Eco Gala, Green Cup of Polo Support EPIC

The 2011 Green Cup Polo weekend begins with the Eco Gala, Thursday, September 15, at the magnificent L2 Lounge in the heart of Georgetown. As a best-in-class lounge that competes with scenes found in international destinations worldwide, L2 is ideally suited to host the Green Cup Eco Gala with it’s international audience of like-minded diplomats, Washingtonians and polo players. Join us at this world-class location for an exciting evening including a green auction, music and an opportunity to mingle with VIPs, sponsors and polo players. Tickets cost $100 each.

The weekend caps off with the Green Cup Polo on Saturday, September 17. General admission tickets start at $25 per person if purchased before September 14. Prices go up for purchasing tickets at the door. A combo gala/VIP Clubhouse Ticket is available for the special price of $150.

Action Needed: Recreational Trail Funding in Jeopardy

From Equine Land Conservation Resource:

July 28, 2011—There is an urgent issue that needs your attention having to do with federal recreational trail spending. The Recreational Trail Program (RTP)—the primary source of trail funding in this country—is in great jeopardy.

Horsemen should contact their federal legislators immediately to help preserve funding for recreational trails. If we do not act, many trails will be closed and there will be little in the way of new trail construction or federal funds for maintenance (which will lead to more closures).

RTP is a program of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), providing funds to the states to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail uses.

On July 7, U.S. Congressman John Mica, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, released an outline of a “Transportation Reauthorization Proposal.” As reported by Stuart Macdonald, Chair of the National Association of State Trail Administrators, here are the key points for the Congressman Mica’s proposal:

• Consolidation or elimination of most “special” programs, including RTP, Enhancements, Safe Routes, etc.
• States will be permitted to fund such “non-highway activities” but will no longer be required to set aside funds.
• Funding is reduced from the $50 billion authorized in 2010 to something closer to the $35 billion in annual revenue from current fuel taxes.

The Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT), formed in 1992 to ensure that RTP receives adequate funding, is encouraging an amendment to the proposal, should it be introduced as a House bill. “This would require serious commitment from enough members of Congress to challenge Rep. Mica’s austere budget,” said Macdonald.

How do we save the RTP? By speaking up to our Senators and Congressmen and telling them how important recreational trails are to our families. Trail riders and equestrian trail clubs – everyone needs to participate. The voice of many is more effective than the voice of one.  We need to think beyond the next ride, sit down at the computer or pick up the phone and take action, otherwise RTP may be eliminated and the future of equestrian trails will be in great jeopardy.

When speaking with your elected official or his/her staff member, you can make your case even stronger if you point out just how much RTP funding is at risk in your state. To find your state’s share, click here.

Please contact your legislator TODAY and let them know how important the RTP program and equestrian trails are to you.

Find your Senator’s contact information.

Find your Congressman’s contact information.

Summer 2011 EPICenter News

EPIC On the Road

EPIC’s newsletter and website manager Stacey Nedrow-Wigmore visited Namibia in Southern Africa this past spring. While visiting a Himba village (the Himba are a tribe of indigenous people in the northwest part of the country), a young man asked Stacey if he could have her EPIC ball cap. A little piece of EPIC now resides in a remote part of Africa!

Once again, EPIC had a tent at the Potomac Hunt Races in May, thanks to the generosity of our secretary Tom Gutierrez and his Eminence Farm in Poolesville. We had a banner on one of the jumps near the finish line and an ad in the program. Many people stopped by the booth to ask about EPIC and learn about what we do, pick up some candy and just chat. We enjoyed seeing our old friends and meeting so many new ones!

Also in May, EPIC held its first trail ride of 2011 at Woodstock Equestrian Park in Beallsville. About 30 people turned out for the two-hour ride with catered lunch afterward on the beautiful spring day. We hope to see all of you on our fall ride on October 15. It will be held on the Breezy Loop in Boyds, originating from the Potomac Pony Club Field on Bucklodge Road.

In July, EPIC had a presence at the Fourth of July Fireworks at the Capitol Polo Club in Poolesville. The Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department, which hosts the event annually, handed out fliers  with information about the Polo Club and EPIC, to every car that came in.

