Dear Gary,
We were encouraged by the last OST board meeting, with their guarantee that there will be horse truck and trailer parking. As suggested by Tim McFlynn, for liability reasons, the equestrian parking should be separate from the cars for bike & pedestrian parking,
At the board meeting, Tim’s scenario was of several horses tied to a horse trailer. People are drawn to horses naturally. If, for example, someone approached an animal tied fast to a trailer, and if their attendant was not present, perhaps getting a bridle, or dealing with another horse tied on the opposite side of the trailer, then an accident could occur. That horse could pull back, perhaps taking the person down, and causing a chain reaction from all the horses tied next to him.
Let me explain about the horses’ natural instinct for flight from fear.
First, humans are predators, as all animals with eyes on the front of their faces.
Second, horses are prey animals, as all animals with eyes on the side of their faces.
That being said, many horses have an innate, deep, down fear of people, especially if they have been handled badly in their younger years. Through quiet training with a kind and gentle hand, many of the fear triggers can be removed, but often these types of horses will react unpredictably. In general if a horse feels trapped, as when they are tied fast to a horse trailer, they can have volatile behavior, especially if approached by a predator that they do not know, and one who marches up straight into their space.
I have been involved in the horse business since I was 8 years old, first riding, then training and showing horses in both Western and English disciplines. After marriage, my husband and I owned and operated an Outfitting business in the Snowmass - Maroon wilderness area for 18 years.
I have seen terrible accidents caused by situations where people were uneducated about horses; how one should approach them, and what is safe behavior when in their presence.
I have seen horses pull back, break loose, and trample people in their way. I have seen horses pull and fall backwards on top of a person. I saw a women put her finger in the bit ring of a horses’ bridle, which caused him to rear over backwards, killing him, and injuring her seriously. Horses are large reactive creatures, but if trained and managed properly, are solid dependable partners that bring great joy to those of us that have made our lives in their company.
The general public is not educated about horses. Best to keep them separated when tied to the trailer.
One more thing that you should know about horses is the way they see and their vision.
Because their eyes are on the side of their faces, they see both sides at the same time, but they have two blind spots, one is in front of their faces, and the other behind their tails. These blind spots cause them to be wary about sudden movements, and sometimes, if they move their heads so that they can see better, the right side image and left side image, when merging across the blind spot cause a visual jump, or flash, which can also cause a horse to shy.
Now knowing this new information, you might wonder why anyone would want to have horses.
As Winston Churchill once said, “The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man”. And that is so true.
Through history horses have been our transportation, beasts of burden, war machines, before our mechanized world emerged, and they have helped us explore the American Western Frontier. Today we enjoy the challenge of training these large, grand animals. The partnership of man and horse brings peace to a persons’ soul, and is especially clear when riding them on our beautiful mountain trails.
With respect to horses’ safety on trails, they are very trainable and compatible with all multiple users. Horses need an 18’ vision field to forewarn them of any approaching person who might be biking, hiking, motorcycling, or 4 wheeling. Trails designed to accommodate this rule will be safe for all.
So, to the point, for horse truck and trailer parking on Glassier Open Space, it would be ideal to have a specific, designated area, with a gate and signage, to keep the area safe away from non educated horse pedestrian and bike people with cars.
Again, it would ideal if it was big enough for at least 4 or 6 large goose neck trailers (40’ to 44’ in length) to pull in, turn around the back of the lot, then back up so they end up facing out, then there would be plenty of room for more rigs to pull in and park.
Generally, a rectangular space like this should be at least 100 ft. wide, but 150 ft. wide is ultimately ideal, then 150 ft. long. Another scenario could be a large, open circle of 150 ft. diameter, which would work also. The 150 ft. open circle is the perfect model. Hugh Colborne from the Nat’l Park Service U S Dept. of the interior met with us on Jan 7th, on site at the Glassier Open Space property. You might find him helpful, with 30 years of experience, in designing any equestrian parking, bridle path, or trails for The Crown.
I hope this letter is helpful to you in further planning for horse truck and trailer parking, giving the equestrian community access to The Crown.
Carol Dopkin, Leslie Thomas, and I will meet with you, any time you would like, for site visits at both the Sky Mountain Trail, the Cozy Point Trail, and any other trail that horses would have to share with bikes.
Walking a trail on foot does not give you the information you need to make it safe for horses. When you are riding a horse your perspective is elevated, therefore, all future changes, additions, or corrections, on any of the shared trails should be looked at, while at least one, knowledgeable, horseback rider is in attendance for input. Leslie Thomas and I made our livelihoods guiding clients in the Maroon-Snowmass Wilderness, clearing trails, and keeping everyone safe for 18 years in business. We would be pleased to offer our expertise any time you need us.
We want to work with you. Please know that this letter is graciously offered as assistance to help in your job of making this project work for the AG leases, the neighbors, and all the recreational multi-use participants.
