Los Viajeros -- Home

Now, this may seem like a whole lot of rules, but mostly what we are talking about here is old-fashioned horse sense and common courtesy.

1. Guests or persons riding for membership are required to ride with a sponsor.

2. No stallions are allowed on any LV-sponsored ride.

3. No ponying of horses is allowed on any LV ride.

4. No dogs or pets are allowed on any LV-sponsored rides.

5. Appropriate footwear (boots or shoes with heels) and saddles must be used on all LV rides.

6. Follow all instructions of the ride organizer and Trail Boss as they are in charge of your trail ride.

7. Never pass the Trail Boss unless you have his/her permission to pass. The Trail Boss must be a Los Viajeros member and always rides in front of the other riders in the group.

8. Never fall behind the Drag Rider. He/she is appointed by the Trail Boss or your group or ride organizer and is responsible for maintaining safety and closing gates. The drag rider must be a Los Viajeros member.

9. Never purposely separate yourself from other riders in your riding group or drift off the trail.

10. Do not ride nose to tail. It may make the horse and rider in front nervous and could result in a kick. Maintain at least one horse length between horses. Known kickers must wear a red ribbon on their tail. All riders should endeavor to keep their horse up with the group in order to avoid the "rubber band" effect. Try to stay within three to four horse lengths from the horse in front of you. If the lead rider is going too fast for the group, please let him/her know.

11. Be aware of the rider behind you.

12. No member or guest shall ride a horse in a manner that might endanger life or limb of any other person or animal.

13. No loping/cantering or galloping is allowed on LV rides, unless it is approved by the trail boss, and then only under very limited circumstances, such as when avoiding bees in an emergency situation.

14. No rider shall allow his/her mount to stand improperly attended or improperly tied.

15. Each rider must have proper equipment for tying his/her horse (lead rope and halter) and the horse must be tied up short to a substantial tree or post. No hobbling or "ground tying" is allowed on LV rides.

16. No excessive disciplining of horses is allowed on LV rides (e.g. spinning). If your horse is misbehaving, take it to the back of the group, but stay in front of the drag rider.

17. Pay attention to your riding and the trail conditions.

18. When crossing a road, use common sense. When traffic is present, one or more persons designated by the trail boss are usually asked to block traffic while the group crosses the road. DO NOT ride across the road if the whole group cannot cross without a break in the line. Otherwise the horses left behind may panic when separated from the horse in front of them. Remember that all horses are herd animals and may panic unexpectedly if separated from horses in front, putting you, your horse and your riding companions in danger.

19. When a slower-moving horse bicyclist or hiker is encountered on the trail, and the trail is wide enough to safely accommodate passing, alert the riders behind you to form a single-file line and walk slowly past the biker/hiker.

20. When an oncoming bicyclist, hiker or runner is encountered on a trail that is too narrow to allow safe passing, ask the biker/hiker/runner to stop and move off the trail to the downhill side if at all possible, while the riding group passes slowly in single file.

21. When a biker/runner approaches a ride group from behind and wishes to pass, ride ahead until a safe passing point is found, then stop and let the biker/runner pass.

22. When another riding group or a group of hikers or bikers is encountered on a trail that is too narrow for safe passing, the horse group riding in the uphill direction has the right of way in general. The uphill group should retreat to a safe passing place. However, this suggestion is a judgment call and should depend on how many are in each party and trail conditions. When a slower riding group is encountered going in the same direction, ask permission to pass if practical, then pass carefully.

23. Walk down into gullies or inclines at a safe distance from the horse in front of you. Avoid trotting into or out of gullies/inclines.

24. When riding uphill, follow a zig-zag course if possible to save the hill and your horse. When you reach the top, keep moving to make room for the horses behind you.

25. When passing through brush or beneath trees with low limbs, do not grab a branch and then let it go, as the branch might smack the horse or rider behind you.

26. If your horse balks at crossing a stream or stepping over a log, let a more trail-experienced horse and ride cross in front of you, then follow. If this doesn't work after several tries, ask for help.

27. Call back any trail hazards you see, such as a hole, wire, low branch, knee knocker, car, etc. Make sure the message is passed on.

28. All riders using a riding trail shall respect the rights of the property owners along the trail and shall not trespass on their property/privacy in any way.

29. Take care of the trail. Don't cut corners. Stay on the trail unless it is impassable due to a fallen tree, landslide, etc. In that case, follow instructions from the Trail Boss.

30. Do not litter trails with paper or trash. If you stop for a meal or snack, always leave a clean area.

31. NO SMOKING while riding or leading your horse on the trail.

32. Any rider opening a closed gate shall close the gate after passing through it. Riders in a group shall pass through a gate and wait for the drag rider to close it.

33. No riders shall bother livestock encountered along or adjacent to riding trails or when crossing ranch land with permission of the owner.

34. When watering your horse during a ride, please move your horse away from the watering area as soon as done, but do not ride on until all horses in your group have had a chance to drink.

35. Trailer and camp areas must be clean before leaving. Manure must be carried out if required (as per state park requirements) or placed in appropriate holding areas, Any campfires must be completely extinguished.

36. HAVE A FUN AND SAFE RIDE!