EPIC Supports Frederick County Equine Alliance

In June, EPIC became aware of a new equestrian land conservation group in Frederick County called the Frederick County Equine Alliance. The group’s mission is similar to that of ours—to promote equestrian activities and preserve open spaces for all youth and adults in Frederick County, ultimately bringing together all disciplines and breeds of equine enthusiast, provide a voice in the county that represents equestrian interests in terms of zoning, laws pertaining to horses and the development of facilities for the enjoyment of equestrian pursuits and support activities that provide for further education of all equine enthusiasts and the general public alike, while at the same time increasing the awareness of equine businesses in Frederick County. In support of the work it’s doing, EPIC sent a donation to the group. We are looking forward to partnering with them on future rides and events! You can check out the organization’s website at www.frederickcountyequine.org.

2011 Green Cup of Polo Names Beneficiaries

The Capitol Polo Club has announced that the key global beneficiary of this years Green Cup Polo is the National Resources Defense Council. NRDC joins EPIC, which has once again been named the local beneficiary.

NRDC is the nations’s most effective environmental action organization with more than 1.3 million members and led by top environmentalists and trustees including Robert Redford and Leonardo Di Caprio. Worth Magazine named NRDC one of America’s 100 best charities, and the Wise Giving Alliance of the Better Business Bureau reports that NRDC meets its highest standards for accountability and use of donor funds.

NRDC was founded in 1970 by a group of law students and attorneys at the forefront of the environmental movement. NRDC lawyers helped write some of America’s bedrock environmental laws. Today, its staff of more than 300 lawyers, scientists and policy experts—a MacArthur “genius” award-winner among them—work out of offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing. NRDC has “greened” most of the major sports events including the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, NCAA Final Four and the Academy Awards. They will join Green Cup Polo to help us green the Sports of Kings worldwide.

Green Cup Polo and NRDC share the same mission to raise awareness and works to solve the most pressing environmental issues we face today: curbing global warming, getting toxic chemicals out of the environment, moving America beyond oil, reviving our oceans, saving wildlife and wild places. For more information on the September 17th event, as well as the formal gala on September 16, visit www.greencuppolo.com.

Myth or Fact? Horses Are Hazardous to Conservation Land

Reprinted from the Equine Land Conservation Resource (www.elcr.org)

Are these eight beliefs truth or fiction? Get the REAL scoop here!

MYTH: Horses introduce non-native plants and propagate nuisance weed seeds along trails.
FACT: According to current research, horses do not introduce non-native plants along trails. Dr. Stith T. Gower of the Department of Forest Ecology and Management at the University of Wisconsin, Madison concluded that the ratio of non-native plants to native species on trails “did not differ between trails open and closed to horses” at three study sites. Gower’s finding is consistent with those of Mary Benninger-Truax et al. who found no documentation that horses are major source of exotic species. She determined that horses that were not allowed to graze in an area with exotics and had controlled diets did not
spread weed seed along the trails.

MYTH: Horses can transmit foot-and-mouth disease and mad cow disease.
FACT: Foot-and-mouth disease affects only cloven-footed ruminants—such as sheep, cattle, and goats. Neither of these diseases affects horses. The US has had no cases of FME since 1929. Horses that are imported to the United States from countries with outbreaks of FME are quarantined for three days and sponged with vinegar to kill any potential virus that may have been transported on their hooves. During epidemics abroad, such as the one that occurred in 2001, the federal government may also prohibit imports of horses and all other animals from countries where FME cases exist. The US Department of Agriculture reported one case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly called “Mad Cow disease,” in 2003. This single case occurred in a Washington state dairy cow born in Canada prior to the US prohibitions on risky feeding behaviors. There is no evidence that horses were in any way involved in this case. BSE is currently believed to occur by feeding infected ruminant protein to other ruminants; this practice is prohibited in the US.

MYTH: Horses spread Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
FACT: Contact with horses does not pose a risk of contracting Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) to humans or other animals. While EEE is a viral disease that can affect humans, horses, and birds, horses are “dead-end” hosts for the virus. In other words, horses can get EEE from an infected mosquito, but they cannot infect other animals, humans, or mosquitoes. EEE is transmitted to humans only through mosquito bites. There are approximately five cases of human EEE infection per year in the United States.

MYTH: Horses spread E. coli, salmonella, cryptosporidium, giardia and other waterborne diseases.
FACT: According to Johnson et al., scientific studies confirm that adult horse intestines do not contain significant quantities of E. coli 0157:H7, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium, or Giardia, which are the organisms of most concern in the water-borne spread of disease. In other words, horses are not responsible for the spread of waterborne diseases.

MYTH: Horses emit greenhouse gasses.
FACT: Horses are not a significant source of methane gas, the gas of concern in greenhouse/global warming issues. “The primary source of methane release in livestock production is ruminant animals,” according to the ARS Air Quality National program (as cited by the USDA Agricultural Research Service).

