EPICenter News

New EPIC Trail to Open

An extension of the Breezy Loop Trail is set to open later this year. Named the Little Bucklodge Branch Loop, Mark and Kim Kabbes have been very busy clearing debris and trees and smoothing out the paths. They will be marking the trails in the coming months. It is shaping up to be one of our best trails yet! Keep an eye on our website, Facebook page and future issues of this newsletter for more information on where it will be located and when it will officially open. We are working on setting dates for an EPIC trail ride to celebrate its opening, and we hope that you’ll join us!

Horses or Houses?

In the end we will conserve only what we love. We love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.–Baba Dioum, Sengalese ecologist, Speech 1968

This year the Potomac Hunt Club is celebrating it’s 100^th anniversary. On March 14, it hosted a land preservation and stewardship forum to help educate members and friends on the great treasure that is the Agricultural Reserve and what we need to do to keep things green for future generations. EPIC was present along with Montgomery Countryside Alliance (MCA), Sugarloaf Citizens Association (SCA), Maryland Environmental Trust, Trail Riders of Today (TROT), Potomac Bridle and Hiking Trails Association (PBHTA) and others. EPIC’s own chairman, Mike Rubin, spoke to the crowd of close to 100.

Created in 1981 by the County Council to preserve agriculture, the Agricultural Reserve covers 93,000 acres. There are about 12,000 acres of open land that have been preserved through private conservation easements and the sale of development rights to private land trusts, Montgomery County and the State of Maryland. Roy Hanson, chairman of the Montgomery County Planning Board and the man behind the creation of the Agricultural Reserve in 1981, discussed how the cultural heritage that this region represents is important because it says something about what we value and defines who we are as a county and is our legacy. The population in the Ag Reserve has increased 100 percent since its establishment, and our goal is to reduce the number of rooftops that are added either by buying more land or by receiving more donations of easements. For more information on land conservation go to www.epicmontgomery.org.

Your Stories Needed!

Have you tried to build an indoor arena or horse barn recently only to encounter problems with zoning laws or building codes? If so, the Maryland Horse Council wants to hear from you. EPIC attended a meeting March 18 sponsored by MHC on its new “Save the Horse Farms” initiative. While this plan is state-based, MHC is looking for county coordinators to help gather information on specific problems land owners are having in running or creating their horse farms in order to help change legislation that, in many counties, is out of date. MHC also needs help researching specific county zoning laws. Any anecdotal experiences you’ve had that indicate there is a barrier to the survival of horse farms in Montgomery County would be of great interest, as this project is designed to help horse farms thrive in Montgomery County and other counties in Maryland. Once the research is complete, MHC will issue a report along with model county laws that can be applied anywhere. County citizens can then take this information to county councils for adoption. For more information and to fill out a questionnaire, click here.

Maryland Horse Census on the Way

Though you probably  just mailed back your National Census form, there’s another on the way. The 2010 Maryland Horse Census is mailing next week to more than 21,000 Maryland equid owners. The census is a count of all horses, ponies, mules, burros and donkeys located in Maryland, regardless of ownership or use.

Maryland’s horse industry is vital, and this survey is the only reliable measure of the size and economic impact of the industry for public and private decision-making processes. This census will show how the industry has changed in the eight years since the first one was completed. The results will reveal the scope and economic importance of the Maryland equine industry, including identifying the number of horses owned for recreational, show, racing and therapeutic purposes; the amount of land used for equine-related activities; and strategies for attracting and retaining more equine and equine-related business and jobs in the state. Most importantly, the census will give horse industry leaders as well as public and private decision makers the current, accurate data they need to promote the industry and make informed decisions.

All of the major sectors of the equine industry will be included in the census. The questionnaire will ask for numbers of equids by breed, use, location and type of operation, and expenses, sales and assets associated with equine operations. The Maryland Horse Industry Board assures owners that this census is not part of any licensing, testing or other regulatory activity and that all responses are confidential.

A final report will be made available to the public in January 2011. Anyone receiving a census may request a copy of the published report on the form.

If you have not received a census by May 1, call (800) 675-0295 to request one. EPIC strongly recommends that all horse owners complete one. For more information visit www.marylandhorseindustry.org/census.shtml.

