Don’t Fence Me In: Trail Riding

In This Chapter

• Getting set to go on a trail ride
• Staying safe in the great outdoors
• Exploring etiquette on the trail

The number one activity among horse owners throughout North America is trail riding, a hobby that takes both horse and rider into the wide open spaces just for the sheer joy of it. Whether you live in the urban wilds of New York City or the untamed wilderness of Western forests, trail riding is something you and your horse can enjoy together.

Hitting the trail is a very old activity. Before the days of automobiles (you know — those horseless carriages), riding a horse on the trail was usually the only way to get from point A to point B. Today, people trail ride just for fun. Few activities are as relaxing and therapeutic as riding a horse out in the open. Horses have a way of helping humans feel connected to nature, and never is this truer than when you’re riding on a shady, wooded trail or through a sweet-smelling meadow.

In this chapter, I tell you all about trail riding and how to prepare for it. You discover how to choose the best horse for trail riding as well as the gear and knowledge of safety and etiquette you need to enjoy this relaxing pastime. (For info on endurance and competitive trail riding, flip to Chapter Even More Riding Styles and Activities.)

Preparing for a Trail Ride

Before you hit the trail, you need to get ready. This prep work includes getting the right horse, knowing where you’re going, and sporting the proper gear. In the following sections, I describe how to prepare for an enjoyable trail ride.

Using the right horse

Just because a horse is easy to ride in the arena doesn’t mean he’ll be a good mount for the trail. From the horse’s perspective, trail riding is completely different from arena riding. Because it involves being out in the open, sometimes in unfamiliar territory, beginning trail riding requires a horse who’s calm, confident, and easygoing.

Remember

Good ground manners — or the way the horse behaves as you handle him when you’re not on his back — are an important quality in a trail horse (Chapter Working from the Ground, Saddling, and Bridling has details on working with a horse from the ground). A horse with good ground manners stands quietly while he’s being groomed, doesn’t fuss or move around when you’re saddling and bridling him, and walks quietly alongside as you lead him.

Trail horses need to have good ground manners for a number of reasons, including the following:

- With a trail horse, you never know what kind of situation you may find yourself in. Trail riding by its very nature requires that you be away from home base. The last thing you need is a horse you can’t control if you’re far from the stable.

- Emergencies happen on trail rides, too. Horses become lame, get rocks embedded in their feet - just about anything can happen out there. If your horse has good ground manners, he’s more likely to cooperate in an emergency situation if you have to dismount.

- You may find yourself in a situation where you need or want to get off your horse and walk beside him. If this happens, you’ll be happy to have a horse who behaves himself while you’re leading him.

- Stopping along the trail for a bite to eat, a bathroom break, or just to stretch your legs means you need to get off your horse. A horse with good ground manners stands quietly when tied and is easy to mount.

The horse you ride on the trail should be obedient and sensitive to your commands. A good trail horse has a good work ethic, which means he knows he has a job to do in this world and is willing to do it. The best trail horses are also virtually unflappable. Not much scares them, and when they do become frightened, they don’t lose their minds but assess the situation before deciding to take off in mad flight.

Tip

If you’re a novice rider, you may want to choose an older, more mature mount for a beginning trail horse. Older horses tend to be quieter than younger horses. The horse needs to have extensive experience on the trail, too. Otherwise, he’s unlikely to be calm out there, no matter how old he is.

Turning your arena horse into a trail mount Most horses can become decent trail horses with the right training and exposure, so if your arena horse is easily startled on trail, it’s probably because he hasn’t had much exposure to it. Your horse needs time and practice on the trail, and you may need a professional to help your horse get it if he’s not safe or if you feel like you just don’t know how to deal with him out in the open. Remember that horse is an individual. Although some horses need just a few jaunts on the trail to get the hang of it, others need six months or more of consistent exposure to be able to relax. If you want to make your arena horse into a trail horse and you’re a beginning rider, getting help from an expert is a good idea. A horse trainer or a very experienced friend should take your horse out on the trail to evaluate whether he needs a lot of work before you get on and start trying to conquer your local trail system.

Deciding where to ride

In the old days, riders had only one kind of trail to explore: the wilderness trail. Horses either traveled through town on a dirt road or carried their riders through the deserts, through the woods, and over the mountains.

