Simple Tips Help You Make a Good Impression on Multi-use Trails

When riding on multi-use trails, it’s important to “play nice” with other users. Making a good impression helps tensure that we continue to have access to the trails we love to ride.

Fortunately, it’s easy to make a good impression on those you meet. Here are ten etiquette tips for riding on multi-use trails:

1. If parking is limited, trailer-pool or avoid weekends, when the lot is busiest.
2. Greet other users with a friendly, “Hello!” It will alert them to your presence and encourage them to reply, which will keep your equine at ease.
3. Ride at a walk on all multi-use trails, unless you are in the open and no one else is present. Always approach other users at a walk.
4. Ride single-file. Thank others for yielding the trail to you, and move through quickly. If others users want to chat, do so only if you’re in a safe spot and others aren’t waiting to pass.
5. If your equine needs to leave a “pile,” move him off the trail or dismount and kick manure off the trail afterwards. If you aren’t physically able to dismount during a ride, invite someone along who can. Another option is to invite a friend to walk the same trail and clean up after your horse.
6. If another user breaks basic etiquette, such as a cyclist riding up on horses from behind without making their presence known, greet them with a smile and gently remind them that cyclists should yield to equines. Remember, you’re an equine ambassador. Being argumentative leaves a bad impression.
7. Do not take “green” or “hot” horses on multi-use trails. They are not “good ambassadors” for non-equestrians and will perpetuate myths about horses being “unpredictable and scary.”
8. When appropriate, allow (safe) people to pet your horses, and teach them how to be safe doing so. Explain how to safely approach horses by talking to them, instead of “freezing” and being silent.
9. Ride quietly through neighborhoods or residential areas. Respect the neighbors’ rights to privacy, and don’t gawk into their houses or yards.
10. Clean up around your trailer before you leave. Pick up your manure and any nearby manure that was left behind by others. Also, check to be sure no litter is left behind.

Following a few simple rules helps us make a good impression on other multi-use trail users.

Bonus tip: Do you love riding a multi-use trail? Send the organization who maintains the trail a thank you note. 

Do you have other multi-use trail etiquette tips? Leave them in the comments, below.