EPIC Barn Spotlight: Chasin Dreams Farm

By Traci Bryant Donatelli

In 2004, Denise Chasin was massaging horses for a living when she mentioned to her long-time friend Marianne Alexander that she might like to volunteer in Marianne’s Personal Ponies, Ltd., an international 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides small UK Shetland ponies to children with disabilities or illnesses. A few days later, Marianne called Denise about a Shetland who was weeks away from giving birth. The owner was leaving the country, and the mare needed a home right away. With no breeding/birthing experience and against her husband’s better judgment, Denise soon found herself in West Virginia loading a small, gray, very-pregnant Shetland named Neatherly onto her trailer.

Six years and a much bigger barn later, Denise has built a successful Personal Ponies breeding program at her Barnesville farm, in the heart of Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve. Neatherly currently keeps company with a 3-year-old stallion named Lord Braiden Bressay (Braiden for short) who is first generation off the Shetland Islands (an archipelago in Scotland, off the northeast coast) and three other mares. In January, Denise became National Director of Personal Ponies, Ltd., which now has volunteers in every state with over 1,800 ponies placed around the country, including Hawaii. The program is based on the belief that a pony can magically change the life of a child.

Shetlands have temperaments uniquely suited to fill this role. These tiny ponies (generally 28–38 inches tall) were originally bred to haul peat and do farm work. In the late 19th century they were used extensively in the coal mines of Scotland and Wales and in the mines of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Their patient, quiet and kind ways were ideal for pulling coal cars through narrow mine shafts. With their thick manes and furry coats, they are not as flashy as the American Shetland ponies (who have Hackney in their lineage), but what they lack in pizzazz, they make up for in heart. Most of these ponies are too small to ride, but many are taught to drive.

Personal Ponies doesn’t have any eligibility rules, and, Denise says, “You don’t have to convince us that you are worthy or that your special child is sick enough or disabled enough to qualify. If you have a child who is ‘differently able’ and you believe that a very special new best friend might make a difference in your child’s life, then we want to help.”

Ponies are provided on loan to families for long-term or lifetime use on the condition that they be cared for and loved, and once they’re outgrown, they go on to touch another child’s life. The ponies dedicate their lives to this mission, and they are placed in pairs to ensure they have constant companionship. Families and facilities are carefully screened, new owners are educated on pony care and those who cannot provide a suitable home or care for the ponies can visit the ponies at Chasin Dreams.

The breeding ponies at Chasin Dreams serve as equine ambassadors for all types of visitors—from 4-H and Girl Scout troops to children with autism, cancer or other ailments. After years of studying various types of education, Denise believes that children learn best when they’re given the freedom to pursue their own curiosity at their own pace. Therefore, there is no agenda, no lesson plan and no forced interaction. Denise lets each child decide how he or she would like to interact with the ponies. In fact, three years ago she founded an alternative school in Dickerson called FreedomHill Cooperative based on these principles. She’s witnessed children who have never spoken carry on long conversations with her ponies, and she fondly remembers a 6-year-old girl who told her that one of the ponies was her first friend; her mother confirmed that he truly was.

This somewhat radical approach, however, makes it difficult to obtain program funding along the more traditional routes. There are no quantitative results – no rubrics, no outcomes. The change that occurs inside the heart and mind of a small child is not always measurable with such methods. But after watching these kids open up and blossom with these ponies, one can’t deny its transformative powers and effectiveness.

Like all other Personal Ponies volunteers, Denise receives no compensation for her time, and she raises the ponies largely at her own expense. She takes her ponies to community outreach events throughout the year and almost every weekend during the summer. Personal Ponies has visited nursing homes, nursery schools, camps, cancer centers, special-needs programs and even joined Circle of Hope Therapeutic Riding Center, based in Barnesville, in welcoming groups from Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval Hospitals. If there are children who could benefit from Personal Ponies and they can’t come to her, Denise will bring the ponies to them.

To find out more about Personal Ponies and how you can help as a volunteer or donor, visit the Chasin Dreams website at www.chasindreamsfarm.com or call Denise at (301) 349-2161.

Want to find out how to become an EPIC Barn Member? Visit our Membership page.

President’s Message

I don’t know about you, but now that this crazy winter is behind us, I can’t wait to hit the trails aboard my mare Sequin, seeking new paths I have yet to explore. EPIC is blazing trails of its own, and I am excited to fill you in on some of the new things happening with our organization.

Breezy Loop (trail head at the Pony Club field on Bucklodge Road) will soon gain an additional two-mile loop to be named Little Bucklodge Branch Loop. Bookmark our website www.epicmontgomery.org or join us on Facebook for trail-opening announcements, news, events and much more.

I’d like to welcome two enthusiastic people who are behind many of EPIC’s changes: Traci Bryant Donatelli joins us as a part-time employee. Since coming on board, she has been working hard coordinating everything at EPIC. Stacey Nedrow-Wigmore works on a contract basis to maintain the EPIC Web site, establish social networking pages and publish our now-quarterly newsletter. With Traci and Stacey’s assistance, this year promises to be great for riding EPIC trails, bringing our members together and expanding our advocacy work on behalf of the equestrian community.

While we’re on the subject of membership, if you haven’t yet become a member of EPIC, please consider joining. We have a number of membership levels for individuals, barns and businesses, each offering valuable benefits, including the upkeep, protection and expansion of the EPIC trail system you use.

We hope to see you at one or more of our upcoming EPIC trail rides where you can meet new people while becoming acquainted with the beauty and excellent riding opportunities in the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve. See our calendar for specific dates.

Finally, do let us know of any problems you encounter on the EPIC trail system by noting the number on the closest trail marker and e-mailing us at info@epicmontgomery.org.

Happy trails!

David Tobin
President, EPIC

Trail Emergency! A Nail in His Hoof

By Javier Donatelli, DVM

You’re out for a trail ride with friends on a beautiful, sunny spring day. One minute everything is fine, suddenly your horse comes up very lame, not wanting to put any weight on his hind foot, except occasionally resting his toe. Your riding partners don’t see anything obvious, so you hop off to investigate further. When you pick up your horse’s affected hoof, you are horrified to find a rusty nail sticking out of his sole.

While a hoof puncture can happen in the pasture or barn just as easily as on a trail, being away from the barn complicates the situation because it’s harder for your vet to reach your horse. Even if she can get to you, her ability to X-ray the hoof to see the track of the nail before it’s removed—the preferred diagnostic method—is compromised due to lack of electricity.

To handle this potential emergency, follow these steps:

1. First and most importantly, DON’T pull out the nail. Note exactly where it’s located, what angle it entered the sole and how deep it penetrated. If you have access to a camera (standard on most cell phones), take a photo of the bottom of his hoof showing the exact location of the embedded nail.
2. Call your veterinarian. Ideally, you want to wait for your vet to reach you so she can remove the nail herself, allowing her to discern whether or not it has damaged any critical structures, such as the navicular bone, a tendon or joint.
3. If your vet cannot reach you on the trail, you will need to pull out the nail before you can walk your horse home. Most nails can be easily pulled out by hand. As you remove it, again carefully note the angle of entry and how deep it penetrated the sole.
4. After removing the nail, but before putting your horse’s hoof on the ground, use the camera to take another photo while you hold the nail parallel to
   

   If you must remove a nail from your horse's hoof, use a camera to note where it was located.

   your horse’s sole with the tip pointing toward the location of penetration and indicating the depth with your fingers (see photo right).

5. If you have access to a wrap, such as a polo bandage, wrap it around your horse’s hoof and sole to keep the nail hole as clean as possible.
6. Lead your horse back to the barn on foot. Do not ride.

Once your vet arrives, here’s what to expect:

1. She will use a sharp hoof knife to dig around the nail hole to expose the track to the air. This helps decrease the chance your horse contracts tetanus, a neurological infection caused by deadly Clostridium tetani, anaerobic bacteria that live in the soil and may have contaminated the nail.
2. If your vet determines that the puncture is uncomplicated, that is, it did not puncture any critical structures, she will treat the injury like she would an abscess: She may soak the affected hoof in hot water and Epsom salts, apply an ointment, such as ichthammol, to draw out any infection and then wrap the hoof to keep it clean.
3. Finally, she will administer a wide-spectrum antibiotic to stave off infection as well as an anti-inflammatory to decrease pain and inflammation. She will also give your horse a tetanus booster.

