Trail Etiquette - Part 2

Teach your horse to keep moving while dropping manure on the trail. Smaller droppings will disappear faster than a large pile. It will also be easier to kick off the trail and less irritating to a hiker. On lunch stops spread any manure. Leave the area as much as possible like you found it or even better! Such as if you find old manure kick it to spread it. Pick up manure found at trail head parking lots, put it in your trailer. With the concern of noxious weeds it is safer than throwing it out in the bushes.

Teach your horse to tie for longer than a few minutes at home. To be safe on a trail ride, your horse needs to tie and be quiet about it. Pawing is not good trail manners and neither are pulling and going around in circles. This is best taught at home first. Learn to tie a safe knot of your choice that your horse cannot untie. Tie to trees for as short a time as possible and then only to trees that are bigger around than 8 inches. Tie to the tree at a level higher than your horses head. Check to be sure that your rope is not so long as to allow your horse to get tangled up or get a foot over the rope. Rope burns are nasty!

If you are going to be riding where your horse is likely to encounter a back packer, try to have someone with a pack accustom your horse to this foreign object on a person before you hit the trail. Horses do not recognize this strange looking being as a person! When meeting people on the trail with packs, fishing poles, bikes, etc. Try to get the person to talk! Be watchful and stop your horse a safe distance from the person. Ask the person to take the low side of the trail so you can pass safely. Sometimes these folks seem to forget they have a voice! It helps to ask them where they are going? Or how's the trail up ahead or similar questions. Even then some act like their tongue is tied. I've had to resort to telling them that the horse doesn't know they are a person so PLEASE speak! Most folks are compliant but you'll encounter those who will get belligerent when asked to go to the low side of the trail. That is their problem! Any trail that is OK 'd for horse use will uphold the rule that the horse has the right of way and the hiker needs to go to the low side of the trail. If you can see a hiker in advance and can see a safe place to get well off the trail, do so. Let other trail users know if there are more horses to come.

It is a wise practice to try mounting your horse from the off side at home before needing to mount or dismount from the off side on a narrow trail. Remember to mount from the uphill side of your horse!! If you encounter another person with a walkie-talkie or similar noisy machine ask the person to please turn it off till you are out of sight.

When encountering cars or motorcycles hand signals can be used to alert them to stop or slow down. Such as raise your hand. Most get the idea quickly.

Leave your dogs at home unless you have contacted the person who is sponsoring the ride to make sure it is ok. If bringing dogs when it is ok to do so, remember you are responsible to make sure that your dog is under control and is horse wise. Use of any illegal substances or activities is not permitted and use of alcohol by minors is not permitted. Use of alcohol by adults should be used with good judgement. You are responsible for your behavior and that of your horse. We are guests in the forest, do not leave trash behind or ride on or down areas that will erode and damage the environment. Stay on the trails.

Be slow to offer your opinion on how a horse should be taught to say, load in a horse trailer, etc. If you see someone having trouble ask first if they would like some help? Don't assume you know how to do it. Like using a whip to get their horse to load into the trailer without asking first. There are usually several different ways to get the job done. Respect the other person's opinion even if you are sure you know a better way!

If you know you are a slow rider or you are a fast rider ask around to find like riders, everyone will be happier! A green horse or inexperienced horse can benefit from being ridden with a well-seasoned horse. So think a little bit before your ride what you as a rider and horse need to make this ride a safe and fun experience for all! Happy Trails!