Sincerely,
Holly McLain
We were encouraged by the last OST board meeting, with their guarantee that there will be horse truck and trailer parking. As suggested by Tim McFlynn, for liability reasons, the equestrian parking should be separate from the cars for bike & pedestrian parking,
At the board meeting, Tim’s scenario was of several horses tied to a horse trailer. People are drawn to horses naturally. If, for example, someone approached an animal tied fast to a trailer, and if their attendant was not present, perhaps getting a bridle, or dealing with another horse tied on the opposite side of the trailer, then an accident could occur. That horse could pull back, perhaps taking the person down, and causing a chain reaction from all the horses tied next to him.
Let me explain about the horses’ natural instinct for flight from fear.
First, humans are predators, as all animals with eyes on the front of their faces.
Second, horses are prey animals, as all animals with eyes on the side of their faces.
That being said, many horses have an innate, deep, down fear of people, especially if they have been handled badly in their younger years. Through quiet training with a kind and gentle hand, many of the fear triggers can be removed, but often these types of horses will react unpredictably. In general if a horse feels trapped, as when they are tied fast to a horse trailer, they can have volatile behavior, especially if approached by a predator that they do not know, and one who marches up straight into their space.
I have been involved in the horse business since I was 8 years old, first riding, then training and showing horses in both Western and English disciplines. After marriage, my husband and I owned and operated an Outfitting business in the Snowmass - Maroon wilderness area for 18 years.
I have seen terrible accidents caused by situations where people were uneducated about horses; how one should approach them, and what is safe behavior when in their presence.
I have seen horses pull back, break loose, and trample people in their way. I have seen horses pull and fall backwards on top of a person. I saw a women put her finger in the bit ring of a horses’ bridle, which caused him to rear over backwards, killing him, and injuring her seriously. Horses are large reactive creatures, but if trained and managed properly, are solid dependable partners that bring great joy to those of us that have made our lives in their company.
The general public is not educated about horses. Best to keep them separated when tied to the trailer.
One more thing that you should know about horses is the way they see and their vision.
Because their eyes are on the side of their faces, they see both sides at the same time, but they have two blind spots, one is in front of their faces, and the other behind their tails. These blind spots cause them to be wary about sudden movements, and sometimes, if they move their heads so that they can see better, the right side image and left side image, when merging across the blind spot cause a visual jump, or flash, which can also cause a horse to shy.
Now knowing this new information, you might wonder why anyone would want to have horses.
As Winston Churchill once said, “The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man”. And that is so true.
Through history horses have been our transportation, beasts of burden, war machines, before our mechanized world emerged, and they have helped us explore the American Western Frontier. Today we enjoy the challenge of training these large, grand animals. The partnership of man and horse brings peace to a persons’ soul, and is especially clear when riding them on our beautiful mountain trails.
With respect to horses’ safety on trails, they are very trainable and compatible with all multiple users. Horses need an 18’ vision field to forewarn them of any approaching person who might be biking, hiking, motorcycling, or 4 wheeling. Trails designed to accommodate this rule will be safe for all.
So, to the point, for horse truck and trailer parking on Glassier Open Space, it would be ideal to have a specific, designated area, with a gate and signage, to keep the area safe away from non educated horse pedestrian and bike people with cars.
Again, it would ideal if it was big enough for at least 4 or 6 large goose neck trailers (40’ to 44’ in length) to pull in, turn around the back of the lot, then back up so they end up facing out, then there would be plenty of room for more rigs to pull in and park.
Generally, a rectangular space like this should be at least 100 ft. wide, but 150 ft. wide is ultimately ideal, then 150 ft. long. Another scenario could be a large, open circle of 150 ft. diameter, which would work also. The 150 ft. open circle is the perfect model. Hugh Colborne from the Nat’l Park Service U S Dept. of the interior met with us on Jan 7th, on site at the Glassier Open Space property. You might find him helpful, with 30 years of experience, in designing any equestrian parking, bridle path, or trails for The Crown.
I hope this letter is helpful to you in further planning for horse truck and trailer parking, giving the equestrian community access to The Crown.
Carol Dopkin, Leslie Thomas, and I will meet with you, any time you would like, for site visits at both the Sky Mountain Trail, the Cozy Point Trail, and any other trail that horses would have to share with bikes.
Walking a trail on foot does not give you the information you need to make it safe for horses. When you are riding a horse your perspective is elevated, therefore, all future changes, additions, or corrections, on any of the shared trails should be looked at, while at least one, knowledgeable, horseback rider is in attendance for input. Leslie Thomas and I made our livelihoods guiding clients in the Maroon-Snowmass Wilderness, clearing trails, and keeping everyone safe for 18 years in business. We would be pleased to offer our expertise any time you need us.
We want to work with you. Please know that this letter is graciously offered as assistance to help in your job of making this project work for the AG leases, the neighbors, and all the recreational multi-use participants.
Sincerely,
Holly McLain