Hi Daisy ET all,

I think the horse problem is one of perception and funding. The national park service will blast trails to make them usable for horses. In my own humble opinion its because congressmen like to ride horses and appropriate money to create horse trails, but not money for backpacking trails.

Should wilderness be limited to people physically capable of going there on their own? [vs on horseback by commercial operations] And if so, then aren't the wilderness areas being reserved for the young and unemployed and those with the time to go there? Is it in the greater interest of the public to keep wilderness areas off limits to the average American?

I love horses. I think they are stupid. I hate horse berries on the trail, I hike cross country mostly. BUT I think they have as much right to be there as anyone, but some of the very worst offenders of littering the wilderness are horse packers who think its cute to leave all of the extra food, glass jars etc forthe hippy backpackers, so there will be a camp covered with horse droppings and garbage.

I think horses are much less threat to hikers than dogs. I love my dog, which is why I leave her at home when I backpack. Why expose the dog to the risks for my own selfish need for a companion, or worse - those who take their dogs for protection are actually putting their dog at risk to cover their own stupidity.

just my own $.02 worth.
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />