[pct-l] Horses on the trail

[Reinhold Metzger]

On 12/17/2011 6:23 AM, Reinhold Metzger wrote:
> Now, now, now children,
> Lets not get all nasty again....be nice to each other.
>
> I must admit, horses can make a mess on the trail but, then again, 
> horse manure makes great fertilizer which may not be a bad thing.
> And, in reality, horses do less damage to the environment than hikers.
> I never heard of a horse starting a forest fire.
>
> Some folks grumble about horsemen being rude and not friendly.
> I never had that problem....I smile, say hello and ask where you're 
> heading?...and I always get a friendly response.
>
> It is obvious from the grumbling that some list members have a 
> negative attitude toward horsemen and then they grumble when the 
> horsemen respond in a like manner.
> Try a smile and a hello next time and see if that will get you a more 
> favorable response.
>
> The only time I have a problem with horses is on my JMT speed hikes.
> Normally the hikers step aside and let the horses pass.
> On my JMT speed hikes that is OK if we are going in opposite 
> directions and I only need to step aside for a moment.
> However, if we are going in the same direction, since I am going 
> faster than the horses, getting off the trail and running with a pack 
> to pass a long pack train is a real bummer.
>
> JMT Reinhold
> Your trail companion who loves all animals
>