MYTH: Horseback riding on trails cause erosion.
FACT: According to Professor Gordon E. Brown Jr. of Stanford University’s School of Earth Sciences, the primary causes of erosion are natural and far surpass any impact of trail use by horses. In a five-year study, Summer concluded that horse traffic was not the dominant process causing erosion on trails. Trail degradation was a function of landform, climatic and catastrophic events, and geomorphic processes. Limited data suggested that foot traffic produced effects similar to horse traffic in exposing the trail to the effects of geomorphic process or climatic events. Williams and Conway-Durver concur that factors other than user type are more closely linked to trail degradation. Lightly used trails may grow over and require more maintenance, whereas moderate horse activity may help to maintain a multiple-use trail.

MYTH: Horses on trails disturb wildlife.
FACT: Horses are prey animals and, as such, do not disturb other wild prey animals, such as birds or deer, that might inhabit the conservation land. Conversely, dogs and humans are predator animals, and cause alarm among prey animals. In an extensive review of recreation effects on birds, Bennett and Zuelke concluded that disturbance from recreation has temporary effects on behavior and movement of birds. Direct approaches caused greater disturbance than tangential approaches. For example, the rapid movement of joggers was more disturbing than slower hikers; children and photographers were especially disturbing; and passing or stopping vehicles were less disturbing than human foot traffic. Horses and riders did not disturb birds. Sporadic human use can disturb wildlife. However, “many animals are less afraid of horseback riders than hikers. Riders seldom dismount to touch flora or fauna. Riders can be a dedicated and energetic volunteer and advocacy group….Horses are useful for patrols, supplying trail maintenance, and doing surveys. Horse traffic can be used to maintain firebreaks and seldom-used trails” (Williams).

MYTH: Horses on trails adversely affect water supplies.
FACT: According to studies by the National Animal Health Monitoring System, the University of Colorado, and UC Davis-Tulare, horses on trails are not detrimental to water quality. While horses do defecate on trails, they do not readily urinate on trails (Gosslin). Horses stretch their bodies out in an awkward
position to urinate, often standing on the front edges of their hooves in a splayed posture. This stance places them in a vulnerable position if attacked by a predator. Sixty million years of evolution and survival means that this is an activity not undertaken lightly by the horse. Most horses prefer the safety and security of their stall or paddock to undertake this function (UC Davis Book of Horses 1996). Because of this unique behavior, it is easy for a rider to spur a horse out of a stream bed to avoid urination in a water body. No studies implicate equines in groundwater contamination. According to UC Davis Manure Management Specialist Meyer, horses eliminate primarily in their pastures and paddocks. Furthermore, any manure left in a loose heap in deposits on trails loses its nitrogen rapidly. According to Quinn, it is “inconceivable that trail horses making dispersed deposits could possibly impact ground water. Most
contamination of this sort occurs from areas associated with feedlots where thousands of commercially harvested animals are confined at one time, or from excessive fertilization added to soils.”

Farrier’s Corner: Remove a Loose Shoe

By Corey Minnick, AFA CJF
Photos by Stacey Nedrow-Wigmore

You just returned from a trail ride and begin untacking and cleaning your horse. As you pick out one of his hooves, you see it: Sometime during your ride, your horse pulled his shoe partially off and bent it. You can’t leave it like it is because your horse may damage his hoof wall if he pulls off the shoe. Or it could be more dangerous: He may step on a toe clip or nail and puncture his hoof, risking bruises, abscesses or worse. So you’ll have to pull it. Here’s how.

The Tools

At the very least, you’ll need a farrier’s rasp, shoe pull-offs and a crease nail puller. Ask your farrier if he has an old rasp he can give you. You can purchase the other tools through a farrier-supply store or online. I recommend investing in a good brand, such as Diamond or Mustad, even if you don’t expect to use the tools often. You’ll spend around $50 for the shoe pull-offs and a bit more for the crease nail puller, but it’s worth it because it will make the task easier, particularly if you aren’t used to doing it. Other useful tools you might add to your toolbox include a clinch cutter and a driving farrier hammer.

How-To

1. Use the rasp to file the clinches flush with the hoof wall to eliminate them. Alternately, you can use the clinch cutter and hammer to do the same. (Ask your farrier to show you how to do this safely when he comes out for your horse’s next shoeing.)

2. Stand facing the rear of your horse with your shoulder next to his. Pick up your horse’s hoof and support it between your thighs, just above your knees.

