Preparation Basic Course

You have learned at home what qualities you and your horse need to develop in order to have fun on the trail.

1st weekend practical course Schleitheim
You bring your horse with you to the course.
We revise the answers to the questionnaire together and explain where necessary.
We work on the projects you mentioned with your horses and go riding.

Preparation 2
You have learned online how to feed and train your horse, what to look out for when you are out and about, how and what equipment you need, how to move safely in traffic, how to plan rides and how to orient yourself in the terrain. How to behave in a thunderstorm and how to recognize and avoid poisonous plants.

2nd weekend practical course Schleitheim
You bring your horse and your existing equipment including map/GPS to the course. Again, we answer questions and work on navigation using maps and GPS. We discuss the necessary equipment for trail rides and saddle up. We are now safe in the countryside and our horses walk along relaxed in the group. We build a paddock outside and tie our horses to the high rope. We know the traffic rules and how to safely cross roads and railway lines. We lead a small group in the countryside using a map.

Test rides for cross-country riders / trail riders

After the two weekends, we will meet on the third weekend for the 2-day test ride in Schleitheim. On the test ride, we will test what we have learned without too much stress and in practice. You will ride according to the map and lead a small group. If you are not yet that advanced with your map knowledge , then This will not be assessed and you will receive the cross-country rider diploma. If your map knowledge is such that you can lead a group in unfamiliar terrain without any problems, this will be tested and you will receive the trail rider diploma. You can take the trail rider exam later, when your map knowledge is up to scratch.

supplementary course

We meet with the First Aid Academy team on a weekend without horses. We practice first aid for humans in practical situations and what wound treatment is possible for horses. A hoof trimmer and blacksmith shows us how to remove shoes, how to bend them back into shape and how to nail them back on. We also learn what barefoot care means and how to use the emergency shoeing tool.

cross-country riding guide

After passing the trail riding test, it is important to gain experience as a trail rider.

Documents Rittführer online
You will receive online materials to work through at home, the content of which will form part of the exam paper.

1st weekend course

Topics of the trail riding exam are briefly refreshed. Group dynamic processes and conflict resolution strategies are discussed. Communication with the horse and the human

2nd weekend test ride

To be admitted to the exam, the following conditions must be met.

1. Minimum age 20 years on the day of the exam.

2. Trail riding certificate at least 12 months

3. Completed first aid course Not older than 2 years.

4. CV and application documents

5. 20 days of trail riding with at least 3 participants

6. Of these, at least 4 days of trail riding with a recognized trail riding guide.

For the exam, you prepare a 2-day ride in an area you know, with announcement and organization (route and accommodation) for at least 6 participants (including 2 examiners) and lead this ride accompanied by the examiners. A maximum of 3 candidates can organize a ride each, one of which will be carried out at the examiners' discretion. The three candidates will then take turns leading this ride. The two examiners assess the ride leadership and the documents provided for the planned rides. You will receive the Cross-Country Ride Leader / Trail Ride Leader diploma from the Swiss Trail Riding Academy.