|
|
Proper Trail Etiquette |
|
|
Proper Trail Etiquette |
|
|
Please take just a moment and read this page - it is for the well being of everyone! ATTENTION! The entire trail system around Folsom lake is going to go through some new changes. Currently the State Parks has started a review of the trail system, it's needs, problems of specific user groups etc. It is important for us as a user group to be RESPONSIBLE riders and that means knowing proper trail etiquette if we are to continue or gain access to the trail systems. I have been working with the equestrian and parks people and it is important to get along with them... and they want to work with us and together we can keep trails open for all of us!Probably the MOST important (and potentially dangerous) encounter you will have on the trail is with a horse and rider. You are probably already familiar with the multi-use trail user yield sign, the following sign, slightly modified, will help you remember what to do when you encounter a horse.
Please take just another minute and read WHY it is important to act properly around horses. The horse is a prey animal. It is literally hardwired into the horse's brain that his survival depends on a quick escape from predators. A simple case of mistaken identity such as a mountain lion for a harmless tree stump or a rattlesnake for a twig can mean injury or death. As a result, the horse insists on making his own evaluation of approaching objects. Equestrians will work with a horse through out the horse's life to increase the number of objects and situations that the horse can handle comfortably but even the seasoned trail horse will revert to instinct if faced with surprise. It's the element of a surprised horse and poor multi-use trail design that throws mountain bikers, equestrians, hikers and all user groups into conflict. Only experience and human discernment can compensate for the flaws in trail design. As for the horse, here is what the horse needs in order to separate "mountain biking human" from a "hungry, horse-eating predator" 1. Use line of sight
If you are approaching a horse and rider traveling in the opposite direction,
STOP. A predator would crouch and line up the attack. By stopping, you have taken the first step in distinguishing yourself from a predator.
2. Move to the outer edge of the trail and STAND where the horse can pass you with the greatest amount of clearance. No predator in the world would do this. 3. SPEAK because this again distinguishes you as human, familiar and non-threatening. If this seems awkward, a simple "Hi! Nice day!" will do. 4. Wait for instructions and never assume that every encounter will unfold in the same way. Each horse is at a different point in his training. You might be the first or the one hundredth mountain biker seen by this particular horse. Only the rider (and horse) has a feel for the best way to proceed. PLEASE ASK FOR INSTRUCTIONS. The rider might ask you to walk slowly toward and pass them. Or, particularly if the horse is tense, the rider may choose to let the horse gradually approach and pass you. Regardless of the plan used, you can add a great deal of comfort to the situation for the horse by calmly talking. When it comes to dealing with less than perfect multi-use trail conditions, many user groups and sometimes un-predictable animal (and human!) behavior it is the responsibility of each trail user to apply good judgement. Thanks for taking a minute to read about horse and trail procedures, this will go a LONG WAY if our user group is to be readily accepted on the multi-use trail system. The horse people are very willing to work with us and we need to be willing to work with them for safety as well as solidifying a joint view of what the multi-use trail system should be.
|
|
|
