The second “Horse Bike Experience” was held at Courtesy Stables on Sunday June 22. This event is organized jointly by PMBA and Courtesy Stables with the objective of facilitating communication between mountain bikers and equestrians, and familiarizing both groups with the guidelines for trail interactions that were developed jointly. Participating from PMBA were Chris Hunter, Dave Sparango, Colm McLaughlin, Dan Cappello, Rico Niwinski and Jon Pearce, along with riders from Courtesy, Northwestern and Monastery stables. After some initial discussions Walt Sasse from Courtesy choreographed a series of exercises of horses and bikes riding together in the Courtesy training ring, in the same and then in opposite directions. Bikers got a vivid demonstration of the differences in ways that horses react to bikes – some horses were totally unconcerned while one horse refused to approach the bikes. Afterwards, the riders and bikers moved to a nearby trail for some more realistic practice. Pictures are at http://picasaweb.google.com/jpearce08055/HorseBikeExperience608.

The exercise demonstrates the need for bikers and riders to communicate with each other while on trails. On Forbidden Drive bikes should check their speed and pass horses in single file, announcing their presence to the rider and horse especially from overtaking from behind. On trails, bikers should stop and wait for instructions from the horse rider.

Another Horse Bike Experience day is planned for the fall.