THROUGH THE HORSE’S EARS

Whether you are strolling with family, hiking with your canine companion, or trail running; the beauty of Bridle Trails State Park is something you simply can’t take for granted!

My favorite way to enjoy the park is the unique perspective gained through the horse’s ears. Experiencing Bridle Trails on horseback, opens up an entirely different view of the flora and fauna in the park, as well as the opportunity to easily blaze your way through the “off beat” trail system that exists but not many have the fortuity to experience.

My trail riding partner and fellow Park Foundation Board member Georgia Harper and I have spent hours and hours exploring new trails that branch off of the three primary trail systems. Even though we have lived along the park for a combined 45 years we can still get lost navigating new trails and thoroughly enjoy finding our way home. During our summer rides we stop and snack on the salmon berries high up out of reach of pedestrians, but easily accessible to us on horseback.

Being a multi-use park, equestrians in Bridle Trails have the opportunity to meet a diverse group of people. Some visitors to the park have never seen a horse up close and marvel at the beauty and grace of these enormous creatures. We are fortunate to be able to stop and answer questions about what kind of horses we are riding and give kids an opportunity to interact with our amazing equine partners or to just stop and grant a photo opportunity.

Educating visitors about horses and how to pass or greet them is something we really enjoy. Waving hello to other equestrians as we pass and sometimes running into riders we know or neighbors out for a walk can turn into lengthy chat which does not bother the horses one bit, giving them an opportunity to stop and snack on a nearby fern to pass the time.

There is not an hour spent on horseback in Bridle Trails Park that I do not feel blessed to share this beautiful and unique resource with my amazing horses and neighbors. If you ever see a giant black (Friesian) horse in the park, be sure to stop and say hello.