When ever I read statements that say "always" or "never", then I know it is a person with limited experience. Someone who has only ridden in limited areas of the country would have no knowlege of those horrible barbed wire gates and wouldnt know that sometimes it really is best to dismount. Best for the horse and rider.
Well I guess most everything I see around Oklahoma and Texas where horses ride are 'real gates' we have a few fence openings, we call 'funk and Wagnall gates' but they are usually in places you aren't suppose to be riding. Private property cattle pastures. There are a couple that I have opened on the one horse, but he's the one I can move trees off of too.
So I guess none of us should jump to conclusion about gates and say well it DEPENDS. I find times to get on and off to take my time and stretch and check stuff... I'm just glad I can decide when and it doesn't have to be at a gate, especially if cattle are coming my way.
