Smells Horsey I'm a freelance writer who lives in the country in the SE US with my husband, daughter, two horses, three cats, a dog, a rabbit and a hamster.
PLEASE READ This article and See the Piece Below on Maine equestrian Trails Alliance. I have created the first of what will be a quarterly newsletter that includes these 2 articles and more. It is ready for printing--which I am donating at some expense because I cannot do it myself. I would be delighted if there is a trail user out there who does professional printing and could offer to print for me at a discount with mention in the newsletter. Contact me today--I just thought of this idea but I really must get the printing started tomorrow. Moreover we need MEMBERSHIPS.
Another Riding Club?
There is a new Trail Club being formed in Waterboro with members from the towns of Buxton, Limington, Hollis, and Lyman as well as Waterboro. The primary reason for this group is to support the Maine Equine Trails Alliance. We have come to the realization that there is good reason for us to become as organized and many of the motorized vehicle trail users.
There are many Equestrians using local trail systems regularly who are negatively impacted more and more frequently by local town government as development progresses. Their singular voices of protest remain unheard.
Increasingly common are cluster projects which often times are built using an established trail as their main street, leaving users cut off from miles of riding opportunity and enjoyment. Unorganized Horseback riders too often remain uninformed of pending projects and stand little chance as individuals, of influencing governmental policy and decision making when they do hear about proposals to cut off trails.
We are confident that if Equestrian trail users across the state band together in small local groups to become the supporting structure of the Maine Trails Alliance,we would form a substantial body and therefore have an influence in keeping those local trails accessible.
In a recent account in Waterboro during the development phase of one housing project that planned to use an established trail head as its main entrance, the locally organized and State recognized snowmobile clubs came together with the landowners, and government decision makers to create an easement around the project that would allow continued access to trails.
It is time for Equestrian trail users to come together and create an equally organized and powerful voice in our towns and in our state. The work of the snowmobile clubs in the case described here benefited all users and one might well assume that if a group is already focused and organized and effective in this effort why bother.
Well, this easement that was agreed upon could have easily included a bridge. Not an uncommon situation in our state of brooks, rivers and wet lands. Without Equestrian input a bridge built to accommodate snowmobiles could literally block access to trails by horseback.
Scott Hatch V.P. of META has been hard at work and has engineered a horse friendly bridge plan that would satisfy the needs of all trail users. We are finding that the snowmobile clubs are open to our discussions and offers to collaborate in the effort of maintaining trails, negotiating access to trails in some cases, and bridge building.
Please become part of this exciting move to organize and be heard among the ever growing population of outdoor enthusiasts’ vying for access and control of the decreasing trail miles available for use. Go on line today at www.maineequestriantrails.org
And join.
Our dollars are building bridges of wood. Tell your trail riding friends to do the same. Go to your local riding clubs and get them to join as well. Consider joining your local snowmobile or ATV spring trail clean up days. Building strong relationships with other user groups is a valuable tool towards our goal.
Our camaraderie will build bridges of cooperation. Together we can ensure horse friendly trails will remain available throughout
The Bridge Materials Grant program is designed to foster mutual benefits for the grantors (equestrians), and grantees (clubs or organizations including but not limited to Snowmobile, ATV, and Land Trusts).
The benefits to the equestrian community are twofold
1. Written permission to use all trails associated with the bridge location.
2. A guarantee that the bridge is safe for use by equestrians. You may already be using trails managed by other groups that have bridges of questionable quality.
The benefits to trail managers are also twofold
1. Any new resource available to a trail manager allows existing funds to be shifted to other needs.
2. With the inclusion of equestrians in their trail planning and annual land use consent documentation a trail manager would have a new source of volunteers to assist with trail construction and maintenance.
We will be purchasing bridge materials in bulk. The funding will come from grants, fund raisers, philanthropic, and corporate support. And, most importantly, $20.00 from every
META
membership will be dedicated to the bridge material grant program. Management of this program will be handled by a sub committee of Maine Equestrian Trails Alliance.
The materials available will consist of 8x8 bridge stringers, and 3x6 decking. All materials would be treated to 4 atmospheres of pressure. The life span of a bridge will be 20 years. Bridge stringers could be produced up to 30ft. By ordering 12ft. 3x6 bridge widths could be either 6ft. or 12ft. Railings would be constructed from 3x6 where needed. (see drawings)
A $5000 tractor trailer load of material, will produce approximately 350f.t of 6ft. wide bridge. To have 3 or 4 distribution sites statewide with a full truckload at each site would give us the ability to handle close to 1000ft of bridge per year.
