Encountering a horse on the trail can be very intimidating to people who are unaccustomed  to being around them. It's an understandable reaction considering the average horse weighs 363 kg (800 lbs).

Despite centuries of domestication, the horse's nature is still that of a prey animal - as opposed to a predator, which we are. This causes them to view things much differently than we do and dictates how they behave in certain situations. They are hard-wired by Mother Nature to avoid becoming someone's dinner.

A cyclist approaching a horse and rider in the forest may think nothing of simply riding around them. However, from the horse's point of view, this strange, two-wheeled 'creature' seems to appear very quickly and quietly out of nowhere, which is typical predatory behaviour. This immediately puts the horse on guard and can result in him becoming difficult to handle.  Not all horses will react badly but you don't know if the one you're approaching is an overachiever in the survival department until it is too late. For this reason, equestrians appreciate it when cyclists stop, or at least slow down and give us a wide berth, especially if they see we're having difficulties with our mount. For general safety, the trail etiquette is for cyclists and hikers to yield to horseback riders.  Speaking will also help diffuse the situation. Once the horse realizes that it is a person and they are safe, things change and they relax.

A hiker is out enjoying a walk in the forest. Perhaps they are slightly off trail or approaching from around a corner and are therefore not completely visible. The horse will hear the rustling noises and he is instantly alert, looking for a potential hungry enemy, stalking him. Once the hiker speaks and/or the horse sees him clearly, the horse quickly realizes there is no danger and he calms.

Dogs are predators. This fact is not lost on horses, so when a dog appears - especially if it is off leash and/or separated from its owner - it can be very unnerving to the horse. Equestrians, as well as other forest users, are grateful when responsible dog owners keep their animals close by and under control.

Horses, in general, are very intelligent animals but they think completely differently than humans do. Understanding our differences helps make it possible for all of us to use the trails safely and harmoniously.