Canada: Horse riders say plan to pave Burnaby park trail for cyclists will cut off equestrian access

CBC.ca - Full Article

Cyclists and city argue paving necessary to create safe commuting network

Tessa Vikander · CBC News · Posted: Jan 19, 2025 8:00 AM MST | Last Updated: January 19

Horse riders in Burnaby say they're being pushed to the side by the city's plan to pave a gravel trail for cyclists that riders and horses have been using daily for more than fifty years.

City council approved the move to convert the trails along the south side of Burnaby Lake Regional Park last month, but riders with the Burnaby Horsemen's Association — which has its stables at the eastern edge of Burnaby Lake — continue to speak out against it.

One of those riders is Vicky Gilker, whose horse Tommy is one of 59 horses cared for at the Burnaby Lake stables.

"I was pretty upset about it," she said.

Horses can't safely walk on pavement without special boots, and even then they must go slowly or else they may slip and seriously injure themselves, the horsemens' association says...

Read more here:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/burnaby-horse-riding-trail-for-cyclists-1.7435211

Big South Fork National Park Equestrian Trails Repaired to Prepare for Spring

Photo by Maria Cortes Gonzalez/El Paso Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

SI.com - Full Article

With over 212 miles of equestrian riding trails, Big South Fork National Park is popular among horse owners.

Laura Lambert | Dec 26, 2024

Over 16 miles of trails located in the Big South Fork National Park River and Recreation area recently received care to be repaired. Specifically the Cumberland Valley Loop Horseback Riding Trail located in the heart of the recreation area got some much needed tender loving care.

The project took on repairing the heavily eroded trail head, spreading aggregate throughout the trail, repairing water control devices and trail directional signage along with removing fallen trees from the route.

This will be a welcome upgrade for riders when the trails are most accessible in the Spring, normally beginning around March and April...

Read more here:
https://www.si.com/onsi/adventure/national-parks-feed-page/golden-spike-national-historical-park-set-to-host-the-winter-steam-festival

Texas man invents 1.5K-mile adventure trail for hikers, bikers and horseback riders

FoxNews.com - Full Story

Texas native sees trail to be a legacy similar to Appalachian Trail

By Gretchen Eichenberg Fox News
Published October 16, 2024

For hikers and bikers who’ve conquered the Triple Crown — the Pacific Crest, Appalachian and Continental Divide trails — there’s a new adventure route in town.

It spans the entire Lone Star State, and it’s going to be traversable by spring.

"This is a route that is rugged, remote, rural and therefore, romantic," Charlie Gandy, a retired community design consultant and former state representative, told Fox News Digital.

Gandy announced plans last month for the Cross Texas Trail or "XTX" — a 1,500-mile trail for hikers, bikers and, because it’s Texas, horseback riders...

Read the rest here:
https://www.foxnews.com/travel/texas-man-invents-1-5k-mile-adventure-trail-hikers-bikers-horseback-riders

California: Horseback riders concerned over mountain bikers getting access to Mount Tam trails

CBSNews.com - Full Story and video

By Kenny Choi
September 19, 2024 / 7:10 PM PDT / CBS San Francisco

The long-standing conflict over trails in the Mount Tamalpais Watershed between horseback riders and mountain bikers seems to be approaching a turning point.

Bikers in Marin County will soon have more access to trails once open only to hikers and equestrians. That's not sitting well with horse enthusiasts who claim it's a "dangerous" change.

For decades Linda Novy has cherished trail riding with her horse, Falco. Soon, the seven miles of trails in the Mount Tamalpais Watershed, which have traditionally been limited to equestrians and hikers, will also welcome mountain bikers.

"The proposed ten pilot trails are not ideal for sharing," said Novy.

Novy is president of the Marin Horse Council and she's disappointed by the Marin Municipal Water District's decision.

"The way the trails are currently built, they're narrow and have steep drop-offs. They work for equestrians and hikers," said Novy.

But mountain bikers, including Dan Freeman, believe opening trails can be safely done...