Things have obviously changed, and trails are quite different from what they were even 50 years ago. Nowadays, equestrians are faced with a variety of trail choices. They include the following:

- Urban trails: A great many urban and suburban dwellers are limited to riding on urban trails. These types of trails are in city areas and suburban neighborhoods. Urban trails usually share all or part of their boundaries with a city street, which means traffic and pedestrians — and everything that comes with those two elements — are part of the mix.

Although most riders would rather be out in the wilderness, for many people, these trails are their only option. Urban trails can be a good substitute for a more rugged and untamed trail experience, and they often offer opportunities to see wildlife and breathe relatively fresh air.

- Local parks: Many urban and suburban dwellers, as well as some rural residents, take advantage of trails in local parks. Although small city parks aren’t conducive to trail riding, many regional parks have extensive trails that can provide an enjoyable wilderness experience. These types of parks are accessible from areas where horses are kept or can be easily reached by horse trailer. Because local parks get a lot of use and are managed by local municipalities, they’re often well marked and well maintained. Some even permit horse camping, and some connect to wilderness trails, which you can ride on all day without seeing anything that reminds you of civilization. See Chapter Even More Riding Styles and Activities for details on trailering and camping.

- State parks: Managed by state government parks departments, state parks are often wonderful places for trail riders. Beautiful and often pristine wilderness areas make up the state parks system throughout the U.S. Many state park trail systems are open to equestrians, and they generally feature well maintained and well marked trails.

- National Forests: The National Forest system provides the greatest number of trails open to equestrians in the U.S. You can find National Forests throughout the country, and they encompass all kinds of terrain, from shoreline to deserts to mountains. Because National Forests are open to a wide variety of uses, equestrians are often welcome in these protected areas. National Forests are managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (www.fs.fed.us). Horse camping is usually permitted in the National Forests.

- National Parks: The most beautiful and well-kept trails in the country are part of the National Parks system. Areas such as Yosemite National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are all examples of National Parks that allow equestrian use. Although not all National Parks allow horses, the ones that do can provide you with some spectacular trail riding. The U.S. government’s National Park Service manages the National Park system (www.nps.gov).

- Designated wilderness areas: Several other types of designated wilderness areas are open to equestrians, including some national monuments and conservation areas. Many designated wilderness areas have wonderful trails that are little used.

Tip

Stop off at a visitor center to pick up a trail map, talk to other riders for suggestions, and do a bit of research. Trail difficulty and length can vary, but you can find easy trails for beginners at all these places.

Check out Figure 21-1 to see some riders on a beautiful nature trail.

Warning!

Know the rules before you go. Before you can ride, some parks require proof of a negative Coggins test, which confirms that the horse is free from a contagious disease called equine infectious anemia (swamp fever). Also, if you plan to go horse camping (see Chapter Even More Riding Styles and Activities), you may need to make reservations or get an overnight permit from the Forest Service.

Gathering important gear

In order to make the most of your trail riding experience, you want to have certain gear along on your ride, as I explain in the following sections.

Figure 21-1: Trail riding is a great way to bond with your horse and fellow riders.

Helmets

In many Western riding circles, helmets are considered a nonentity. The original cowboys didn’t wear them, and in keeping with tradition, most Western riders don’t, either. Most English riders, on the other hand, always wear helmets. Helmets are also a staple for those who ride competitively on the trail. So should you wear a helmet when you trail ride? The decision of whether to wear a riding helmet is a personal one.

Warning!

The benefit of wearing a helmet is a powerful one: In the event of a fall from your horse, a helmet can save your life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the rate of serious injury for horseback riders is greater than that for motorcyclists and automobile racers. State medical examiner records from 27 states over an 11-year period identified head injuries as the cause of 60 percent of horseback riding-related deaths. Given the potential for serious head injury, the CDC suggests that all riders wear helmets approved by the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for equestrian use.

The downside of helmets is that they can be mildly uncomfortable if you aren’t used to wearing one (although newer models are very lightweight and well ventilated), and they can really mess up your hair. If you care about fitting in with the crowd and you’re a Western rider, you’ll probably stick out among your Western buddies if you decide to protect your skull.

Remember

Although you may have an image of yourself on horseback with your hair blowing in the wind, stop and think about what could happen to you if you fall from your horse and hit your head. The possibilities are horrific and hardly worth the risk. Do yourself and those who love you a favor and wear an ASTM/SEI-approved helmet when you trail ride. Chapter Safety First: Protecting Yourself around Horses has additional information on safety.

