Demographics at work, the changing face of Placer County.

It could have been bicycles as well, I ride my bike on trails with horses and they get spooked very easy...sad to see ..

auburnite: It's much more likely that loud speeding motorized vehicles would elicit such a response from horses.

This story does not accutactly reflect what happened out there. The horses were not merely "spooked" by the dirt bikes. These dirt bike riders were terrorizing these and other riders. They were doing circles around the horses and when the horses fled, they chased them on their dirt bikes. When the riders fell off they did not stop to help, but continued to chase the horses. It is fortunate that the two riders that were dumped were not seriously injured or killed. Tragically, the the young horse had suffer for hours until the vet arrive to put him down. This behaviour has got to stop!

I beilieve that horse riders should get gun carrying permits. These types of riders want the Cowboy mentality--well let's give it to them. What they did was an assault on the riders' life.

"I beilieve that horse riders should get gun carrying permits" yes or carry a whip!

They chased them? Ok, this takes it to a whole new level of anger for me. I ride out there a lot with my child.

A few days before that three jeeps were tearing up the trails at Sterling Pointe too - they claimed to be looking for a place to "Turn Around" but their trail and damage was done for miles with plenty of places to turn around and leave the park that states very clearly - NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES.

These idiots need to be caught and punished and at the very least pay for the vet bills, and the cost to replace this horse. I know you can't put a price on an animal because there is a lot of sentimental attachment, but this woman and her friend deserve some retribution.

I for one will not only keep my cell phone handy for calls to dispatch but also to take pics of the idiots if I come upon them.

And for the record, horses have the right away when it comes to bikes or hikers. And to let you who do not ride horses know - proper ettiquette is to announce that you are coming - do not come racing up behind or towards riders - slow down and STOP until you are given ok to pass. I always move over and allow bike riders to pass me and have only had a few bad situations occur and all were with younger/teens, not the adults or regulars out there. But talk as you go by - a horse is reassured by the voice that it's actually a human and not some creature coming to eat it.

Keep in mind the jerkwadds on the motorcycles are going to ruin it for all of us that do obey the rules and like to use the park. They are creating erosion areas and lack of access to trails because they'll be too dangerous for us to ride or bike and hike on.

Be cautious out there people!

I am so angry, I cannot even accurately describe my feelings. My anger towards those people that do not believe that there is a serious problem, those people that are the problem and those that are suppose to keep this from happening. Where are the rangers?

Why do people think that horses do not have a right to the trails? Equestrians started these trails long before mountain bikes or dirt bikes. Now you want us gone!!!

These dirt bike riders should be arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and serve time in jail. At the very least I am ready to become a vigilante. I am ready to lay in wait and do some damage.

The answer to "where are the rangers" is simple. Budget issues. Supposedly welfare takes precedent.

The rangers SHOULD place a priority on trail safety rather than collecting fees in the parking lots. More locals use the trails than any other aspect of the park. Once it is known that trail enforcement is lax or non-existent, the illegal activities, such as dirt bikes and 4-wheeling, thrive. Motorized vehicles are illegal on any trail or land in the park except for paved roads. Mechanized bikes are banned from unsafe or erosion prone trails, such as the Pioneer Express Trail. All the trail laws are being flaunted by these outlaws because the Rangers are not being assigned properly. Hikers and equestrians are afraid to use the trails because of these hoodlums. I am a taxpayer who pays the salary of every employee of the parks department and the LEAST I can ask for is basic safety on the trails. RANGERS! PARK MANAGEMENT! ARE YOU LISTENING? WE WANT OUR TRAILS BACK!!

This is tragic. Does the State Parks department keep a record of incidents and accidents? I hope this reporter will inquire and let us readers know those statistics. I suspect that there are many more incidents that we never hear about. Money does not seem to be a problem for State Parks when they want to buy more land, yet they cannot even manage what they already have! Our legislators need to investigate their management practices if they cannot protect the people.

Thanks to all that have expressed concern about this very unfortunate incident.

Please do not blame the Park Rangers for not being able to patrol the park properly, it basically boils down to the fact that they are understaffed.

All the Rangers that assisted us on Saturday were extremely helpful and courteous and they are pursuing all leads in an attempt to catch the responsible parties. They have even contacted us on their days off to inquire about our well being and to keep us informed on how the investigation is going.

They are humans and no matter how hard they try if the manpower is not sufficient to properly patrol all of the trails there is nothing they can do. I would suggest keeping your eyes open and to report any violations you witness. Take as much information as possible, that will go a long way in helping them supervise the trails.

Once again, thank you to all that have been involved or concerned with this unfortunate incident.

Jeri

I'm pleased to see the majority of articles are not blaming the Rangers. When the water is low their patrol area is huge.

One thing to keep in mind is the access points where these boneheads entered the area. Sterling Point and a large swath of undeveloped land nearby in not part of the 'park'. Historically vehicles and motorcycles have found access points through private property that boarders the park. The land owners should be forced to secure their property.

Illegal camping, ground fires, shooting guns and trash dumpimg are types of activities that take place on this undeveloped private property.

f688xt6: Get off your soapbox--you have no idea where Park Ranger funds are being siphoned to.

Ms.Sust: I want to extend to you my deepest condolences on the loss of your beautiful horse. I'm sure that this incident could ot be described with merely "scary". I know what it's like to lose a horse, but never in this tragic way. My heart breaks for you. I'm very glad to hear that you were wearing a helmet, I've also learned that lesson through the years.

These (I have a hard time calling them people due to their obvious intent) people will be caught and no matter what happens to them it won't replace your horse, or even that feeling you got from riding those trails.

I for one am nervous to ride there with my child. A horse spooking over something unintentional is one thing, but can you confirm or put to rest the comment about the motorcycles circling you or chasing the horses? If they are intentionally trying to harrass and spook a horse to cause an accident, then it is much more.

I hope that you are able to enjoy a ride again as I understand that feeling...

Again, my deepest sympathies and you have a big community of horseowners/riders that will help you any way we can.

I feel bad for the victims, but must remind the equestrians that Darlington Trail is out of bounds for horses. With the Old Salmon Falls bridge exposed, some riders have decided that they can cross the bridge and continue up the hill to the Darlington trail- bad idea as this has been a mtn. bike/hiking trail only for many years and the riders have no line of sight in most areas. Just a word to the wise, if you ride this area ride down below the high water line, it's safer for everyone.

I hope that the motorcyclist are caught and prosecuted. The rangers do a great job, it's all about funding and most folks in El Dorado Co. wouldn't pay more taxes even if their families life depended upon it! Remember Road Warrior!

I must comment on safari111. The incident did NOT take place on the Darlington Trial. The incident in question took place on the Pioneer Trail what has ALWAYS been an equestrian/hiker trail. I must remind mtn bikers that there are in fact many trails for them to ride yet they are continually riding on the Pioneer Trail. This tragedy did not involve a mtn bike it was motorcyclist, but with that being said they is a HUGE problem with the mtn bikes as well. If these people continue to use the equestrian trails I am afraid the the next casuality will not be a horse, but possibly a human.

Horse1 has is right, mountain bikers are only a half a step behind the motorcycles.

It happens quite often, some recreational user doing something illegal. People will always comment that it is a minority of the users that give a group a bad reputation. How often do participants in an activity such as OHV riding and mountain biking report illegal activities by other participants of the activity? Typically there is no self policing and such reports of illegal activities come from other user groups. To those of us that complain that we are going to lose some of our recreation resources due to a minority that abuses the law, you are part of the solution when you help police and only part of the problem if you watch it happen and do nothing to help stop it.

Horse1 and down3over1 get real. You're right that equestrian (no mtn bike trails) should be that way for safety, but don't put the spin that because you ride horses you're above everyone, or as down says mtn. bikers are only 1/2 step behind motorcycles. I took pictures of an illegal trail activity an sent them, ands they were busted. You both must have an agenda! Be fair and courteous and get the "real bad guys", don't try and slander people like these folks did It doesn't help. This is the type of attitude that got this country where it is today. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem!

I'm a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast- way over here in upstate central new york...

and it's a wonderful sport:

But I feel if there was some way to find these 'people,'

we should hit 'emm with the most stringent penalties possible!

I'm sorry for your loss, fear, and anxiety, horse people.

these a$$holes are NOT representative of our sport.

If I could help to bring them to some kind of justice,

I would love to do so.

I get so angry when these kind of lowlifes abuse a sport that I love,

that has a place in MY "human experience,'

[but; in the correct time and place!]

ye shouldn't have to rely on public funded 'enforcement.'

It sucks there is always a % that is sociopathic.

These 'guys' were big a$$holes

and they deserve some very very big slaps,

physically,financially,legally.

these kind hurt my sport,

and I will continue to speak out when/where I find this kinda abuse,

thanks to the intarwebs.

Again, I am sorry for your loss.