Complications from a nail puncture can range from something as simple as abscess or as severe as a career-ending injury if it has pierced one of the sensitive structures in the hoof. If your vet determines that one of these structures has been affected, she will refer your horse to a veterinary hospital for immediate and aggressive treatment.

Javier Donatelli, DVM, of Poolesville, Maryland, runs a private equine veterinary practice, Javier Donatelli Equine Veterinarian LLC. He specializes in lameness, dentistry and general medicine. He has done extensive work for many local horse rescues, and he is an EPIC Business Member. Dr. Donatelli can be reached at javdonatelli@hotmail.com or by phone at (301) 330-5035 (office) or (240) 676-1990 (cell).

Watch for Turtles on EPIC’s Newest Trail

The Turtle Trail is EPIC’s latest addition to the Breezy Loop Trail. The Turtle Trail trailhead can be accessed at the Potomac Pony Club grounds at 19301 Bucklodge Road across from Moore Road in Boyds, MD.

The Turtle Trail signposts are marked alphabetically from “A” to “H” in the bottom right corner of each sign patch so as not to confuse the rider with the Breezy Loop sign patches which are numerically marked.

The Turtle Trail is so named because of its proximity to the site of a box turtle habitat relocation effort by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and landowner  (and EPIC co-founder) Mike Rubin. Part of the environmental mitigation program related to the Intercounty Connector (ICC) was the relocation and study of box turtles. As their habitat along the path of the ICC is being destroyed, the HSUS was tasked 2 ½ years ago with capturing and moving as many of these creatures as possible. The plan was to move the population to a new, safe locale and then sequester them for a period of time, then release. Two large pens were constructed, turtles placed therein, and now, two years later, they’ve been released with GPS locators implanted.

Please be careful not to step on a turtle as you ride through. (Box turtles like to rest in the middle of trails!)

Turtle Trail adds a quiet, shady 15 minutes more to your Breezy Loop ride.

There are a few log jumps along the way. This trail lies on low ground so it  may be closed in the rainy season.

Vet Rich Forfa on Bowed Tendon

Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon structures and is the result of a physical weight bearing strain overload by the soft tissue support of the lower limbs of horses.

A “bowed” tendon is a term used to describe an injury to a tendon which may manifest a bowed appearance.

Bowed tendons most commonly occur in the front legs. The injury can occur due to fetlock overextension when a horse’s weight is on one leg. Poor foot conformation, long toes or low heels, improper conditioning of the horse, working an unfit or fatigued horse, and poor, uneven or slippery ground surfaces, can all contribute to tendon strain. Horses with less demanding exercise regimes are less likely to develop a tendon injury.The superficial digital flexor tendon is the most commonly affected and the middle or mid-cannon location is most common. Also the deep digital flexor tendon, check ligament or suspensory ligament can be injured alone or in combination.  The diagnosis of tendonitis can be made by a physical examination and an adequate medical history. Signs of an acute tendon injury are swelling, heat, and pain on palpation of the affected area. If the injury is minor, swelling may not be obvious and the degree of lameness may be minor or subtle. In cases of a greater severity the horse will be moderately to severely lame with greater tendon swelling.

Ultrasound examination is used to document the extent of the injury, to form a prognosis and to follow healing after treatment. A scale and grading system is used to describe the severity of the lesion, which can be followed by serial ultrasound exams. Tendon injuries are serious so if one is suspected the horse needs to be examined by your veterinarian.

Initial acute treatments would be cold water or ice water applications for the first 24 hours, anti-inflammatory medications and support wraps applied in a proper manner. Stall rest is critical to obtaining the best success.

Other therapies are extracorporeal shock wave, stem cell therapy injection, I-Rap injections, and purified protein derivative injections into the lesion on the affected tendon. All these therapies reduce the effects caused by hemorrhage, inflammatory cells and chemical mediators which can complicate the tendon’s healing.

Rehabilitation includes an initial period of extended stall rest dependent upon severity of the injury to the tendon followed by controlled exercise such as hand walking on a lead or walking under tack.  Every effort should be made to prevent re-injury to the tendon.  Do not be in a hurry!  Follow up ultrasound scans made by your veterinarian can document when your horse will be ready to resume his normal work program.

