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<<There were A LOT of bikers and hikers out on the trails that day (I don't blame them, it was beautiful!) but the majority of them were very accommodating and polite.  A few people on bikes actually stopped so they wouldn't scare the horses but our horses were just focused on their business for the most part.  I thought it was nice of them to stop though. >>

 

 

We have a ride in Texas called Lone Star that is held Thanksgiving weekend that uses trails open to hikers and mountain bikers.  It's in a very popular state park in the rugged hill country, and if the weather is nice, there may be lots of hikers and bikers out on the trails, as well as dude strings from adjacent dude ranches.  All other users I've met have been super polite.  There are lots of families with little kids...I can always tell when the kids want to pet my horse, and I'll stop and let them pet him, tell them his name, and chat a bit.  As you can tell, I'm not in any hurry.  LOL  If I encounter a mountain biker pedalling uphill, I always pull over and holler at them to come on, even though horses have the right of way...that way they don't lose their momentum.  With the dude strings, they always pull over for us, but I've met them in narrow trail situations where it was easier for me, one horse, to get off trail and let them by.  The give and take works well, and as far as I know, the RM hasn't had any complaints.  She lets riders know that she'll string them up by their hair and insert burning splinters under their nails if they run other users off the trails.  LOL  But really, it's just common courtesy and sharing the trails.

 

Dawn Carrie
 

On 6/26/08, Kitley, Carrie E Civ USAF AFSPC 30 MDSS/SGSLF <carrie.kitley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Same situation at Malibu in May.  There were A LOT of bikers and hikers out on the trails that day (I don't blame them, it was beautiful!) but the majority of them were very accommodating and polite.  A few people on bikes actually stopped so they wouldn't scare the horses but our horses were just focused on their business for the most part.  I thought it was nice of them to stop though.  What was so puzzling to me was, the amount of people that were out hiking and biking on that trail with no water!!  Evidently, the rangers ended up having to rescue someone for heat stroke.  I couldn't imagine doing that hike w/o water.  Silly kids!  Our drag rider on that LD was also one of the Rangers and the poor guy and his mule had to go up that mountain twice.  Once as the drag rider, once as a rescuer.

Carrie
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carrie.kitley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


-----Original Message-----
From: Barbara McCrary [mailto:bigcreekranch@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 3:06 PM
To: purplehorsebarn@xxxxxxxxx; SandyDSA@xxxxxxx; D'Arcy Demianoff-Thompson
Cc: Kitley, Carrie E Civ USAF AFSPC 30 MDSS/SGSLF; jsrha@xxxxxxxxx; ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [RC] [RC] FW: Fireworks as a begginer ride

Last year on Fireworks, I was he first rider in a group of two, when we encountered three bicyclists on a blind turn of a single-track trail.  My horse, who is not generally a spooker, slammed on the brakes.  The first bicyclist said, "Damned horses!"  Had I thought quickly enough I should have said, "Damned bicycles!" but I've never been a master of the snappy retort.  Fortunately, the issue did not escalate.  I just explained that horses often are not accustomed to meeting bikes on a blind turn.  I hate dual-use trails, but if it came to a show-down, we all know horses would lose, because there are generally more people who ride bikes than ride horses.  Sigh....

Barbara

       ----- Original Message -----
       From: Lynelle Robertson <mailto:purplehorsebarn@xxxxxxxxx>
       To: SandyDSA@xxxxxxx ; D'Arcy Demianoff-Thompson <mailto:cest.mon.virage@xxxxxxxxx>
       Cc: carrie.kitley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; jsrha@xxxxxxxxx ; ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
       Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 10:15 AM
       Subject: Re: [RC] [RC] FW: Fireworks as a begginer ride

99% of the mt bike riders Ranelle and I have run into are very polite and we try with each meeting to educate the bike riders on how to pass most horses with out incident which is: when coming up behind a horse and rider call out let the horse and rider know you are coming. Give us an opportunity to turn our horse around to face them or even dismount if horse is really spooky. When bikers on coming towards us we say "Good morning how are you doing..." Engage them in conversation and they can ride on by no problem. Always we thank them for there patience and trail ediquette. The more we educate the other trail users the safer we will be. Now, for the occassional jerk(if the aformentioned doesn't work) I remind them that equines have the right of way legally in parks and forrests and that if we are injured due to there stupidity I will sue them and own everything they have. That seems to get their attention. Funny story. I was riding along the WS trail at the river at 7:30am thinking I was alone did some training excerises with my mare. Riding only with my seat and legs moving her back and forth. A rude little man can sooming up on a mt bike with out saying anything. So, I said all you had to do was let me know you were behind and I would have stopped or moved over. He told me "I was weaving and to move my fat ass over so he could go by" keep in mind this is a fire road 2 car widths wide. So, I said "have a nice day and I hope you have a flat tire" And guess what I found about 1/2mile down the trail? Yep mr nice guy changing a flat tire. If looks could kill. I laughed so hard I almost wet my pants. What drives me crazy are people on horse back with their dogs running loose. That is dangerous. I am now caring a squirt gun filled with vingar or lemon juice. If they do not controll their dogs they get it in the face. That also seems to get their attention. I try to kill them with kindness but if that doesn't work then I get verbal.

--- On Thu, 6/26/08, D'Arcy Demianoff-Thompson <cest.mon.virage@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:


       From: D'Arcy Demianoff-Thompson <cest.mon.virage@xxxxxxxxx>
       Subject: Re: [RC] [RC] FW: Fireworks as a begginer ride
       To: SandyDSA@xxxxxxx
       Cc: carrie.kitley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, jsrha@xxxxxxxxx, ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
       Date: Thursday, June 26, 2008, 9:03 AM


       Well, in all fairness let us consider that the OP sent that post as a private email.  I know I have not been cognizant, at times, when I have a response to an email privately.  As such have inadvertently reposted to the group rather responding to the OP!  With that in mind we all should probably look past the OP's input and address a very serious issue, as Sandy as stated, and that would be manners on the trial.  Sandy is absolutely on the mark with her post.  I have seen, not only on the endurance circuit, but rather, trail wise, some riders, have no manners.  So, how do we address this issue most affectively?

       What, for example, do most of you, experienced endurance riders, do when you come upon, and/or have been affected by an ill mannered rider?  What do you suppose the protocol should be?  As Ranelle can attest - I do not have a quiet voice (number of years in the Air Force) and have not failed to use it when necessary on the trail to avert a disaster.  Most, and usually they are mountain bikers, realize they would or could have put a horse and rider in jeopardy, are polite and apologetic.  Especially when I ask them to consider the fact there may be many NEW riders to the industry and as such may not have full control of their horse.  I don't know that I have ever come across an impolite rider on the trail - yet!  Usually they know before I have to turn and look at them that they are in the wrong and apologize.

       However, I would like to hear lots of input on your own situation analysis, from your own experiences, how it was or could have been best handled!  Thanks!  Thank you Julienne, Carrie, and Sandy for opening up a great and timely topic.

       D'Arcy





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