uman Powered Trails, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is:  “To develop and maintain first class sustainable and environmentally correct, human-powered, shared use trails for the La Crosse, WI region."

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Share the Trail PDF Print E-mail

There's a saying: You'll never win a fight with an automobile. The same general rule applies to any situation in which you find yourself - the bigger object wins. On trails, a hiker is about the smallest, slowest object so it is in your best interest to yield to any other mode of transportation you encounter.

A commonly used trail sharing sign is shown here.
The rules are:

  • Bikers yield to Hikers and Horses
  • Hikers yield to Horses

The concept is that bikers are fast and can stop and go easily so they let everything else have the right of way. Horses are big and unpredictable so they get the right of way.

As a slow, unprotected hiker, I'm not about to argue the right of way with a horse or biker or ATV or anything else I might meet. I will always politely yield the trail and use the time to take a deep breath and say 'Howdy'.

www.hikingdude.com

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Horses On The Trail: What To Do PDF Print E-mail
Remember: Horses are animals with minds of their own. Unlike a hiker or a bike rider, someone o­n a horse does not always have total control over their horse...

If you are o­n a shared use trail where you may encounter horses (Prairie trails at HPT), it is your responsibility to know what to do.

What should you do when you encounter a horse:
  1. Stop. 
    • If you are hiking move off or to the side of the trail.
    • If you are biking, get off your bike. Yes, you should get off your bike. This helps the horse recognize that you are a human (versus some weird thing with wheels attached to it).
  2. Communicate!!!
    • This is probably the most important thing you can do. If the horse sees you standing there and not saying anything, instinct tells it that you are a predator. Say hello to the rider and try to strike up a conversation. This will calm the horse and also does wonders for relations between all trail users. Talk about the weather or talk about the trail. After all we are all out there for the same reason, just doing it in different ways.
  3. Ask the rider what you should do.
    • Sometimes the rider will ask you to continue walking or riding while they wait o­n the side of the trail. Sometimes they will pass through while you wait. Again, remember that horses have individual personalities and o­nly the horse's owner/rider knows that personality. Trust their judgment.
  4. Take EXTRA care if approaching the horse from behind.
    • Horses can't see behind themselves very well, so approaching from behind can be dangerous to both the equestrian and the hiker or biker. Again, communication is critical: gently announce, well in advance, to let them know that you are approaching from behind.
What NOT to do:
  1. Don't stand there silently.
    • This makes the horse think you might be a predator and the horse might run as a result.
  2. Don't speed past by the horse.
    • This is almost certain to startle the horse which puts the equestrian and YOU in danger.
  3. Don't do anything that might startle the horse.
    • This might include yelling or making your brakes squeal.
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