Appropriate clothing

Check the weather before you head out and make sure you’re wearing the right apparel. If you’ll be out all day, you may need to wear layers so you can take them off as the day warms up. If rain or snow is a possibility, be sure to bring appropriate outerwear so you don’t get wet. Nothing is more miserable than trying to ride back home when you’re cold and soaked to the bone!

You should also wear proper, safe riding apparel when you trail ride. See Chapters Safety First: Protecting Yourself around Horses (on safe clothing) and Equipping Yourself with Other Important Gear (on riding apparel) for details on what to wear.

Additional handy gear

In addition to a comfortable saddle that fits your horse well (see Chapter Dressing Up Horses with Saddles), a bridle that provides you with plenty of control (see Chapter Getting a Heads-Up on Bridles), and important items necessary for your safety (which I discuss later in the section “Following some important guidelines”), you can also opt to add some of the following items to your trail-riding ensemble:

- Saddle packs: If you plan to be out on the trail for many hours, you want to have a saddle pack attached to your saddle. Most saddle packs fit on the back of the saddle, although some packs are designed to sit on the front. Saddle packs come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Almost all feature holders for sports bottles, and all have at least one large pouch where you can put your lunch, sunscreen, horse treats, or anything else you want to carry along.

- Seat covers: Long hours on the trail can be tough on your hind end. Trail riders often equip their saddles with seat covers made from sheepskin (or fake sheepskin) or gel. Seat covers are designed for Western, English, and endurance saddles (see Chapter Even More Riding Styles and Activities for more about endurance riding), and they come in a wide range of prices.

- Water bottle holders: For shorter rides where a saddle pack isn’t necessary, trail riders can opt for a water bottle holder designed to clip onto one of the D-rings located on the front or back of most saddles.

- Miscellaneous goodies: All kinds of other items designed to make the trail rider’s life easier are available. Foldaway water buckets for horses, portable corrals, straps to hang and attach to saddle packs, combination sponges and bags, folding hoof picks, portable water tanks — you name it, it’s out there.

The best sources for unique trail gear are catalogs and online retailers specializing in equine products. You can find a list of some retailers in the Appendix.

Getting ready for a ride of any length

Trail riding is a pretty simple activity. You just locate a trail (I discuss different types of trails earlier in this chapter), saddle up your horse, mount up, and start riding. Trail rides can be as short as an hour or as long as an entire day. Some trail rides even stretch out over a week or more. You just have to decide how much trail riding you want to do and prepare accordingly. The following sections explain how ride lengths compare.

Warming up for short trips

Short rides don’t call for much preparation. Your tacked-up horse and an idea of where you’re going are all you really need. Assuming that trails are available in proximity to where you keep your horse, you can probably ride to the trail head (the place where the trail starts). Otherwise, you need to trailer your horse to get there. See Chapter Even More Riding Styles and Activities for info on trailering.

After you reach the trail head, begin your ride at a walk and slowly increase the speed to a jog or trot and eventually to a lope or canter (if you’re ready to go that fast) as your horse warms up. This warm-up is especially important if you haven’t ridden your horse for a few days.

Conditioning for longer journeys

Warning!

If you plan to take longer rides, be sure both you and your horse are conditioned for this kind of riding. The worst thing to do to a horse is let him stand in his stall all week and then get on him on a Saturday and ride him for four hours on the trail. He’ll be sore and miserable the next day and will be less than enthusiastic the next time you come to take him out.

To condition your horse for an upcoming long ride, ride your horse at least several days a week, for an hour at a time or more, gradually building up the time over a period of a few weeks.

Staying Safe on the Trail

The trail is a wonderful place where you can commune with nature and bond deeply with your horse. It’s also a place where and your horse can get into trouble if you aren’t careful. In the following sections, I provide some basic safety rules and guidance on handling a spooked horse. Chapter Safety First: Protecting Yourself around Horses has general information on safety, too. Also, the upcoming section “Happy Trails: Minding Your Manners” explains rules of etiquette that can help protect you.

Following some important guidelines

Remember

Because you’re out in the open and away from civilization, safety is an especially important issue when riding on the trail. Follow these safety rules while enjoying the wide open spaces, especially if you’re riding alone:

- Choose an appropriate trail. Pick a trail that matches your ability level and the desired length of your ride. You can chat with the visitor center staff or other riders or look for a map or another source that indicates trail difficulty. If your trail closes during certain seasons or after periods of heavy rainfall, make sure it’s open.

