Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-1989

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Forestry

Major Professor

William E. Hammitt

Committee Members

Ken Krick, Ronald Hay

Abstract

The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area lies in the rugged terrain of the Cumberland Plateau, in northeastern Tennessee and southeastern Kentucky. The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area's proposed boundary encompasses approximately 123,000 acres. It was established for the purpose of preserving the natural free flowing stream, the Big South Fork, and the natural scenic gorges and valleys, as well as to develop the area's outdoor recreation. The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is managed by the National Park Service, Oneida, Tennessee.

Resource managers at the National Park Service, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, had expressed concern over the increase in popularity of horseback riding in their area. The object of this study was to determine horseback riders use patterns, characteristics, attitudes, and preferences to facilitate management.

Sampling was conducted from April through November, 1987. On selected sampling days, individuals were contacted between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. During this time, an attempt was made to contact all horseback riders more than 16 years of age. Riders contacted were told of the need for the study, and asked to complete an on-site survey card if they were willing to complete a mail questionnaire at a later date. A 15-page questionnaire was sent to the 242 horseback riders who completed an on-site survey card and agreed to return a mail out questionnaire. Usable return rate was 77.5%.

Basic univariate statistics for each variable, for all respondents, were computed. Hypotheses regarding mean response to facilities, services, programs, regulations, fees, and management problems were tested using analysis of variance or Student's t-test. Chi-square analysis was used to determine if relationships existed among horseback riders concerning riding club affiliation, sociodemographic characteristics, and riders' use of various camping areas.

The average horseback rider at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area was a white male, 40 years of age, mostly from a rural area within 100 miles of the Recreation Area and likely to be a blue collar worker with a high school education. Horseback riders encountered no major problems during their stay and 98% stated they plan to return in the following years. Fifty percent of horseback riders were aware of all regulations concerning horse use at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

Four measures of horseback rider experience were combined to form an experience index. Past experience of horseback riders was examined for its relation to user opinion toward various horseback riding facilities, campground facilities, services, and programs. Results indicate that horseback riders with low levels of past experience preferred stalls for horses, flush toilets and electrical hookups at campsites, while those high in experience felt these items were not important.

Differences were found among horseback riders when they were analyzed by season of visit and distance traveled. Spring riders were willing to pay more for yearly passes to ride horses than riders visiting in the fall. Fall riders stated facilities such as firewood, stalls, and corrals were very important. The distance a rider traveled to go horseback riding had a stronger relationship with the variables concerning regulations, problems of the area, and facilities than did season of visit.

Income, education, and occupation were used to develop a status index to determine horseback riders opinions concerning regulations, user characteristics, facilities and services, and perceived problems with the recreation area. Low status riders tend to differ from high status riders by not belonging to horse riding organizations, and the amount willing to pay for a yearly pass. Low status riders felt most amenities, such as hot showers, electric hookups, guided nature rides, and corrals were not very important.

Through this study it was learned that there were not as many people coming to ride horses as management believed at the onset. The majority of people riding horses at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area were staying in developed campgrounds, utilizing the facilities and services available, and riding loop trails around these camping areas. It is proposed that more effort be put into promotion of horseback riding at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and that more loop trails of varying lengths be developed.

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