A sustainably built trail is one that is well designed and capable of being continued for a long period of time, with very minimal long-term effect on the environment and on the resources of those who must maintain the trail in the future. Practicing the principles of trail sustainability when riding, as well as volunteering to assist with trail maintenance, are important ways to build and maintain good relations with trail lands owners and managers.

Here is an introduction to sustainable trail planning presented by Douglas County, CO. If trails are built sustainably, you are less likely ot have erosion issues and fewer maintenance costs. Well-built sustainable trails can support a variety of recreationists.

Protecting streams and water quality is an issue of concern for trail riders and trail system managers. A little knowledge about choosing the right place to cross a stream in order to have a minimal impact on the stream bed and water quality is important for the resource and may ultimately help you preserve your access to the trail system.

Would you or your organization benefit from trail maintanance and construction training?

All of the USDA Forest Service's Technology & Development Program trails reports and web sites are now available electronically!

Construction drawings and text (PDF document). (click here to download free Adobe .pdf reader)

Download the checklist...

To build sustainable trails, you need to consider the equipment you use and how to protect the natural resources and disturb as little soil as possible. Here are some of the latest equipment available for sustainable trail building.

Hosted by American Trails, written by Dr. Gene Wood. Equestrian trail users are awakening to the fact that we are recreating largely on public lands...

An experience in Montana’s Lolo National Forest to learn Leave No Trace Principles to receive the Master Educator designation leaves the author with a deep understanding of low or no impact land use. Leave No Trace riding and trail use practices are not only extremely applicable for horse trail users, but of great value to land owners and managers.

Rick shares some thoughts about the dangers of overprotecting natural spaces.

...is one of the valuable offerings of the USFS Ninemile Wildlands Training Center. Class descriptions and course schedules are available here.

Scientific evidence fails to demonstrate that recreational trail stock significantly contribute to the invasives problem at the landscape level.

Here is a literature review of scientific studies regarding recreation by humans and bird disturbance. See page 9 for comments on horse and bid disturbance. The document also cites additional resources on horses and bird disturbance that can provide additional information.

Here is a summary document by EnviroHorse on the environmental issues commonly raised about horses on trails.

One of equestrians' favorite activities is exploring America's landscapes from the back of their favorite horse.

This powerpoint presentation on a research study on invasive species and trail riders by Sith Gower, Ph.D of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and funded by the American Endurance Ride Conference and Dean Witter Foundation explains invasive species, why they are something equestrians and others should be concerned about and concludes that germination of invasive plants carried by horses is not a significant concern.

Equestrian Trails and Water Quality Protection

Does equestrian use have an impact on stream and lake water quality?

Horses are often unjustly banned from trails because of their potential to spread the garlic mustard seed. In fact, wind, water, humans and a variety of animals, including dogs and deer, spread the garlic mustard seed. Trail riders should not be singled out when there are other seed carriers on the land/trail in question. Watch this video which is posted on the US Department of Agriculture website for more information.

Nothing will have a greater impact on horse owners using public federal lands than the federal agencies fight on weeds.

An activist offers insight into Environmental Impact Statements.

Water quality has become the basic indicator ecosystem health...

The authors become concerned about information being provided to the public about the extent to which horses pose threats to human health from exposure to manure deposited on public trails.

What are the key steps to build momentum, stimulate public interest and motivate people to get involved?

The cooperative effort of individuals, clubs, government agencies, and private groups make new horse trails available in the Madison, Wisconsin area.

The US Forest Service Trail Fundamentals reference materials and training documents are now available.

The study, completed by Clemson University, compares the visual preferences of horseback riders for various levels of trail conditions on the Clemson University Experimental Forest.

to provide an description of the use of trails in South Carolina by walkers, hikers, runners/joggers, bikers; skateboarders, in-line skaters; horseback riders, off-highway vehicle riders; and canoeists, kayakers, or river rafters.

Negotiating with Residential Developers to preserve equestrian trail access is an option. Read this article on Equisearch.com to learn some helpful tips from a developer.

Download this form...

This study examines recreational demand for equestrian trail riding in Kentucky.

One key issue facing horse owners today is the loss of open space for trail riding. In Massachusetts, 16,000 acres of open space are lost to residential and commercial development every year. New home construction blocks existing trail access because developers are either unaware of existing trail systems or because the new land owners prohibit anyone on their property for fear of liability issues. What can be done? Here are a few simple suggestions.

