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Advice, Tricks, and Tips to Keep Your Outdoor Adventures Safe and Enjoyable! Trail Etiquette for Horsemen You've found a trail to ride and a good riding partner but there are a few more items to consider for a great day on the trail.
There are plenty of trails to enjoy,
and on some days it seems that
everyone else is also using the same trail that
you are. So here are nine simple guidelines to
help make sure that you, and your trail
partners, have a great time.
1. Multi-use means that we need to share the trail. Believe it or not horse riders are seen as rude, inconvenient, inconsiderate and even dangerous by mountain bikers and hikers. If we want to keep from losing access to even more trails we, as horsemen, need to break these stereotypes and help educate fellow users of the trails. For example: We know that horses have the right of way over bikers, and hikers. But are you sure that the hikers and bikers you run across know this? Often times they don’t know and just need to be informed. When I come across bikers I try to find a safe spot to pull off the trail and let them go by. I may have the right of way but it’s easier on me and the horse to let them go their way, not to mention the good will it buys from the biker community. Similarly, I’ll stop and chat with hikers I meet. The conversation helps the horse learn that hikers are human and again it’s amazing the goodwill that a cold soda can buy.2. The slowest horse in a group sets the pace. When a slower rider is left behind by a faster group the slower horse will often turn into a jigging, snorting, monster as it tries to catch up with its “herd”. The easiest and safest way to avoid this type of confrontation is for groups to simply ride together. Groups that start together need to stay together for the duration of the ride. If you find that you don’t like your riding partners don’t go with them on the NEXT ride, but do the right thing and finish this one as a group.
3. Leave the outdoors cleaner than you found it. Consider this; it’s a hot day and you’ve just finished a long ride. Just as you’re ready to load and leave , your horse passes manure and throws its hay on the ground. What do you do? Leave it? I hope not. The manure and the loose hay isn’t what you want to see pulling into the trailhead. It’s not what you want to see or where you want to start. Neither is it the impression that we want to leave with non horse people.4. Stay on established trails. Horse’s hoofs churn a lot of dirt. Trails are there to help keep the damage in one place. Help keep our access, stay on the approved trails. Your horse won’t melt in puddles and mud won’t hurt him either.
5. Don’t be a parasite. Don’t steal time by making your riding partners wait while you fit new tack for first time as your trail buddy is waiting. Also, bring your own lunch and water and all the tack you need.6. Trail rules are there for a reason, follow them. Trail regulations such “Hiker’s Only”, heartbeat restrictions, etc. may be a nuisance but they’re there for a purpose, whether we understand it or not. You may be able to get away with skirting the rules, but your hoof prints will give your entire family of horsemen bad name.
Pack strings and riders traveling uphill have the right of way. Handling a single horse is hard enough, give packers a break as well as a clear trail. Likewise, riders struggling uphill have a hard enough task ahead of them without you swooping down on them. 8. The “Golden Rule” is alive and well. Be considerate to the riders in front and behind you. Keep your horse off the rump in front of him and let your group know about his kicking habits BEFORE the ride. Don’t canter up a hill without telling your friends first.
9. Let your trail riding partners know about any issues that may arise. Everyone wants to have a good ride so speak up if you have a fear of heights, or your horse has a fear of water. A quick chat before the ride can give everyone a chance to decide on the most appropriate trails to take. No one wants a rodeo during a trail ride.Trail riding can be either a wonderful or a miserable experience. Just a few common sense guidelines can make our trails a Heaven on Earth for everyone that’s on them.
The Plug This website is up and running because of your assistance. If you find this information helpful please help me continue helping you by visiting the sponsors links. Sponsors Links Information on horse trails, hiking paths, and mountain bike single track for horseback riders, hikers, and mountain bikers throughout the US; focusing on trails, parks, and camps in Washington and Ohio
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