Horse Trails on Public Land

In past years, Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) area managers and other public land managers have noted a lack of useable information about horse trails and horseback riders on public lands. Managers wanted to know what horseback riders want and what they would accept regarding trail development and maintenance, facility needs, and conflict management with other types of users. Managers also desired more information regarding who riders are, how often they recreate, and what they require for a quality recreation experience. In addition, public land management agencies have noted that there is insufficient information on equestrian usage at the statewide, regional and local levels. These agencies must be able to explain to the public why there are horse trails in certain areas and not on others, and why certain trails are open for riding while other areas require special use permits. Policy makers needed scientifically-based human dimensions information to support informed recommendations for guidelines on horse trails agency-wide, as well information on who the riders are, how often they recreate, and what they require for a quality recreation experience in order to meet those demands while minimizing conflicts and resource damage.