If a 10ft bridge opens up ten miles of trail the investment will be well worth our while. Many trail management clubs have large volumes that would be available to us in there entirety. We would be replacing existing bridges as the need arose thereby spreading out our investment in a shared use trail system over time.
(As of this printing, the first load of lumber has been sawn and is ready for shipping to the pressure treating processor. We now need new memberships to help pay for the cost of this treatment)
Yet another episode in the continuing drama of training the 13 year old brood mare Suchin (Sue-chin: Thia for Beautiful Thought):
This is but one of the many lovely spots on the trail system that is accessible right out the gate here at the little farm in Standish. I tagged along, K pony in hand, with AD and Dove Saturday on one of the loops.
Dove got lots of grazing time in waiting for us to catch up. I attached trail trimming and clearing tools to Suchins training surcingle, including the bow saw and giant loppers. They made squeaking noises when she walked due to the Styrofoam padding around them. This was very worrisome for a short time and then became no problem even when as we jogged they would bounce and shift. She only hurried a few step at the first sensation of movement at the faster gate, being ever careful not to crowd me. She looked back over her shoulder twice before settling into an even jog and ignoring it once again. When we encountered downed limbs and small trees she stood so patiently, reins over my shoulder, while I sawed and tossed debris into the brush. I brought along halter and rope enough to tie her if need be. We never needed it. I had to drag a couple of large limbs along with us for several yards on two occasions. She wasn't as worried as she could have been, even with the one that had long branches threatening her heels as it lurched along beside and behind us at the same time down to where the trail side opened up enough to get it out of the way. Her concern diminishes and fades quickly as she sees that she can trust me in the strangest of circumstances --as long as I don't try to mount up. What a pleasant creature in Hand though! Easier than most dogs I've handled on leash. I told her it is a darn good thing, otherwise I'd surely have to feed her to the buzzards.
She has nearly mastered the grazing while bitted thing. Though she still deliberately tries to bite through the annoying steel intrusion at times.
We found the weather lovely an hour and a half north on the 14Th of May 2006. The trails were perfect the jumps varied and easy to pass by at any gate if jumping was not what you'd come for. We went out in groups of five or less spaced 5-10 minutes apart. All the intersections were well labeled. The scenery was lovely and the food fabulous as always. Seven different kinds of quiche, carrot ginger soup, salads breads, and pasta, buffet style on real china plates. Dessert was all home made as well: lemon bars, chocolate chip cookie bars with a layer of chocolate fudge in the center, various cookies and a strawberry rhubarb cobbler that was heavenly. Some of us stayed after lunch and continued to ride at will. The seven miles of intersecting loop trails made it easy to go off on canter loop alone and meet up again. There were fields to stop and graze the horses in and lounge in the sun. The sun that felt so good after a week of rain! I didn't get many pictures this year but here is our friend Max and his new mom Amber who cantered and jumped and had a blast:
We went back to Fryeburg the following week to remove more ribbons from the trails. We Crossed the Saco river. Here I am nice and dry before the crossing :
Annabelle was not thrilled with the river. She kept trying to head for the shore we had just left and I kept turning her back across the current of water. Somewhere in the midst of the weaving back and forth she lost her balance in the deep sandy bottom and fell on me in Waist deep water. What a strange experience it is to be under your horse, under the water. It all happened so fast that I really didn't have time to get scared; Annabelle was in a huge hurry to get her knee out of my chest and be standing on four feet again. As she pulled her knee off me and straightened her left leg she rolled me onto my right side between her front legs. She continued in a frenzy to unscramble herself, clunking me a good one with her right front hoof just behind the left ear, below my hard hat ! Ouch. I had a dandy of a bruise all week long to show for that one. The vertigo is back too not sure if it's due to the knock on the head. more than likely it has more to do with the sinuses being congested--maybe all that river water up my nose. THE CAMERA DIDN"T GET WET! "The survivor"--it finally has a name (reference "No Picures" from the June archive)--was in the same pack as it's predecessor dangling from the right hand side of the saddle. Miss Annabellina went down on her left side and got up so fast that the pack never touched the water. I led her the rest of the way across--that's how I know the water was waist deep. We hung out on the other bank long enough for me to lift each boot up high enough to drain the water out and for a woman in a stars and stripes bikini to have her friend snap a photo of her with a horse. The friend was amazed that Annabelle is almost 20. She is such a good old girl. She may never have crossed a river in all those years for all I know. I've only owned her for 3 years. She came from a dealers lot and they had no history on her. The fact that she is also loosing her eyesight makes it even more amazing that she crossed at all. I led her back into and out of the water a few times before mounting up for the second crossing. She was so good! I love that old girl.
