Autumn Trail Ride in the Woods coloring page

About this coloring page

An autumn trail ride is one of the best ways to enjoy fall colors, and it is also a great way to feel how a horse actually moves. Riders call a horse’s different ways of moving its gaits, and each one feels completely different from the saddle.

The walk is the slowest. The horse sets down each foot one after another in a four-beat rhythm, and the rider sways gently along. It is the go-to gait on trails with rocks, roots and creek crossings, because it is steady and leaves time to look around.

The trot is faster and has two beats, with the legs moving in diagonal pairs. It can be bouncy, so many riders rise and sit in time with the horse, a technique called posting. The canter is a rolling three-beat gait, and the gallop is the fastest of all, with a split second when every hoof is off the ground. Some breeds, such as the Tennessee Walking Horse, also have smooth extra gaits that are especially comfortable on long rides.

On any trail, a helmet is a must, tack should be checked before heading out, and riders slow down on hills and wet leaves, which can be slick in the fall.

• trail riding
• horses
• autumn
• woods
• horseback riding