Safety

Consider the Horses.

• Take only the minimum number of animals necessary.
• Take only animals which are fit, calm, experienced.
• Practice at home the techniques to be used in the backcountry before heading out. The trailhead and camp ground is not an ideal place for an animal to learn about breechings, clinking and clanging pannier loads or windblown mantis.
• Accustom your horses to the type of restraints you will be using.
• Prior experience with hikers, pickup trucks, ATVs, dirtbikes, and other odd-looking trail users may save a major wreck and the impact it can cause.

Hydrate.

Remember to drink plenty of water and provide adequate hydration opportunities for your animals. There are few  places for watering and they may contain sensitive vegetation and fragile soils. Consider watering horses away from the source to prevent damage to these sensitive riparian areas. Bring a collapsible water bucket for this purpose.

• For You: Bring drinking water with you or be prepared to purify stream water by boiling or filtering.
• For Your Animals: Water your horses at an established ford or low flat spot in the bank where little damage will occur. Encourage hobbled horses to water there as well.

Feed: Supplemental weed-free feed or processed feed, such as alfalfa pellets or crimped oats, should be carried and used.

Minimize Horse Impact

Leave No Trace. Horses and mules have great potential for leaving long-lasting impact in the backcountry. They generate pressures up to 1500 pounds per square inch on each foot. Horseshoes intensify those pressures and increase shearing force on soils and vegetation. As grazing animals, they compete with wildlife for available feed and can over utilize a meadow if not properly attended. Educate yourself and your group with low-impact techniques.

• Confine livestock more than 100 feet away from campsites and more than 200 feet from lakes and streams.
• Do not tie stock directly to trees except for loading, unloading, or short rest breaks while traveling. If you must, select a live tree at least eight inches in diameter. A tree of this size can resist some trampling of the roots and damage to the bark. Wrap the lead rope around the trunk twice before you tie the knot.
• In popular areas, concentrate use.
• In remote areas, spread use.
• Avoid areas where impact is just beginning.
• Use campfires responsibly.
• Properly dispose of what you can not pack out. 
• Kick apart and scatter piles of manure.  If manure is in the central camp area, carry it well away for dispersal. 
• Be considerate of others.
• Leave what you find.

Other Points of Interest

Multi-use Trails. Many of the trails where equestrian use is allowed are also designated for other users. Here are some simple guidelines:

• Be aware that hikers, ATV and dirtbike riders may also be utilizing the same trails or trail systems. When riding, be especially cautious around other such users.
• Exercise caution on heavily used trails.
• Refrain from riding on "loose sand" trail sections.
• Please respect and be courteous of others while on the trails.
• Have fun and enjoy your environment!!!