Partridge Horse Hill clients have the opportunity to take horses out on trail rides either as a lesson, or joining the trail riding club.

• What is the trail riding club?
• Who can join the trail riding club?
• What is required?
• How does it work?
• How long are trail rides?
• What are the trail ride levels?
• How much does it cost?
• How do I get started?
• Look for booked trail rides on our online calendar here

What is the trail riding club?

The trail riding club is a group of riders that Partridge Horse Hill has assessed of being safe and capable to go on trail rides. This means that clients have taken enough lessons that they can safely control a horse out on a trail ride. Once you are assessed as being capable to be out on a trail ride, you can opt to join different trail rides that are at your level or you can ask to set up your own private trail ride.

 

Who can join the trail riding club?

Anyone can join the trail riding club as long as you are physically and mentally capable of riding a horse. We have a mix of youth, adults, and retirees that join us on our trail rides.

You need to start with at least one lesson so we can teach you how to get your horse ready for a trail ride, and so we can assess your ability to safely take part in a trail ride.

Depending on your previous experience, how confident you are, your ability, and how quickly you learn will determine how many lessons you need before you can trail ride.

 

What is required?

You are required to read, understand, and sign a liability waiver. You are required to wear a helmet while riding.

You also need to wear safe footwear.

You need to be approved for the trail ride level that you sign up for - to do this you need to schedule a lesson where we can teach you what you need to know for trail riding and determine if you can be approved for a level of trail riding.

 

How does it work?

• Contact us to set up an appointment for a lesson. Depending on your fitness, ability to learn, and previous horse experience will depend on how many lessons you need to be able to come on a trail. Often it only takes a couple hours to be assessed for 'red' level trail rides which allow you to participate in walking trail rides with some trot.
• You will need to complete Trail Club Member Agreement, a Waiver (this is the form if you are 19 and older, and this is the form if you are 18 or younger), and a Participant Code of Conduct
• Once you are assessed in your lesson and approved at a level for trail rides you are able to sign up for trail rides according to your level or book trail rides with a staff member. Most of our trail rides are at the orange or yellow riding level. If you want to be able to take a horse without a guide (for example you want to ride with a friend), all of the riders on the trail need to be a minimum of yellow level, or at least one person on the trail needs to be green. Taking horses out on trails without a guide is assessed on a rider by rider basis.
• If you want to upgrade your riding level, simply take another lesson or participate in a clinic to be assessed for the higher level and to learn the extra skills needed to keep you safe on the trails. Sometimes you can be assessed out on a trail ride too. Contact us if you want to be upgraded to a higher level.
• Joining trail rides is easy - either contact us to find out when the next planned trail is, ask us about setting up a trail ride time that works for you, or look for booked trail rides using our online calendar.
• You can request the same horse every trail, or you can try different horses. You will always be given a horse suited to your riding level. Depending on your level, your selection may be limited.
• Trail rides are on a first come first serve basis, and rsvp early if you want to ensure your favourite horse is available. Trail ride schedules will be posted online, but you can also book a private trail ride by contacting us.

How long are trail rides?

• Trail rides usually last 2hrs, and sometimes we book longer or shorter rides. You prepare and untack your own horse, so you still have the opportunity to bond and connect with your horse on the ground.
• Many of our clients will come 30min - 1hr early to groom and spend time preparing their horse for the ride. Many clients will also stay 30min - 1hr after the ride to untack, groom, and spend time grazing their horse for extra bonding time.

What is are the different trail riding levels?

