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365 Days in Horse Country – Trail Etiquette


Blog by Michael Stuart Webb | July 4th, 2013


365 Days in Horse Country – Trail Etiquette
 

 


Trail riding should be a relaxing and safe way to spend time with your horse.  One way to help make it so, is to practice good trail etiquette.

When it comes to behaviour on the trail, you should adhere to some basic rules.  Follow these tenets and you, your horse, and other riders will have a more pleasant time.

  • Approach slowly – When approaching another rider, if you are trotting or loping, slow to a walk and maintain your slow pace until you are well past the other horse.
     
  • Pass quietly – Don’t trot or canter up to a rider that is ahead of you on the trail.  You are likely to spook  the horse and endanger the rider.  Instead, drop down to a walk and pass calmly by.  Make sure the rider knows you are there before you come right up behind him or her.  Also, avoid yelling or doing anything that might spook the other horse.  Some horses are more easily spooked than others, and some riders are less equipped to handle the situation.  Your horse might be bombproof, but the one coming toward you might be ready to explode.
     
  • Deal properly with spooking horses – If you see another rider in trouble ahead of you on the trail, either offer to help (if you can) or stop and wait until that person has their horse under control before you proceed.
     
  • Go slowly around blind curves – When riding on winding single track trails, go slowly around blind curves.  This is for your safety as well as the safety of others since a hiker, a mountain biker, or another rider might be coming the other way.
     
  • Wait for dismounting riders  – Don’t try to attempt to ride past someone who is attempting to mount their horse.  Stop and wait until the rider is safely is on the saddle before you proceed.
     
  • Keep your dog under control – If you ride with your dog in tow, keep him on a leash or have him under strict voice control at all times.  Don’t allow your dog to approach other horses on the trail.  This is for the safety of both the horses and your dog.

 

Michael