Share the Trails

• At some point while enjoying state and national parks hikers, joggers, and horse enthusiasts will meet whether on a shared trail or where trails cross.
• A common trail rule across the country is:

          Hikers and joggers yield to horses.

• The concept is that hikers and joggers can stop and go easily and should give the right of way. Horses are big and unpredictable so they get the right of way.
• It is up to the equestrian to think safety at all times, take control of encounters with others, and be diplomatic and polite.
• Take the opportunity of a meeting as a way to improve public relations and share your interests. Horse enthusiasts are passionate about their horses; hikers are equally passionate about the hiking experience. If you have small children, ask if the child can pet the horse or come closer. Most riders will proudly show off their mount. Also, remember that some riders may be children.
• Remember, each is at the park to enjoy the scenery and relish the day!

When Meeting a Horse

on a Trail or Trail Crossing

• Get off the trail on the downhill side. Horses will tend to bolt uphill when spooked. Also, to a horse, you waiting on the uphill side looks more like a predator waiting to pounce.
• Quietly greet the rider and ask if you are OK where you are. The rider knows the horse the best. Expect the rider to advise you, not as a lack of courtesy, but rather with knowledge of the horse's temperament and behavior.
• When encountering a horse, speak in a calm, pleasant tone so the horse hears a human voice. Do not hide.
• Stand quietly while the horse passes.
• Use your voice to warn equestrians-sudden movement of your hands, arm, or body will startle the horse and put you and the rider at risk. The same for children waving sticks or hikers moving a walking stick.
• Horse trainers often take inexperienced horses on trails for training. Horses are not born trained for trails. This training takes many hours under saddle, patience, and experience with different obstacles.

If on the same trail.......

• Never pass a horse from behind. Calmly call out that you want to pass, so the rider can turn the horse around to face you. Then you may pass. Passing from behind increases the risk of being kicked.
  
• If there is a horse coming towards you, it is best to stop and allow the horse to pass. Don't forget to say ‘hello' to the horse and rider.

Understanding the Horse

• Horses have highly tuned senses, whose instinct is to run away from danger. The inherent unpredictability of the horse is why the standard multiple-use trail regulations give equestrians the right of way.

• Horses are afraid of things that move and afraid of things that don't.

• Horses often will tense up when coming up on something new on the trail. Often they may not be able to identify the other person as a human (wearing a helmet, a backpacker, hiking clothing). The rider may ask you to say ‘hello' or "please say something so he/she knows you're a friendly human" to help a horse to relax.

• Horses communicate through body language. Every move you make is speaking to the horse.

For more information on trail etiquette, Google trail etiquette

• With compliments from: Mountain Gait Acres