See more here:
https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/marin-county-mount-tamalpais-trails-horseback-riders-mountain-bikers-access/

California: A long-standing trail use conflict erupts along the Salinas Riverbed in Atascadero

NewTimesSLO.com - Full Article

By Camillia Lanham
July 18 2024

Knobby tire tracks crisscross through soft sand. Intermingled with foot, paw, and hoof prints, they occasionally overlook the late spring remnants of the Salinas River as it runs through Atascadero.

Some of those hoof prints were left by Kathryn McGinnis’ “big bay ranch horse,” which she takes to the Juan Bautista de Anza Historic Trail on Saturdays and Sundays. She’s ridden her horse on the riverbed trail for 10 years.

“He’s just a good guy,” she said of the quarter horse she’s had since he was 7 years old and “a little one-sided.” “He takes good care of me.”

When he gets spooked, he doesn’t buck, McGinnis said, but he does react to the dirt bikes that ride the same trails in the riverbed and its riparian corridor. Sometimes, he starts to spin—which is just as dangerous for the rider.

“If they were to come out of the bushes or come around the corner, oh my God. … It’s only because I’m more afraid to come off than I am to stay on that I’ve stayed on,” she said. “It’s a 1,200-pound animal and when they get scared, you’ve got your life in your hands. … And a motorcycle, you can turn that off in an instant. You can’t do that with a horse.”

Trail etiquette, McGinnis and other horseback riders said, is super important for multi-use trails. Horses have the right of way over hikers, bikers, and “especially over motorized vehicles,” she said. Those unspoken rules call for motorcycle riders to pull off to the side of the trail and kill their vehicles, but that doesn’t always happen...

Read more here:
https://www.newtimesslo.com/special-issues/a-long-standing-trail-use-conflict-erupts-along-the-salinas-riverbed-in-atascadero-15559023

Canada: P.E.I. horse riders' group hopes to use more of Confederation Trail

CBC.ca - Full Article

Some cyclists have lingering concerns about damage caused by equestrians

Laura Meader · CBC News · Posted: Jul 03, 2024

Horses are back on designated sections of the Confederation Trail, and riders are hoping they'll eventually have access to even more of the Prince Edward Island-wide system.

Dr. Sylvia Hall Andrews is a veterinarian and an avid trail rider who spends summers in the province, and is also the secretary of P.E.I. Trail Riders.

She said trail riding with horses is an accepted activity in other parts of Canada, so it makes sense to expand the options for it here on the Island.

"We would like to see an expansion of trail access over time.... The government is well aware our goal is to slowly increase the accessibility," said Hall Andrews.

"We feel that horses are safe on the trail, belong on the trail..."

Read more here:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-horses-confederation-trail-access-tourism-1.7252022

Oregon: Ochoco National Forest seeks public comment on plans for improved equestrian trails in Corral Flat area NE of Prineville

KTVZ.com - Full Article

By Barney Lerten
March 14, 2024

Forest also seeks to re-establish road closures, reduce off-road vehicle impacts

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Ochoco National Forest has opened a 30-day public comment period on a draft environmental assessment to formalize an unofficial 51-mile equestrian trail system and conduct restoration of areas damaged by off-road vehicles.

The Corral Flat Endurance Trails project is located on the Lookout Mountain and Paulina ranger districts, about 25 miles northeast of Prineville.

The project’s goal is to provide “designated trail systems for equestrian users, with loops of varying miles and terrain,” the plan states. “These new miles would help distribute equestrian users throughout the National Forest and improve visitor experience.”

The plan’s introduction notes that the current, unofficial trails are almost entirely on Forest Service system roads and non-system two-track roads. A small portion are on existing single-track equestrian trails and have been in use for decades by horseback riders,” both by individuals and organized group rides...

