| For those of you who are heading out the trails this | | | | no way to shut it off, no way to calm the horse down |
| summer, this article is for you. As more and more of | | | | and he didn't dare fall off in the middle of nowhere. |
| our forested areas are being shared by bikers, hikers | | | | Eventually the phone stopped ringing and he shut it off! |
| and horses, it is more important than ever that all | | | | This particular friend is a wonderful rider with a million |
| horsemen understand the rules of the road. | | | | miles of experience under his belt. He is the last person |
| We did a video called "Trail Riding, Rules of the Road" | | | | I would have ever expected to buy, let alone carry a |
| which focuses on safety in the saddle and when riding | | | | cell phone and that is why the story was so funny! |
| with other horsemen. Below are some additional tips | | | | 5. Only carry in your saddlebags items that you |
| that will make your next trail ride safer and more fun | | | | WON'T need if your horse heads for home with your |
| for everyone: | | | | saddle. I find it funny when I hear from people who say, |
| 1. Invest in a good fitting helmet for the sake of your | | | | I was careful to pack a cell phone, first aid kit and a |
| horse. For the die-hards out there who refuse to wear | | | | flask of water on my trail ride just like you suggested. |
| a helmet, answer this question; In the event that you | | | | However, I stopped to wee in the bushes and my |
| get dumped and hit your head, who is going to keep | | | | horse headed for home, leaving me with nothing |
| your horse from causing a problem for other trail users | | | | because all of those items were carefully packed in |
| or worse, from getting hurt? Frankly, I don't think | | | | my saddlebags! |
| wearing a helmet is as much about keeping you safe | | | | 6. If you agree with the romantic concept that trail |
| as it is about keeping everyone else, including your | | | | riding is spending time in God's country, then that |
| horse safe. | | | | makes you a guest. In the same way that hikers, |
| 2. Never ride alone on the trails and be sure to choose | | | | bikers, families and other horsemen are also guests on |
| riding partners who are safe, responsible and | | | | those same trails. No one has precedent over anyone |
| considerate. I have always told people that I will horse | | | | else. One of the veterinarians that I interviewed for our |
| show with Jack the Ripper, but I am very picky about | | | | video, Trail Riding, Rules of the Road told me that |
| my trail-riding companions. The reasons are simple; | | | | whenever he is in the backcountry trail riding and stops |
| horse shows are designed to be a controlled | | | | to visit with hikers or bikers, he dismounts his horse. He |
| environment wherein the ring is dragged, fences are in | | | | does this because he said that it is intimidating for most |
| good repair, the ring crew is there to make sure all is | | | | people to have to look up at a rider. |
| well, but on the trails, anything goes. It is because of the | | | | 7. As a horseman, you are the ambassador for the |
| unpredictability of nature that I only trail ride with people | | | | entire industry. Remember that hikers and bikers may |
| that I trust. | | | | never have been this close to a horse in their entire |
| 3. Be sure to warm-up your horse before you head | | | | lives. The way in which you handle yourself during that |
| out on the trails. This includes making certain the | | | | encounter will either teach folks that horsemen are |
| brakes, steering, verbals and gas pedals all work and | | | | friendly, helpful trail lovers, or that they are rude |
| check your girth at least three times before you head | | | | knuckleheads. What they decide is largely up to you! |
| out on the trails. | | | | As Tom Stovall of Back Country Horsemen so wisely |
| 4. Carry a cell phone with you. In the event that you | | | | pointed out in the video, the goal of responsible trail |
| encounter a problem, a cell phone can make all the | | | | riding is to leave no trace. Tie your horses in a way |
| difference and it is also essential for ordering a pizza if | | | | that does no damage to the trees. Set up and clean |
| you get hungry! One word of caution, however, keep | | | | up your campgrounds so that there is no trace when |
| the cell phone turned off until you need it. One of the | | | | you leave. If there are cut trails, stay on them to avoid |
| funniest stories I ever heard was from a friend in | | | | causing erosion problems in the area and above all, |
| California who decided to take one of his green cow | | | | remember that you are a guest! |
| horses out with him for a full day of riding fence. They | | | | I want to hear from you! If you have any questions, |
| were out for hours, just the two of them, enjoying the | | | | comments or suggestions that you would like to share |
| peace and tranquility of the area, when all of a sudden, | | | | with the rest of us, drop me a line at: |
| his cell phone started ringing. The green horse | | | | Bonnie Marlewski-Probert |
| completely lost his mind and started spinning in circles. | | | | P.O. |
| Because the phone was in the saddlebag, there was | | | | |