Bridges and Horses

Recommendations for Bridges on horse trails:

Note: I am not an engineer and cannot offer recommendations concerning pounds per square inch, strength and durability of materials to be used, etc.
  • Whenever possible, use a natural water crossing (it’s cheaper to install and easier to maintain). Reinforce banks by armoring with stone or using geoweb mesh.
  • Deck material should be solid (not see-through!). Stringers should be strong enough so the deck doesn’t bounce when horses cross (unnerving!).
  • Width can be as little as 48”, but you may want to consider an 8’ or wider bridge to accommodate emergency vehicles.
  • Railings should be high. 48" would be a minimum, and the higher the bridge, the higher and more sturdy the railing should be.
  • Create an approach that causes users to naturally aim for the middle of the bridge. If the banks are steep on either side of the bridge, create a barrier to prevent users from trying to descend.
  • Unprotected approaches cause two problems.
    • Even though it should be apparent that this is impossible, some riders may try to get down to the water so the horse can drink. Or they may be afraid of heights and try to avoid the bridge entirely.
    • An unwilling horse may begin to shy sideways, endangering himself and the rider should he step off the precipice.
  • Arched bridges are aesthetically appealing, but horses are almost guaranteed to slip on the decking. A horse could slip and fall on such a bridge…!

Bridge Examples

Bridge over the Brookfield Swamp, Brookfield Horse Trails, DEC Region 7.
Contact Sherburne office (607) 374-4036 for plans/details.  Bridge surface is covered with fine gravel/dirt so it is no different from adjacent trail surface.  Sides are sturdily built to prevent users from falling off (Bridge is high over swamp).

Riders crossing Brookfield Bridge - note railing height and strength. Center span of bridge is pressure treated wood decking.

Bridge over Otter Creek, Otter Creek Horse Trails, Glenfield, NY, DEC Region 6 (315) 376-3521.  Similar to Brookfield - high over swamp/water; sturdy sides, dirt surface to wood in center span. Note how railings form wings to draw horse across.

Railroad bridge on the Oswego County Recreation Trail, this one near Rte 104.  Original metal decking is not ideal for horses, but strong and better if covered with wood. Note motor vehicle guard rails to keep users on bridge. Note how railings form wings.

Motor vehicle bridge, Cold River Horse Trail System, Coreys, NY (High Peaks Wilderness, Adirondack Park).  This bridge exists so that fire equipment may be brought into the Wilderness area (otherwise closed to MV use). Decking is placed left to right across stringers and then covered with perpendicular planks for additional strength. RR ties on edges help keep users on bridge, which is not very high over stream.  Most horses cross in center (note path to bridge) as the RR ties serve as guidelines.  Two draft horses can safely cross side by side. Est. width 9'.

Another MV bridge, Otter Creek Horse Trail System, Glenfield, NY. This trail is open to MV use (people drive in to go fishing) so the bridge is built to withstand approx. 10,000 lbs of weight. Once again planks were laid left to right then covered with perpendicular planks for strength. Note how this bridge is almost part of the trail - most horses don't object to it. It is wider than the Cold River Bridge, est. 12'.  However it has no RR ties for guide rails - not very safe; but there may be 2x4s (can't tell from this picture).

This stone bridge is in Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine, but similar ones exist at Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Pocantico Hills (Tarrytown), NY(914) 631-1470.  Designed specifically for carriage traffic, it is 16' wide and the stone sides are approximately 36" high.  It is possibly the safest (and most expensive) type of horse bridge.

This stone overpass is also at Acadia National Park.  Similar "tunnels" are found at Rockefeller State Park Preserve.  The height from the carriage road tread is approximately 14' at the center arch, 12' at the sides.

The Ford Plantation, Savannah, GA

This handsome bridge at the Ford Plantation quickly became troublesome for both riders and horses.  The arched design created a slope of about 20 degrees.  When the bridge surface was wet, the pressure treated wood became slimy, causing horses to slip and riders to fear for a fall. 

The bridge span is about 35 feet above the water. At only 42" high, the railings  made riders feel very insecure.

There were no barriers to prevent horses from veering away from the bridge, down the dangerously steep bank.  Rocks and deep mud prevented a natural water crossing.