With the warm weather, Maine horsemen and women look forward to saddling up our mounts and striking out to enjoy riding on our country roads and trails. Winter is long, and both rider and horse take pleasure in the opportunity to go out and about. While most of us prefer to ride on trails, in this day of suburban sprawl, it’s inevitable that sometimes we will be riding on paved roads.

Due to many different circumstances, I had been out of equine activities for about 20 years. While much remains the same about caring for and riding horses, there have been many advances and, unfortunately, some steps back.

When I went riding as a child, motorists seemed to have better manners. Perhaps it was because many people 20 to 30 years ago had more familiarity with large animals and possessed common sense and courtesy. For the most part, motorists simply don’t seem aware that upon approaching a horse on the road, they should slow down and stop or yield right of way to the horse and rider if the rider indicates that he or she needs to have this done.

Luckily, my horse is well-behaved and road wise; however, I have experienced boorish motorists revving their motors and screaming out of their windows while passing me and my horse.

Drivers should show some courtesy to the horses and riders and other people they may encounter in their travels. It only takes a minute.

Leigh Shields, Dixfield