Mont. Co. Offers Free Equine Seminar Series

Presented by the Montgomery Soil Conservation District and University of Maryland Extension Montgomery

Wednesday, February 8  at 6:30 pm (snow date February 9)
“Forage Sampling and Forage Quality”
Dr. Les Vough, University of Maryland Emeritus

“Equine Digestive System and Nutrients”
Dr. Amy Burk, University of Maryland

Wednesday, March 7 at 6:30 pm (snow date March
“Top 5 Pasture Weeds and Their Control”
Doug Tregoning, UME

“Extension Equine Resources”
Jennifer Reynolds, UME

“Business Plans for Horse Operations”
Pam Saul, Farm & Equine Business Services

Location:
Agricultural History Farm Park
18410 Muncaster Road
Derwood, MD  20855

To register, or for information, including rescheduling due to inclement weather, please contact Ms. Karen Walker at 301.590.2855 or visit www.montgomeryscd.org.

Seminar sponsored by MidAtlantic Farm Credit.

EPIC Receives Grant to Expand Breezy Loop Equestrian Trail

January 31, 2012–Equestrian Partners in Conservation (EPIC) received a $2,000 grant from the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) on January 21, 2012. EPIC website manager Stacey Nedrow-Wigmore accepted the check on behalf of the organization during an awards ceremony at the Maryland Horse World Expo in Timonium, Maryland.

EPIC applied for the grant to expand its existing Breezy Loop trail off Bucklodge Road in Boyds. The new as-yet-unnamed equestrian trail will add approximately 2.5 miles and 45 minutes of riding time to the existing 15 miles of trails, which includes Breezy Loop, Turtle Trail and Little Bucklodge Branch Creek Trail. The trails are located on private land owned by conservationist Mike Rubin and are preserved and protected for public equestrian use.

“We are very excited to be able to expand Breezy Loop,” said EPIC President David Tobin. “This grant allows us to continue EPIC’s mission of preserving land in Montgomery County for equestrian use.”

The new trail is located off Turtle Trail on the northeast side of Breezy Loop, east of Old Bucklodge Lane. It already has been mapped, and markers will be installed in early spring. EPIC will officially open the new trail with a public trail ride. The trailhead for the Breezy Loop trail system is located at the Potomac Pony Club Field at 19301 Bucklodge Road.

EPIC was one of 15 organizations to receive $21,441 in grants out of 52 applications. Projects were evaluated for value to the industry, degree of industry promotion, size and scope of the activity, financial need and quality of the written presentation.

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

EPICenter News

Poole’s Store Closing

Poole’s General Store on River Road, along the C&O Canal towpath in Seneca, will end its 45-year history of serving the local equestrian, farming and hunting communities on December 31.

The family that gave its name to Poolesville did not renew their lease with Montgomery County Department of Parks, which purchased the property from the Allnutt family in 1972. Built in 1901, Poole’s Store is the oldest general store in continuous operation in Montgomery County.

Octogenarians Billie Poole and her husband Raymond, along with their children, made the decision to close due to health issues and slowed business during the difficult economic climate of the last few years.

The county is looking for a new tenant, and hopes are that the property will continue to serve the community as a general store. Community hearings will take place in early 2011 so county residents can offer input and suggestions regarding future plans for the property. There already have been inquiries by several interested parties.

For recent information from Montgomery Parks on future plans for Poole’s Store, visit Montgomery Parks Committed to Preserving Poole’s Store Function as 40-Year Business Prepares to Close its Doors.

Public Access to New Equestrian Park Amenities May Be Delayed

Due to recent budget cuts, the Montgomery County Planning Board added new additions to Woodstock Equestrian Park to its delayed park openings list. While trails throughout the park are already open to the public, the new amenities, including a fenced outdoor sand arena and a professionally designed Beginner-Novice cross-country course, that are scheduled to be completed by fall 2011, may not be available for use until 2014.

The arena and cross-country course, as well as several other improvements, are being funded by a private grant from William Rickman Jr., as well as by state funding in the form of bonds. The $500,000 in state grant funds must be used by the end of 2011, or it will be forfeited.

Drastic budget cuts mean that Parks cannot afford to maintain the new amenities, including mowing the cross-country field, dragging the arena and maintaining the cross-country jumps and land, for the next several years. To keep these facilities affordable to the equestrian community, user fees will be kept to a minimum, and they won’t be able to support the maintenance. However, if an individual or group is willing to step up to offer financial assistance or labor, Parks may be willing to open these facilities to riders as soon as they’re completed.

