Q: A railroad definitely does not want a trail crossing their tracks. We were thinking of an at-grade crossing, but the railroad seems set on a tunnel under their tracks. They have proposed large metal culvert pipes. How would these tunnels/pipes be for horses? Would it be too claustrophobic for the horses or do they not mind such a situation?
A: Horses can get used to a lot of things. The *confinement* of the tunnel shouldn't be too bad. Think about a horse trailer; the inside can be 6'6" to 8' high and the stall is only 30, 32, or 36 inches. Talk about claustrophobic! There are several other concerns with tunnels:
Length: the shorter the better. A horse would be a lot less anxious if he could see out the other side.
Lighting: the longer the tunnel, the darker it will be, and some kind of lighting will be necessary for everyone's comfort and safety. Accomplishing that could be difficult given the location of the tracks.. solar powered lights, but how??
A small tunnel at Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, ME
A long, dark tunnel on the Silver Comet Trail in Georgia
Height: Well, I'd like you to consult John Middlebrooks, manager of Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Pocantico Hills, NY (914) 631-1470. There are one or two tunnels under roads on that property, and it would be interesting to know their dimensions, particularly how high they are. They have been in use for many years without a problem, but they are short, perhaps 20 feet.
Another resource is Acadia National Park, there is at least one stone overpass where the park road goes over the carriage road. They could probably find out the height of it as well.
At Letchworth State Park, trail 2, is a short tunnel under an operating railroad (see photo in Ride New York, page 211). You could also ask them about its dimensions(716)-493-3600, but it is so short that the horse really doesn't realize he's in a tunnel (unless the train happens to be overhead!).
Finally there is a tunnel under route 9N at the Lake Luzerne Public Campground (DEC Region 5, Warrensburg: 518-623-3671). THAT one is really claustrophobic, and has water in it most of the time!
Comparing the dimensions of these will be useful.
My own opinion would have to be the higher and wider, the better. 11' high would be plenty for me and my little horse, a tall rider on a tall horse might have trouble. You could get around it by posting signs at either end: "Riders please dismount and lead your horse through tunnel", and post the actual clearance width and height. It should be obvious to most people that if the horse reared in there they would get hurt. (but... there are always a few..). The width is necessary for two-way traffic.
Sound: This is probably the biggest problem in a tunnel. The sound reverberates off the walls and is startling to a horse because they can't identify where the "perceived threat" is coming from. The sound is all around, bouncing off the walls and roof and multiplying. All the more reason to dismount and lead them through. So a deadening dirt surface underfoot will help immensely. I don't know if concrete or metal sides/overhead would make a big difference; both don't absorb the sound.
Tunnel under a working railroad at
Letchworth State Park, Mt. Morris, NY -
A challenge for the best-behaved horse!