On The Trail

• Know the local trail rules. Courtesy is the best safety measure to use on the trail. Say hello to others on the trail.
  
  
• Minimize impacts by staying on designated trails. Avoid muddy conditions, or cutting switchbacks. Leave gates as you find them. Obey gate closures and regulatory signs.
  
  
• Pass with care. If you are not sure if it is safe to pass, ask. State that you are passing on the left/right. If the trail is too narrow - wait - then ask again when you are able to pass safely.
  
  
• Ride your horse at a safe and controlled speed, especially when visibility is limited. Avoid crowding other horses or hogging the trail. Leave space between horses in front or back.
  
  
• Never canter or trot up behind other riders. Slow down and ask to pass.
  
  
• Tie a red ribbon in the tail of known or suspected kicker. Point the rump away from riders if they ask to pass. FYI - Stallions are identified with yellow ribbon. Green horses are identified with green ribbon.
  
  
• Keep rumps of mares in season out of geldings/stallions noses.
  
  
• Carry your “carrot stick” if necessary.

When Riding in a Group

• Before you head out, decide which gait is acceptable for your group. Do not assume every rider--or horse--in the group is comfortable with changes of gait. Once a gait is initiated, check (by sight or voice) that everyone is doing okay. If the pace is too fast for anyone, slow down, or break into two groups -- one for those who want to ride fast -- one for those who want to ride slower.
  
  
• Be aware that loping or cantering in a group can get horses “hyped up”, which, in turn, can cause serious problems that even the most experienced rider may have difficulty controlling.
  
  
• The lead rider should watch for changes in the trail, terrain, or for dangerous obstacles, and warn others. Use hand signals or voice commands to warn others when slowing down or stopping, then wait for the command to be communicated to the last rider in the group. The last horse slows/stops first, the first horse stops last. Keep a safe pace on tricky footing or difficult trails.
  
  
• To get your horse accustomed to different positions, consider trading positions within the group.
  
  
• Do not allow slow moving horses to fall too far behind the group. The result could be an anxious horse that ends up rearing, or bucking. Periodically stop and wait for the slowest horse to catch up.

General Courtesy

• Stand still and wait for riders who are having problems with their horses, who are adjusting tack, or who have dismounted. Check with the riders before moving on.
  
  
• When stopping for water, wait for all horses in the group to finish drinking before leaving. For safety, do not crowd into streams, creeks, or troughs.
  
  
• Do not allow horses to touch noses or smell rumps.
  
  
• When parking, leave room for others to park and tie their horses. Carry a manure fork, and clean up any hay, manure or trash in the area.

Information compiled from the following:
Equestrian Trail Etiquette Tips, by Susan Dudasik
USTR, Inc. Home page.
Trail Etiquette, by Bonnie Davis
Trail Riding, October, 2001 issue of Horse & Rider magazine, by James Ferris