3. Use your nondominant hand to support the hoof as if you were picking it. Holding the shoe pull-offs in your other (dominant) hand, slide the jaws under the sides of the shoe at the heel on the side that is intact.

4. Firmly pull the handles TOWARD your stomach so the heel of the shoe lifts away from the hoof and the nails begin to loosen. Repeat this several times as you work toward the toe. Once you’ve reached the toe, begin at the other heel, again working toward the toe.

5. If the nails are coming out easily, use the shoe pull-offs to finish the job. If you need some extra leverage or you weren’t able to completely eliminate the clinches with the rasp, use your crease nail puller to remove the individual nails. (Be sure to collect all removed nails; you don’t want your horse to accidentally step on one!)

6. Once the shoe is removed, you have several options for protecting your horse’s bare foot until your farrier can put you on his schedule. No matter which option you choose, your goal is to protect the hoof from cracks and chips as best as possible, so there’s enough hoof to nail the replaced shoe to.

• Use your rasp to ease the sharp edges of the hoof. Be careful to just ease the edge and not take off any hoof wall. A Rider’s Rasp is a safe option for doing this if you’re not comfortable using a farrier’s rasp.
• Wrap duct tape around the edge of the hoof six or seven times to protect the hoof and keep your horse from cutting himself on the sharp edge. (Be sure to cover JUST the edge and hoof wall, not the coronary band, which can be damaging.)
• Use a hoof boot, if you have one.

Corey Minnick of Hagerstown, Maryland, is an American Farrier’s Association Certified Journeyman Farrier. He works on all breeds with a special emphasis on performance horses. When he’s not crafting handmade shoes, Corey competes in professional jousting and has earned several national championship titles. He can be reached at midvalleyfandf@gmail.com.

President’s Message: Future Equestrian Trails Depend on Easements

In Montgomery County, Maryland, state and county parkland hosts an abundance of natural surface trails designed and available for equestrian use. Sixteen miles of wooded and “farm field” horseback riding trails are available at Woodstock Equestrian Park alone. But the future of equestrian trails rests in private, not public, land in the form of easements or “right-of-ways” on private land. This is particularly true when it comes to the creation of trail connections that link existing trails to one another. And new residential housing developments provide opportunities to either save existing trails or establish new ones by requiring developers to establish trail easements on the property being developed.

The Park and Planning Commission’s evolving master plan of trails includes the “equestrian trail corridors” illustrated below. These corridors, which are largely conceptual, identify the need for future trails to connect existing parkland trails. This is particularly revealing, because many of the potential trail corridors shown extend onto private land.

The corridors shown in the master plan of trails came into play during the recent deliberations concerning the proposed (and later approved) Barnesville Oak Farms subdivision in Dickerson. The 840-acre parcel (approximately 80 percent of which will remain in agriculture) will be home to approximately 24 homes in two clusters along Peach Tree Road. It includes miles of trails historically used by equestrians. The trails are wooded and along the edge of crop fields and will be mostly untouched by the development clusters. It is a lovely 90-minute ride from Whites Store Road near Bucklodge Road to Two Sisters Farm at the western edge close to Route 109. Residential development of the 840 acres threatened to close those trails.

County planners evaluating the proposed subdivision, citing the trail corridor shown on the master plan—which begins at Rickman Farm Horse Park on Bucklodge Road to Woodstock Equestrian Park on Darnestown Road/Route 109 in Beallsville and goes directly through the Barnesville Oak Farms property, called a meeting of county development review staff, representatives of the developer and EPIC to discuss placing an equestrian easement along the existing trail. The easement would be “granted” to and maintained by EPIC. The agreement was reflected in one of the conditions imposed by the planning board that the developer must meet in order to record the building lots and move forward with the development. That condition requires that:

“Record Plat to reflect a Public Use Trail Easement (“PUTE”) through the property as shown on the preliminary plan. The PUTE will name Equestrian Partners in Conservation (“EPIC”), a 501c3 non-profit corporation, its successors or assigns as the Grantee and must include, at a minimum:(i) the conditions and restrictions governing uses that are within the definition of “Recreational Purpose” as defined in the MD Ann Code, Natural Resources Article, §5-1101; (ii) the right of Grantee to construct, maintain and repair the trail, with no obligation by either Grantee or the Grantor to do so; and (iii) rights of enforcement by both the Grantor and the Grantee, with no obligation on either to do so.  Prior to record plat, the PUTE must be approved by the Commission’s Office of the General Counsel which approval may not be delayed beyond 120 days following adoption of the MCPB Resolution of approval of the Preliminary Plan. Also, prior to record plat, the applicant must record the PUTE in the land records and the plat must include a reference to the Liber and Folio of the recorded PUTE.”—Montgomery County Planning Board Resolution, September 2010

