An extensive study was done in 1992 by Dr. Jon Bryan Burley of Michigan State University to determine site preferences for coast to coast horseback trail riding in Michigan. Participation Participation usually is group-oriented which suggests that trails and trail amenities should accommodate group riding. When participation occurs outside of a large group, the group size is generally between six to ten individuals of about the same skill level.
Riding is done predominately at sunrise and at dusk.
Campground locations and Setting Riders suggest that campgrounds should be cited near streams or lakes and a good road located nearby is preferred as well. The optimal setting for campsites are in wooded areas containing mixed tree species and individual campsites being somewhat private. A good trail system is separated from roads and begins and terminates at campgrounds. The terrain should contain a mixture of landscape associations with the most popular being trails through open rolling, western type country and scattered, large hardwoods and pine as the second most preferred landscape type. Recreational opportunities need to be associated with the trail system as well.