Trail Riding Info
shopping cart
please be patient, select your language
Use general terms when searching
Trail riding is life...
​Trail riding is life – the trail is life
I have been traveling for over 20 years in many different countries where horses are still used as a means of transport and people live a very simple but mostly very content life.
Trail riding has changed me. In many ways and that's why I come to the above statement.
The trail rider's path is filled with surprises, with positive and negative situations, and, depending on where I am traveling, often demands my full attention, forcing me to be in the here and now. Every minute of the day is filled with adventures and challenges, be it the road, the weather, the body and the soul and the adrenaline rush, the magnificent scenery and views, the gentle splashing of the stream, or the contented munching of horses in the pasture at night, challenge me mentally and physically, so that after a long day of riding I usually fall asleep within a few minutes, tired, exhausted. Nevertheless, I always have one ear with the horses and wake up when it gets too quiet. Then I may lie there listening intently until I hear something again and fall back asleep immediately, feeling reassured.
When I'm in the high mountains, the Rocky Mountains, the TienShan or the Alps, I don't know where I'll be sleeping tonight. I just know that we'll descend into the valley to get food for the horses and we'll take whatever else comes our way. It's not always easy up there, and very often it's touch and go. Will I make it down this glacier valley with my horses? Can I cross this river? How do I get through this swamp? Will we reach the next hut/campsite before it gets dark?
​
Why do I want to travel with a horse. Well, my horse is much better at navigating in nature than I am. It is dramatically more capable than me and opens up possibilities for me that I would never have, without a horse. As a team, we work towards a common goal. The goal is to successfully complete the journey.
I want to explore the world with my horse, and although I am thrilled by the beautiful lake, which shimmers turquoise in front of the snow-capped peaks and the green Alpine grass, I am more interested in what can be seen behind the next pass, the next summit, in the next valley. That is the reason why I have learned to do without and to be satisfied with little.
​
Our normal middle-class life is so full of things, that we believe we need because we are promised that they will save us time. We don't even realize how the addiction to buying something new again and again keeps us from really living. Getting by with the bare necessities and enjoying the adventure of life in all its colorful splendor is real life.
The space in my horse's saddlebags is limited. And yet everything must be included, that is needed, to be completely self-sufficient in the mountains. And he should not have to carry more weight than needed. And that's a good thing. If I pack according to the following principle: What do I need so that I don't die? Then I have 5-6 things that enable me to survive, and then I still have room for luxury. For example, a second pair of slacks, or an inflatable sleeping mat, and since I've been in my 70s, there's even a three-legged folding chair. The less I have with me, the less I lose and the easier it is for my horse to carry. Then I am efficient. And in nature, only the efficient system survives. And that's why it's such an experience to take a refreshing dip in a mountain stream on a hot summer's day and put on a clean T-shirt. Or to listen to the crackling of the campfire in the evening, the fresh smell of wet earth, or the land rain, to watch the stars change, and to listen to the sounds of the animals at night.
When I'm on the road, there is one priority. The horses must have water and food tonight. This is essential and after almost 60,000 km, there was only one time when I was unable to organize enough food for the horses. No matter what happens, no matter what obstacle stands in the way, my horses will have food tonight.
And this mentality, this determination, this stamina, and assertiveness, is what trail riding teaches you. Turning back is not an option. No is not an option. There is no such thing as can't. Only one thing is absolutely certain: you can plan as much as you want, take all circumstances into account, weigh up all eventualities, but in the end, things will turn out differently than planned.
And that's why you are forced to be happy and content with the present, no matter what it is. Flexibility is the norm and not the exception. Because it's like a law of nature: where a door is slammed shut for you, another one opens somewhere else. You just have to find it. Do your best and be patient. Everything will work out. Worrying and fretting get you nowhere. They're a waste of time. Que sera, sera.
​
The Trail ist like Life. Life is a challenge and an adventure. The trail is real life, it's about something. It's about the life of my horse and my own life. I don't need to enjoy second-hand adventures. I can live it myself.
​
Trail riding – A journey into freedom with your horse
​
The first rays of sunlight break through the treetops, while your horse plays impatiently with its ears. It knows that today is a special day. A day when you will set off together – not just on a long journey through forests, meadows and mountains, but also on a journey to find yourselves. Trail riding is more than just a trip with your horse, it is an adventure that brings you together, strengthens your bond and makes you an inseparable team.
​
The horse as a partner – trust on four hooves
A trail horse is not a simple mount. It is a partner, a companion, a friend you can rely on in any situation. While traveling with it, you learn to interpret its slightest movements, understand its moods and respect its instincts. Out in the wild, your horse can perceive things that you don't notice – the cracking of a branch in the distance, the slight change in the wind, or the scent of a wild animal. You can feel when it pauses, pricks up its ears and takes a deep breath. Maybe it's a deer scurrying through the undergrowth, or an unknown path ahead of you.
The relationship between rider and horse is crucial, especially on long rides. You have to trust each other and provide mutual reassurance. A trail horse is not a piece of sports equipment – it is a living creature with its own thoughts, with tiredness, with joy and curiosity. If you strengthen this bond, your horse will not only carry you through rough terrain, but will also help you to overcome the challenges that await you.
​
Together through the wilderness – horses are more than just a means of transportation
Your horse doesn't just carry you over hills and through rivers. It is your loyal companion, your protector and often even your teacher. As you walk through narrow trails, you will learn how gently and deliberately it sets its feet. As it wades through a stream, you will feel how it tests the ground with each step to make sure it is safe.
An experienced trail rider learns to read their horse – is it tired, does it need a break? Does it feel uncomfortable with a certain stretch of road? You don't force a horse over a difficult transition – you give it time, show it the way, let it decide for itself. And if you do it right, your horse will follow you unconditionally because it knows: you are the person who protects it.
But there are also moments when your horse surprises you. Maybe at some point you feel that you are tired yourself, the steps are getting heavy, the path seems endless. And at that very moment, your horse lifts its head, pulls up, and bravely leads the way – as if to say, “Don't worry, I'm here. We'll make it together.”
​
Nights under the stars – the magic of bonding
After a long ride, you reach your resting place. The fire crackles, the horse peacefully nibbles on blades of grass, the moon is high above you. You stroke its warm neck, feel the muscles under its fur and know: without this animal, you would not be here today. It has carried you, overcome obstacles for you, lent you its strength.
There is nothing more intimate than spending a night under the stars with your horse. No stable, no stall partition between you – just nature and your mutual trust. In these moments, you realize that your horse is not just a mount, but a loyal companion with whom you can discover the world in a whole new way.
​
Conclusion – A journey for the heart and soul
Trail riding is not just a sport, not just a leisure activity. It is a journey into the soul of your horse and into your own. It is an experience that teaches you humility – humility in the face of nature, in the face of your horse's strength, and in the silent language that connects you.
Once you have traveled with your horse through untouched landscapes, you will see the world with different eyes. You will understand the meaning of trust, patience and partnership in a way that only a horse can teach. And when you return one day, you will know that the bond between you is forever. Because you didn't just ride – you grew, you learned, and you found a friend for life.
​