I write to you today, to tell you that to ban equestrian use in Colorado state parks and any
other trail in the U.S. is wrong, both morally and economically.
Horses and mules were used to
establish,and now are used to maintain, the many trails in the continental
U.S., most especially in Colorado and throughout the western
U.S., in difficult mountain and desert terrain. Without
equine muscle power and companionship, most trails would not
exist throughout the Rockies and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, to use
two examples from the western U.S. .
I have several points to make. As well as an
equestrian, I also am a hiker, camper, and bicycler. When I ride my
horse, I share the trails with hikers and bicyclers, and off-road
vehicles. There is room for all, I believe, if all respect the rights of
others. Never have I had a problem with another trail user, and in fact
have made new friends on the trail as I ride, among hikers, ATV users and
bicyclers. We all use and respect the trails.
Another important point: the claim that
horses and mules spread 'noxious weeds' is unproven. There are several
ongoing studies that I believe will prove that it is a false
claim. At forest service trailheads, horse users comply with the
regulations to use weed free hay. Noxious weeds can be spread by many
other means other than equine use -- birds, wind, water, vehicles, for
example. Please, do the research -- and do not publish false,
undocumented assertions.
Many equine organizations
contribute to the upkeep of trails. Back Country Horsemen of America
(BCHA) works with the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service,
and local and state park systems to maintain and
establish trails. Other equine organizations such as the American
Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), Arabian Horse Association (AHA), North
American Trail Riders Association (NATRC) and American Endurance
Ride Conference (AERC) also contribute significantly to keep trails open
and safe for all use. These are the organizations that I am familiar
with; however, I am certain there are many more.
To sum it up, our various equine memberships
are spread out all over the U.S. We have a
significant contribution to local, state and national economies with
our sport of trail riding. One need only visit a horse show, trail
riding event, or endurance ride, for example, to easily see the amount of
money spent in equine activities - truck and trailer sales, travel and
tourism contributing to local, rural economies, sales of tack, feedstuff
supplies, etc.
To close off trails to equine use is not only wrong
morally, it is wrong to do so for overall economical
stability.
