NBLA Reminds Riders Of Trail Etiquette

The Newtown Bridle Lands Association reminds horseback riders of the following rules of the trails:

1. The trail does not belong to you. You are a guest on the trail (even at a race), just like everyone else. Treat all those you meet as guests and remember to be a good example of the fine people who ride horses on communal trails.

2. Don’t block the trail. If you can safely move off of the trail, do so. In a race, you can be disqualified for blocking a trail if there is room for you to move out of the way of a faster moving or oncoming rider. Downhill riders yield to uphill riders.

3. Warn others of your approach. If you come upon a rider whose pace is slower than yours, yell out your intentions to pass (and on which side you wish to pass) several yards out. Allow the horse ahead of you to move off the trail (or over to the side) and then move past them. If a rider is having problems with their horse, slow to a walk to pass and then once you are a few yards away you can pick your pace back up again or query if the rider will be okay if you trot off.

4. Ride within your ability. If your horse is acting up at the fast trot, slow to a jog. If he’s still having issues, slow to a walk. If you are really having problems, it is best to dismount and walk until your horse has calmed down.

5. Stay on the trail and respect private property; make sure to follow the marked flags and stay on the trail. Also, clean up after yourself; whatever you take on the trail should come back to camp to be disposed of. It is not okay to just toss an empty water bottle or wrapper on the ground and keep going.

6. Be respectful at the water. If someone is already at a water trough, ask to approach before you do. If you are leaving a water trough and others are still drinking, ask if it is okay to do so. Some horses get distracted and won’t drink if riders are coming and going.

7. Mind the ribbons. A red ribbon in the tail of a horse means that horse is a kicker. A yellow ribbon indicates a stallion. A green ribbon marks a novice horse and/or rider. Be respectful of these ribbons. If you see a red or yellow ribbon stay at least two horse-lengths back and use extreme caution when passing. If you see a green ribbon, do your best to make sure the rider is doing well and see if there is anything you can do (without hurting your own race).

8. If you come upon a rider that has been thrown, do not pass. Make sure the horse is caught, first and foremost. If you can aid with that, do so. Also be sure to check that the rider is okay, doing everything you can to aid the downed rider.

9. Remove your horse from the trail if you begin experiencing severe behavior problems. Trying to discipline a badly behaving horse while there are others around you is not a smart idea because if your horse throws a fit it may endanger others. Get out of the way, get off the trail, and settle the differences between you and your horse without involving everyone else on the trail.

You will encounter clueless riders; it’s just a fact of the sport, as it is with most any activity. Educate when you can, but otherwise here are a few ways to deal with these less-than-desirables…

Kickers: If you see a ribbon (of any color) stay far back and wait for a wide spot in the trail. When you reach one, announce your intentions and then kick your horse to a gallop and get away from them as much as you can.

Tailgaters: Warn the rider to either move back or to ride ahead. If they continue to tailgate, continue to tell them to back off, loudly if necessary.

Stop ‘N Go-ers: If you meet a horse that tailgates to get in front, runs past, then slams on the brakes, or a horse that hurries past, then once in front throttles back to a plodding pace, there is only one thing you can do — get away as fast as possible. Take off at a fast rate and leave this troublemaker long behind.

Road Hogs: These are the riders that “drift” to the middle of the trail as you try to pass. Firmly tell the rider to move over or you might just find yourself being squeezed off the trail.

Riders Demanding Babysitters: Unless you have committed your time on the trail to your friends, your ride should always be your own ride. You are not obligated to babysit riders who can’t, or won’t, ride by themselves. If someone tries to hook up with you when you wish to ride alone, simply tell them so. To stop at the water while other horses are drinking, or to stop and keep someone company as they are adjusting tack is merely a courtesy, nothing more. It is not obligatory.