A couple of the several crop fields that one rides through on Colleens trails.
Hopefully next weekend I will get a shot or two of the river that we rode beside for many miles--but were moving rather fast mostly and not thinking photo opp. WOW was it fun to run and run and not have to slow down till Annabellina wanted to. I really wish I'd gotten a shot of the covered bridge. Several tourists snapped shots of us coming out the other end. They were very happy to have a picture of a Maine covered bridge complete with horses and said so. They had gotten a moose earlier the same day and were still reveling in that fact.
I had to slow down long enough to get a picture of this granite fence.
Pam and I were pleasantly surprised to find such nice trails after a very mushy beginning at the trail head just behind her house. We took her two mares out. It was to be Molly's maiden voyage since healing from the bowed tendon--she had never gotten a chance to go out before the bowed tendon. Once we got up a few hundred feet we were mostly high and dry the rest of our two + hours out. The climb was very scenic with lots of moss covered fallen trees and rock out croppings. The bright greens of the new foliage was a lovely contrast to the deep grays of the still wet tree trunks.
Pam lives near the police academy and out behind it there are many marked trails where they apparently have varying sorts of training rituals. Many involving dogs I hear. The trail names are masculine, like the "Ball Buster" for instance. Pam said maybe we should be worried as we started up the steep beginning to that one. I said, "Why we don't seem to have any of those." There were a couple of bridges to cross. They were sturdy and safe--even the rather old one looked to be made from 8 inch square barn beams that are likely good for another 75 years.
We heard a clap of thunder just as we were heading out. Pam asked if I had ever ridden in a thunder storm. I said, "well, I've raced several back to the barn and won mostly". We decide to try it. The clouds rolled black all around, threatening us the whole way. But, we never heard another clap of thunder till just about 5 minutes out on the return trip. We just looked at each other and smiled. We Packed up Pam's two little girls after we got the horses put away and jumped into the car just as the rain came. We were off to the world famous--well it should be:
They bake their own bread and the sandwiches are big enough for two. I always have the Avocado Montoban, just a half. Seafood salad (real) Avocados, tomatoes, pickles, and sprouts on pumpernickel or sometimes rye. I brought Dan a a very well recieved Rueben 1/2.
The dealer won't budge. I get to keep him for most of the year. But, June--August he will be at a camp in Bridgton. The truck came for him at 2:00 this afternoon. I'm glad Ann was there and we were going right out on a trail ride. I will miss him. He is ponyish for sure, though I think it adds to his charm. He wants to be right on the but of the horse in front of him. He will obey though and be held back--but when he gets more than 50-75 feet back he decides it's time to turn around and go back to the barn. He doesn't push it too hard with me--but I keep him on the pony line with little kids--just in case. He is very good at that job! Max is so much fun and fast becoming a brave trail pony. I don't think he had done trail riding on his own--he's getting there. I snapped a couple of photos of him this morning. I love this one:
It reminds me of the whole predator prey animal thing. Bear is always an annoyance when the horses want a good roll. I think he just wants to play with Max the way he does with Sparticus. (yes it is spelled wrong-but it's been that way too long now).
On to riding among the Apple blossoms before I get teary eyed:
We took old Willie out today. He is feeling so good this spring. he was prancing around like a stud colt when we started out. He kept calling and calling. I wondered if he was upset about them taking Max away. He doesn't really know he's not a stallion. I think he believes all the horses at Red Pony Farm are his and he wasn't impressed to have to a stranger haul away his little Max pony today. Ann has been wanting to try out Willie since winter. We took turns. He has a choppy gate due to a bad hock that gives him somewhat limited movement. He does great on short spins through the orchard and he seems to loves to get out there. He gets all puffed up and struts his stuff.
