A. Before ‘The Ride’ Check List

1.        Your tack, truck and trailer are in safe and good condition.

2.        Your stock's hooves and body condition are adequate for the ride.

3.        Be sure to organize what to take along, pack the night before and have the directions in your truck.

B. Staging Area

1.        Be on time, latecomers hold up everyone else.

2.        Park considerately.

3.        Tack up, bring halter with lead rope, water, lunch, jacket, or whatever else you need.

4.        Clean up manure, hay or litter in Staging or Camping area.

5.        Use ribbons to let other riders know about special situations: Red ribbon if your horse tends to kick. Green ribbon to signify a novice horse or rider. Blue ribbon should be used to denote a stallion.

C. On ‘The Trail’

1.        Trail boss has absolute authority. If you are riding in any way which the trail boss feels poses a danger to other riders, you will be asked to modify your behavior. If you cannot do so, you may be asked to leave the ride.

2.        Stay behind the trail leader (usually but not always the trail boss) and in front of the drag rider. If you are having problems call out for a stop.

3.        When mounting to ride, keep your horse still until everyone is mounted.

4.        Dogs and stallions are not permitted on most rides. You must have permission from the trail boss before bringing them.

5.        Most Group rides are walk only rides 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.

6.        Don't crowd the horse in front of you. Try to leave a horse length of open space between horses, even at stops.

7.        When going through brush or trees, don't hang on the branches, or they might hit the next rider. Call back trail obstacles to riders behind you.

8.        Leave gates as you find them. When a rider dismounts to open a gate, at least a portion of the other riders wait until he/she has remounted before leaving.

9.        Crossing water, the first horses are allowed to drink, then move up the trail, stop! Allow more horses to drink. The group does not leave until all have watered.

10.     In difficult or steep terrain, keep moving. If you need to stop for any reason ask for a stop and wait until the trail leader finds a suitable place where all can stop.

11.     Be courteous and friendly to other trail users.

12.     Stay on the trail; obey agency rules; respect private property.

13.     When riding along a road, ride with the traffic. Crossing roads; cross abreast rather than single file, post riders in front and behind the group to stop traffic.

14.     Riding side by side is permissible, if the trail is wide enough, and all trail rules are observed.

15.     No Smoking or drinking while riding.

D. Tips for Break or Lunch Stops

1.        It is best to allow your stock some water when you stop and as much water as they want at the end of the break.

2.        Smoking is allowed during breaks in a safe area.

3.        Tie your horse safely. Loosen the cinch during a long break.

4.        If there is no garbage can, pack your trash out.

5.        Alcohol use can make riding dangerous, use discretion.

Happy Trails to you!