Guidebook provides details on Colorado horse trails

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

Say trail guide, and most people think hiking and biking trails. That has recently changed, however, with the release of a handy guidebook written exclusively for the horseback rider.

Author Janet St. Jacques of Loveland, who loves to ride year-round, has compiled comments, photos and riding tips on 22 trails in Larimer, Weld and Yuma counties into "Horse Trails of Colorful Colorado." Book 1 is out now and Book 2 for Boulder, Douglas, Adams, Arapahoe and Jefferson counties will be released this summer. Made with a comb binding, a book fits in a saddlebag and lies flat when opened.

St. Jacques has traveled every trail in her book by horse or foot, documenting conditions and amenities from a horseman's point of view. "This could be the perfect site for your first ride after a long winter season," she writes about the Arapaho Bend Natural Area in Fort Collins. "It's also a good ride for a horse that is just starting to be ridden on trails."

Regarding the Summit Adventure Trail, she says, "Unless you have a very sure-footed horse and nerves of steel, I would walk my horse the first mile."

St. Jacques also advises riders how they might feel the next day. "This is an all-day ride," she writes about Fish Creek Trail in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, "so expect to be a little sore the next day, especially from weaving back and forth to miss tree branches."

Her summaries of the trails include information on fees, beginning and ending elevation, trailer parking, restroom facilities, difficulty and length of trail, seasonal closures and where there is water and shade. She also provides cautionary notes about bears, rattlesnakes, mountain lions, prairie dog holes and waterfowl that could scare a horse. If a trail is not well marked, she gives directions so riders won't get lost.

Her photo collection shows the size of parking lots at trailheads, types of terrain, bridge structures and some scenic views. Trail etiquette is addressed, as well as suggested tack and other articles to carry in saddlebags. Even horse trailer contents are reviewed.

"It's a book I believe a cross-section of horse riders can use," St. Jacques said.

The horse trail guidebook sells for $24.95. Books are available at local tack and feed stores or may be ordered online at www.horsebacktrails.com.