The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Trail Riding Etiquette

82K views 237 replies 96 participants last post by  walkinthewalk 
#1 ·
I was reading another post and thought maybe some folks don't know there is a trail riding etiquette.
Here is a list I found on Outfitters Supply, horse and mule trail riding and pack gear
I'm highlighting a few really important ones in my book anyway.
--------------

Trail Riding Etiquette

I don’t need to tell you that there are no “official” rules for trail riding, like there are for, say, driving. But there are some commonly accepted practices that I think are good to remind ourselves of every once in a while. And while the word “etiquette” implies good manners, trail etiquette is as much about safety as it is about courtesy. Horses are herd animals and prey animals and this is the driving force behind how they think. Most horses do not like to be “abandoned” and can get upset if they feel this is occurring. When they encounter something which they perceive as frightening, their natural prey animal reaction is to jump (and run). Much of what is listed below comes from an understanding of these facts.

When encountering hikers and bikers
Ideally hikers and bikers will yield to a rider.
When encountering hikers or bikers, talk to them and get them to talk to you. Hikers with backpacks and bikers with helmets do not look human. Explain this to them and ask them to speak so that your horse will understand that this “thing” is actually just a person.
Ask them to stand off on the downhill side of the trail. Once again, horses are prey animals and often attacked from above, so keep the scary looking thing down low. It can also be easier to control a horse going uphill if he spooks.
Stay relaxed yourself and keep talking to the hiker and your horse if he is nervous.
Find out if there are more in their party and tell them how many in your party.
Thank them for their cooperation and be kind and courteous. We are all out there to enjoy ourselves.
Dogs
I think we all understand the problems that loose dogs can cause, so I will suffice it to say: if you can’t control your dog (with your voice from horseback) or he is ill-mannered with other people or animals, leave him at home.
Other horses
In theory, single riders will yield to pack strings. Be prepared for this not to be the case (see item “3d").
In theory, downhill riders will yield to uphill riders. Be prepared for this not to be the case (see item “3d").
Do not try to squeeze by other horses, you are asking for all kinds of trouble. Instead, give yourself plenty of room to go around.
I generally yield to anyone coming up or down the trail if I can because I know my animals and my riding ability. I don’t know their animals or their riding ability. So I take the safer route and yield myself.
If it is a narrow trail with no way to move off to let another pass, decide who should turn around.
Always turn your horse to the down hill side. He can see his front feet and won’t step off the trail. He cannot see his back feet or where he is putting them as well, so you want to keep those on the trail.
Unless you know the oncoming horse and rider and their abilities, it is safest to assume that the horse and rider are both inexperienced and be prepared that anything could happen as you or they go by.
You want to maintain a distance of about one horse length between horses while going down the trail. This leaves you time and space to react safely in the event of an accident in front of you.
When you encounter a short bridge on the trail, walk the horses across one at a time. Allow more than the usual single horse length between each horse over longer bridges.
For your safety and the safety of others around you, pay attention to your horse and keep him under control. Keep a peripheral eye on the rest of the horses and the environment around you. Being prepared for anything to happen can often prevent a bad wreck.
Think like a horse, especially if you are the leader of the group. If you look at objects on the trail like a prey animal (is it unfamiliar or potentially dangerous), you can help prepare yourself for anything. Once again preparation and awareness can be the difference between a controlled flight and a bad wreck.
Nasty horses in the back. If your horse is unruly, he should bring up the rear where his poor behavior will not be witnessed by the other horses and cause them to get upset as well. And, if you are lucky, he may learn a thing or two from watching calmer horses in front of him all day.
Tie a red ribbon in the tail of a horse that kicks. If you are following a horse with a red ribbon, obviously it would be safer to maintain a little more distance between you, but also you might be extra watchful for signs of forewarning: pinned ears, swishing tail, hind leg at the ready, etc. Remember that your horse could move to avoid the kick and put you in its path instead. A broken leg or knee from a kick 10 steep miles from the trailer is no fun.

Mares in season and stallions can present special problems on the trail. They require an extra level of attention on the part of the rider and the others in the group. If you are riding one, be extra vigilant of her/his behavior. If you are not, but they are part of your group, keep an extra eye out on these animals. Ideally the rider on either of these animals would be an experienced horseman, but we all know you can’t count on that. Warn oncoming riders if necessary. And then also consider that any horse you may pass on the trail could be a mare in season or a stallion and that the rider may not be experienced.
Watch the footing, especially on uphills and downhills. Gravel on rocks is like ice. Wet bridges can also be very slippery. If you encounter problems, warn any riders behind you.
When leading and/or riding with anyone behind you
Walk
Ask before trotting/loping
Warn of holes, bad footing and other dangers
Warn when you are stopping
Warn if a branch might snap back in someone’s face

Keep track of other riders behind you
Take turns leading, if possible…share the dust.
When you reach a watering area, take turns and don’t crowd. Wait for everyone to finish before moving off. And remember your Leave No Trace ethics: do not destroy additional water front so you can all water at the same time. Use only the obvious area where animals come down to drink.
Stop if there is a wreck. This should be pretty obvious. Your help may be needed. But also, once again, horses are herd animals and do not like to be left alone, especially in an unfamiliar area. If you ride off, while someone is trying to mount back up, their horse could panic and take off to catch up with the group.
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics:
Don’t cut switchbacks.
Try not to walk through soft, wet ground. Horses’ hooves are sharp and destroy vegetation.
Pick up all your trash, including cigarette butts, and pack it out.
Pick up other people’s trash to keep places as pristine as possible and set a good example.

Be respectful of those who live there and those who will visit behind you.
Take only pictures, leave only footprints.
Always be prepared for the idiot or the inconsiderate. Be prepared for someone to take off at a gallop while you are mounting, bump into you from behind or stop dead in front of you.
Keep your comments to yourself (or pick your battles). Unless the situation is a health risk or puts a life in danger, refrain from passing on your horsemanship wisdom. Many people may not respond well to a “know-it-all” or will resent the implication that they are stupid. Your “helpful suggestions” may cause more harm than good.
Additional safety items
Always carry ID on your person and on your horse in case you become separated.
Tell someone where you are going in case you don’t come home, even when riding with a group.
Carry basic survival gear on your horse and at least the bare minimum on your person: cell phone, matches, food, water.
Following basic trail etiquette can help ensure the safety of you, your horse and others who ride with you or you meet on the trail. But just as importantly, it can keep the trails open to horses. Many trails are closed to horses because of riders who abused the privilege. It is a privilege as much as your right to ride these trails. Remember that you are always an ambassador of horseback riding and that we all share the outdoors. If non-riders always meet a courteous and polite horseman on the trail, their impression of all of us will hopefully remain positive.
 
See less See more
#30 ·
Great post!

I don't ride in a group anymore because the horse I ride is very competitive. Even when we're by ourselves I still have a time controlling him, but in a group, forget it. It makes the people I ride with uncomfortable, as well, because he has a reputation, so I just figured there was no point in messing up their rides as well as rubbing my nerves raw.

What makes me nervous is when the rider in front of you is nervous and keeps looking back at your horse and saying, "please keep him back, please keep him back" and I'm over a foot behind. But anyway :) For the most part I've had very good trail experiences.
 
#31 ·
Thanks so much. I am planning on beginning trail riding this fall and joining a group in the spring and going on a 100mile ride in the summer. Some of this information I had not thought of. Again thank you.

Add: When stopping as a group don't have the rears of the horses facing or directly facing each other. This can provoke fights.
 
#33 ·
I am somewhat new to the horse riding as well as trail riding. I see that my expierence as a x-biker and off roader helps with some of this etiquette and I have to say that most of this is common sense and a little thoughtfullness of your fellow rider. With that said, I would like to find some of the smaller trail rides. I went on the Okie/Arkie ride for one day and let me tell you every bit of etiquette was ignored. I am anxious to hear about some of the more relaxed trail rides.
 
#34 ·
I have been riding for years, and have been a professional guide for trailrides in some of the roughest and most beautiful country on this continent. I have learned that in the end, both the safety and pleasure of myself and my horse depends on OUR skill, calmness, experience and good humor. Mine and my horse's.

All of the advice given on here is entirely correct, and should be not only be followed, but taught and insisted on. However, people are people, and there are those who will be clueless or careless 'till the day they die. It's just human nature. It is my responsibility, therefore, to not put any horse of mine in a situation where they will likely face something they are clearly not ready for.

Never go on a ride where you will be not have an authoritative say in what is going on around you if you even suspect that your horse will not do well around these ignorant or careless people. And if there are more than 3 riders, the you can bet odds are multiplied exponentially that there will be an "undesirable" in the group. And a trail ride of 300? 100? 25? You and your horse has to have the control, calm and experience to do all of your thinking and that of a dozen other people. Simultaneously. There are some horses I just will not take on some rides, it's not fair to the horse. My horse.

So, my advice on trail etiquette? Don't go on a ride where you or you horse's inexperience could possible add to any already out-of-control ... person. :)
 
#35 ·
Alaska Packer, I agree I was in over my head on this ride and my fault for not investigating before leaping into this ride. A combination of experience and a few idiots and the ride turned sour in a heartbeat. There was one bad habbit my horse had that after this ride he seemed to have lost but he always had to be in front of other horses so the ride wasn't a total loss but just disappointing. Thanks for the advice and I am sure as my experience grows so will my level of riding.
 
#37 ·
I had heard the tips before, on trail riding. Always good to refresh my memory. I did not know the yellow for stallions tip. Thanks for the head's up. I wold have guessed it was a cowardly horse - ha ha.
 
#38 ·
In reference to the the tree branch snapping back at another rider, it is better to lift it over you head and have it come down behind you. Also, if you are bringing a cell phone with, carry it on yourself and not on the horse.

Otherwise, you have many good points that everyone needs to know. Many should be common sense, but too many don't seem to have that.
 
#39 ·
I would like to add one more thing: when approaching a blind spot, such as a hill or corner in the trail, do it at a walk. You never know what or who is on the other side.
 
#41 ·
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.
 
#42 ·
Trail Courtesy

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.
 
#43 ·
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.
 
#45 ·
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.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#46 ·
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.
 
#47 · (Edited)
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!
 
#48 ·
I dont 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, dont 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.

Dont 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.
 
#52 ·
Some great coments. When i was hacking out in england i used to pass a lady walking her two dogs,every time she saw us coming she would hide behind a tree or bush! Well it would take lots of leg to get close enough to screem at her to come out, I tried too tell her how a horse knew she was there and its worse if they carnt see them,but on deaf ears this fell, and now im in the usa were i have to ware bright colour so the hunters wont shot! Oh the great outdoors.
 
#53 ·
S and now im in the usa were i have to ware bright colour so the hunters wont shot! Oh the great outdoors.
Thank god the founding fathers were smart enough to protect the right to keep and bear arms.

Wearing bright colors during hunting season is a small price to pay for liberty.

To quote the late Barry Goldwater, “I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.”

And another Barry Goldwater quote, “Equality, rightly understood as our founding fathers understood it, leads to liberty and to the emancipation of creative differences; wrongly understood, as it has been so tragically in our time, it leads first to conformity and then to despotism”
 
#56 · (Edited)
hunting has nothing to do with protecting liberty or the RTKBA, It's also pretty smart to wear blaze orange in the woods during hunting season as a safety item to keep from getting shot. In fact it is required by law in many plces whether you are hunting or not. So now that person is ignorant ? Blaze Orange is SOmething even other hunters wear. Your not wearing orange to keep from falling on your head. Like it or not it is a dont get shot safety item.
 
#57 ·
hunting has nothing to do with protecting liberty
Tennessee recently passed a right to hunt bill. It was passed to protect liberty and ensure future generations hunting. So, hunting is now a right in Tennessee.

My issue with the right to hunt bill is, now that it's a right, can they continue to tax (license) it?

Orange is always a good idea during hunting season. I do change my riding plans to accommodate the hunting season, and usually don't ride in the Cherokee during the short time big game season is open, not out of fear, but out of respect for those who want to hunt.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top