Trail Riding 101

It’s that time again. Time to hit the beautiful Colorado trails with your favorite mount, and maybe a few friends. There’s no doubt that somewhere along the trail you are bound to encounter some folks who are also enjoying the beautiful trail you chose to ride for the day. Pop quiz: Do you know the guidelines when it comes to safely sharing the trail? If you encounter a hiker, who has the right-of-way? Most individuals don’t know the guidelines for sharing the trails, and that the equestrian has the right-of-way. In other words, anyone else using the trail should yield to a horse and rider. This includes bicyclists, hikers and off-highway vehicles (OHVs).

To make sure everyone has a safe trail experience this Summer, The Horse Protection League is excited to provide a few key principles for sharing Colorado trails with others thanks to The Boulder County Horse Association’s (BCHA) publication, Sharing Trails Safely With Horses. This brochure identifies the most critical moment on the trail as when someone first approaches a horse. Communication with the rider is essential at this point. The rider will have the best suggestion about how to safely pass their horse. If you are approaching an equestrian from the front, stop and step to the downhill side of the trail. Since horses are prey animals in nature, you are less likely to be viewed as a threat by the horse if you are downhill; predators are more likely to “pounce” from the uphill side causing an instinctual fear in the horse. If you approach an equestrian from behind, begin calling to the rider until you get a response. Never pass an equestrian on the trail from behind without both horse and rider knowing you are there, and having received instructions from the rider about how to pass. You could be putting everyone at risk for injury by spooking the horse, or by getting yourself kicked.

The following guidelines for encountering a horse and rider on the trail are presented in five categories: Bicyclists, Hikers, OHVs, Equestrians, and General Guidelines that apply to any activity that utilizes outdoor trails.

Bicyclists

v Bicyclists may not realize that bicycles are swift, silent and low to the ground. This can resemble a predator to a horse and trigger a “flight” response in even the best trained horse.

v When approaching a horse from any direction, stop your bike and do not advance until you get directions from the rider. The rider will advise you on the safest way to pass. Slowly accelerate away from the horse after passing.

v It is your responsibility to be in control. Do not let your brakes cause skidding. The sudden noise and dust may frighten a horse, and put the rider at risk.

Hikers

v Hikers can help calm a spooking horse by slowly removing your backpack. Your backpack may hide the fact that you are human, and give a horse the perception that you are a predator.

v Leash your dog, or have it under voice control, when you see a horse and rider approaching. Never allow your dog to chase livestock or wildlife.

v Check with the rider before approaching a horse. Ask permission to pat the horse; most riders will be happy to oblige.

OHVs

v Shut off your engine. The sound and vibration of your vehicles can scare horses. Also, having the engine off makes it easier to communicate with the rider.

v Removing your helmet will help calm a spooky horse by allowing the horse to see that you are a human, and not a predator underneath.

v Drivers should slow down around blind corners and anticipate the presence of other trail users. Because of their higher speeds, OHVs require a greater stopping distance than any other occupant on the trails.

Equestrians

v Let other riders know if special care is needed to pass your horse safely.

v Slow to a walk when approaching any other trail users, including other equestrians.

v Find a place to get off the trail, facing oncoming traffic. Your horse will feel safer on the high side of the trail. Horses will have less impact on the environment/terrain by briefly leaving the trail than will any other type of trail user doing so.

General Guidelines

v Downhill traffic yields to uphill traffic.

v Keep right, pass left.

v Stay on designated trails or follow travel management regulations.

v Respect private property.

v Leave gates as you find them.

v Carry out your trash and that of others.

v Be aware of each other’s needs on the trail.

These are just a few of the key principles included in Sharing Trails Safely With Horses. However, the resonating message throughout the publication is communication. This communication between trail users is crucial to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable trail experience. Be Courteous, be safe and have fun!

All trail users should yield to equestrians.

The Horse Protection League would like to thank the Boulder County Horse Association for allowing HPL to use the valuable information contained in Sharing Trails Safely With Horses for this newsletter and our website.

For more information about the Boulder County Horse Association, and their publications (Sharing Trails Safely With Horses; Colorado’s Poisonous Menace: Do You Know What Your Horse is Eating? (a noxious weed and pasture management brochure); Adopt-a-Trail; and the Boulder County Horse Association, Horse Services Directory, just to name a few), please visit their website at: www.boulderhorse.org.

HPL is proud to also offer access to these BCHA publications through our educational programs, gift shop and booth sites around the Denver area. Most publications are free of charge, but some are available for a nominal fee.