Also can be seen at www.adn.com/horsetrainerblog

A reader recently invited me to answer this question:
I've seen very little local information regarding safe creek and river crossings for trail riders. Especially regarding how to read the crossing area for hazards such as sweepers and holes.
Can you address this?

I got a chance to give this some thought just before the Fourth of July.

While I’m sure there are several guides out there that can do a far better job than I will do here I will still take a shot at this question. My experience with Alaskan water crossings has been limited to boats, a few scary crossings while hunting, and on the rare occasion a horse a time or two in a creek I could easily see the bottom of or a river where I had a 4 wheeler to follow through.

Most information you can search for on the Internet for horse and water crossings are limited, and that information is written with slow moving water in mind. Alaska like everything else here is fierce. Our people, our mountains, our animals and yes, our rivers and creeks are fierce as well. Having felt first hand one to many times Mother Nature Alaska’s power in a river I stick to crossings with horses that I can get through myself on foot if need be. Call me a sissy – I dare you.

However. First thing is first. Make sure your horse can cross water no matter what. A puddle, a stream, or wade into a lake and get them used to the noise water makes. Getting them to stand in a knee-deep creek is a start. Make sure your “go forward” cue is exceptional. Also do your homework on how much control you have of your horse’s feet. Moving one foot at a time, and even backing one foot at a time. It may sound silly but when your practicing in a small stream or safe creek, make sure you can stop your horse, back a step, turn etc. these are all things that you will need to use to navigate a bigger body of water later.

Then put on your out-door person’s hat. Is this a creek that you would cross on foot? If not. It’s probably not a good creek for your horse to cross either. I’ve swum with horses a time or two in lakes, when they start to swim and or lose their balance; usually it’s the person who looses their cool. Not the horse. So be sure if your horse loses it’s footing – you are in the position to land on both feet so to speak and be safe. Do not try to hold onto your horse if you come off in water.

If you are a practiced hiker and river crosser on foot – you will know the signs to look for. Sweepers are never good, watch for debris that the river brings with it. Look for eddies in the water that has more current and avoid them. If necessary, go up or down stream for a better place to cross.

The simplest advice I can offer is this. If you would not cross this creek on foot; then do not ask your horse to cross it. Not only will they feel your apprehension, but also you are putting both of yourselves at danger. Lastly. Do your homework in safe creeks and streams and make sure that you not only have 100% of your horses attention, focus and trust but you also have 100% control of your horses feet.