Prognosis for return to the same level of work depends on the severity of the original injury. If disruption to the fibers of the tendon was minimal and the tendon healed rapidly the prognosis is better of working at the same level. With more severe the injury the more aggressive therapies are recommended. About 70% of horses can be expected to recover completely and return to the same level of work, the others usually can recover to be sound and work at a less strenuous level.

Proper trimming and shoeing by a good farrier, conditioning your horse so it is fit for the work it does and examining the legs after a hard work can go a long way to preventing tendon injuries.

Rich Forfa, DVM, Dip.ABVP

Monocacy Equine Veterinary Associates
P.O. Box 155
Beallsville, MD 20839
www.monocacyequine.com

Polo Goes Green and Supports EPIC

The Green Cup brings together polo enthusiasts, top DC-environmentalists, business leaders, elected representatives, diplomats, horse lovers, fashionistas, and socialites.

This year’s event featured two matches, cuisine from the city’s top organic and sustainable restaurants and cafes, entertainment by local horse groups, live music performances.  Guests enjoyed the festivities from the sideline at tailgate parties and hung out at the Member’s club lounge or VIP area while sipping ‘Ecotinis’ and enjoying the prime view from the Grand Stand.  Philipe Cousteau, some of famous environmentalist Jacque Cousteau, was on hand and joined other celebrities in acknowledging the work of EPIC and other beneficiary groups of the event.

Luette Semmes won the $100 gift certificate from the Surrey for EPIC members buying tickets for the Green Cup. Thank you Surrey for donating such a significant gift.

Building Green/Sustainable Trails

Writer: Kitson Jazynka for PBHTA

What are sustainable trails?

Most trails have evolved as riders and hikers take the shortest route from one point to another, that is, no planning about the best place for a trail from the perspective of Mother Nature. Many of these trails are “unsustainable,” which means prone to erosion or mud. This leads to unstable trees and extensive, expensive maintenance.

A sustainable trail — properly aligned to stay dry and minimize erosion – will maintain itself for many years. Poorly designed trails cause environmental damage and are unpleasant to use or even dangerous. Equestrian trails in particular require larger, more hardened, more vertical clearance than other users like hikers, dog walkers or bikers need.

In March I went on a long trail ride with PBHTA member Naomi Manders. Naomi was heading out on a maintenance ride, checking out a trail that no one had reported on in a while. She invited me to come along and I was thrilled for the invite.

Whenever I’m with Naomi, I always learn something. On her personal resume of life, Naomi has owned and operated a riding school for 20 years, served in a leadership role for many of the trails associations (including the PBHTA) in our area and, as a result, negotiated the easements that we all ride on. For twelve years, Naomi worked in Montgomery County’s Department of Park Planning and Development as a trail planner and she was instrumental in setting up the Natural Surface Trails Program. (Phew! No wonder I always learn something from Naomi!) This day was no different.

Throughout the ride, she pointed out areas of the trail that had been improved at one point or another, like some “equestrian stairs” put in at one point to stop a steeply graded hillside trail from eroding. In another area, she showed me work volunteers had done to take out non-native vines that “grow up the trees, spread out huge leaves that block the sun, kill the trees and prevent natural ground cover from growing.” This leads to really bad erosion, I learned.

Naomi also mentioned that she (on behalf of PBHTA) had planned a meeting with “trail guru” Mark Nelson, a sustainable trail expert, to help her figure out a solution for a particularly bad stream crossing on a trail in Potomac. This stream crossing is a great example of a poorly designed trail that has eroded over 15 years to the point of being dangerous. I asked if I could come along on their expedition into the woods, even if the horses would be left behind. She agreed.

Naomi and Mark discussed removal of a stump in the middle of a trail. Mark said that when this trail was established, most likely the watershed was not taken into account. As a result, the trail has a “cupping” effect and literally funnels the water downstream – wreaking a path of trail destruction. This is why, he says, building trails that are sustainable (and take nature into account) means you get trails that last a lot longer.