- Know where you’re going. If you’re heading out on a trail that you’ve never ridden before, map out your route carefully. You need an idea of how long the ride will take from start to finish. If the trail is long, bring a trail map with you. Make sure you’ll be able to give emergency personnel general information about where you are if necessary.

- Tell someone about your plans. Just as if you were going on a solo hike, tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back. That way, if you fail to return within a reasonable amount of time, someone will know you’re missing and have an idea of where to look.

- Identify yourself and your horse. Carry ID on your person and put a tag on your horse’s halter or bridle with your name, phone number, and address. If you fall and are knocked unconscious, ID can help your rescuers, and if you become separated from your horse, his ID tag can eventually get him back to you.

- Carry a cellphone. In the event of an emergency, a cellphone can be your lifeline. For instance, if your horse gets injured, you may need to call for help if he’s too hurt for you to get off and lead him out.

Bring a charged cellphone with you whenever you ride, and make sure you keep the phone on your person and not in your saddle bag. If you fall from your horse and need help, you want the phone to be in reach. Note that your cell phone may not work if you’re riding in a wilderness area, and remember that you can’t recharge the batteries out there. Turn off the phone when you don’t need it if you plan on a long ride.

- Bring appropriate food and water. If you plan to be gone all day, bring enough food and water to keep yourself hydrated and nourished while you’re gone. Water is especially important if you’re riding in hot weather.

- Protect your horse from bugs. Unless you’re riding in extreme cold or desert heat, horse-eating insects will likely be a problem. Spray your horse with equine insect repellent before you go on your ride, and bring some fly wipes along so you can reapply if needed. If gnats are a problem in your area, you may even want to invest in a simple knitted or mesh bonnet that protects your horse’s ears from these biting insects (these bonnets are available from tack stores and catalogs — see the Appendix for some possible retailers).

- Bring sunscreen and a first-aid kit. Protect yourself from the sun and carry a small first-aid kit in your saddlebag if you’re going on a longer ride. The kit should include items for both you and your horse, such as bee-string treatment, adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, blood-stop powder, a roll of elastic bandaging, and a hoof pick.

- Stay on the trail. Although blazing new trails can be fun, stay on the beaten path if you’re riding alone in unfamiliar territory. Most riders and hikers get lost when they stray from well-marked trails. Also, many parks and wilderness areas forbid riding off the trail.

Handling spooks

The trail is the place you’re most likely to encounter spooking, which is the horse’s reaction to something that frightens him (such as a scary bridge or stream). The type of behavior your horse exhibits when he’s afraid depends largely on his personality. Each horse has his own way of responding, but here are some ways a horse may react when he’s afraid of something:

- Back up in an effort to avoid going toward whatever scares him

- Spin away from the object

- Dance around the scary thing in an effort to avoid approaching it

- Plant his feet and refuse to move (this maneuver is often followed by a spin if the rider keeps insisting that the horse go forward)

- Agree to pass the object but prance by it, his head pointing slightly toward it and the ear closest to the object cocked; the horse’s idea is to keep a close watch on the object should it decide to come to life and try to eat him

Remember

The goal when dealing with spookiness is to keep your horse controllable, even though he’s afraid of something. In other words, he’s allowed to be scared, but he isn’t allowed to become uncontrollable at the same time. Try to remain calm and confident as you ask for obedience.

Finding your way home If you get lost, your horse may be able to find his way back. Horses have a strong sense of direction and are often motivated to get back home. If you’re completely disoriented and don’t know how to get back, give your horse his head — he may know the way. This technique works at night, too, because horses can see very well in the dark (although note that using a flashlight can make their night vision less effective).

 The work you do in the arena to enhance your horse’s basic training can do a lot to help you keep your horse controllable out on the trail. Listening and responding to your cues should be second nature to your horse. You can practice giving direction in the arena by asking your horse to perform certain tasks, such as stopping, backing, turning, and circling (see Chapters Enjoying the Walk through Getting on the Fast Track with the Lope or Canter for details). After you’ve achieved this level of obedience, repeated exposure to trail riding and positive experiences on the trail should help your horse stay reasonably calm when you ride him outside the arena.