In June of 2009 the Equine Land Conservation Resource examined three models-New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New Mexico-for equine-based use and enjoyment of state game lands (commonly known as Wildlife Management Areas or WMAs) and formulated general recommendations for horsemen in other states seeking access to the same.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) receives occasional inquiries about equestrian and other nonmotorized...

Discover unexpectedly good riding near a metropolitan area.

Here is a sample memorandum of agreement between a municipality, a greenway and recreational groups for trail construction, operation and maintenance.

Trails and greenways are too often seen narrowly when it comes to their benefits.

This study examines recreational demand for equestrian trail riding in Kentucky.

Legislation that took effect in July created...

to provide an description of the use of trails in South Carolina by walkers, hikers, runners/joggers, bikers; skateboarders, in-line skaters; horseback riders, off-highway vehicle riders; and canoeists, kayakers, or river rafters.

Whether you ride as a member of a trail club or on your own, there are some basic rules of trail behavior that you and your companions should always follow. These tenets of equestrian etiquette, when adhered to closely, will help you and your group to gain and maintain access to trails on both public and private land.

Sharing the trail with other recreationists requires cooperation and some rules of the road to keep everyone safe.

...is one of the valuable offerings of the USFS Ninemile Wildlands Training Center. Class descriptions and course schedules are available here.

A group of national and state trail advocacy organizations representing equestrian, OHV, and bicycle interests recently completed a collaborative effort...

Scenic vistas lay ahead ready to explore...

The eight or so equestrians who participated in this public process...

Bay State Trail Riders Association has a long history of organizing many trail rides each year to help them fulfill their mission. This article contains practical tips and etiquette for such rides.

National Symposium on Horse Trails in Forest Ecosystems. Posted with Permission from the International Mountain Biking Association (www.imba.org).

Dirt bikers and endurance riders successfully hold simultaneous events on the same trails.

Equitrekking.com Leave No Trace article

What are the key steps to build momentum, stimulate public interest and motivate people to get involved?

As the Superintendent of Golden Gate National Parks, Brian O'Neill and his staff earned a reputation as a model partnership park where partnerships are a way of thinking about how best to accomplish the park's mission and build a community of stewardship.

As the nation's economy continues to struggle, cities across the country face unprecedented budget woes and difficult decisions as to how limited public funds will be spent.

July 2012: The Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program has been reauthorized by Congress and the legislation has been signed by President Obama.

Preserving equestrian lands against urban sprawl is an ongoing war, and it may seem as if an army is needed to turn the tide of development and preserve precious acres for riding.

The Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program is the country’s primary source of trail funding. Learn about the program, state trial funding allocations, find your state RTP administrator and learn how to apply for the funds here:

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) receives occasional inquiries about equestrian and other nonmotorized...

The cooperative effort of individuals, clubs, government agencies, and private groups make new horse trails available in the Madison, Wisconsin area.

When the U.S. Forest Service began to make changes to the trail classification system...

The missions and purposes of BCHA and ELCR are different but complimentary...

In June of 2009 the Equine Land Conservation Resource examined three models-New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New Mexico-for equine-based use and enjoyment of state game lands (commonly known as Wildlife Management Areas or WMAs) and formulated general recommendations for horsemen in other states seeking access to the same.

Hosted by American Trails, written by Dr. Gene Wood. Equestrian trail users are awakening to the fact that we are recreating largely on public lands...

Many public lands use Pittman-Robertson funding. This article explains what that may mean to horseback riders.

Scroll down to the Non-Hunting Non-Game section for other recreational uses. While this does not specifically exclude horseback riding, it does suggest that non-hunting and non-game uses are allowed on lands purchased with P-R. Wildlife can and is regularly viewed by horseback riders.

ELCR's National Office routinely receives calls regarding volunteering at state facilities. The following article may offer guidance in setting up formal volunteer programs.

2009 Survey Results on Equestrian Access on Federal Lands as conducted by the America Horse Council.

How one group works to clean and maintain open spaces and trails for use by the public, those with and without horses.

The eight or so equestrians who participated in this public process...

The story of a local group's success in Massachusetts.

A trail association and a county-wide greenway planning group partner to each group's advantage.

Partnerships at work in northeastern Wisconsin.

The history of a threatened trail that is now hopefully being saved.

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