If you have any suggestions or offers of assistance, please e-mail info@epicmontgomery.com.

Little Bucklodge Branch Loop Opens with Trail Ride

By Naomi Manders

EPIC hosted its fall trail ride on October 16 on its Breezy Loop in Boyds, celebrating the addition of the newest trail, Little Bucklodge Branch Loop.

Beautiful fall weather provided a perfect backdrop for the 55 riders who attended the ride on the well-groomed and signed trails. The ride left from the Potomac Pony Club field on Bucklodge Road. The field may be used for trail access at any time.

The entire loop takes about two hours to ride at a slow pace. A GPS map of Breezy Loop showing both the Turtle Trail and the new Little Bucklodge Branch Loop is available at www.EPICmontgomery.org.

Maryland Trails Summit Report

By Naomi Manders

More than 200 attendees from trail users’ organizations gathered near Baltimore in October to discuss the state of trails in Maryland and adjoining states with the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, and national and county parks officials. Some of the users represented included EPIC, Trail Riders of Today (TROT), Maryland Horse Council, Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) and many other users of natural and paved trails.

The focus was on the overall statewide trails system to identify priority needs. The keynote speaker, Tom Horton, a local outdoors author and avid hiker, bicyclist and kayaker, pointed out that the impact of growth was the loss of freedom — something we all have experienced. Some benefits of trails are that they are a relatively inexpensive way to increase health and water quality and introduce the public to the care of our environment. Horton itemized some “needs,” such as accesses, trailheads, camping spots, maps, bridges and “shuttle services,” like ferries, to span gaps. He says the biggest thing trails do is “slow us down.”

Maryland Department of Natural Resources secretary John Griffin represented Governor Martin O’Malley emphasizing trail planning and maintenance. He pledged the state’s commitment to creating the best trail system in the country. A Trails Development Office has been created, and a website is in place for mapping, planning, etc. For more information or to add a trail to the interactive map, visit www.dnr.state.md.us/land/MD_Trails/index.asp.

Rick Potts spoke for the National Parks Service, emphasizing public and private partnerships and mentioning the availability of grants. He encouraged trail users to create coalitions and avoid discussing differences in public to win support from agencies.

Dianne Kripas spoke for Pennsylvania whose map shows very little land conserved in State Parks. Their main contribution is the Great Allegheny Passage, a major greenway. Pennsylvania is developing county greenways plans as their research shows the most desired public amenity is trails, especially for walking.

The Delaware speaker noted, “Your back door is your trailhead.” This applies precisely to Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve. EPIC understands the need to keep equestrian facilities from isolation. Doing so is good for business.

Virginia has many trails, such as Appalachian Trail, Potomac Heritage, James R. and New River. It has been successful in doing some gap analysis and has prepared a map of existing and proposed trails. Over and over, we heard the phrase “planning is key,” and it must be done far ahead.

TROT emphasized working together behind the scenes before a meeting and joining state and county volunteers to build sustainable trails. Sustainable trails are those designed to avoid erosion to make maintenance easier and honor the environmental issues. This takes planning and volunteers to build and maintain.

The use of trails for ATVs was addressed with some suggestions, such as providing a place to do this and to ramp up law enforcement and education.

EPIC Comings and Goings

The EPIC board accepted the resignation of vice president Pam DuBois for personal reasons. We would like to extend our sincere thanks for her service and valuable contributions over the last several years.

EPIC board member Jay Cinque was put forth to take over the role as vice president and was unanimously voted in. Jay is a scientific review administrator for the National Institutes of Health. He and his wife Anne have been longtime residents of upper Montgomery County, moving to Boyds in 1973. Jay has been very active in land preservation and community organizations for many years. He has served as president of the Boyds Civic Association, the Sugarloaf Citizens Association, the Northern Montgomery County Alliance and the Peachtree Civic Association. He has also served as president of the Sugarloaf Riding Club, and is currently a board member and treasurer for the Sugarloaf Countryside Conservancy.

We would also like to welcome Neil Agate to the board. Neil is the principle of Four Gates, LLC, a business and technology services firm. He is a former board member and co-chair of the British American Business Association communications committee, a founding member of the Capitol Polo Club in Poolesville and an avid polo player. He serves as the announcer for the annual Green Cup of Polo tournament that serves as a benefit for EPIC as well as other nonprofit organizations. Originally from England, Neil has lived with his wife Kathy and two daughters in Darnestown for the last 20 years.

