Basic Trail Horse Etiquette

August 2009                                     

Trail Etiquette 

As a member of the Connecticut Horse Council Volunteer Horse Patrol Unit,  I am always on the trail.  One thing i always try to keep in mind when out on the trail is to be polite.  Trail Etiquette is one thing that many horse owner forget when they hit the trail.  Below are some suggestions that you should keep in mind next time you hit the trail.

First and for most, Don’t ride on private property without permission. Respect property owners.  Make sure that "you" have their permission to ride on or cross over their land.  Do not gallop across open fields, leaving hoof prints behind or destroying crops. Use common sense and stay to the edges. Again, it takes one bad experience to ruin it for everyone else. If you absolutely feel the need to let you horse stretch its legs make sure its in a area where it won’t disrupt anything or anyone.  Find a soft dirt road or a hay field that has just been cut so you won’t trample the grass.

Protect the environment.  Don’t cut switchbacks and avoid using trails that get muddy very easily. Also,  Unless stated somewhere avoid swimming with your horse.  I live along the coast and it is strongly suggested that horse not go swimming because of the shellfish colonies.

Train your horse to keep moving will pooping so the whole load doesn't land in one spot.  In some cases, on well used multiple use trails and Greenways, it's a good idea to dismount and move the manure over to the side, or go back & clean up.  

Now that we have the basics down you should make sure you and your horse is “trail savvy” You should be a skilled enough rider to manage your horse at different speeds, be able to negotiate a variety of terrains, and deal with unexpected situations.  Even beginning riders can have a safe, happy trail ride if they know their limitations, are properly equipped, and are accompanied by other experienced trail riders.

Riders need to use common sense and follow basic safety rules when on the trail.  Don't ride alone, have a general plan for which direction you're going and about how long you'll be out, and tell someone or leave a note. If you do ride alone stay close to home and if you are at park tell a ranger where you are riding and when you expect to be back. Remember to Pay attention to the weather; some horses tend to get spooky just before or after a storm, or during cold or very windy weather.  Never ride out in thunderstorms.  It's dangerous! 

Now that you are ready is your horse. Good trail horses need just as much training to develop specific skills for their work as horses in other disciplines.  Generally, a safe trail horse will be a sound, willing partner suited to his rider, and neither lagging far behind, nor charging out in front.  When riding with a group, safety dictates that the group ride at a speed at which the least experienced rider is comfortable.  This way the group stays together and can "sandwich" novices during encounters with other trail users or in difficult situations.                                                                                             A courteous trail rider trains their horse to walk carefully through water or mud, stay on the trail (no shortcuts), and pick its way through rocks.  Jumping or plunging through these areas is dangerous, and not environmentally sensitive.  Encouraging a horse to drink is fine, but some like to paw exuberantly, defecate, or roll in water.  Be polite, get a drink, move on to a less delicate part of the trail, and wait for the rest of the group.                                                                                                                             Treat the trail with respect; discourage your horse from snacking.  Some plants may be toxic to horses; others could be endangered species. Eating and trampling vegetation leads to bare dirt, which leads to destroyed vegetation and polluted streams.  Minimize impact by staying on designated trails and avoiding muddy conditions.         Many horses will move slightly to the side to relieve themselves, the responsible trail user will try to keep his horse's end products away from high traffic multiple-use areas.  If a horse is trained to keep moving while defecating, the material will biodegrade within days (because equines are herbivores), and with less environmental impact.  Deep hoof prints and manure are the two biggest concerns of other trail users.   Don't smoke on the trail, don't litter, and keep the trail head clear of manure and trash.  Be environmentally responsible, and trail-train your horse.  Your goal is to leave no trace

If you want to learn more about equestrian trail laws in your state, contact your State Department of Environmental Protection Agency.  And remember to share the road and be respectful.