Corrales Common Ground

In this episode, we meet Harry Touloumis — a local equestrian and draft horse trainer — who reminds us that his horse-drawn cart (and others like it) is a legal mode of transportation, and just like drivers, he follows traffic laws and uses hand signals to communicate with those sharing the road.

🖐️ Not sure what those hand signals mean? Here’s a quick guide:

👋 Left Turn — Left arm straight out

✋ Right Turn — Left arm bent up at the elbow (like an “L”)

👇 Stop or Slow Down — Left arm bent down at the elbow, palm facing backward

And that orange triangle on the back of his cart? That’s a slow-moving vehicle sign — just like tractors and farm equipment — which means drivers should slow down and pass with care. Use extra care when it comes to sharing space with horses, as they have their own feelings about their surroundings. They aren't quite as easy to stop as hitting the breaks in a vehicle.

Corrales is a place where traditional lifestyles and modern travel meet. Knowing what to do when you see someone like Harry, Frank and Luca keeps our roads safer and more respectful for everyone — humans and horses alike.

🎥 Watch the video, learn the signals, and remember: courtesy is how we ride in Corrales.

Our takeaway from Chris Allen: When encountering animals in Corrales (especially horses), owners are trying to convince another brain to go where they want, or stop when they need. Sometimes that other brain might be frightened or excited, so it is important that those of us on foot, in a vehicle or on a bicycle are extra considerate when we yield. The key is courtesy and consideration. We all share these spaces and the common ground in our Village. We are proud to do our part in keeping interactions between ourselves, our neighbors and visitors are safe, kind and non-confrontational.

A big thank you to Corraleño, Nate Acosta for filming and editing these amazing and informative videos!

Stay tuned for more and reach out to us if there is anything you would like to see!