For some, a forest ride might seem like a waste of time, a day that could otherwise be spent on training in the arena again. Yes, for some, it might feel like unserious riding without a purpose. But is that really true? There are many good reasons to step away from the four walls of the riding house and into nature. This applies to both horse and rider. Here are three reasons to include a forest ride in your weekly training plan.

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No. 1: It increases the joy of riding for both horse and rider

Even though many ride with a goal in mind and therefore spend countless training hours in the riding arena or hall, everyone needs a break once in a while. Therefore, a forest ride is the perfect way to take a break from intense training and remember why you started riding in the first place. It's good for both your own motivation and your horse's. It will also find training more enjoyable when it gets a break occasionally. You will likely notice this in your training.

Enjoy a forest ride with your horse and achieve an even stronger collaboration on the riding track afterwards. Photo: Archive.

No. 2: It's a great boost for your horse's strength and balance

The forest's varying terrain and levels are a really good training ground for the horse to walk on. It trains the horse's balance, strength, and coordination in a way that you cannot achieve on a flat riding arena surface.

Regardless of the discipline, we all want a strong and balanced horse, and the forest is thus your friend for training this. At the same time, it's a good place to train stamina, and who has ever hated a brisk gallop through the forest?

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No. 3: It's good environmental training

If you have a horse that tends to be skittish at, for example, competitions, then a forest ride is good because it accustoms the horse to being in different environments. In the forest, you encounter passing people, cyclists, dogs, etc., which you can also risk encountering at competition venues. The forest is therefore a good place to train if you have a horse that tends to be skittish.

And remember: In the forest, there is no pressure on you as a rider, as there is in competition arenas, and therefore you have the peace to take things at your horse's pace. Have a great trip!