40 Tips for the Trail Rider

By Lynn Palm

Trail riding is an excellent way for riders and horses to bond and work on communication aids in a new environment. Training outside the box is something Palm does with all her horses in training, especially the competition horses. It is an opportunity to strengthen the bond by overcoming new obstacles together and encountering situations not found in an arena setting. However, riders must always be prepared to confront the unexpected when out on the trail. Here is a list of 40 tips for the trail rider to be prepared, confident, and successful.

Preparation
1. Before hitting the trail, you and your horse should have mastered basic skills in an arena such as stopping and turning, as well as having control at all gaits.

2. Make sure the distance and duration of the trail ride is within your horse’s current fitness level.

3. Keep tack in good condition to prevent anything from breaking when out on the trail.

4. Groom your horse thoroughly before trail riding.

5. Use protective legware such as polo wraps or boots. I love to use Professional Choice boots!

6. Use insect repellant for both you and your horse.

7. Remember to check the weather before you ride and dress accordingly.

8. Riders and light pigmented skin horses should use sunscreen to protect against harmful UV rays.

9. Before leaving the barn, trailer, or campsite, check to see if your horse’s shoes are tight and tack is fitting properly.

10. Plan your route and stick to equestrian-approved paths.

11. If you plan to stop and tie your horse bring a halter and lead with you.

12. Make sure you let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Also let a friend or family member know where the keys to your various vehicles are. They should be assessable in case anyone is injured.

13. Do not go on the trail without some warm up for you and your horse. I always do stretching exercises to loosen up and longe my horse on a 20-meter circle for at least 20 minutes.

On the Trail
14. Never hit the trail without a buddy and never leave the buddy behind.

15. Wear a certified helmet that fits snugly and always buckle the chin strap. I love the Troxel helmets!

16. Always carry a fully charged cell phone or satellite phone, first aid kit (EquiMedic has the best First Aids kits on the market), flash light, water, hoof pick, map, compass, and GPS receiver if able. Take advantage of the technology available to you!

17. Carry an ID and place identification information inside your helmet. Be sure to include your name, address, phone number and emergency contacts.

18. Be prepared to confront common problems that can go wrong with your horse such as lameness, laceration, colic, tying up and snake bite.

19. Know how to monitor your horse’s vital signs and be able to administer first aid to both horse and human.

20. Make sure to rest and walk after periods of trotting. Don’t overdo it!

21. Use your manners! Be friendly to other people you encounter on the trail.

22. Leave one horse length between horses, two if trotting.

23. Pass on the left at reduced speed after giving the person you are passing a verbal “heads up!”

24. Always be aware of your surroundings and think ahead so you don’t put yourself or your horse in a dangerous situation.

25. Be a proactive rider! Avoid riding on footing that can be hazardous to your horse such as roots, holes and debris.

26. Change positions and do transitions often! This will help the horse wanting to be at the front all the time, as well as keep the horse concentrating on you and not the outside environment or other horses.

27. If your horse spooks on the trail, it is okay to get off the horse to address the spooky obstacle or the “boogie man” in the woods. It is safer to deal with a sticky spot on the ground then under saddle.

28. To encourage your horse to be willing and obedient on the trail, be his leader! This means you, the rider, are always in control. Move your horse the opposite way he wants to take you. If he goes left–go right, if he goes right-go left, if he backs–go forward, if he goes forward without you asking-stop and back a few steps. This works the horse’s mind and reminds him that you are the leader. As your horse’s leader, he will trust you!

29. When approaching new obstacles that may frighten your horse, stop and let your horse address them in a safe manner. Let him swing his head to see it from both eyes and let him smell it. Take your time. Once your horse learns to trust you, the next obstacle you address will take less time to accept.

30. If your horse gets too close to a tree or obstacle and may hit it, slightly turn his head pointing his nose towards it and use your inside leg aid (leg closest to the obstacle) to yield him away from the obstacle. If you use too much rein aids, you will actually turn him more into the tree!

31. Use your body position to help maintain your horse’s balance while traveling uphill (tilt upper body forward, extend arms up the horse’s neck to give him his head) and downhill (lean upper body back, push feet forward in stirrups so legs are in front of the cinch/girth, and hold reins approximately 3 to 4 inches higher than usual).

