[pct-l] Fw: Horse etiquette

[giniajim]

This is actually pretty interesting.  I've never seen or heard an 
authoritative suggestion about the uphill/downhill question and I've asked a 
lot of horse folks about that.  After putting some thought into it, I came 
to the downhill conclusion myself: if I slip, I'd rather fall away from the 
horse than into the horse.  Plus I've heard that horses are sensitive to 
creatures being above them (i.e. predators).  So downhill it is!  This 
assumes of course that moving downhill is a safe thing to do; don't want to 
put yourself into more danger!
   And yes I love seeing horses on the trail too.  I do not mind the horse 
droppings (as long as I'm not knee-deep in it!).

Shroomer says:

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Scott Williams <baidarker at gmail.com>
To: Christopher Swope <sswwooppee at gmail.com>
Cc: Pacific Crest Trail List <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2012 8:56 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Horse etiquette

My horse loving friends taught me to pass a rider by waiting (or walking,
if the trail is wide enough) on the downhill side of the trail when the
path traverses a hill. We can usually scramble out of the way if a horse
gets spooked whereas a rider and horse loosing its footing on the downhill
side may cause serious injury to both as they tumble down a slope or
cliff. A horse getting spooked and bolting up hill is not quit so
dangerous.

I also quiet my poles and voice and try not to look the horse in the eye
right off as we are predator in the natural scheme of things -- two eyes
that look straight ahead in a narrow field of vision -- and they are prey,
-- eyes on both sides of their heads for a broader view of the world and
predators.

I'm one of those hikers who actually love seeing horses on trail. I don't
mind the horse crap in the trail so much if it means seeing these
magnificent
 animals ride past. I'm just a damn romantic where it comes to
these great beasts. They are beautiful and I always get a thrill seeing
horse and rider in the wilderness. Takes me back a few thousand years on
the planet and is always a treat.

Shroomer