• Blue riders are beginner riders that ride at the walk and some trot by themselves in the ring. They are usually new to riding/trail riding. Blue riders need more coaching and/or assistance to safely ride a horse, so blue riders have much more supervision and assistance when on a trail. Blue riders can trail ride when their is a designated staff with them (either 1 staff riding with 1 blue rider, or 1 staff walking on the ground with a maximum of 2 blue riders). Blue riders need to book trail rides privately and are not able to sign up for trail rides booked online. Typically blue trails are part of summer camp. Other higher level riders can ride with blue riders.
• Red riders are usually fairly new to trail rides and/or riding. Red riders might also be able to do skills from highler levels but they could be nervous on trails, or too young/small to safely handle a horse entirely on their own, so they are a red. Red riders are assessed as being safe for walking trail rides with some trotting. Red riders can walk and trot safely in the arena, and have good control of steering their horse. Red riders understand and keep safe distances between horses, and know how to react if their horse gets spooked. Red riders are comfortable leading their horse on the ground, and dismounting with minimal assistance. Red riders can tack up their horse with minimal assitance. Red riders need help if their horse gets nervous. Red riders are limited to certain horses that tend to be best suited to beginners. Red riders can only go on red or blue rides. Red level trail rides are limited to 2 trail riders per staff, and usually these rides will need to be booked privately. Red rides may have the staff walking on the ground instead of riding a lead horse.
• Orange riders have experience with horses and can walk and trot easily in the arena, and have some experience with canter in the arena (even if they have just done a few strides at a time). Orange riders can do all of the skills of a red rider plus they show better balance and timing of cues, they can trot a pattern, trot a weave, and do canter/halt transitions. Orange riders can do sitting trot with no stirrups, and don't panic if they lose a stirrup. Orange riders can put their feet back into the stirrups while the horse is walking. They are strong and confident enough to ride a horse completely by themselves, lead a horse completely by themselves, and dismount reasonably quickly by themselves. Orange riders can feel if their saddle is slipping and they know how to fix it. Orange riders can tell when their horse is scared and they are able to dismount their horse safely if needed. They are assessed as being safe for trail rides that have walking and trotting. Orange riders are limited to certain horses. Orange riders can go on blue, red and orange rides. Orange trail rides are limited to a maximum of 4 riders per staff.
• Yellow riders can walk, trot, and canter in the arena - and they have excellent stopping skills. They are assessed as being safe for trail rides that have walk, trot, and canter. Yellow riders are strong enough and well balanced enough to easily stop a horse in most situations. They know how to steer really well and are able to move around trees and obstacles easily. They are really good about keeping a horse's personal space, and following the rules of the trail (no passing, no screaming, stay together in a line, etc). Yellow riders can do all of the skills of a blue/red/orange riders plus they can do canter/stop very easily and they do not need assistance with leading, dismounting, or stopping their horse even if the horse is mildly upset. Yellow riders can loose a stirrup while trotting and get their foot back in the stirrup while trotting. They have access to all of the riding horses with Partridge Horse Hill, however, selection may be limited depending on the rider's canter skills (because some horses are easier to canter on than others). Yellow riders have better confidence and can learn to lead a trail ride at walk and trot. They can make safe decisions about trail riding like when to go fast, when to be slow, and they understand how to tell if a horse is anxious, mad, or hurt and know when to tell a staff member they need help. Yellow riders can go on blue, red, orange and yellow rides. Yellow rides are limited to 5 riders per staff member.
• Green riders can do all the skills from the other levels plus they have really good balance and skill with walk, trot, and canter. They can canter a circle, ask for collected or extended canter, they can handle steep hills, and they make good decisions when riding like how close to go to other horses, when to pass another horse, when to go fast, what to do in tricky situations, etc. Green riders keep calm in all situations, and know what to do if their horse gets upset or nervous. Green riders can ride a hand gallop, and posting trot with no stirrups. Green riders can lose both their stirrups and pick them both up at trot or canter. Green riders can go on all levels of trails and can lead trail rides. Green rides are limited to 5 riders per staff member.

How much does it cost?

• FREE if you own your own horse or are leasing/ part boarding.
• To start with you need to book a lesson. There are different prices for lessons depending on if you want group, private, or a package of lessons. Check out our lessons page for more information and pricing on lessons. You will not be permitted to ride on the trail unless you have been assessed at that level first.
• You will need to complete Trail Club Member Agreement, a Waiver (this is the form if you are 19 and older, and this is the form if you are 18 or younger), and a Participant Code of Conduct
• Once you are approved for trail riding as a blue, red, orange, yellow, or green rider you can choose from the following options:

• Trail Ride	Cost	Details
  Single Ride	$30	Join any trail ride that is within your level, and pay as you go
  Monthly Pass	$120	Join us for as many trail rides as you like, within your level, for an entire month!
  Seasons Pass	$500	Join us for as many trail rides as you like, within your level, for an entire riding season (May - November)

• Note that if you own your own horse you can join us on the trail rides for free (for example if you board at Partridge Farm and want to join us)
• Please note that Monthly and Season's pass are subject to availability and weather.

How do I get started?

• Getting started is easy, just contact us to set up a lesson/ asessment so we can determine your riding level. If you have some previous experience, you could be approved to go out on a trail ride after just a 1hr lesson!
• You will need to complete Trail Club Member Agreement, a Waiver (this is the form if you are 19 and older, and this is the form if you are 18 or younger), and a Participant Code of Conduct
• Book a lesson/trail ride with us, or look for trail rides you can join using our online calendar.