Been on both sides, I do not like horses on backpacking trails, period. I would much rather the horse crowd be required to make separate trails to use. Also require those making the backcountry rules and regs', be required to WALK the very trails they legislate on! If they personally had to enduure some of the afore-mentioned trail conditions/environs, they might think before allowing multi use. Water is so vital to humans in the wild, that horse operations should be banned from bringing stock within 250ft. Yes, wildlife is doing it's business there , but not as frequently as a pack camp's horses.

There are exceptions, but the above posts in this thread really point out the problems. With the use of heli's today I doubt a horse or mule train is needed to get anyone anything in the bkcountry.