Read more here:
https://ktvz.com/news/outdoors/2024/03/14/ochoco-national-forest-seeks-public-comment-on-plans-for-improved-equestrian-trails-in-corral-flat-area-ne-of-prineville/

Historic Los Padres Trail Riders Club disbands due to low membership

By: Juliet Lemar
Posted at 5:36 PM, Feb 23, 2024

The Los Padres Trail Riders are a non-profit equestrian club with roots dating back to the 1940s.

"1944 and they started as a horse-riding group that would patrol the coastline. The only way you could get to the coast, because there were no roads, was on horseback," said longtime member Debra Prekker.

At its peak in the 1980s, the club had nearly 400 members, according to Prekker, who says these riding groups help maintain and repair trails.

"We have fixed trails in the past and worked with the Forest Service to fix trails," Prekker said...

Read more and see video here:
https://www.ksby.com/santa-barbara-south-coast/historic-los-padres-trail-riders-club-disbands-due-to-low-membership

Help Preserve Equestrian Access to Big Basin State Park Trails

Change.org

Started February 13, 2024

Why this petition matters

Started by Jennifer Stalley

The San Francisco Bay Area, renowned as an equestrian paradise, is facing a significant threat. Big Basin State Park's reopening plan currently excludes provisions for equestrian parking, jeopardizing our ability to access the unparalleled beauty of the redwood trails. This issue is not isolated to our local community in the Santa Cruz mountains; it reflects a broader trend of encroachment and development that threatens equestrian trail access nationwide.

• The world-famous Tom Quilty Cup in Australia recently lost its historic trail routes to development.
• The renowned Tevis Cup is under extreme pressure to keep its historic trail accessible.
• Just 30 years ago, a horse and rider could ride through Big Basin on a 100 mile loop in 1 day. These days will be gone forever!

The American Horse Council estimates that there are approximately 7.2 million horses in the United States and millions of riders who enjoy this pastime. Yet despite these numbers, we are witnessing a systematic reduction in trail accessibility for horseback riders.

The loss of safe equestrian parking facilities at Big Basin State Park would not only affect local and visiting equestrians, but also have wider implications on tourism revenue and the preservation of our cultural heritage. We urge park management to reconsider their reopening plan and include provisions for safe equestrian parking.

Join us in preserving access to these unique trails by signing this petition today. Let's ensure future generations can experience the unmatched joy of riding through Big Basin redwoods.

See more at:
https://www.change.org/p/preserve-equestrian-access-to-big-basin-state-park-trails?recruiter=483692358&recruited_by_id=57b7bf80-ccf2-11e5-ab61-d364535171a4

First-Ever Outdoor Recreation Specific Bill Passes House Committee

HorseCouncil.org

January 19, 2024/in Press Release/by Ashley Harkins

The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act passed the House Natural Resources Committee on January 17 by unanimous consent.

The EXPLORE Act is historically significant as it is the first-ever outdoor recreation specific bill package and does not cost taxpayer dollars. The bipartisan legislation will boost local and national economies, give more Americans—especially those in underserved areas—greater access to green spaces and public lands and waters, while also modernizing policies and procedures to support the recreation businesses that connect people to outdoor experiences. The EXPLORE Act is a companion to a similar package passed in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee last year, America’s Outdoor Recreation Act (AORA).

This passing of this act underscores the momentum the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), along with the American Horse Council (AHC) and other industry partners have built over the past few years to advance bipartisan policies that improve access and transform outdoor recreation opportunities. The outdoor recreation industry, which in 2022 was valued at $1 trillion by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis, was instrumental in passing the Great American Outdoors Act in 2022, which was one of the greatest public lands and waters packages to become law in the history of our nation.

“The AHC supports the EXPLORE Act because it protects access for horses and packers on public lands,” says Julie Broadway, President of the American Horse Council. “Maintaining and expanding trail access on public lands ensures the next generation of horseback riders can explore and recreate safely alongside other users. The inclusion of language to identify and adopt policies to promote conflict avoidance on multiple use trails is extremely important for the welfare of all users, and especially those who are riding or packing. AHC also commends the inclusion of the MVP Act (Military and Veterans in Parks Act) which holds the potential to expand access for Veterans and Active-Duty military as there are proven therapeutic benefits associated with outdoor recreation and Equine assisted service/therapy.”