Warning!

Some horses can become downright dangerous when they’re afraid of something. If you have a horse who tends try to run away with you, rear up, buck you off, or do anything that you can’t handle, don’t hesitate to get professional help from a qualified horse trainer.

Happy Trails: Minding Your Manners

Riders who practice good trail etiquette are a pleasure to ride with and encounter along the trail. Whether you’re going on a short ride or a long one, alone or with a group, trail etiquette is something you should know and follow. In trail riding, good etiquette is not just for the sake of courtesy; it’s a question of safety as well (see the earlier “Staying Safe on the Trail” section for more safety issues).

In the following sections, I give you some etiquette guidelines for riding in a group, riding by yourself, and sharing the road with folks who aren’t riders.

Following etiquette when riding in a group

Remember

If you’re riding with one or more other people, you need to follow some basic rules to make your excursion fun and safe for everyone involved. Follow these fundamental rules of trail etiquette:

- Tie a red ribbon. If you’re riding in a group and have a horse who’s a kicker, tie a red ribbon at the base of his tail. This universal signal tells other riders that your horse kicks and that they need to stay back.

- Keep a safe distance. Staying back can be difficult to do at times, because many horses prefer to travel with their noses just behind the tail of the horse in front of them. If the horse in front of you stops suddenly, your mount may then find himself plunging into the other horse’s rear end. Also, the horse in front of you may become annoyed at your horse’s crowding and kick out, which can injure you or your horse. Try to keep your horse at least one horse’s length from the animal in front of you.

Tip: If you find you’re having trouble keeping a safe distance between you and the horse in front of you, make your horse turn in a circle to create some space between you and the front horse. If you don’t have room on the trail to circle, stop your horse for a few seconds to let the horse in front get a safe distance ahead.

- Go slowly. Keep your horse at a walk unless you have a consensus from other riders to pick up the pace. Keep in mind that horses tend to get excited when the speed picks up in a group situation. The quiet lope you have in mind may turn into an out-of-control gallop if a number of horses are involved. Not all riders are equal in their skill levels, and although you may be able to control your horse at a trot or lope, a less-skilled rider in the group may lose control of his or her mount when you start going fast.

- Don’t pass without permission. If your horse wants to be at the front of the line, ask those in front of you for permission to pass and lead the group. Don’t let your horse barge ahead of everyone. Not only is this act rude, but it’s also unsafe, especially on a narrow trail.

- Use good manners as your horse stops to drink. If you come across a water source along the trail and the horses want to drink, be courteous and wait your turn, especially if the source is a small trough. Keep your horse quiet and passive during the watering session. Avoid the following actions, which could discourage a fellow rider’s horse from drinking:

• Allowing your horse to aggressively barge in and threaten another horse while he’s partaking of the water
• Letting your horse to pin his ears at other horses while they’re drinking
• Pulling your horse away from the water source too fast when the other horses still have their muzzles in the water
• Riding off before all the horses are finished drinking, causing other horses to feel they’re being left behind

If you’re having trouble getting your horse to behave, pull him aside and wait till the other horses are finished before you let him have his share.

- Help calm spooked horses. If you see another rider in trouble ahead of you on the trail, stop and wait until that person has his or her horse under control before you proceed.

Another option is to ask the other rider whether he or she would like you to pass so your horse can help calm the frightened one. Obviously, this technique works only if you’re sure your horse won’t be spooked by whatever is scaring the other rider’s horse. Horses tend to take cues from one another, so your horse may object to passing the object as well. In that case, hang back and wait for everyone to calm down before you proceed. I discuss handling spooks earlier in this chapter.

- Be courteous to dismounted riders. Horses tend to follow each other, so if one of the riders in your group has to dismount, keep your horse still while he or she gets off. Continue to keep your horse quiet while the other rider mounts, and don’t head down the trail until the other rider gives you a verbal signal that he or she is ready to move on.

- Communicate with your fellow riders. Remember that people have different skills and confidence levels when riding. Trail riding can be the most challenging type of riding for timid or less-skilled riders. Check in with your fellow riders to make sure everyone is feeling okay and secure, and try to solve problems calmly as they come up.

Be sure to communicate with your fellow riders when you’re riding on a tree-dense trail and are encountering low-hanging branches. After you push a branch out of your way, it can snap back and hit the rider behind you. Warn the rider behind you that you’re approaching low-hanging branches and be sure he or she is prepared for them.

Encountering other riders when you’re out alone

Although riding with another person is much safer, some people prefer to ride alone. When riding by yourself, you have much more autonomy, and you can pick your own pace and route. Of course, even though you’re out in the great outdoors, you may still see other people. You have to honor the rules of trail etiquette should you encounter other riders.

Remember

When you meet other riders on the trail, keep the following rules in mind:

- Pass slowly and quietly. When passing another rider on the trail from behind, pass on the left at the walk. Many horses can become out of control when they hear or see a horse trotting or loping up behind them. Make sure the rider ahead of you knows you’re there and is okay with your passing, especially on narrow trails. Avoid yelling or doing anything that may spook the other horse.

- Make a slow approach when another rider is coming from the opposite direction. When approaching another rider, slow to a walk if you’re trotting or loping and maintain your slow pace until you’re well past the other horse. If the trail is narrow, pay attention to your horse’s body language to make sure he doesn’t kick or try to bite the other horse as he goes by.

- Be patient with dismounted riders. Don’t try to ride past someone who’s attempting to mount a horse. Stop and wait until the rider is safely back in the saddle before you proceed.

- Resist the urge to hot rod. A good canter on the trail can be a lot of fun, but you need to pick the right moment to let your horse go for it. Choose a trail that

• Is flat
• Has good, even footing
• Allows you plenty of visibility up ahead

Walking the trail first is a good idea.

- Take your time around blind curves. Narrow single-track trails in areas of high brush can harbor a lot of blind curves. Always negotiate blind curves at a walk. You never know when another horse (or another trail user) is coming in the opposite direction.

- React calmly when you see spooked horses. If you see another rider in trouble ahead of you on the trail, either offer to help or stop and wait until that person has his or her horse under control before you proceed (see the earlier section “Handling spooks”)

Sharing the trail with non-riders

Most trails accessible to equestrians these days are multiuse trails, meaning people use other modes of transportation on them. Hikers and mountain bikers are the most common users of trails located near urban and suburban areas. Wilderness backcountry trails are often used by backpackers as well.

Representing equestrian trail users Because hikers and mountain bikers are more populous than equestrians, they often have more political clout concerning trail use. Equestrian groups around the U.S. are continuously fighting to keep the rights of trail riders intact. More than one trail has been made off-limits to equestrians while other special interest groups are permitted to continue their use. Keep in mind that when you encounter a hiker or mountain biker on the trail, you represent all equestrian users to that person. Be particularly courteous and considerate — it’s your responsibility help create goodwill.

Remember

A horse has significant potential to seriously injure a trail user on foot, leaving riders with a great amount of responsibility in keeping trails safe. The following guidelines can help keep trails safe for various users and create good feelings toward equestrians:

- Use your right of way. Technically, equestrians have the right of way on narrow trails, and some parks and recreational areas are quick to point that out to all trail users. If you encounter a hiker or mountain biker and he or she stops to give you the right of way, politely accept it. However, if the other user doesn’t give you the right of way, take it in stride and pull your horse over so he’s safely out of the way.

- Take care around blind curves. You should always go through blind curves slowly to avoid crashing into another rider, but caution is even more important when you’re riding on multiuse trails. A mountain biker can come around a turn very quickly, and the more slowly you go on your horse, the more time the biker has to stop or swerve to avoid hitting you. You can also avoid running down a hiker on your horse if you’re walking around a blind corner instead of trotting or cantering through it.

_ Remove manure. Although horse people know that manure is innocuous and quickly degrades in the environment, many urban hikers and mountain bikers consider horse manure to be as noxious as dog poop. If your horse relieves himself on a well-traveled trail, dismount and kick the manure off into the bushes. Although this cleanup may sound like a needless and silly task, horses have been banned from a number of trails because of manure complaints.

- Be understanding with people who aren’t comfortable with horses. Although the idea is hard for most horse people to fathom, some folks are terrified of horses. If you encounter a non-equestrian trail user who seems afraid of your horse, go out of your way to avoid getting too close to him or her.

- Be polite. Whenever you pass a hiker or mountain biker, offer a smile and say hello. Thank the other trail user for giving you the right of way, and avoid getting angry and losing your temper if the other user doesn’t seem to know proper etiquette.

  by Audrey Pavia with Shannon Sand