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[Joan Deutsch]

There's a reference to a horse-pedestrian accident. Anyone know what happened?

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20121225/news/312259992/0/SEARCH

[horsepeople2001]

There's a reference to a horse-pedestrian accident. Anyone know what happened?

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20121225/news/312259992/0/SEARCH

what irritates me most is those places don't post the trail users rules they just assume people on foot have the right of way and that is what makes accidents happen. under the trail rules horses and their riders have the right of way on any trail period and all others need to step/pull off to the down hill side of the trail and let the horse and rider pass. this is LAW!! but they blame any one with a horse for being at fault and then want them banned from areas. If the other user groups followed the trail rules/laws it wouldn't be an issue. I have a copy of this trail rules laws I keep on hand.

[kriss10]

There's a reference to a horse-pedestrian accident. Anyone know what happened?

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20121225/news/312259992/0/SEARCH

There were comments at the bottom of the story that (sort of) explained the incident. There was no physical contact between the horse and the injured. The horses were being walked up the hill, a hiker was startled (not sure how, they were not specific) and stepped off the trail and fell. His injuries were serious - but i'm not sure the horses were to blame at all. I think it was an unfortunate accident that fit the agenda that someone is trying to pursue. Horse owners are kind of easy to pick on because we are a minority. This particular area is also going after joggers, and wants to keep people from running in the refuge as well.

The reality is, most wildlife don't seem to find horses threatening. I have come within feet of deer, elk, bear, turkeys and lots of other wildlife on horseback. They aren't upset when we meet, and they usually continue with what they were doing as we walk by.

If you think about the extreme measures that have been taken to try to protect the spotted owl, and it has all been for naught. Their numbers continue to decline because they are a fragile species. It might sound harsh, but the animals can learn to feed, breed and raise their young with people around, or they aren't going to make it. Sad, but true...