The AHC applauds the hard work of industry leaders and the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable.

“(This) marks a major advancement for the future of outdoor recreation in the United States,” says Jessica Wahl Turner, the ORR president. “With the House Natural Resources Committee’s markup of the EXPLORE Act, we are moving closer to enacting legislation that will revitalize our approach to recreation management and access. This bipartisan effort, led by Chairman Bruce Westerman and Ranking Member Raul Grijalva, is a testament to the ongoing dedication to not only preserving, but also enhancing the outdoor experiences available to every American. The EXPLORE Act brings modern solutions to the forefront, ensuring that our green spaces and outdoor places are more accessible and enjoyable for all. It’s a forward-thinking move that aligns with the ever-growing enthusiasm for outdoor activities and addresses the need for our policies to reflect current and future outdoor engagement.”

ORR and its members celebrate this milestone and urge swift passage of the EXPLORE Act through the full House and Senate, for the benefit of our public lands, waters, and the communities that thrive because of them.

The EXPLORE Act would:

· Enable permit streamlining to ease burdens on outfitters and guides and improve access to outdoor experiences;

· Improve access to recreation on public lands and waters;

· Ensure access to green spaces in underserved communities;

· Develop, improve, and complete long range trails; and

· Invest in rural economic development.

For more information on the bill and its progress through the House, visit https://recreationroundtable.org/priorities/recreation-package/.

For more information about the American Horse Council, visit: https://www.horsecouncil.org

Wisconsin: DNR nixes equestrian trails, approves new lot for Newport State Park

DoorCountyDailyNews.com - Full Article

January 14 2024
by Tim Kowols

You and your horse will not have more room to ride at Newport State Park after the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources denied a variance on Friday.

The proposed variance would have allowed the DNR to increase the mileage of authorized equestrian trails from 4-6 miles to up to 10 miles. It would also extend the trails into Newport State Park’s Management Area 2 and co-locate them where hiking and biking trails currently exist.

The reaction from the over 100 responses received by the DNR was mixed, with some saying there needs to be more horseback riding opportunities in northern Door County, especially since the network of equestrian trails using private land has deteriorated recently. There was concern about how many people could take advantage of the opportunity based on the location and the number of horses in the county. Safety of interactions, spread of invasive species, erosion, and crowding were other concerns during the public comment period...

Read more here:
https://doorcountydailynews.com/news/724114

Equine Trail Easements: The Good, the Bad and the Muddy

ELCR.org - full articleSeptember 27, 2022
by ELCR

By Laurel A. Florio for Equine Land Conservation Resource

So many aspects of equine activities, such as sport horse training, ranching, or recreational riding, rely on large areas of land; be it for grazing, riding arenas, turn-out or, to a smaller degree, trail access. Sometimes land-locked forests provide fabulous multi-use opportunities for riders to enjoy the trails, but oftentimes access is restricted to trailer parking gateways. The need for trail access over privately-owned land is essential to equine use, and the lack thereof threatens to minimize trail availability in many parts of the country. This article provides a good basic overview for anyone interested in learning more about how trail easements can support equestrian access.

Access to Land

Community conservation is a catchphrase that highlights the benefits of land conservation for an entire community. For example, the conservation of a farm benefits not only that landowner but the entire community by providing open space, aesthetic, and natural beauty values. Similarly, the concept of community conservation can lend itself to the establishment of trail easements over private lands, highlighting the communal engagement necessary to maintain trail access and the bucolic nature of the area

Many private landowners may be willing to conserve specific areas of land for the exclusive use of trails or trail access. The coming together, for example, of a rural community to encourage linking trail easements to accommodate such access is common. To make this happen, landowners will grant a conservation easement over a trail (trail easement) allowing access to larger trail networks or just the continuation of a rural trail. Conservation easements are very common over large swaths of land and are becoming more common to protect the strips of land making a trail network...

