Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

I write to express my strong opposition to any travel or other plan that restricts the use of saddle or pack stock in the White River National Forest and wilderness areas.

To single out horses as the cause of all ills on trails is unfair, short-sighted, and unsupported by any credible scientific evidence. Indeed, in a study recently commssioned by the National Park Service and conducted at Dominican University in San Rafael, California, for example, the long held belief that horses are prime spreaders of noxious weeds was thoroughly discredited.

Access by horses to public lands is a much too important subject to be resolved by resort to unscientific, anecdotal evidence. The horse industry contributes $1.6 billion dollars to Colorado's economy, of which approximately $600 million is attributable directly to trail riding and recreational riding. Tens of thousand of Coloradans participate, directly and indirectly. Tourists consider riding in Colorado's wilderness areas among the highlights of their visits.

Any user of any public land will by definition contribute to its deterioration absent on-going maintenance. But there are countless users of public lands (hikers; bikers; runners; four-wheelers; etc.). Singling out horsemen is unjust and flies in the face of Colorado's history and tradition. After all, horses and horsemen made many of the trails. Perhaps more important, horsemen are part of the solution, not the problem. In 2005, for example, the Back Country Horsemen of America volunteered and provided over 165,000 man hours to trail maintenance and construction, and rode and worked over 1 million miles of trail. In 2004, the Back Country Horsemen of America received an award at the USDA Forest Service Centenniel Forum "in appreciation of the BCHA's dedication to wilderness stewardship through countless hours of volunteer work on trails in National Forests across the nation."

Please do not reward those who are trying to do their part to maintain trails and be good stewards of the land by banning them from it or restricting their use of it. Let's do what's right, not just what's easy or expedient.

I appreciate your consideration and would be pleased to try and answer any questions you may have.

Very truly yours,

Christopher D. Whitney
President
Colorado Horse Council