Years ago, someone gifted me a lovely decorative wall hanging engraved with a horse and an inspirational quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. I love the idea of taking charge to pave your own way and the piece is still hanging on my wall at home, but every time I walk past it, I think to myself – that’s not very Leave No Trace of you, Ralph!
All outdoor recreation comes with some impact on the land – we can’t change that. But if we think of ourselves of as stewards of the land, then we have a responsibility to recreate responsibly. The concept of responsible outdoor recreation has been around for nearly a century, but Leave No Trace (LNT) was formalized in the 1990s through the collaboration of federal land managers and outdoor recreation organizations. Leave No Trace is a set of ethical principles meant to help reduce ecological damage due to outdoor recreation.
Today, there are seven official LNT principles, applicable to every kind of recreation from hiking to biking to skiing to climbing to camping and yes, even horseback riding.
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Responsible trail riding means minimizing our impact on the land. Sure, horses seem like a natural and low impact part of the ecosystem, but poor trail riding habits can leave an irrevocable mark on the landscape. Over time, damage from horses can alter trails, water sources, and even jeopardize access to land.
The seven LNT principles seem pretty straight forward, but how can we apply them to us as equestrians? Let’s take a look at each principle and consider how we can make sure we ride responsibly.
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Before heading on to ride, you should always gather information in advance on the destination. Be sure to know if there are regulations or permits. Consider weather conditions, snowpack, wildlife, feed or water sources. You may want to schedule your ride to avoid times of high use to minimize issues with other land users. Make sure you have the proper gear. Plan any meals/or snacks with a pack it in, pack it out mentality for garbage. Ensure your horse it fit and trained (and you should be too!). Finally, have a safety plan. Know how to navigate, make safe choices, and make sure someone at home knows where you are.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Horse hooves can cause vegetation damage and soil erosion in just about every environment. Stick to designated trails when they are indicated. On single track trails, ride single file. Don’t shortcut trails or switchbacks. If you do ride off-trail make sure it is on durable ground and spread out. Try to use established campsites instead of disturbing a site to create a new one. If you need to tie your horse to a tree, make sure it is only for a short period of time. Practice good containment and keep horses at least 100 feet out of camp and 200 feet away from water resources.
Dispose of Waste Properly
If there is any mantra you should have seared into your brain, it is: Pack it In, Pack it Out. Be prepared to carry out anything you bring in, including trash and food. That means bringing along some kind of garbage bag or container. If nature calls and there is no facility, dig a cat hole 6-8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from water sources. They also do make poop bags for humans!
Leave What You Find
Take only photographs, leave only footprints. It is actually illegal to remove cultural or natural resources from federal lands. This is especially important for archaeological objects such as Native American rock art or projectile points (arrowheads) but also includes old mining or ghost town ruins. Basically, look with your eyes, not with your hands! This principle also applies to flora – don’t ruin native plants and don’t introduce anything non-native. For equestrians, that means using weed-free hay when required.
Minimize Campfire Impacts
In Nevada, this might be the most important Leave No Trace principle of all. Wildfires are incredibly devastating. Every year some part of Nevada burns and will take years or decades to recover. After lighting, humans cause the majority of wildfires. Make sure campfires are even allowed on the land. If you must build one, use an existing fire ring or make it as low impact as possible. Otherwise, just use a cook stove. Never leave campfires unattended and saturate it thoroughly with water to ensure it is out.
Be Respectful of Wildlife
Seeing wildlife is always a highlight when trail riding. It helps to know what animals you may encounter in any environment. In Nevada, you should be familiar with how to behave around wild horses. Observe wildlife from a safe distance and never chase. (That goes for any trail dogs too!) No matter how cute they are, never feed animals. Be sure to store food and trash properly. Take it from me, nothing ruins a camping trip faster than waking up to a skunk in the garbage and then getting sprayed.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Everyone has the right to use public land. Be courteous to other trail users and campers. Say hello. Be patient with those who do not know horse etiquette. While everyone is supposed to yield to equestrians, sometimes it makes sense for us to yield. Leave gates as you find them.
Want to learn even more about Leave No Trace for equestrians? There is a FREE online course from the official LNT organization.
