| Trail Ethics |
One of the most important articles I want to write about is Trail Ethics. With the increasing
demand for recreational trails, many trails have become, or are being built, for multi-use.
Mutual concern for safety and good trail maintenance will help maintain goodwill and
cooperation among all trail users. When encountering other trail users, courtesy is imperative.
Remember that you and your horse are ambassadors for all equestrian trail riders.
Here is a list of suggested trail ethics for equestrian trail users to follow to promote safety and
aid in the preservation of trails:
1. Ride and camp only where permitted. Some trails are restricted to horses. Such trails are
restricted either due to impact on the environment, to provide safety, reduce conflicts, or to
provide a different sort of recreation. Road use is subject to state law.
2. Do not ride on trails when they are too muddy during the rainy season. If trails are not in
good enough shape to ride, plan your ride for another day, go to a trail that can withstand the
use better, or go on a road ride. Two trails, Thompson River Trail at Crowder State Park
and the Rock Bridge Trail in Gans Creek Wildlife Area in Rock Bridge State Park are
closed when it is too wet to ride. You have to daily before riding to see if they are open. You
can check the status on this site by going to the 'Trail Status' link on the front page of the
web site.
3. Stay on the designated trails. Do not short cut the switchbacks or make new trails around
muddy patches. Do not create any new trails unless you have been authorized to do so by
the land manager. This is a safety issue as well as an ethics issue. If you go off the trail
4-hoofin' it and get thrown or fall off and get hurt, you will be much harder for the rescuers to
find if you aren't along a designated horse trail.
4. Do not remove or rearrange trail markers.
5. Know who your public land manager is and the rules that apply to that agency. Alert the
public land manager of dangerous hazards along the trail or at the trailheads.
6. Do not tie your horse directly to trees. Consider cross trying your horse, even when on a
short break or lunch break during your trail ride. Carrying an extra lead rope or small string
rope is an easy way to cross tie in the woods.
7. Pack out what you pack in and more if possible. This also includes cigarette butts.
8. Remove or scatter manure from parking areas and campsites. Some places even provide
a compost bin for this purpose. For those that don't, carry a shovel, broom, and garbage
bags for areas where scattering is not feasible.
9. Stallions should have a yellow ribbon prominently displayed in their tails. Horses that kick
should display a red ribbon and known biters should have a blue ribbon tied in their tails.
10. No unleashed dogs are supposed to be allowed on the trails so leave your dog back at
your trailer or at home. You do not want your dog to be responsible for an accident out on
the trail, or to be seriously hurt by getting kicked by one of the horses. Not all horses tolerate
them and they can also cause conflict with other trail users.
11. All horses should have a current original Coggins test from within the year.
12. Tack should be properly maintained. This prevents accidents. Carry extra leather strips
for repair while out on the trail, but make sure that the makeshift repairs are only temporary.
13. When meeting other users on the trail, all trail users should move to the right if that will
allow safe passage. Cyclist and hikers should yield the right of way to horses, but not all
people know this. Cooperation and education are sometimes necessary. Trail users seeking
to pass should indicate their intention verbally then wait until safe passage is possible.
14. Keep your horse under your control at all times. Do not run past other horses or trail
users. Do not ride improperly trained or aggressive horses in crowds or at an obviously
crowded trail. Stay aware at all times of your horse and those around you. RIDE your horse,
don't turn the ride over to your horse and just become a passenger.
15. Do not drink alcohol and ride. If you like to drink, do so after the ride at your trailer or in
camp and in moderation. If you can't have fun without getting wasted, at best you'll make a
fool out of yourself, and at worst, you could abuse your horse or hurt yourself or others.
In Groups:
1. Do not tailgate. Keep a safe distance between your horse and the horse in front of you
while on the trail. You should be able to see the heels of the horse in front of you between
the ears of your horse. Most horses do not respond well to strange horses riding too close.
2. Try to have a trail boss and a drag rider. These should be experienced horses and riders
who can assist less experienced horses and riders if necessary.
3. Never start until all riders are mounted up and ready to go.
4. Never pass the "Trail Boss", especially without announcing it first. This is the cause of
many riders getting separated and lost.
5. Never ride away from or leave a dismounted rider on the trail.
6. Don't let your horse scratch on or nuzzle other horses or riders. Aside from being
annoying and starting horse disputes, this is a frequent cause of "hung up" and broken head
gear.
7. Never change gaits, especially into a canter or gallop, without warning the other riders in
your group first.
8. If you are going to stop, especially from a faster gait, use the universal hand sign for
stopping so that all the other riders and horses don't end up rear-ending the horses ahead of
them.
demand for recreational trails, many trails have become, or are being built, for multi-use.
Mutual concern for safety and good trail maintenance will help maintain goodwill and
cooperation among all trail users. When encountering other trail users, courtesy is imperative.
Remember that you and your horse are ambassadors for all equestrian trail riders.
Here is a list of suggested trail ethics for equestrian trail users to follow to promote safety and
aid in the preservation of trails:
1. Ride and camp only where permitted. Some trails are restricted to horses. Such trails are
restricted either due to impact on the environment, to provide safety, reduce conflicts, or to
provide a different sort of recreation. Road use is subject to state law.
2. Do not ride on trails when they are too muddy during the rainy season. If trails are not in
good enough shape to ride, plan your ride for another day, go to a trail that can withstand the
use better, or go on a road ride. Two trails, Thompson River Trail at Crowder State Park
and the Rock Bridge Trail in Gans Creek Wildlife Area in Rock Bridge State Park are
closed when it is too wet to ride. You have to daily before riding to see if they are open. You
can check the status on this site by going to the 'Trail Status' link on the front page of the
web site.
3. Stay on the designated trails. Do not short cut the switchbacks or make new trails around
muddy patches. Do not create any new trails unless you have been authorized to do so by
the land manager. This is a safety issue as well as an ethics issue. If you go off the trail
4-hoofin' it and get thrown or fall off and get hurt, you will be much harder for the rescuers to
find if you aren't along a designated horse trail.
4. Do not remove or rearrange trail markers.
5. Know who your public land manager is and the rules that apply to that agency. Alert the
public land manager of dangerous hazards along the trail or at the trailheads.
6. Do not tie your horse directly to trees. Consider cross trying your horse, even when on a
short break or lunch break during your trail ride. Carrying an extra lead rope or small string
rope is an easy way to cross tie in the woods.
7. Pack out what you pack in and more if possible. This also includes cigarette butts.
8. Remove or scatter manure from parking areas and campsites. Some places even provide
a compost bin for this purpose. For those that don't, carry a shovel, broom, and garbage
bags for areas where scattering is not feasible.
9. Stallions should have a yellow ribbon prominently displayed in their tails. Horses that kick
should display a red ribbon and known biters should have a blue ribbon tied in their tails.
10. No unleashed dogs are supposed to be allowed on the trails so leave your dog back at
your trailer or at home. You do not want your dog to be responsible for an accident out on
the trail, or to be seriously hurt by getting kicked by one of the horses. Not all horses tolerate
them and they can also cause conflict with other trail users.
11. All horses should have a current original Coggins test from within the year.
12. Tack should be properly maintained. This prevents accidents. Carry extra leather strips
for repair while out on the trail, but make sure that the makeshift repairs are only temporary.
13. When meeting other users on the trail, all trail users should move to the right if that will
allow safe passage. Cyclist and hikers should yield the right of way to horses, but not all
people know this. Cooperation and education are sometimes necessary. Trail users seeking
to pass should indicate their intention verbally then wait until safe passage is possible.
14. Keep your horse under your control at all times. Do not run past other horses or trail
users. Do not ride improperly trained or aggressive horses in crowds or at an obviously
crowded trail. Stay aware at all times of your horse and those around you. RIDE your horse,
don't turn the ride over to your horse and just become a passenger.
15. Do not drink alcohol and ride. If you like to drink, do so after the ride at your trailer or in
camp and in moderation. If you can't have fun without getting wasted, at best you'll make a
fool out of yourself, and at worst, you could abuse your horse or hurt yourself or others.
In Groups:
1. Do not tailgate. Keep a safe distance between your horse and the horse in front of you
while on the trail. You should be able to see the heels of the horse in front of you between
the ears of your horse. Most horses do not respond well to strange horses riding too close.
2. Try to have a trail boss and a drag rider. These should be experienced horses and riders
who can assist less experienced horses and riders if necessary.
3. Never start until all riders are mounted up and ready to go.
4. Never pass the "Trail Boss", especially without announcing it first. This is the cause of
many riders getting separated and lost.
5. Never ride away from or leave a dismounted rider on the trail.
6. Don't let your horse scratch on or nuzzle other horses or riders. Aside from being
annoying and starting horse disputes, this is a frequent cause of "hung up" and broken head
gear.
7. Never change gaits, especially into a canter or gallop, without warning the other riders in
your group first.
8. If you are going to stop, especially from a faster gait, use the universal hand sign for
stopping so that all the other riders and horses don't end up rear-ending the horses ahead of
them.
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