Read more here:
https://elcr.org/equine-trail-easements-the-good-the-bad-and-the-muddy/

Trails Safe Passing Plan: Stop! Speak and Stand Back

ELCR.org - full articleFebruary 9, 2022, by ELCR

By Jenny Cook, Michigan Equestrian Trails Representative and ELCR

Recognizing that the community of trail users continues to grow at an exponential rate, ELCR joined an unprecedented consortium of advocacy groups, brands, media outlets, and ambassadors that have come together to create the public awareness campaign “Trails are Common Ground (TaCG)” in late 2021. The campaign elevates the importance of respectful, inclusive, safe, and enjoyable experiences on trails. To learn more about the campaign and how you can support the movement go to https://trailsarecommonground.org/

ELCR remains an active member of the coalition participating regularly in coalition meetings along with Back Country Horsemen of America to represent the interest of the equine community. In support of the TaCG initiative, ELCR collaborated with Michigan Equestrian Trails Representative, Jenny Cook, and the Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council on educational initiative Trails Safe Passing Plan (TSPP): STOP! SPEAK and STAND BACK to elevate trail safety and the overall shared trail experience.

The Trails Safe Passing Plan is a safety action plan for trail users to follow when encountering horses on trails. It enables safe sharing of trails for all users, including children, dogs, and horses. This knowledge can lead to better understanding of what to do around horses on trails. The initiative was developed to increase safety by helping all trail users understand that horses, as prey animals, can naturally be afraid of unfamiliar people and objects and are equipped to perceive and respond to potential threats with a “flight” survival instinct preferring to move their feet towards an exit route...

Read the rest here:
https://elcr.org/trails-safe-passing-plan/

500 acres of new wildland trails opening in California's Anaheim Hills

Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG

OCRegister.com - Full Article and audio

By Michael Slaten | mslaten@scng.com
PUBLISHED: November 16, 2023

Miles of new trails for hiking, biking and riding horses become available to the public Friday, Nov. 17, with the official opening of the Gypsum Canyon Wilderness area in Anaheim Hills.

The 500 aces of protected open space are just east of the 241 Toll Road and south of the 91 Freeway, and offer six miles of trails and scenic overlooks that give views of the Santa Ana Mountains...

Read more or listen here:
https://www.ocregister.com/2023/11/16/500-acres-of-new-wildland-trails-opening-in-anaheim-hills/

Webinar Recording: “Got Mud? Tackling Mud and Erosion on Equestrian Trails”

ELCR.org

Recorded on: August 31, 2023

Mud and erosion are common issues encountered on equestrian trails. This webinar presented by ELCR, in cooperation with our conservation partner American Trails, as part of their Advancing Trails webinar series, addresses some of the challenges caused by mud and erosion by focusing on effective construction techniques, recommended products, and best management practices for trail planning, construction, and maintenance.

Presenters include:

Jan Hancock, Principal, Hancock Resources LLC
Holley Groshek, Executive Director, Equine Land Conservation Resource
Clay Nelson, Owner, Sustainable Stables
Matthew Woodson, Owner/Founder, Okanogan Trail Construction

To view this webinar see:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55WuHuq0A-w

California: Equestrians have been using this SLO County trail for decades. Why are they suddenly banned?

SanLuisObispo.com - Full Article Travis Gibson tgibson@thetribunenews.com photo

By John Lindt Sierra2thesea.net
Updated June 28, 2023 12:48 PM

The Los Osos Community Advisory Council has unanimously backed historical use by equestrians to the east-west trail system at the edge of the Morro Dunes Ecological Preserve. The preserve is just south of Highland in Los Osos near Broderson Avenue, which becomes a walking trail as it climbs into the preserve. LOCAC members were advised of the issue last week with a presentation by former Cayucos science teacher Lisa Shinn, representing the local equestrian community and stables. Riders use the trail system to connect to Montana de Oro State Park.

