We witnessed a bit of this on our ride this
year. We heard "there weren't enough glow sticks on such and such part of
the trail." We used sticks to guide riders, not light up the whole
trail. We did use red light sticks to warn of a potential danger or
obstacle. Portions of the trail were so confined to a ridge top that there
was nowhere else to go. Other portions were also confined without options,
but in the forest. Not enough light from the moon to see the trail, but
the horses seem to know where the trail is...they can smell it, if nothing
else. Light sticks have become a security blanket for uneasy riders, not
just a method of pointing the way or assuring the rider he is on the right
trail. I imagine I would be nervous, too, but if horses can see at night
as well as it is said, we can let them do some of the searching on the
trail. I shouldn't be too critical, as it has been MANY years since I have
ridden at night. I think we need to trust ride management to use good
judgment as to where and how many light sticks to hang. RMs know the trail
better than anyone else.