I cut poor Ann's head off twice in my photography today. That's what I get for not dismounting to shoot--that and several very blurry photos. The orchard smelled heavenly and was a visual treat. The white flowers were an almost startling contrast to the vivid green of the grass. The blossoms seemed to be creating their own light--reflecting what sun light there was filtered through the many gray clouds. The reflected light added a lovely copper glow to Annabelle's red chestnut coat.
The Lorax association is made up of 6 families who have purchased 400 acres of an originally 1000-acre parcel that was owned by a Russian Prince in the 1800s. They each have a home on the property but cannot see each other from their yards. There is no electricity--they are completely off the grid!Large solar panels line the roofs of their homes. The original raised gravel roads criss-crossing the property and meandering down to the lake and through woods and field are still in lovely condition. There are~8 miles of them and they are covered with grass now where they go through fields and along side wet areas where one is compelled to stop and look for moose. The trails are raised enough to be dry through this area. We walked through two puddles all day neither of which were more than hoof deep.No motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail system. There is a wonderful view of the private lake. The views are lovely everywhere. These trails are open year round and free to horses and hikers for day use. There is plenty of dry safe trailer parking. The Poker ride was so much fun. It's an annual event held on two consecutive Saturdays in May to raise money for trail maintenance. There were lots of combined training enthusiasts riding early in the morning I was told. I only saw two myself. They were cantering through the fields and taking advantage of the jumps set up along the way. They had big powerful horses and it was a thrill to watch them move their huge muscular bodies so gracefully over the jumps and gallop off in to the woods. Rides were timed with 3-4 riders in each group going out roughly 15 minutes apart, I think (we were last at 11:00 and were late, so we didn't see when the riders before us left and no one came after--"not to worry", I was told about being late, "it is a very laid back relaxed sort of day" ). And indeed it was. We three woman had a great time chatting and telling stories about our horses and ourselves. My friends Pam and Ann D. had never met, so it was great watching them get to know each other. It was especially rewarding to see Pam and her leased horse River Dance out enjoying this event. Pam had gotten back into horses for the first time since her teens just 3 years ago and has had nothing but misfortune. Her first horse proved too unsound to ride. The second was not safe. And the third dropped a surprise stud colt 2 weeks after she brought it home and then went lame twice during the following year. She almost threw in the towel that year. It has been a hugely heartbreaking, expensive and long journey to find a horse that she can enjoy trail riding with. I couldn't help getting a bit sentimental watching the two of them.
Signs with arrows and numbers clearly guided us through all intersections and saved us from head on collisions. The trails are so well groomed through the wooded areas that one can canter or gallop on a whim without worry of hanging branches or sudden rocks in the path. Although the property is so beautiful we found ourselves moving slowly the first time round just taking it all in. An abundant array of spring wild flowers can be seen among the pine and birch groves and alone the edge of the meadows. We also enjoyed a wide variety of song birds that seem much less concerned about people on horses than I find they are about me when I am walking on my own two feet. At lunch time, on tables with white cloths and vases of fresh cut flowers,the Lorax Association members served us a feast of fancy salads, several kinds of quiche,and hot curried carrot soup with fresh loaves of sour dough bread. It was an all you can eat gourmet feast, served on china plates with silverware and topped off with peach cobbler, chocolate fudge cookie bars, lemon squares and a variety of cookies. Lemonade was served along the trail near the lake and Coffee, water and iced tea was plentiful at the trail head. It was a first class event from beginning to end. There were set points along the way where one picked a card from a deck held by a volunteer. We slipped them into pockets or saddle pouches and ended up with a poker hand at the end. Pam tucked hers into her half chaps and lost one along the way somewhere-so she claims. They let her draw another one at the end of the ride, and she won the poker hand for the day, hhhmmmm. The prize was a grab bag of assorted horse goodies. The three of us stayed after lunch to explore trails on our own—which the entry forms had explained was an option. I was so surprised to see only three other riders just briefly after lunch. We saw no one at all after 2:00 pm, when Pam left us. Ann D. and I headed back out on the trail after giving our horses a 45 minute break to graze and lounging on the grass in the intermittent sunshine. Our hired truck and driver arrived at 4:00 just as we came back out on the main gravel road. It was a fluke! We hadn't had the foggiest idea where we were going for the last two intersections. We loaded up and headed south an hour and a half to Standish. I drove right along in my little Prius and was sure we'd make it home in time to have one beer on the deck before the horses arrived. I was wrong, that rig can move right along too. That beer tasted even better after having gotten the horses fed and groomed.