Montana de Oro has been long used by equestrians, with the park offering some 61 miles of horse trails and a permanent horse camp that draws visitors from all over the West. Shinn noted the visitors have a beneficial impact on the local economy. In the state park, riders share the use of trails with hikers and bike riders. The ecological preserve, founded in 1983, is overseen by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. The agency’s website says equestrians are not allowed within the preserve. Indeed, in the past year, the agency posted a “Horses Prohibited‘‘ sign at one entrance to the trail system...

Read more or listen at: https://www.sanluisobispo.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article276766266.html#storylink=cpy

Decision to allow horses on parts of P.E.I.’s Confederation Trail in 2023 draws mixed reactions

Saltwire.com - Full Article

Province extends equestrian pilot project in some sections

Contributed , Taylor Stewart · Freelance journalist | Posted: May 10, 2023

Horses are being permitted on sections of P.E.I.’s Confederation Trail again in 2023. And, just like the first two years of the pilot project, there are mixed reactions to the news.

“It’s a dream come true to be able to take horses on the Confederation Trail,” said Sylvia Hall Andrews, chair of the Confederation Trail sub-committee for the P.E.I. Trail Riders.

“There’s plenty of data supporting the trail is ideal for horses. If you were to build a trail from scratch that was suitable for walkers, cyclists and horses, the Confederation Trail is what you would get...”

Read more here:

Indiana: Got a horse? Soon you’ll be able to ride trails in Allen County

Wane.com - Full Article

by: Jamie Duffy
Posted: May 5, 2023

ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) – Those who dream of riding the range will be able to saddle up in Allen County this fall for a little shorter ride, if all goes well.

The Allen County Commissioners approved a $298,854 contract with Krafft Water Solutions LLC in St. Joe to create a 5.5 mile trail at the Allen County Sheriff’s training facility at Paulding and Adams Center roads.

Costs are largely covered by a $250,000 grant from the Department of Natural Resources. Allen County is responsible for a 25% matching grant, or about $62,000...

Read more here:
https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/got-a-horse-soon-youll-be-able-to-ride-trails-in-allen-county/

Oregon Equestrian trails chapter donates $500 to forest trust

DailyAstorian.com - Full Article

The Astorian
May 4, 2023

At the April 11 meeting of the North Coast chapter of Oregon Equestrian Trails, chairwoman Mary Kemhus presented a check for $500 to Kelly Lau, the executive director of the State Forests Trust of Oregon. The funds will go towards replacing a failed bridge as part of trail maintenance at Northrup Creek Horse Camp near Birkenfeld.

The trust accepts donations on behalf of the Oregon Department of Forestry. The chapter assists the Oregon Department of Forestry with maintaining the horse camp and nine miles of riding trails with trail clearing work parties...

Read more or listen here:
https://www.dailyastorian.com/life/community/equestrian-trails-chapter-donates-500-to-forest-trust/article_55deabe4-e8b3-11ed-9c6e-073a6e9d9f6d.html

Panhandle Back Country Horsemen: Best-Kept Secret of North Idaho

IdahoSeniorIndependent.com - Full Story

By ARNIE WILKENS, Vice President PBCH
April 7, 2023

Panhandle Back Country Horsemen (PBCH), established as a chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Idaho in 1984, is comprised of all volunteer horsemen and horsewomen and is dedicated to keeping open and maintaining National Forests, State Forests, and State Park trails for public use.

Certified by the USFS for the use of chainsaws with a focus on safe cutting and certified CPR and AED use, the volunteers provide a valuable service to the community. Presently membership totals about 50 people with about 20 certified cutters and 10 new members awaiting training and sawyer certification.

After tough winters in North Idaho, we all know about the tangled mess of downed trees blocking access to our favorite trails. Whether used for hiking, biking, mushroom or huckleberry picking, horse back riding or just plain meandering through our forests, trails blocked by fallen trees often ruin our best plans for an enjoyable outing...

Read more here:
https://www.idahoseniorindependent.com/pbch/