uhhh......pretty sure it's quite the opposite.
Horrible Trail Etiquette
- Thread starter sanjuro
- Start date
I think you are missing the very large and obvious point that even though going faster means you spend less time around the animal, it increases the chances you will spook the animal. It also creates animosity between equestrians and bike riders - and we don't need any more of that. If you are up the trail how do have any idea what effect you had on the horse or the rider?
Even the best-trained horse can be unpredictable. In my experience, even in the Bay Area the horseback riders really appreciate it when bike riders stop and ask if/when it's ok to pass. Bottom line is that we need to share the trails, and since there are a lot of jackass bike riders out there, it's incumbent on enlightened folks to take that extra step and go out of their way to make bike riders look good.
Or you can be that jackass, it's really up to you, just don't try to justify it.
The one thing to remember is a horse is dumb. When you approach sitting on the bike you have become a different animal to the horse. Now you approach fast, you look like an animal that wants to attack and eat the horse. What do you think that horse is supposed to do?
That's why dismounting is important. Now you look like a human. That's why talking in a soothe voice is appropriate, now you sound like a human. Threat over... Don't know what to say? "Hey great day for a ride, nice looking horse you got there, nice weather, blah blah blah." Just keep blabbing until that horse is by, then proceed to rip.
Yes there are exceptions to the rule, but this is the reason why.
That's why dismounting is important. Now you look like a human. That's why talking in a soothe voice is appropriate, now you sound like a human. Threat over... Don't know what to say? "Hey great day for a ride, nice looking horse you got there, nice weather, blah blah blah." Just keep blabbing until that horse is by, then proceed to rip.
Yes there are exceptions to the rule, but this is the reason why.
Well duh... We're in close proximity with Philadelphia mounted officers. Naturally, it would take a large piece of ordinance to ruffle one of them. Most of the horses I've encountered are well trained. They look at us, snort, and do what their rider tells them to do... however, just as there are begineer bikers on trails, there are "beginner" horses and equestrains as well who may not be as well trained or have as much experience controlling the animal. They have just as much right to use the trails as we do.
Used to raise horses, so I know they can kick the **** outta ya.
Besides bad trail etiquette, that was dangerous to both riders.
Besides bad trail etiquette, that was dangerous to both riders.
Quoted for truth. Just last Saturday I encountered a woman on a horse who said the horse did not have a lot of experience on open trails and that she really appreciated the fact that we stopped and asked about the best way to pass.
Sharing the trails goes both ways.
Even though I'm not a big fan of horses on the trail in some places (mostly because of big holes from hooves and giant loads of poop), passing like that is a bad idea due to the risk of injury and the fact that it only promotes fights between user groups. Open trails are not race tracks. Go fast, but respect others and be prepared to stop.
The sonic boom usually scares off the horses so I don't have to worry about them. But since I arm usually heavily armed I need not worry about any sort of conflict thankfully.... I am planning to get rich selling my Bike missile system after I sort out some of the glitches. So far only a few Iranian bike clubs and the Taliban have expressed interest.
Is there any way we can get the hunting thread and this one merged?
