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[RC] Horses & bikes on the trail... what to do??? - ALYCIN HAYESThought 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 _________________________________________________________________ Experience the magic of the holidays. Talk to Santa on Messenger. http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwme0080000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://imagine-windowslive.com/minisites/santabot/default.aspx?locale=en-us =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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