PROTOCOL FOR WATER CROSSING RISK ASSESSMENT
envirohorse@yahoo.com
You are being asked to participate in a study to determine the probability of trail horses eliminating in a waterbody (lake, stream, creek, river, etc.) while on a ride.
We are asking for volunteers to collect data for each waterbody crossed during an equestrian event. Please use a separate page for each waterbody studied and mail completed forms to the address above. The more data points we can collect, the more robust the study will be. Data will be collated and given to a professional statistician to calculate the probability of horses contaminating waterbodies during trail use. The probability for equine contamination of streams during trail use is expected to be low. However, without data to substantiate this, equestrians are facing increasing regulatory pressures and are in some cases being prohibited from stream crossings even though NO DATA exists to justify such exclusion.
As your club/individuals conduct(s) trail rides or events which cross water, please assign one or two people to stand beside the stream/creek/river etc. & check the following: