To get my horses used to bikes on the trail I start at home where they feel
safe. I get out my old bike - a 10 speed and lean it agenst the wall of the
barn. I bring out the days victum and we spend a few minutes just getting the
look and smell of it from the left and right. Then I have a person the horse
is familiar with hold the horse and I roll the bike around. If (when) there
are no problems, I end the first day there. next day I start with an
abriviated version of the first day and I stand over the bike. If this goes
smoothly I roll a few feet. When everything is calm I end the session there.
I continue adding a little more every day important lessons for the parks I
ride in are; lifting the bike onto a car or truck; speeding by the horse from
front rear, left, and right; changing the bike rider/horse handler rolls.
Frequently when bicycleists stop to get out of the way they get off the bike
and swing it twords the horse then off to the side of the trail. My horses
must share all of their trails with bikes, motorcycles, joggers, and hikers.
I have not had a problem with any of these other users. I dont take a horse
out untill we can depend on eachother. I like to be prepared before I go out
into public where someone can get hurt.