EPIC is working with the planning staff and the developer to craft language that will clarify EPIC’s rights and responsibilities pertaining to the easement and will ensure that the trails are open to the public and properly maintained. In addition, EPIC is providing recommendations to all parties for improvements to the easement, including a trail head (trailer parking) off 109 and a minor change in the route to minimize the amount of trail along Peach Tree Road (for safety reasons). See the graphic above showing approved easement (red line) and EPIC-recommended improvements (shown in green).

EPIC monitors all development applications in the county to identify opportunities for easements like the one at Barnesville Oak Farms, and EPIC stands ready to take responsibility for maintaining trail easements as opportunities arise. This is one important way EPIC fulfills its mission to protect and enhance equestrian life in the county.

Looking forward to seeing all of you at our trail ride this fall.

David Tobin
EPIC President

Action Alert: Ask Your Senator To Restore Farm Conservation Funding

EPIC Trail Ride: Saturday, May 21

Join EPIC for our first trail ride of the year on Saturday, May 21, at Woodstock Equestrian Park in Beallsville, MD! Meet fellow equestrians while you take a guided tour of one of Montgomery County’s fine trail systems, and enjoy complimentary post-ride refreshments.

We will offer several groups: walk only, walk-trot, walk-trot-some canter and fast (depending on interest). Groups begin leaving at 10 a.m. Please try to arrive no later than 9:15 to sign in.

To register for the ride, email Traci Donatelli at HERE at tracidonatelli@hotmail.com no later than May 18 with your name, phone number and the group you’d like to ride in. Rain date is Sunday, May 22.

There is no charge to participate, but donations are appreciated. ASTM/SEI-approved helmets and proof of negative Coggins are required. Download a copy of the EPIC release form HERE if you’d like to fill it out ahead of time.

We look forward to seeing you there!

EPIC Trail Courtesy Reminder

As the milder spring weather beckons us to hit the trails, we would like to ask your cooperation in permitting key portions of an EPIC trail to remain open for responsible use by all of us.

Due solely to the much-appreciated courtesy of Daphne Ross, the Dry Seneca Creek Trail runs along the border of, and probably is just within, the property of Daphne’s beautiful Tulip Pond Farm on Partnership Road in Poolesville. Unfortunately, some riders on the trail have, inadvertently we suspect, not observed basic courtesies in riding that portion of the trail. That has caused Daphne to be properly concerned about the safety of students and others at her farm.

Specifically, trail riders have been either (a) sufficiently loud as to bother horses and riders at Tulip Pond or (b) sufficiently quiet so as to startle horses there. We ask that riders alert others of their coming when riding along the ledge of the creek that borders Daphne’s property. We also ask that dogs not be included in any ride along that portion of the trail, as there have been instances of the dogs wandering into the farm. And, to state the obvious, we ask that no riders ride on Tulip Pond proper without advance invitation. We understand that there has already been one incident at Tulip Pond involving encroachment by non-resident riders where a young riding student fell, was concussed and had to undergo substantial medical treatment and miss considerable school time. So let’s appreciate that this is far more than a theoretical issue, and one we need to address promptly.

Thank you for your assistance in keeping our EPIC trails and the surrounding properties safe for all. Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@epicmontgomery.org if you have any questions or concerns.

Help Ensure Maryland Trail Funding

Funding for Maryland’s public riding trails may be in jeopardy. If you enjoy riding on Maryland’s trails, your action is needed by this Thursday to help ensure their future.

From The Equiery blog:

Many Maryland equestrian trail projects have benefited from federal funds through the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program (RTP), which is set to expire and must be reauthorized in the next national surface transportation program (highway) bill. Chances are good that the trails you ride on have received some of this funding via the Maryland Department of Transportation.

A “Dear Colleague” letter in support of RTP is being circulated by Congressmen Petri (R-WI) and Michaud (D-ME). (View Dear Colleague Letter)

The American Horse Council urges you to call or email your Representative and ask him or her to sign the Dear Colleague letter in support of RTP being circulated by Congressmen Petri and Michaud.

The deadline for your Member of Congress to sign the letter is Thursday, April 14.

Read the rest of the post HERE.

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