Trail Riding Etiquette

I am new to this forum and haven't read through all of the past posts in this thread to know if this particular behavior has been addressed previously or not. My husband and I recently took a trip to The Big South Fork area in TN. First let me tell you that my husband and I are experienced riders and have been trail riding for many years. We are both in our mid 50's. We ride quarter horses and enjoy taking our time and so to speak, stopping to smell the roses and enjoying the scenery along the trails. The horses that we took on our trip to BSF are 9 and 10 years old and have logged many miles on the trails. Now, second let me add, I have nothing against riders of gaited horses. If they chose to gait down the trail at a high rate of speed, and that is what they enjoy, I am fine with that. What I am not fine with, is the lack of courtesy and common sense that we recently encountered when we met a large group of riders going in the opposite direction of us. We were riding on a trail that was wide enough for us to pass each other, but there was not a good place for us to step off of the trail. We heard these other riders coming before we could see them, so we had stopped to let them get around us. The two riders who were in the lead were traveling at a fast gait. It sounded like maybe they were racing each other. They came around a curve in the trail and could clearly see us, The two lead riders were probably in their mid to late 20's. The young man did slow down slightly, but the young lady looked like she was trying to catch up with him, so made no effort to slow down or give us time to find a place to step off of the trail. My horse thought she was being charged and her "flight instinct" kicked in gear. She started backing up and then as the young woman was racing past us, my horse jumped sideways and was trying to turn around. I managed to stay in the saddle, but it wasn't easy. This made me very angry. I don't understand why some riders act as if they own the trail and show no regard for the safety of others. The remainder of this large group of maybe a dozen riders did slow down, but not one person offered an apology for the rude behavior of the two lead riders. Third, let me add that this was the only time during our week of trail riding that we had any problems. The other riders that we met along the way were friendly and respectful.

Keep in mind that while rude, at that age they may be inexperienced trail riders. Lets hope that someone in the group had a talk with them. It also could be, with that age group, it's more about "me" and a talk will do no good.

Most the trail bike riders I've had problems with are in that age range. Younger and older riders tend to be much more considerate.

Welcome QHTrailRider. Welcome to the forum and so glad you weren't hurt. Some folks are just plain old rude, some are just clueless and were never taught trail etiquette. Hopefully, someone in their group gave them a heads up later.

Thanks for posting this. As a newbie to the horse world, I appreciate any help and advice I can get.

Welcome to the forum this is some thing that happen from time to time people need to learn when it happens to them then they will learn that that is not funny

Great post Vida! A lot of this is common sense and basic manners but no matter what there's going to be the one person who doesn't have the common sense, experience, or politeness and need it all in black and white. It is awesome that you found this and I would have LOVED to have something like this when I first got into trail riding!

When hacking look around how many horse are hanging around nrarby.
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Another one I found out the hard way, if your guides start drinking, don't go!! I was on a ride and the guides were so drunk that they got us lost, we had several people who needed assistance, and they were so drunk they couldn't even sit on their own horses!! We paid good money for that guided ride and it ended up one of the riders had to call 911 to get us out of there, thank goodness he got service.

What a bunch of jerks, I hate trail ride drinkers that don't share....

What I have problems with;
- People allowing their horses to eat, thus holding up the entire group as they fight for the animal's head once they finally realize what's going on. There's nothing that gets me angrier, I swear. I always stay very alert for this and other reasons, and am quick to correct the behavior. Some people apparently don't think the same way.

- When riders that cannot keep up with the group are placed near the front, or halfway through the line. If we're ready to canter and their horse is keen on staying at a trot, it ruins the experience for any of the people behind said slow-poke.

- People that overestimate their riding abilities, and are on mounts they cannot control. This floors me. I never say anything as I'm a polite person, but this is certainly something that irks me. Be willing to accept your weaknesses and please, for the riders with you, don't take out a horse above your level.

Just a few things that tick me off. C: