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Re: [RC] Horses & bikes on the trail... what to do??? #2 - Barbara McCrary

Most people (for centuries) did not ride or drive Arab horses, but colder-blooded horses that tended to remain calm and accepting. I love riding an Arab, but they are much more likely to be reactive than cold-blooded breeds. All I ask of bicycle riders is some vocal communication before they come up behind me. One day while riding one of our tours of duty as State Park Mounted Assistance Unit riders, on a single-lane dirt road, a cyclist sped by me on the right without any warning. He was lucky my horse didn't kick him galley-west. I didn't even hear him coming. Most bike riders in the park have the kindness and courtesy to stop and talk to us and the horses as we ride by. Contrary to your opinion, I'm not in the least embarrassed, but truly grateful, and I say as much to the riders.

Barbara

----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Sherrell" <mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Ridecamp (E-mail)" <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, December 22, 2006 11:25 AM
Subject: FW: [RC] Horses & bikes on the trail... what to do??? #2


How about this?

"Do not crash into a horse. As long as you follow this simple rule,
controlling the horse is the rider's responsibility, and if they are unable
to, they should not ride in public."

It's an embarrassment to me as a horseman that people think they have to
tiptoe past us, climb up the sides of hills to get off the trail, clutch
their children like hens in the shadow of a hawk, and so on. For centuries
horses were how people got around in public, country and city both, and
nobody thought twice about it. Now people almost expect you to have a siren
and flashing red lights to warn them you're coming.

Regards,

Mike Sherrell

Grizzly Analytical (USA)
707 887 2919/fax 707 887 9834
www.grizzlyanalytical.com



-----Original Message-----
From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of ALYCIN HAYES
Sent: Friday, December 22, 2006 10:09 AM
To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [RC] Horses & bikes on the trail... what to do???


Thought the following trail guidelines I was asked to write for a local
trail web site bikers might be of interest to you and your trail web sites
too. The better relations we equestrians have with bikers the more trails
we will be able to share and keep riding our horses on.
Happy Trails & Happy Holidays,
Alycin

Horses, Bikes, Roller blades and Runners On The Trail: What To Do?

HORSES ALWAYS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY ON THE TRAIL.  Not only because it is
the law, but because horses are much larger and by nature  unpredictable.

When riding a bicycle, roller blading or jogging on the multi-use Florida
Gainesville Hawthorne Trail you may encounter horses. It is our
responsibility to know what to do. Horses are sensitive prey animals with
minds of their own. Unlike a bike rider, someone on a horse does not always
have total control over his horse. Bicycles can be very frightening to
horses because they are so quiet and can move very fast. It is of extreme
importance that one be careful around horses. The practical guidelines
below are primarily for bikers and equestrians, but all trail uses may find
them useful.

WHAT BIKERS SHOULD KNOW WHEN MEETING A HORSE ON THE TRAIL:
COMMUNICATE!!! This is probably the most important thing you can do. If the
horse sees you standing there not saying anything, instinct tells it that
you are a predator crouching in wait like a tiger. Start a conversation,
talk about the weather, the horse, the trail. Speaking to the rider will
help reassure the horse and also does wonders for relations between cyclists
and equestrians. Anything individual trail users can do to show mutual
respect for each other helps all users.

IF APPROACHING A HORSE GOING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION - and you wish to pass,
you should slow down to yield the trail. Ask the equestrian if they want
you to stop so they can pass you. It is usually prudent to stop and let the
equestrian go by, but ask the rider what you should do. Sometimes the rider
will ask you to continue riding while they wait on the side of the trail.
Sometimes they will pass through while you wait.

IF APPROACHING A HORSE FROM BEHIND -TAKE EXTRA CARE ! Don't speed past the
horse like a cheetah. This is almost certain to startle the horse, which
puts the equestrian and YOU in danger. Horses have exceptionally good
hearing and vision but can't see directly behind themselves very well, so
approaching from behind can be dangerous to both the equestrian and the
bicyclist. Again, communication is critical: Gently announce yourself well
in advance to let the rider know that you are approaching from behind. Say
hello so the horse knows you are there and a human not a predator. Slow
down. Ask the rider if you may pass the horse on the right or left as the
case may be and then if the rider says yes, pass slowly as you continue to
talk to horse and rider. Remember that horses have individual temperaments
and only the horse's rider knows the horse's personality. Trust the riders
judgment.

If you encounter a horse that seems very nervous or out of control, stop and
get off your bicycle. Yes, you should get off your bike. This is not only
for your safety, it will also help the horse recognize that you are a human
(versus some weird alien monster with wheels attached to it). Continue to
talk quietly to the horse and rider until the horse calms down or passes you
and your bicycle.

WHAT EQUESTRIANS SHOULD KNOW WHEN MEETING A BICYCLE ON THE TRAIL:
When riding your horse on the trail and you encounter a biker communicate
politely and clearly to let the bicyclist know your needs and concerns as
they may not know what to do around horses. Remember to always thank bikers
for their trail courtesy.

TIP FOR CONDITIONING YOUR HORSE TO PASS BICYCLES ON THE TRAIL
Ride your horse out on a quiet trail with someone the horse know on a
bicycle. Let the bicycle lead with the horse following. Once the horse
gets used to following the bicycle and rider have... the bike stop and have
the cyclist give the horse a favorite treat. Continue along the trail
repeating the above many times until the horse is completely comfortable
with the moving bicycle.

EQUESTRIANS AND BIKERS
Ride friendly.  All of us can all enjoy the trail if we communicate and
respect each others needs through mutual understanding and caution.
"Happy trails to you, til we meet again."


Alycin Hayes

Adventurous Percussion Music
Inner Rhythm Sound Expression
http://www.alycinhayes.samsbiz.com
Phone: (352) 335-7065

To ride a horse is to ride the sky. ~Author Unknown

_________________________________________________________________
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gine-windowslive.com/minisites/santabot/default.aspx?locale=en-us


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Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

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=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

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Replies
FW: [RC] Horses & bikes on the trail... what to do??? #2, Mike Sherrell