Trail Riding Etiquette

I bought a cool item that straps to your leg. It holds your cell, keys, flashlight (small one) and other very small items, such as a money and a map, etc. It's very handy to have that on me, and as you say, USANDPETS, not on the horse. I like the idea of my phone number on my horse. Thanks for that tip. Do any of you carry those easy-boot things? I know the trails I'll be on are mostly grass, but I wondered about it.

I compete in competitive trail rides and at the rides I have learned a lot of thing in the context on manner on the trail. Many times riders are so focused on getting over the log, across the creek, or across whatever obstacle that they forget to help out those behind them.

One thing that my friends and I make sure we do is after crossing water such as a creek we will turn around and face the other riders to that their horses don’t feel rushed. This allows the horse to pause in the water and get a drink if they want to. The same with crossing obstacles, you want to let them take their time and not rush.

One other thing we do is talk to riders whether we know them or not. “Would be okay if we pass you on the left?” Or “would you mind pulling over at your convenience so we could pass you”.

I think if you just start thinking about things that you would like to have happen on the trail and start implementing them then others will follow and start using common trail courtesy.

I used to ride on Benefit Trail Rides sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation and American Diabetes Association. On all these rides there were upwards of up to 300+ horses sometimes even more. Proper trail etiquette was a requirement. Anyone not being polite was told by the pacesetter to leave the ride post haste. Even though my horse was never and I mean never a kicker I did on occasion put a red ribbon in her tail just for insurance no one would ride up on us and stay on our hind-side.

Being new to horses, this kind of information is priceless. Thank you.

All good information. It is important to be polite above all else. My only pet peeve about this is don't go to a group event if you cannot control your horse. So many people do this and then pick it with other riders " because YOU are (insert horse related action) I cannot control my hose". I just think it's silly. If someone bolts by me (although it is rude), I would feel I had some work to do on MY horse if he were to react.
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We have a horse that will try to lay down in ANY body of water. So we have him hold up so other horses can pass and take their time. Then when we are through he can go through. If not he has to be sped up to cross and others will rush through the water to keep up and not drink.

I would just like to add this, make sure if you bring a guest rider with you that you have rode with them before. One of my worst nightmares and worse wrecks ever was caused by a lady who " new how to ride" . This girl was so totally green she could have been a lime. The horse she was on grew tired of her holding the reins out with only a finger and thumb, constant thumping of sides and continuous jerking left then right, he lay down with her. She jumped off and ran away from the horse. He jumped up, ran under another horse catching the persons reins with his saddle horn and dragging her and her horse in tandem down the creek as fast as he could. Needless to say this very inexperienced liar walked the rest of the way home.Never to be invited again. Matter of fact I wish I could brand her with a warning of some sort!

One more thing, never assume a branch will bend!!! I learned this the hard way and found myself doing equine acrobatics nearly flipping off backwards. Funny now but wow that could have ended so much worse!

I don't ask permission to pass, but I always warn or give notice. I ususally try to do it only one gear faster than the horse I am passing. "PASSING AT A GAIT ON YOUR LEFT" or "PASSING ON THE RIGHT"
I tend to return politeness with politeness, but rude people get on my nerves, and although I try to maintain the moral high ground, my patience wears thin.
If you are on a snails pace, move over and let other people pass when you come to a wide spot, or prepare to get upset if I fly past you on the inside of a curve. If someone comes up behind you it should be pretty obvious they are moving a bit faster, go single file and let em by when the trail permits.
If your horse kicks, don't block the trial and tell everybody it kicks, "GET OUT OF THE WAY"
If you decide you need to adjust tack,Again, GET OUT OF THE WAY!
That last one drove me nuts, big group ride, narrow steep uphill section of trail, a rider decided right at the very top was a good spot to get off and adjust tack, 15 or so horse traffic jam casued by said rider, and the couple people behind them that just sat there and didnt say anything.

Don't stop half way up a hill, or stop when you get to the top, jamming everyone below you.
Do stop at water, and let the other horses drink.

Nice job everybody should read just to update their knowledge

I'm not sure that I'll ever go on a trail ride with 300+ riders, but all of this is very helpful information.