I have to say that I have had wonderful luck with
mountain bikers. One time in particular, their careful courtesy probably
saved my life. I was on a trail in the Angeles Forest. The trail was
about 2 1/2 feet wide and the canyon was some 500' below. We met two
bikers. They laid their bikes down one against the hill side and one on
the cliff side. Sun walked between watching carefully to be sure he
didn't step on the peddles, that were maybe a foot apart. The bikers stood
very still until we passed.
My husband is an avid Mountain Biker so I have managed to get him to be a
bit or an equestrian ambassador with other bikers. It really helps if
the bikers understand and are told in a polite way that horses are flight
animals and some times if flight is not possible or suddenly startled they
will fight. I think once bikers understand that it is their safety as
much as ours that we are concerned about they listen... in my experience
anyway.
When I talk to many bikers they say that equestrians are so nasty to them
on the trail. They really are surprised when I am
friendly. I think fear plays a huge factor in how equestrians react
to bikers and anger never gets the message across.
I had a jogger with a baby jogging stroller run me off a trail. He
had NO intention of stopping his pace. It was a single track trail with
really no where to go. Fortunately, I was riding my sensible gelding
that went up the steep bank to the right calmly. I calmly (believe
me I wanted to scream) asked the jogger if he was at all concerned for his
child's safety? That stopped him. I explained to him that many
horses would have been extremely frightened by his approach and very likely
could have ended up on top of his child in panic as there is no where else to
go. At first he grumbled, and said we shouldn't be on the
trail. I said but we ARE and as along as we are allowed to be
we will be. I told him if he isn't concerned for himself
then be concerned for his child. He heard me, but only
because I stayed calm and had a conversation with him... not a screaming
match.
Trails are more and more scarce. We have to learn to share them or
soon there wont be enough.
Jennifer
Jonni Jewell <jonnij@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
I
think the key thing we all must remember when using trails that are
open to other types of users, is to be a good equestrian ambassador. If
you have trouble with someone on a bicycle on a trail they ARE allowed
on, try to politely educate them as to how to deal with sharing the trail
with horses. As Jim said, teach your horse to deal with what ever might
be sharing the trail. When you pass a hiker, bicycler etc. on the trail,
say HELLO. Comment on what a beautiful day it is to be out on the trails.
Chat with them when given the chance. Many of the other users are afraid
of the horses. Bike riders don't always know to say something when they
pass. They think the noise will spook the animal. If your horse kicks
them as they pass, I would not want to have it go to court, as you could
be found at fault for having an animal that kicks on a public trail. (the
laws can twist things in directs one never expects) Explain to them to
call out to a rider, that they would like to pass when you have a chance.
Suggest bells on their bikes for the horses to hear.
If you have a
HUGE problem with bike riders, then try to go to the local bike shop and
ask if you could leave some hand outs on how to work together with horses
on the trails. If there is a local mountain biking club, offer to speak
at a meeting. We need to always work WITH these other users, so to not
lose trail access all together. Don't make the other users thing
that equestrians are
jerks.
Jonni
============================================================ If
people would just think of the hoof as the foundation for the horse
like a house foundation. when your horse plants his foot down in the
ground and pushes forward if the foot isn't 100% balanced your chances of
injury go up. ~ Paula Blair
