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.
Caution—Convenience Sample Ahead! (PDF, 621 KB)
In 2008, MDC developed a printed survey asking horse riders how often they rode on public land, where they rode, how much they spent, and additional questions about their attitudes regarding equestrian trails. The survey was printed in two versions. One was sent to a randomly selected sample of riders, the other was a convenience sample distributed to saddle clubs, trail rides, and other interested parties. The Random Sample was to provide unbiased statewide information, while the Convenience Sample was to meet the desire of the riding public to provide input.
A convenience sample is much more likely to be completed by avid users, who have more opportunities to see it, and by users with stronger opinions about the issue addressed, who are more motivated. A random sample should statistically represent the whole population from which the sample is drawn, in this case all Missouri landowners with horses. With a convenience sample, it may never be known how many people received it, only how many were sent in. By contrast, with a well-constructed random sample, which includes a database of names and addresses and numbered surveys, the response rate is known.
Published on Dec 31, 2008 -Horse Trails on Public Lands: Who Rides Where and What Do They Want? (PDF, 500 KB)
Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) area managers and administrators have noted a lack of usable information about horse trails and horseback riders on MDC lands. Managers need 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 need more information on who the riders are, how often they recreate, and what they require for a quality recreational experience.
Published on Dec 31, 2008 -Missouri Riders: Results From a Survey of Equestrians (PDF, 346 KB)
Many kinds of users compete for Missouri’s public trails and managers are challenged to balance human users’ needs with those of wildlife. To improve our knowledge of Missourian’s equestrians, their preferences, and habits, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) conducted a scientific survey of over 5,000 randomly selected horse owners in Missouri between February and June, 2008. The response rate (after removing invalid addresses) was 48.1% (2,286/4,750).
Survey Results
- Missourians took a total of 181,500 riding trips on public land in 2007. These included over 68,000 trips at MDC areas (38% of the total).
- Sixty percent of equestrian trail users indicated they would be willing to help maintain trails.
- Five MDC areas were in the top 10 most heavily used riding areas in 2007, with the US Forest Service (USFS) managing the most used area.
- Total spending on trips is estimated at $27 million (with a total economic impact of $48 million).
- About 38% of riders rode on public lands in 2007.
- The average ride was about a half day.
- The availability of water for horses and parking were the most important factors when survey respondents were deciding where to ride.
- Respondents felt that ATVs (but not hikers) caused problems for horses.
- Respondents wanted more trails, better signage, and consistent policies and rules.