Cyclists, Always yield to horses
From TheAcorn.com
I have lived in the Conejo Valley since 1993. I have raised my two sons here and ridden my horses for over 25 years all over our Santa Monica trail system.
I know Paramount Ranch, Malibu Creek State Park, Chesebro Park and Sycamore Canyon trail systems as well as I know the inside and outside of my own home.
Bike riders and equestrians have been trying to share these incredible trails for as long as I can remember. Rarely are there days when we do not encounter each other.
A few comments in a recent letter to the editor by Jonathan Stewart need correcting. Equestrians always have the right of way on any and all trail systems anywhere in the state of California. A quick fact-check will work for anyone interested in researching that. In fact, the order stated in trail etiquette everywhere is that bikes yield to hikers and all hikers, runners and bikes yield to horses at all times.
When a horse is startled it typically results in a horse rearing, bucking, spinning or bolting despite the very best of training.
Regarding damage to the trails, all bikers and all equestrians need to stay off of them until they are dry. On that, I feel we can all agree.
Additionally, Mr. Stewart, I don’t believe there is one horse owner who is jealous of a bike rider of any kind. Owning these incredible animals and having the privilege to see our trails by horseback is not easily described here.
Photo by Lucia Macedo on Unsplash