“Sustainable trails are ones that utilize land contours and geology,” said Mark, “so they drain naturally and therefore stay hard as a surface for use by a variety of users.” This way, he explained, you don’t find out later that your trail has washed out or is so destroyed by use that it isn’t maintainable over time. Mark’s focus, he told me, is where the water comes from and where it goes.

“Maintenance and sustainability is also a cost factor.” says Naomi. “If you build a trail along the edge of the stream and the trees are always falling down, you’ll end up having to call someone to cut trees every two months.”

Here’s the eroded stream crossing Naomi and Mark were interested in. 15 years of erosion, horse traffic and more of nature’s work from a stream at the bottom that you can’t quite see in this picture have led to its demise. Naomi and Mark’s goal for that day was to figure out a new way for riders to get across the stream. They talked about the possibility of a bridge, “equestrian steps” (or a “timber terrace” as Mark referred to it), or a completely new route that would enable riders to avoid the stream crossing altogether.

This is the trail leading out of the stream on the other side of the badly eroded side. Mark, who has been a volunteer with the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club for many years and is co-president of the Coalition for the Seneca Creek Greenway Trail, noted that this side is in much better shape, probably due to the fact that it gets more light and therefore does not have a tendency to stay muddy and leave itself open to damage. Here, he is explaining to Naomi why the grade is too steep for the kind of equestrian stairs she had hoped for, which would have involved stairs that were each twelve inches high and six feet deep.

That morning, we spent about an hour and a half investigating other options for a trail crossing. On one side of the creek, a private property line foiled one idea for a new trail route. Another idea was tossed out because the grade of the hill was too steep to consider further. Another idea would have the trail zigzagging up a hill. Naomi and Mark agreed that the current crossing was just not fixable. It’s possible a bridge option could work, but most likely the span would have to be 30 feet across which makes the possibility seem less likely. We continued to walk up and down and all around, checking out the natural fissures in the land and the possibilities presented by the landscape.

Mark has worked for REI as an outreach specialist since 1988. He works in the community with the sole purpose of enhancing recreation resources. “Since trails were an interest to me,” he explained, “I have focused on that in my job and work with a variety of land managers to figure out their needs and at the same time involve the largest number of people possible in the process so that trails got built, rehabilitated and you develop a population of people to take over maintenance of the trails.”

In the end, the best solution to the damaged stream crossing may be a complete rerouting of the trail. This way, riders wouldn’t even enter the woods at the current point but instead follow a new trail along a new fence line that is already planned.

We checked out options for a new trail outside the woods that would route riders around the stream crossing that erosion has made unsafe.

This bridge is the result of a sustainable trail-type project. When I first started riding these trails ten years ago, these cement pipes were completely underground. As they became more and more eroded and exposed, the crossing became more difficult and later impossible (unless you were riding a seasoned event horse at a good clip, ready to jump). Naomi and the PBHTA came up with a solution, implemented a design and now we can use this horse-friendly bridge crossing. It’s true the horses needed a little convincing at first, but the bridge has also provided a nice training opportunity. My horses are now little-wooden-bridge-proof. Check!

As for the damaged stream crossing, the PBHTA (Potomac Bridle & Hiking Trails Association) is willing to commit funds to have the new route built, as it is used by many PBHTA members. “Labor is the most expensive component of the repair,” says Naomi. “and PBHTA may ask for some volunteers to help with this project, mostly light hand-work. PBHTA feels it is important to educate equestrians to help maintain trails (and the expenses involved) and teach members how to protect the trails from damage.”

What can the average trail rider or hiker do, or be aware of to help the sustainability of trails? The biggest way is to stay off wet trails, says Naomi. Another thing to avoid is trail blazing. Riding off the path, creating unauthorized short cuts or cutting corners kills greenery that is holding the soil. Another big way to help sustain our trails is simply sharing the trail, and keeping it in good shape for other users. Oh right: and if you aren’t already a member of EPIC (Equestrian Partners in Conservation) do join up!
www.EPICmontgomery.org

Mark points out what happens when a trail doesn’t drain properly, stays wet and is permanently damaged, in this case, by a horse.

“It would be nice if folks learned to recognize good and bad trails and became involved in caring for the privilege of using them,” said Naomi. “We are so lucky to have them!”