I was so enthralled and engrossed in every moment of the day that I didn’t stop to get nearly enough pictures I find. I missed the luncheon spread, the trailer parking area, the jumps, and the moose-country wet lands. I didn’t photograph the lake nor Ann’s colorful rooster with the amazing tail. I didn’t digitally capture a single wild flower! I do apologize. As I get used to having a blog I will become more aware of needing pictures for these stories--and needing to remember the names of wild flowers and song birds. Ann Pistell, the one member of the Lorax association that we ended up talking with the most, and the owner of the lovely horse Pam is leasing--was very hospitable and invited us back. I will definitely being going back.
Update: 2006 ride information
LORAX ASSOCIATION SPRING POKER RIDES
2006
When:Saturday MAY 13th(Rain date - May 14th)
and Saturday May 20th(Rain date – May 21st)
Where:Lorax Association Property,
Old Tyler Rd.
,
Pittston
,
Me.
What:A 7 mile ride on gravel roads with great footing. Jumps from x-rails to 3 feet. Jumps will be in the trail, but there will be room to go around if you don’t want to jump. Five stations along the way to pick up a playing card.One winner for every 10 riders.
What Else:50/50 Raffle AND a super elegant lunch AND a tack swap.Bring equestrian items you want to sell, barter, or just try to unload. Negotiate your best deal!
Plus:If you want to go again after lunch you can at no extra charge.Enjoy the spring day, visit with friends and start getting your horse (and yourself?) fit for the season!
Why:The Lorax Association wants to keep this 450 acre property open to riders and other non-motorized recreation.To do this we need to maintain the riding roads in reasonable condition. This event is to raise money for road maintenance.
Directions: From Interstate 95 north: Take the Gardiner exit (Route 126) into Gardiner. At the stop light, turn left.From 95 south: Take Gardiner exit onto Rt 201 and go to Gardiner. At village green, go past gas station, down hill and straight at the light.From this point on the directions are the same. Go past McDonalds.At next light, go straight across bridge.Turn right at end of bridge on to Route 27.Go about 4 miles, turn left on the Kelley Road after you pass “Top of the Hill” gas station and store. Go 2.5 miles. The South Tyler Road is on the left, opposite a series of three mailboxes.A Lorax sign will be visible.
From Wiscasset (Route 1): Take Route 27, at Wiscasset fire station.Go 12.9 miles; turn right on Kelley Road.Go approximately 2.5 miles.Pass Blodgett Road on right and slow down. The South Tyler Road is on the left.A Lorax sign will be visible.
Cost:$25 (if you wish to buy an additional lunch, please add $5 per meal) Make checks payable to the Lorax Association.
Entries:Entries will be processed in the order they are received.Please send a copy of a negative Coggins (within 3 years for in-state horses, 6 months if from out-of-state).Payment must be included with entry.Refunds only with vet or physician‘s note.
Food:Lunch is provided with entry fee.Hot coffee, goodies etc. will also be available.
Attire:Protective headgear MUST be worn at all times when mounted.
Ride Times: Available Wednesday, May 10th.Call Ann at 582-2460 between and .Before Friday I can also be emailed at ann.e.pistell@maine.gov
Finally:EMT expected to be on site during the day. Bring your own horse water.Not available on grounds.
·I would like to order ______ extra lunch(es) and have included $5 per extra lunch in my check.
·I would like to enter the 50/50 raffle at $5 per raffle ticket.I understand that the winner of the 50/50 raffle will receive 50% or the raffle income.I have include $____ in my check to enter the raffle. (Or you may enter the raffle before your ride.)
Entry Fee: $25, includes one lunch.Please make checks payable to Lorax Association.Mail check, this entry form and a copy of a negative Coggins to:
Ann Pistell
RR 4 Box 7906
Pittston
,
ME
04345
Ride times available by Wednesday, May 10th.Call Ann between and at
(207)582-2460.
Release:I recognize that any horse related activity involves unavoidable risk and I participate in this activity at my own risk.I hereby release from any and all liability, and hold harmless, the Lorax Association, its principles and the organizers of this event for any injury or damage to any property, horse or person which occurs while at this event.
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