I hope you can hunt them down, proscecute them, and sue their a$$.

JT

Go Jonah!

[privateer USA motorbike racer, from WA:

Dakar Rally 09, 14 day xc TSD race, argentina/chile.]

chk it out

safari111- Want to talk about slander? I have not been on a horse in over 20 years. I ride a mountain bike and enjoy having the privilege to ride on public lands. And I realize that it s a privilege that can be taken away due to abuses by fellow mountain bikers, we have seen it happen. The fact is there are some "real bad guys" out there and they do nothing but damage on many fronts. You know that there are "real bad guys" out there and it's my opinion that the level of "real bad guys" on mountain bikes is similar to the level of "real bad guys" on OHVs. You don't have to have a motor to do bad things and be one of the "real bad guys". Self policing is a way to help deal with the us versus us situation that occurs when you have "real bad guys" in any sport or activity. I see the damage done by these other members of a group of people I associated with (mountain bikers) and I'm discussed by it, specially when I know that it can lead to closures. That's the agenda, don't make this a more of an us versus them than what other members of our group have already done.

It is good to hear that you have reported illegal trail use and that it resulted in something being done. I often get the lack of funding for proper enforcement comment but they do point out getting the reports will help them focus what enforcement they do have in the right areas.

I guess I am sort of a strange person. I ride horses, I also enjoy riding my mountain bike and when I'm in Idaho I ride my ATV or UTV exclusively.

I have had problems with mountain bikers in the past, the first while on horse back, the biker lost that one and another time while I was hiking, I lost that one. I put mountain bikers into two categories, the recreational ones, like me, who pump uphill but coast downhill and enjoy the view, wildlife, etc. The second category are the self described "technical" bikers, they are the balls out, get out of my way, this is my trail, what the hell you think you are getting on my way type. They could care less about a hiker, an equestrian or another mountain biker, it was one of these that lost the battle with my mare, and it was one of these that made me dive into a thistle patch, it wasn't fun plucking all the thistle thorns off my body.

I personally, while on horseback or foot have never had a bad experience with a motorcycle rider, ATV, UTV or what have you and of course, if I am the one on the motorized vehicle I will go out of my way to prevent spooking a horse or hurting a hiker.

I don't know which type safari111 is, judging by his quick and erroneous posts I will have to guess the "technical" type, if so, I hope we never meet on the trails, my horse is still bigger and quicker and while hiking I now carry a walking stick that if needed when shoved through the front wheel of a bike will bring it to a very quick stop..

It is really simple. Please obey the rules and laws of wherever you are riding, regardless of mount, use common courtesy and common sense, unfortunately these two items seem to be in short supply in this country any more, at least in California, Idaho is a dream to recreate in.

You all have a great day.

As an owner of horses I always find it interesting the apparent carelessness with which people put their horses down. By my understanding of the article, the horse received a leg injury— and for this you put the horse down? I'm sure that there were treatments available to this horse. As a cross country runner, I would have been extremely surprised if after spraining my ankle last year I was told that my only viable option was euthanasia. I could only hope that we would show one of god's more majestic creatures the same love and care that we would expect for ourselves.

Jewbacca, you apparently have a reading comprehension problem or perhaps have not bothered to read all the articles. A veterinarian determined that the horse had injuries that were not treatable and thus had to be put down. The veterinarian was transported to the site by four wheel drive vehicle. No one was either careless or acted without regard for the horse. I hope you never find yourself in a similar situation and have to deal with asinine letters like yours.

The injury was much more serious than a sprained ankle. The right rear leg was broken at the stifle, the horse had internal injuries and was hemorrhaging and it had a very large gash on the leg, the three remaining legs were damaged also.

If you knew the lady that owned this horse you would have to swallow your shallow comment without the aid of condiments.

God gave you two eyes, two ears and one mouth, by that he meant that you should read and listen twice as much as you talk..

Jewbacca, you don't know what you're talking about or don't know how to read. A very harsh comment to make when you are clueless of the facts. OK, you got your 15 seconds of glory.

I don't know if you are a man or a woman, what everyone knows for sure now is that you are an idiot.

Jewbacca, I could reply in kind but I'm not giving you the time. You make a very harsh statement and have made a judgement without knowing the facts. You either like to be that person that anonymously likes to insult, have a reading comprehension problem or likes to pass judgement without having all the facts.

I don't know if you are a man or a woman, what I have no doubt about is that you are a total idiot.

Have a great weekend and watch out for Mountain Lions, oh wait, they have better taste than you. You're safe, run along now.

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