and its rear end! … And this must be done without entering the box (with the exception that he can step on the corners of the box when turning)!

This is an obstacle that I actually find easier to perform from the saddle than on the ground. When riding, you can use your legs to guide the horse around the turn. From the ground you have to teach your horse that when you move your body you want him to move his in a certain way. Usually (if you turn right), you can move the horse’s shoulder by walking towards it as if you’re asking for a turn of showmanship. Every two steps you will have to pause and ask the horse to move its hip towards you. This takes some practice and each horse responds differently!

Stride and trot steps:

The last obstacle you may encounter on the trail ring are the walking and jogging steps. These can be set up in combination with paces/trots, but usually consist of several cones that are placed for the handler to walk or trot the horse between (in a serpentine or a series of circles/eights).

Depending on the distance between the cones, the handler may or may not want to go around the cones as well. If they are further apart and the horse can get through the cones, the handler should stand to one side and simply push or pull the horse around the cones. If you need to make a deeper S to get through the obstacle, then the handler will probably want to zigzag his horse!

The common point between all these obstacles is the need for patience and practice. The trail in hand is not a class you can walk into cold. It takes hours of hard work around the house to prepare your horse for difficult maneuvers and possibly frightening obstacles. Also, don’t try to put everything into one lesson! Every horse is different and while one horse may “get it” right away, another horse may take a week to master the same obstacle.

Just remember, your horse will do no better in the show ring than on an average day at home!

One last word of encouragement though: Trail is a very rewarding class and while it takes a lot of work, your horse will be that much better. The work you put in will not only help you perform better in the trail class show ring, it will also create a more enjoyable horse to be around. Your horse will learn to respect you and work with you, and if you are patient, he will learn to do his best for you whenever you ask him to!