Out on the Trail, part 3 in a 3 part series
Tips for greener trails
by Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean Water
This month we finish up this series with more tips taken from Horses for Clean Water’s new brochure, Stewards of the Trail, which offers ideas for reducing our impact on the land where we ride. To receive a free copy of Stewards of the Trail, contact the Snohomish Conservation District at 425-335-5634 ext. 108, or 425-335-5634 ext. 123, or lois@snohomishcd.org.
Rules of the Road
While trail riding, follow Backcountry Horsemen’s motto of “Leave no trace." This means leave what you find, carry out what you brought and take all litter with you.
It is paramount that as we ride we make every effort to preserve the past: look at and enjoy but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species of plants and animals. Do not build anything, such as fire pits, chairs or trenches.
Share the trails with other users. Speaking to them will often help settle an uneasy horse startled by the sudden appearance of a new object. Friendly conversation helps others view horses and equestrians in a positive light. Remember that while you are riding you serve as an ambassador to non-riders. What you do reflects on other horse owners. Bicyclists, runners and hikers should all yield to equestrians, but it is smart to be polite and courteous; when possible, give the other user the right of way. Common sense and courtesy are more important than who has the official right of way.
Keep your horse under control and at a safe speed at all times. A fast gait on wet soil degrades a trail, potentially causing further erosion. Plus, it can be unsettling to other trail users if you ride up behind them quickly.
It is best to keep trail rides to a small group so you can manage safety concerns and etiquette. Smaller groups also have less impact on the trails. Unless the trail is wide enough, go single file and keep a horse’s length between riders.
Finally, do not smoke or drink alcohol while trail riding.
Help Maintain the Trails
There are some simple techniques you can do to help keep trails open and safe, both for yourself and others. Carry a small, foldable handsaw and clippers. Clip or remove small branches that lean into the trail (10 to 12 feet above the trail). When a newly fallen tree blocks a trail--and if someone else can safely hold your horse while you work--consider moving the tree to make it safer for the next rider.
If you see unapproved trails being started, like a corner cut on a switchback, consider blocking the trail at both ends to prevent or discourage access. Blockage can be done with branches, rocks, old trees or stumps.
Carry a spare plastic bag with you in order to pick up and carry out any litter you come across.
If you belong to a riding group, formal or informal, perhaps your group can volunteer to do trail maintenance.
Happy trails!
Following basic stewardship practices can help ensure safety for you, your horse and other trail users, in addition to keeping the environment healthy. It also helps keep the trails open to horses. Remember that you and your horse are ambassadors wherever you ride; abusing privileges makes it difficult to receive support for maintenance or to build new trails. Please help your fellow horse owners preserve this privilege for generations to come. Only YOU can make a difference!
Resources for Horse and Rural Land Owners
There are many wonderful resources available that provide guidance on trail riding issues, horsemanship, trail maintenance and equestrian trail locations.
· Backcountry Horseman of Washington, http://www.bchw.org/, is an excellent organization that works with different government agencies, volunteering time and work to keep trails open for equestrian use.
· Codling, Melinda. Horse Sense for the Trail Rider. Washington, Backcountry Horseman of Washington, Inc., Tahoma Chapter, 2002.
· Gimenez, Rebecca. “You Can Build a Horse Trail," John Lyons Perfect Horse, August 2006: pp 43-46.
· Washington Trails Association. www.wta.org
· Wood, Gene W. Recreational Horse Trails in Rural and Wildland Areas: Design, Construction, and Maintenance. South Carolina, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Clemson University, 2007.
· For more information on horse property management and other natural resource issues, contact your conservation district, extension office or Horses for Clean Water (http://www.horsesforcleanwater.com/).
Happy Horsekeeping!
~Alayne
by Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean Water
This month we finish up this series with more tips taken from Horses for Clean Water’s new brochure, Stewards of the Trail, which offers ideas for reducing our impact on the land where we ride. To receive a free copy of Stewards of the Trail, contact the Snohomish Conservation District at 425-335-5634 ext. 108, or 425-335-5634 ext. 123, or lois@snohomishcd.org.
Rules of the Road
While trail riding, follow Backcountry Horsemen’s motto of “Leave no trace." This means leave what you find, carry out what you brought and take all litter with you.
It is paramount that as we ride we make every effort to preserve the past: look at and enjoy but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species of plants and animals. Do not build anything, such as fire pits, chairs or trenches.
Share the trails with other users. Speaking to them will often help settle an uneasy horse startled by the sudden appearance of a new object. Friendly conversation helps others view horses and equestrians in a positive light. Remember that while you are riding you serve as an ambassador to non-riders. What you do reflects on other horse owners. Bicyclists, runners and hikers should all yield to equestrians, but it is smart to be polite and courteous; when possible, give the other user the right of way. Common sense and courtesy are more important than who has the official right of way.
Keep your horse under control and at a safe speed at all times. A fast gait on wet soil degrades a trail, potentially causing further erosion. Plus, it can be unsettling to other trail users if you ride up behind them quickly.
It is best to keep trail rides to a small group so you can manage safety concerns and etiquette. Smaller groups also have less impact on the trails. Unless the trail is wide enough, go single file and keep a horse’s length between riders.
Finally, do not smoke or drink alcohol while trail riding.
Help Maintain the Trails
There are some simple techniques you can do to help keep trails open and safe, both for yourself and others. Carry a small, foldable handsaw and clippers. Clip or remove small branches that lean into the trail (10 to 12 feet above the trail). When a newly fallen tree blocks a trail--and if someone else can safely hold your horse while you work--consider moving the tree to make it safer for the next rider.
If you see unapproved trails being started, like a corner cut on a switchback, consider blocking the trail at both ends to prevent or discourage access. Blockage can be done with branches, rocks, old trees or stumps.
Carry a spare plastic bag with you in order to pick up and carry out any litter you come across.
If you belong to a riding group, formal or informal, perhaps your group can volunteer to do trail maintenance.
Happy trails!
Following basic stewardship practices can help ensure safety for you, your horse and other trail users, in addition to keeping the environment healthy. It also helps keep the trails open to horses. Remember that you and your horse are ambassadors wherever you ride; abusing privileges makes it difficult to receive support for maintenance or to build new trails. Please help your fellow horse owners preserve this privilege for generations to come. Only YOU can make a difference!
Resources for Horse and Rural Land Owners
There are many wonderful resources available that provide guidance on trail riding issues, horsemanship, trail maintenance and equestrian trail locations.
· Backcountry Horseman of Washington, http://www.bchw.org/, is an excellent organization that works with different government agencies, volunteering time and work to keep trails open for equestrian use.
· Codling, Melinda. Horse Sense for the Trail Rider. Washington, Backcountry Horseman of Washington, Inc., Tahoma Chapter, 2002.
· Gimenez, Rebecca. “You Can Build a Horse Trail," John Lyons Perfect Horse, August 2006: pp 43-46.
· Washington Trails Association. www.wta.org
· Wood, Gene W. Recreational Horse Trails in Rural and Wildland Areas: Design, Construction, and Maintenance. South Carolina, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Clemson University, 2007.
· For more information on horse property management and other natural resource issues, contact your conservation district, extension office or Horses for Clean Water (http://www.horsesforcleanwater.com/).
Happy Horsekeeping!
~Alayne
Labels: alayne blickle, Horse Farm Management, November 2008
posted by NWHS at
8:07 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home