I keep running into horses...

[FlyingHunter]

As a component to my fitness regimen, I trail run. I usually run several half marathons every year. I often run in state parks in my area. Here's the problem. A relatively new place for me to run is also a favorite park for horseback trail riders. Several times I've been running and I'll round a hilltop or take a hard turn in the trail and find my self running directly at oncoming horses. I usually veer off the trail and just detour thru the woods a bit but that has not been warmly received by the horsemen (and ladies) as the horses sometimes spook and such. They raise hell with me like I don't belong on "their" trail. It's like I'm supposed to come to dead stop, vaporize until they pass or something. I'll be the first to admit I know nothing about horses, never owned one, but I'm a southern gentleman and want to be polite and respectful as we "share" the trail. So, what's the right way for me to deal with these horse encounters on the trail? The park also has mountain bikers...I bet the horse folks really go ape when they come blasting down the trail. So - for those with horse knowledge, chime in and help me be a better trail runner without angering all the horse folk.

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

**** THEM! Unfortunately for me I am stuck with them, I hate horse people for the most part. The western riders seam to be the exception unless they are all about competitions then they seam to be just like the English riders.

Why do they act like ****ING BITCHES, well its because they don't have the level of training or time in the saddle to control the animal! So when you surprise them they are scared and the animal feels it in so many ways then it gets scared to. It can take off and they are all scared they will be killed so **** them.

The way they should be acting is to use the experience to train the animal. The wife does this shit all the time, makes them walk on tarps and walk through tarps, sprinklers, milk jugs etc. Its an effort to desensitize them, look at mounted police they spend years getting their animals ready for crowds. Drive buy your local LE barn and look at all the shit they have along their fences pinwheels, streamers etc.

**** THEM

[uncreative1]

**** THEM! Unfortunately for me I am stuck with them, I hate horse people for the most part. The western riders seam to be the exception unless they are all about competitions then they seam to be just like the English riders.

Why do they act like ****ING BITCHES, well its because they don't have the level of training or time in the saddle to control the animal! So when you surprise them they are scared and the animal feels it in so many ways then it gets scared to. It can take off and they are all scared they will be killed so **** them.

The way they should be acting is to use the experience to train the animal. The wife does this shit all the time, makes them walk on tarps and walk through tarps, sprinklers, milk jugs etc. Its an effort to desensitize them, look at mounted police they spend years getting their animals ready for crowds. Drive buy your local LE barn and look at all the shit they have along their fences pinwheels, streamers etc.

**** THEM

I agree most trail riders can't ride that well so when their horse spooks they panic too, then you have the domino effect with the others. I don't know what else they expect you to do so I'd say carry on.

[underwoodbitsandspurs]

I have been riding since I was pretty much old enough to walk, but some of these people you’re running into have not. Some of them are complete idiots and go buy the most out of control horse they can find because they think it looks cool, but some are just trying to learn how to ride.

The best thing to do is step off the trail and stand still until they pass. Running in place without a lot of hand movements would be OK too. If you don’t want to, continue what you’re doing. Trying to hide or making a lot of hand movements will only make the situation worse. If they tell you it’s their trail, then I would tell them off. I can’t stand that elitist attitude, and some horse people have it.

I don’t care what people do when I’m riding because I have complete control of my horse no matter what comes down the trail. With horses it’s all about trust, if the rider is nervous then the horse will be too. Horses only have two instincts, fight or flight.

[crazymoose]

Pull a Mongo. Problem solved.




Seriously, though, they should learn to control their horses if they're on a public trail. Like a car, a horse can be deadly if you can't control it.

[FlyingHunter]

Pull a Mongo. Problem solved.




Seriously, though, they should learn to control their horses if they're on a public trail. Like a car, a horse can be deadly if you can't control it.

That was seriously funny...I had forgotten all about that movie scene.

[munch520]

It depends on their temperament, if I were you I'd keep running and not change a thing. Veering off suddenly will probably spook them more than if you just ran right by them. (Sudden) change is what spooks most horses. Also depends on their condition (how old the horse is, stud, in heat, etc). But they should be able to put up with it, if not their trainers likely don't socialize them enough or the horse is just a stubborn ass and walks all over the rider.

I agree with ICANHITHIMMAN. They're likely English riders/horses by the sound of it. You can tell by how the rider is dressed. Ridiculous get-up, like a hunt cap or fancy jacket = English. If they're not dressed conspicuously, look at the horse. Taller/leaner usually means English, Dressage, etc....stockier build is likely a Quarter Horse (Western). Tell the English riders to **** off. Tip your head or say 'hello' to a Western rider and you're good.

[Sentaruu]

**** THEM! Unfortunately for me I am stuck with them, I hate horse people for the most part. The western riders seam to be the exception unless they are all about competitions then they seam to be just like the English riders.

Why do they act like ****ING BITCHES, well its because they don't have the level of training or time in the saddle to control the animal! So when you surprise them they are scared and the animal feels it in so many ways then it gets scared to. It can take off and they are all scared they will be killed so **** them.

The way they should be acting is to use the experience to train the animal. The wife does this shit all the time, makes them walk on tarps and walk through tarps, sprinklers, milk jugs etc. Its an effort to desensitize them, look at mounted police they spend years getting their animals ready for crowds. Drive buy your local LE barn and look at all the shit they have along their fences pinwheels, streamers etc.

**** THEM

tell us how you really feel

[crazymoose]

**** THEM! Unfortunately for me I am stuck with them, I hate horse people for the most part. The western riders seam to be the exception unless they are all about competitions then they seam to be just like the English riders.

Why do they act like ****ING BITCHES, well its because they don't have the level of training or time in the saddle to control the animal! So when you surprise them they are scared and the animal feels it in so many ways then it gets scared to. It can take off and they are all scared they will be killed so **** them.

The way they should be acting is to use the experience to train the animal. The wife does this shit all the time, makes them walk on tarps and walk through tarps, sprinklers, milk jugs etc. Its an effort to desensitize them, look at mounted police they spend years getting their animals ready for crowds. Drive buy your local LE barn and look at all the shit they have along their fences pinwheels, streamers etc.

**** THEM

Yep. I met a guy who bred and trained horses for a lot of movies, but also private sales. Every horse he sold, for films or just for riding, got tons of conditioning, including acclimating them to close range gun fire.

[Ed243]

I come across horseback riders on the trail when riding my dirt bike. I usually stop my bike and watch them go by or they wave me to pass. Every one of them has always been pleasant.

Joggers and cyclists on the other hand can sometimes be quite surly.