 | At the trailhead: Be on time and park considerately. Latecomers hold up everyone else. Tack up, bring a halter with lead rope, water, lunch, jacket and whatever else you need. Clean up manure, hay or litter in the parking or camping area. |
On the trail:
- Stay behind the trail leader and in front of the designated drag rider. If you are having problems call out for a stop. Don’t hesitate to speak up.
- The use of a helmet is a personal safety choice of the rider.
- You must have permission from the trail boss before bringing a dog or a stallion. FRBCH does not allow dogs on trailwork rides.
- Most group rides are walk only, but as needed rides will be divided into the ‘Slow Group’ which walks only and the ‘Fast Group’ which includes gaited and endurance type horses. Ride in the group that fits your horse’s type and conditioning.
- Please don’t crowd the horse in front of you. Try to leave a horse length of open space between horses, even at stops. Be sure to ask riders in front and back of you about their animal’s comfort level.
- Call back trail obstacles, hazards and/or low branches to riders behind you.
- Leave gates as you find them. When a rider dismounts to open a gate, wait until he or she has remounted before leaving.
- When crossing water, allow space for the first horses to drink, then move up the trail and stop! Allow more horses to drink. The group does not leave until all horses have been watered.
- In difficult or steep terrain, allow more space and keep moving. If you need to stop for any reason, wait until the trail leader finds a suitable place where all can safely stop.
- Be courteous and friendly to other trail users. While passing – safety for all parties is the priority. Greet other users to initiate a conversation so the animals can identify a nonthreatening situation. If possible, a hiker or biker should step to the downhill side. This provides a safer passing for both hiker and stock.
- Stay on the trail; obey agency rules; respect private property.
Tips for lunch breaks or stops:
- Tie your horse safely to a live tree. Loosen the cinch slightly during a long break.
- Be sure there is ample room for other users to pass safely by your stock. Be sure you are not blocking the trail.
- Pack your trash out. Leave no trace!