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Newsroom
By Denver Horse Training Examiner
July 28, 2009
Are you asking yourself if you read that title correctly? The answer is yes! Trail riding volunteers are signing up to ride around the perimeter of three American city airports. The volunteers do their part for homeland security by watching out for trespassers, large flocks of birds, herds of deer, or other errant wildlife, damage to fencing, and any suspect activity.
At Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, volunteers are allowed access to miles of trails around the airport in exchange for notification to airport security of anything or anyone that shouldn’t be on the premises. Participants must fill out an application, undergo a background check, and attend a one hour training session. Volunteers are required to wear ID badges, travel in groups of at least two, check in and check out upon arrival and departure, and ride only during daylight hours.
The first riding program was implemented at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston back in 2003. It now has 53 miles of trails and approximately 1,400 registered participants. In 2006 a similar program was implemented at the Nashville International Airport in Tennessee.
Horses riding at the airport must become accustomed to the loud sounds of the jet engines. While the riders don’t get too close to the runways, when the planes are landing or taking off the noise is very loud. It’s not an ideal place for a young, nervous or spooky horse. The good news is the noise builds slowing, so it’s not sharp or sudden. According to Equus Magazine, the volunteers say they get to ride miles of open land and feel satisfied they were doing their part for homeland security.
Copyright © 2009 - Denver Horse Training Examiner
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