This is an information site for our club members to check on ride schedules and updates.
On the newsletter page are downloads for the rides. Directions, ride descriptions, ect. There is
also a PDF download for membership.
We are all about riding and being safe whilst having fun too. This site will be evolving as information becomes available.
Please check here often for any updated info. If a ride is canceled it should be posted here. And unscheduled rides that pop
up should be posted here as well.
Hope to see you all on the trails.
Who Has Right of Way? |
April 30, 2010 by Bonnie Davis |
Whenever there are more than two trail users on a trail, the question of "who has the right of way?" will come up. Is
it the hiker going uphill? The biker on the bridge? The horseman crossing that bridge? Or the woman pushing
the baby carriage up the hill trail? Right of way in some circles can be a hotly debated issue!
Technically, horsemen have the right of way -- uphill, downhill, on bridges and all trails in general. But 'technically'
does not always mean its right. So when thinking (or answering the question "Who has the right of way?") think about
the situation and then SAFETY.
SAFETY in all situations should be the guiding rule with trail users. Is it safe for a horseman to ride his horse
over the bridge with a biker on it? Should the biker stop, get off and return to the other end of the bridge so the
horseman can continue on across? What about a group of kids on a bridge -- running in every direction -- and a horseman
approaches? Should the kids get off the bridge? Or should a horsemen get off his horse and lead across the bridge
or down a trail till safely by the other trail users?
The answer is safety plus we have to toss in that other word -- COURTESY. Safety and courtesy are the two factors
that always come into play when riding on trails.
If going down a hill and a hiker (or backpacker) is coming up, stop and let him go on by. If you're closer to the
top of the hill than the bottom of the hill, turn around and ride back up. It's easier for the horse to climb than another
trail user to go back up. After all we are riding! Not walking, lugging a pack, pushing anything or trying
to keep a bunch of kids in tow.
With the courtesy and safety, think 'be nice'. So you lose 5 minutes getting down the hill or over a bridge. What's
the hurry? You got a fire to go to? Trail riding is suppose to be relazing -- at a walk -- enjoyment. Unless
it's competitive or endurance, your horse should walk on the trail (but that's another thought for another time).
Personally, I never feel I have the right of way with Nic. Trails are shared and safety plus courtesy are the ways
to keep all trail users safe. Assuming one has the right of way is a good way to get hurt or hurt someone else. So
if in doubt who has the right of way, get off and lead. And as you go by introduce yourself and your horse. Besides
a bunch of kids will be thrilled at the idea of "Yes, you can pet the horse" as you give a mini-clinic on safety around your
horse and that horses are good on trails.........
Stay safe!
Bonnie |
Extra Gaits of the Horse
--The Boink One-beat gait with suspension, often exhibited by horses ridden into a field of white-tailed
deer.
--The Lateral Swoop A sudden sideways leap with shoulder horizontal to the ground, leaving the rider hovering
briefly over where the saddle used to be before descending to the ground. Can be precipitated by a tractor starting up outside
the arena, snow sliding off the arena roof, a large rock that magically turns into a bear or a green plastic garbage bag.
--The
Whirling Dervish Advanced version of the Lateral Swoop in which the horse spins like a top, frequently launching the hapless
rider a long distance by centrifugal force. Specialty of certain Arabians, often caused by viewing a 4-wheeler approaching
on the trail ahead.
--The Yahooey One of the natural Airs Above the Ground, a highly suspended movement exhibited
when turned out or during the first canter in an open field. A variation is the Jet-Assisted Buck & Fart, in which the
horse achieves maximum height and momentum aided by the loud expulsion of exhaust gas. Occurs on cold, windy days when the
wind goes up the horse's tail and blows his brains out his ears.
--The Omigod Sudden backwards movement accompanied
by loud, rolling snorts, ears stiffly forward and eyes bugging out, exhibited by a horse that has spotted a monster (invisible
to the human eye) advancing on him from the front. Can be precipitated in visible form by riding up to a large blue tarp,
which the wind then moves slightly.
--The Hot Wheels Speed gait in which all four legs rotate at high speed, often
leaving rubber strips on the ground. Frequently exhibited by runaway ponies, rushing jumpers and horses returning to the barn.
--The
Shark Circling the Rowboat Characteristic movement of lesson horse in ever-decreasing concentric circles around the instructor,
until the horse is in the center standing on the instructor's left foot and further progress is impossible. (Old school horses
tell new school horses how to do this.)
--The Sloth Typical gait of school horse who has perfected the art of laziness.
No perceptible forward movement, in spite of encouraging kicks, clucks, flapping reins, ineffective crop swats, shouts and
jumping up and down. (Note: the Sloth can be transformed into Hot Wheels by the sight of the instructor advancing with lunge
whip in hand.)
--The Flapper Movement in which the horse shakes like a wet dog, totally terrifying the beginner
rider. Horse then grins an evil grin and eats grass.
--The Wallow Rotational movement performed on the ground, especially
in mud, sand or water. Always performed when the instructor is at the other end of the trail ride or not looking.
--Followed
by the Upsie Daisy Which always occurs before the arrival of the instructor. Horse perfects the Wallow by rolling in mud,
sand or water, usually defiling the purity of the perfectly clean saddle regardless of screams.
--The Snail Rocket The
two walking gaits of experienced trail horses on the trail. Going out, the walk is so snail-like, time perceptibly slows.
Coming back, trotting horses can barely keep up with the rocket walk. Essentially, horses perfectly understand physical
law; the speed of the walk is directly proportional to the direction on the trail.
--The Bobber Gait which old experienced
trail horses proceed with child or beginner on back. Walk a few feet, stop, horse pulls reins through hands of beginning rider
and eats grass. Repeat 50 times.
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