Reprinted with Permission from www.phelpssports.com

Construction of Woodstock Equestrian Park Phase II Underway – Fall 2010 Opening Scheduled

Final design and construction documentation for the Phase II improvements at Woodstock is proceeding on schedule, according to Montgomery Parks Project Manager Linda Komes.  Storm water management and sediment and erosion control permits were submitted to the Department of Permitting Services and are also currently under review.

In the meantime, Parks demolished the hazardous corn crib at the beginning of the summer and salvaged many of the barn boards, timbers, and hardware for possible use in future projects at Woodstock and in other parks.  The historic stone barn stabilization project on the west side was recently completed.  The barn is an added amenity to the equestrian trail ride experience on the east side.  A hitching post and mounting block have been constructed in the event riders want to dismount and inspect the historic barn. Montgomery Parks is also developing an interpretive sign for the stone barn as part of the overall interpretive and way-finding signage program (part of the Woodstock Phase II project).

Preparation of proper footing for the cross country course began this fall. Construction of all the improvements (riding rings, landscaping, etc.) should begin as anticipated spring 2010 and be completed for a fall 2010 opening.
A separate but related project is the replacement of the J.E.B Stewart Trail and vehicular bridge.  Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2010.
For more information contact Linda Komes at linda.komes@montgomeryparks.org.

EPIC Trails, Initiatives and Member Support

Writer: Pam DuBois

EPIC continues to advocate important equestrian issues being contemplated by Montgomery County.  For starters, EPIC, in cooperation with Montgomery Parks (M-NCPPC), Montgomery County Office of Economic Development (Ag Services) and University of Maryland designed and conducted a survey of Montgomery County equestrians. EPIC is pleased to have been a recipient of a $3,000 grant from Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit to help underwrite this endeavor.  Survey result highlights have already been used in Planning Board and County Council testimony in support of additional improvements at Woodstock Equestrian Park.  Our diverse advocacy agenda also includes monitoring economic stimulus spending on trails, proposed improvements to the Seneca Greenway trail system, supporting Park’s Legacy Open Space land acquisitions (part of the Thompson Farm in Boyds), participating in Montgomery County’s zoning rewrite and land use policy, green initiatives, conservation tax incentives, augmenting resources for proper stewardship easements, and more.

EPIC’s advocacy bottom line: increased preservation and trail access!  Highlights since last year include the opening of two additional trails – Dry Seneca Creek Phase II in Poolesville and Breezy Loop in Boyds.  A testament to the excitement of these new trails was evidenced by the number of riders who braved the Dry Seneca Creek rainy day ride last May and old man winter in November when Breezy Loop was inaugurated.  An expansion to the Breezy Loop trail is currently underway.  Connectivity from our new trials in Boyds to Woodstock Equestrian Park is a 2009 priority.

A new initiative undertaken by EPIC this year is supporting its affiliates by hosting a benefit ride that took place on Saturday, June 13th.  As an equestrian enthusiast organization, there are no boundaries confining our support.  Approximately 20 riders participated in this year’s ride for the two selected beneficiaries: Circle of Hope and Great and Small Therapeutic Riding programs.

Let’s not forget EPIC’s co-sponsorship of the third annual Green Cup Polo Benefit Challenge Cup at the Capitol Polo grounds on Hughes Road on Saturday, July 18th.  This year easily surpassed attendance from last year of over 600 spectators (but the counts are not tallied yet).  We had phenomenal weather for participants to enjoy seeing this exciting sporting event that raises awareness of environmental issues and green lifestyles.

We credit our success and convey our thanks to our wonderful membership!  The number of EPIC barn affiliates has nearly doubled since last year and is now 15 barns strong and still growing.  Increased support for EPIC is based on its unique modus operandi of uniting equestrians to preserve and protect the natural resources in Montgomery County.  EPIC sponsors comprise its members who enjoy multiple benefits ranging from invitations to organized rides on newly sanctioned EPIC trails, evening community information forums, representation of equestrian interests in County Planning decisions and State legislation, access to maps of the EPIC trails, the member newsletter, resources and links on EPIC’s website and EPIC paraphernalia.  Become a member by making a donation on EPIC’s website at www.epicmontgomery.org and learn more about how EPIC is working for the equestrian community.

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