Last year two women on horses tied their horses ON THE TRAIL, while they had lunch. When I looked at them they said "Oh, they are gentle, just go by and pet them". Well, I am NOT a horse person and it sounded a lot like all those dog owners who say fido is friendly and then he bites me. Do not make hikers get too close to your horses - most of us are not familiar with horses and may even be scared of them.

I have been told that on a slope hikers should get off the trail on the downhill side. Supposedly it spooks the horses less. However, if the horse does get spooked I do not like being downhill where he could fall on top of me. What IS the preferable location of a hiker when they get off the trail to let horses by?