32. At a water crossing, pond, river, or lake, stop and offer the horse water.

33. Try to know the depth of a water crossing before attempting to cross it.

34. Always remove a tie-down or martingale before crossing a water obstacle in case you encounter a deep spot. These devices restrict your horse’s head so much that he won’t be able to swim.

35. Socializing on the trail with your friends can be fun, but remember always pay more attention to your horse and his body language than to a conversation.

36. Always have your horse walk on the way back to the barn to prevent him from learning to rush home.

After the Ride
37. Make sure to cool your horse down properly to relieve and prevent lactic acid buildup in the muscles.

38. Check to see if your horse sweated evenly under the saddle pad to make sure your saddle doesn’t have any pressure points that can make your horse uncomfortable or cause long term problems.

39. Rinse or hose off sweat and always offer fresh, clean water.

40. Do a visual and tactile evaluation of your horse. Check his legs for swelling or any cuts he may have from the ride. Treat accordingly.

Lynn Palm’s career highlights include 2007 American Quarter Horse Association Horsewoman of the Year, a record four AQHA Superhorse wins, AQHA Female Equestrian of the Year by the Women’s Athletic Association, named one of the top United States clinicians by Horse & Rider magazine, more than 34 AQHA World and Reserve World Champions, more than 50 bridleless dressage exhibitions at events including the National Horse Show, 1989 World Cup and the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, and World Cup. Palm and Cyril Pittion-Rossillon are co-founders of three horse industry companies: Palm Partnership Training, Women LUV Horses and Alliance Saddlery USA.

President’s Letter

As I write this year-end letter, I am struggling with EPIC’s response to two issues of concern to us horse folk here in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve — the closing of Poole’s Country Store and the possible delayed opening of new amenities at Woodstock Equestrian Park. (You can read more about these issues in the News section.) The potential delayed opening of Woodstock lends itself to some editorializing, so here goes.

For more than the four years I’ve been with the Department of Parks, there have been evolving attempts to offer more than just the miles of well-maintained trails at Woodstock. The original master plan for the park included references to elaborate facilities (indoor arena, stalls, steeplechase course), most of which were either rejected for lack of funds or community concerns about traffic, water, etc. What was funded, by private donors and state grants, and eventually designed with the input of equestrians of all disciplines, was a plan for a fenced outdoor sand arena and a Beginner-Novice cross-country course on the northeast side of Route 28.

The Department of Parks is about to solicit bidders on the construction and hopes that the work will be completed by late summer or early fall 2011. In the interim, drastic cuts in the Parks operating budget threaten to postpone the opening of the new facilities because of a lack of funds to maintain and oversee the park. In an effort to keep these facilities affordable, user fees will be kept to a minimum, so they won’t make up for the lack of budgeted funds.

This is where YOU come in. In order to make these new amenities at Woodstock available to the public when they are completed, the equestrian community needs to step up to help operate and maintain the facility. This includes mowing, dragging the ring and maintaining jumps. If it’s important to you that the county has an affordable and well-maintained outdoor arena and cross-country course available for your use, please contact me at info@epicmontgomery.org with your ideas or offers to help.

On behalf of the EPIC board, I would like to wish you and your equine family the happiest of holidays and ask that you remember EPIC in your year-end giving in the form of a tax-deductable gift.

Wishing you a year of fantastic riding in 2011!
David Tobin

Bombproofing Clinic with Sgt. Rick Pelicano to Benefit EPIC

Learn the same techniques used to train horses and riders by the mounted police to confidently maneuver past, over and through scary objects you might encounter while out on the trail.

Breezy Hollow Farm
Bucklodge Rd., Boyds, MD (next to the Potomac Pony Club field)
Sunday, March 20, 2011
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; registration begins at 9 a.m.

Cost: $200 EPIC members; $250 nonmembers
(Save money: Become a basic member for just $25 when you send in your clinic fee, and receive the member price!)
Light breakfast/refreshments included.

Auditors welcome! Free for EPIC members; $25 for nonmembers (includes one-year basic EPIC membership!).

To sign up as a rider or auditor, e-mail Stacey Wigmore at epicstacey@gmail.com. Space is limited! (All riders must wear ASTM/SEI-approved helmets and bring proof of negative Coggins.)

To read more about Sgt. Rick Pelicano and his bombproofing clinics, visit www.rickpelicano.com.

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