Sportsmanship and Etiquette

[flemmerl@rcbhsc.wvu.edu (Flemmer, Linda)]

Here are some of the basics of trail etiquette that I have tried to
abide by over the years.  I'm sure I'll forget something, so add on if
you think of others.

1.	Leave room between you & the horse in front.  Don't crowd without
permission.

2.	Enter a stream crossing downstream of drinking horses - don't muddy
the waters.

3.	Drink from the edges of puddles - nobody cares for the muddy dregs
there, either.

4.	Wait for other horses in the group to finish drinking before racing
off.  You <don't really> gain all that much time!  You previous training
will win your placing - not speeding away!  If you must leave others who
are drinking or sponging, ask them if it will disturb them before
leaving.  Walk out, then pick up speed as you are leaving so the other
horses don't want to follow ASAP.

5.	If your horse has threatened to kick before, train him not to kick
and mark him with a red ribbon to warn folks of the potential if he's
crowded.  

6.	If you ride a kicker, point his butt away from riders if they
politely ask to pass.

7.	If you have a mare in season, don't let her get under the noses of
every gelding or stallion in the ride.  

8.	If you have a stallion, mark him with yellow so that the rest of know
what he is without looking for that "optional" equipment.

9.	Stallion handlers should respect the other riders' safety, and the
other riders should respect the stallion's space.  Neither group has any
"priority" over the other - just mutual respect.  If any horse needs
"special space", then they aren't ready to be there in "polite company".

10.	Stay out of the entry to P&R gates unless you are ready to enter. 
It's ok to stand nearby while bringing your horse down, but let others
pass who are ready.

11.	Remember that the first person off the starting line is not
necessarily the first person to cross the finish!  Don't be pushy at the
start.

12.	If a vet has to stop and treat an animal, be considerate.  The rider
of the horse being treated didn't try to "ruin your race", and the vet
is doing the best she can until more help arrives.  

13.	When sponging, if the water sources have been designated "Sponge"
and "Drink", please respect that.

14.	If you have extra and somebody else has none of "XX", share!

15.	If you borrow "XX", say thanks and offer to return or replace it.

17.	If you see "leftover" personal hay, ask before you let your horse
snarf it up.  Those folks may be counting on more horses to come thru to
their crewing area.

18.	If you want to pass on the trail, call out to the next rider
"Passing on your left/right please."  If the trail is too narrow,
announce your intentions to pass at the next reasonable spot.  Don't
grumble because that person up front is <so> darned slow.

19.	If you have a green, beginner horse, mark him in green so that
others can give him some lee way as he learns the ropes.  If he is also
a kicking stallion, you may end up looking like a christmas tree!  :-)

20.	Dogs stay on a leash & under their owners' control.  This means
everyone!  Yes, even if Pooky is well behaved.  Yes, even if he is
<your> dog.

21.	At registration, try to have all your papers together and fill them
out to one side so that the ride manager can work with the next person
in line.

22.	If your horse "warms up" out of an aberrant gait, please do the warm
up before you present for intial the vet in.  We don't want to wait
while you circle for twenty minutes in front of 3 vets, waiting to see
if he improves.  Of course, we might start a pool to see how long <you>
last trotting out there!

23.	If a rider is down off their horse, ask if everything is ok before
blasting past.

24.	If a rider/horse is hurt, determine what help they need.  Either
offer first aid, or if a person is already doing that, get word to ride
management ASAP.  Encourage them to stay put so they can be found.

25.	If you are pulled on a ride, have the good graces to say thank you
to the vet & ride management.  It isn't their fault that it happened.  

26.	If you require vet or farrier care, be prepared to pay for it.  Not
everybody brings cash on the trail for a thrown shoe, but you should
follow up on it at the first opportunity.  The vet and farrier didn't
volunteer to spend their day there, and their supplies are expensive.

27.	Have fun!

Linda Flemmer
Blue Wolf Ranch
Bruceton Mills, WV


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.    
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=