Americans who use horses and pack stock enjoy a unique experience when they ride on trails and public lands. It is an experience that ties them to the “pioneer” era and provides not only a way to connect with America’s vast and unique natural resources, but it's also a link to America’s history and traditions. It is an experience that cannot be enjoyed without a trail system, trailhead access and areas for camping. It is an experience that Americans enjoyed even before there was a national park system and an experience they want to continue.
Unfortunately, equestrians are seeing an increasing loss of access through trail restrictions, trail closures and use restrictions. Riders and stock users are being excluded from areas that they have historically traveled through and indeed first opened up. It is a loss of opportunities for riders, families, people with disabilities, school groups and others.
The American Horse Council has launched a new effort to collect information on access issues equestrians are experiencing on federal lands. The centerpiece of this effort is an online form equestrians can use to report their personal experiences regarding trails and federal lands that have been closed to them or other access issues.
There seems to be a management environment less open to these traditional forms of use, according to an AHC press release. Sometimes restrictions on equestrian use are done intentionally through management plans that reduce, restrict or eliminate horses, horse facilities, camping or grazing restrictions, cross-country travel restrictions or closures. Sometimes the restrictions are indirect through a lack of trail maintenance, over regulation or lack of facilities that provide saddle and pack animals or parking for horse trailers.
To better combat this disturbing trend, AHC is asking equestrians to document examples of trails or entire areas that have been closed to equestrians on federal land (National Forest Service, National Parks Service and Bureau of Land Management, etc). AHC is seeking all relevant information concerning these closures such as the reason for the loss of access, details concerning any public process that was involved and the history of equestrian use on the closed trail or area.
AHC is also interested in examples of attempts to bar equestrian access that have been defeated.
“The reduction of trails, trail heads and the closure of public lands to horses and pack animals is a continuing problem for equestrians. However, there is no centralized, comprehensive database that documents any loss of access and even fewer specific examples,” said AHC President Jay Hickey. “We hope by giving equestrians a place to report their experiences, we can get a better picture of the problem and use that information to fix it.”
AHC is asking all recreational riders to visit the AHC Web site and report any access issues they have had.
“AHC is committed to preserving equine access to public lands. It is very important for these efforts that we have evidence that demonstrates the extent of the problem and the need for action on the part of Congress or the federal land agencies,” said Hickey.
