[pct-l] Horses on PCT

[Carolyn Eddy]

You know, I was a horse packer for many years before I was earthbound and 
couldn't ride anymore. I used to think, What's the big deal? Well, after 
marching thru some areas, especially after a rain, where the trail is a bowl 
with wall to wall manure you can't walk around, I can see both sides.

In defense of horse riders, you don't always know when they are dropping a 
load, but if you are in a group one person in the back should be responsible 
for  checking, IMHO.

And as far as horse people being uppity, very often that look on their face 
is sheer terror at what you might do that is going to get them dumped and 
hurt. I've had well meaning backpackers hide behind trees so that when they 
popped out my horse had a coronary because he didn't see them, and not so 
well meaning people deliberately hit my horse in the nose with a hiking 
stick or ride a bicycle up their butt causing them to climb the nearest tree 
with me on them.

Unless you announce them, the rider has no way of knowing your intentions, 
so talk to them as you approach, maybe even ask them what you can do to 
help. None of us owns the trail, but some of us, horse users and hikers 
both, do tend to act like it.

"Sweet Goat Mama"
Carolyn Eddy
www.goattracksmagazine.com