Accessible Gates for Trails and Roads

Horse Accessible Gates

Another concern was finding a way to allow horse and pedestrian access, while restricting ATVs and motorcycles. Two types of structures that will allow horse access, but restrict ATVs, are the “V” gates used at the Ashley National Forest (figures 4 and 5) and at the Lolo National Forest (figure 6). The bottom log should be removed from the gate shown in figure 6 because the log could be a tripping hazard and it prevents wheelchair access. A horse stile restricts ATVs and motorcycles and discourages mountain bikes, while allowing passage by horses (figure 7).

Figure 4—A horse walking through a "V" gate in Utah. This gate is not accessible because it is narrower than the minimum width required for passage of a wheelchair (32 inches) and the bar across the opening is higher than 1 inch.

Figure 5—Accessible "V" gate drawing (MTDC–1057–02).

Figure 6—A gate in the Lolo National Forest that allows horses to pass, but restricts ATVs. This gate is not accessible because it is narrower than the minimum width required for passage of a wheelchair (32 inches) and the bar across the opening is higher than 1 inch.

Figure 7—A horse stile. This gate is not accessible because the bars across the opening are higher than 1 inch.