{"id":23013,"date":"2023-06-17T08:50:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-17T13:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/\/?p=23013"},"modified":"2025-10-08T06:37:58","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T11:37:58","slug":"horses-and-mules-on-the-trail-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/horses-and-mules-on-the-trail-what-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Horses and Mules on the Trail: What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

The trail around Gibson Reservoir near Augusta, Montana, leads into the heart of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. It follows cliffs that, in areas, drop straight to the reservoir several hundred feet below. It’s a mecca for outdoor recreation, from hikers and backpackers to hunters, kayakers, and anglers. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

One summer around the Fourth of July, I led a string of horses and mules out of the wilderness on this trail. As we made our way along the steep cliffs, the horse I was riding spooked at something. It took a moment to realize there were kayaks on the water far below, and he had no idea what they were. As a prey animal, a horse, even the most well-trained, can spook at something so foreign to them. Therefore, it’s critical for people who share trails with livestock, particularly horses and mules, to understand what their riders are dealing with and how to interact safely. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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