Choosing Trec or Horse Agility Training
There is absolutely no reason why you can't do both Trec and Horse Agility with your horse or pony, but I do get asked this question and one may suit you better than the other, depending on what you do, or want to do, with your equine.
Trec competitions are intended to be ridden. The Trec training reflects the 3 phases of a Trec competition. The most common training is PTV (Obstacle) training. PTV training may sometimes be combined with Control of Paces (CoP) training. Map reading or Orienteering (POR) training is unmounted and usually organised separately. Some Fun Trec competitions will cater for people who wish to complete the Obstacle section In Hand and Trec Obstacle training clinics may be open to participation In Hand as well as ridden. But Trec, by its nature, is limited in what it can offer you if you only work your equine In Hand.
Trec training is good for improving your skills if you want to compete in the sport, is very good for building horses' confidence with the sort of obstacles and hindrances you may face out hacking and is a great environment for giving horses a social outing. As such, it can be a good environment for bringing out a young or inexperienced horse, or even as part of preparation for Showing. I would recommend it for anybody who enjoys hacking, fun rides, etc.
Horse Agility is primarily an In Hand discipline and the training and competitions will reflect this. Horse Agility has its origins in Dog Agility, the obstacles are far less rustic and far more "spooky" than Trec obstacles. This can also be good for building your horse's confidence for hacking or for showing, as plastic bags, flags and bunting are commonly used to dress up the obstacles. But if your horse is very unconfident, you may want to try the more rustic Trec obstacles first. Flags and bunting aside, the main aim of Horse Agility, is to improve groundwork and manners on the ground, whilst at the same time building up a strong relationship of communication and trust with your horse. To this end, Horse Agility has a levels structure, from Starter to Advanced 1*, which will keep challenging your groundwork for a long time to come and can even lead you into liberty work.
There is absolutely no reason why you can't do both Trec and Horse Agility with your horse or pony, but I do get asked this question and one may suit you better than the other, depending on what you do, or want to do, with your equine.
Trec competitions are intended to be ridden. The Trec training reflects the 3 phases of a Trec competition. The most common training is PTV (Obstacle) training. PTV training may sometimes be combined with Control of Paces (CoP) training. Map reading or Orienteering (POR) training is unmounted and usually organised separately. Some Fun Trec competitions will cater for people who wish to complete the Obstacle section In Hand and Trec Obstacle training clinics may be open to participation In Hand as well as ridden. But Trec, by its nature, is limited in what it can offer you if you only work your equine In Hand.
Trec training is good for improving your skills if you want to compete in the sport, is very good for building horses' confidence with the sort of obstacles and hindrances you may face out hacking and is a great environment for giving horses a social outing. As such, it can be a good environment for bringing out a young or inexperienced horse, or even as part of preparation for Showing. I would recommend it for anybody who enjoys hacking, fun rides, etc.
Horse Agility is primarily an In Hand discipline and the training and competitions will reflect this. Horse Agility has its origins in Dog Agility, the obstacles are far less rustic and far more "spooky" than Trec obstacles. This can also be good for building your horse's confidence for hacking or for showing, as plastic bags, flags and bunting are commonly used to dress up the obstacles. But if your horse is very unconfident, you may want to try the more rustic Trec obstacles first. Flags and bunting aside, the main aim of Horse Agility, is to improve groundwork and manners on the ground, whilst at the same time building up a strong relationship of communication and trust with your horse. To this end, Horse Agility has a levels structure, from Starter to Advanced 1*, which will keep challenging your groundwork for a long time to come and can even lead you into liberty work.