If you care about NH’s Equine industry Please be involved with DRED Trail/Beach Rules!! Rules Changes will impact equestrian use on trails for DRED Properties (ie, State parks, State Forest, Rail Trails, Hampton Beach, other DRED managed lands). For rule details, meetings and e-mail for sending in comments see nhstateparks.org/whats-happening/news-events/press-release-details.aspx?newsid=20157 nhstateparks.org/who-we-are/division/Proposed-Admin-Rules.aspx Public comments can be sent to [email protected] or mail to DRED-Div Parks and Recreation, PO Box 1856, Concord, NH 03302 by October 24, 2013. [Contact was Leanne M. Lavoie E-mail: [email protected] State must be getting lots of comments to change e-mails] I have listed some thoughts and concerns that equestrians need to consider in their comments and conversations about DRED rules. Trail Riding is 1/3 of our Gross Domestic Product in the US. It is a top equine activity in the US and NH. The proposed rules will be restrictive to riders who cannot comply with trail manure clean-up. The new rule states that noncompliance can cause trail or property closure to horses. Many equestrians do not like the old rule of using a road width trail but many more do not like the new addition to restrict us to an 8ft wide “hardened tread”. Narrower trails or softer tread trails are off limits to horses until you get permission to have the trail signed for horse use. The new rule states riding of a narrow or soft tread trail that is not posted for our use can cause trail or property closure to horses. Keeping Things Clean There is an expectation from others to keep our horses in control. These rules force riders to dismount on the trail or beach, thus interfering with the practice of good judgment in controlling our horse. At times it is best to keep a horse moving, as the freedom to move is an innate characteristic of a prey animal. The focus needed on our horse is lessened by dividing it with handling manure, while holding a horse, and watching for other users, thus possibly compromising control. More than likely the horse will be standing across the trail and many riders cannot see over their horse for oncoming traffic. Also many riders find it difficult to mount on the trail or beach without a mounting block because of limitations of physical maneuverability, flexibility, strength and size. It is not practicable for an individual to comply 100% of the time with trail manure pickup. Noncompliance to picking up trail/beach manure should not incur a fine or be used for trail or property closure! Horses on trails are not detrimental to water quality according to the latest studies by NAHMS, University of Colorado and UC Davis-Tulare. Based on information in the literature, the Internet, interviews with veterinarians and doctors, and reference texts, there is little significant health risk to humans, water or crops from horse feces on trails. To read the research behind these talking points, please visit: bayequest.info/static/pdf/manure.pdf There is no evidence horses are any worse than hikers or other users, in regards to bringing in invasive plants. Equestrians will need to be diligent with peer pressure and education to keeping parking areas clean to avoid closures! Trail Access It may be hard to budge the State from the 8ft width of a trail. “Hardened Tread” needs to be removed. Instead use “cleared corridor”; allows for 18 inch or larger tread within a cleared corridor that accommodates passing opportunities. There may be problems with interpreting “hardened”. Very little of DRED’s trails fit the “8ft hardened tread” criteria. Those in existence are not likely to create a “looped trail”. The 8ft width keeps others from interpreting “road width” as 12ft wide. There are many trail design parameters where less than an 8ft wide cleared corridor and/or a softer tread is acceptable. No national standards establish the width of shared-use trails… they are guidelines. Determining the best trail width is site-specific. The State should not deny an equestrian request for permission to use a narrower trail that accommodates passing. Where permission is requested to open an equestrian trail, the new rule may require the trail to be hardened & widen. It is observed that trails that have to fit a criteria takes a painful amount of time to get approved. Currently equestrian use falls between other users in the amount of trail permission needed. • Hikers and Cyclist have no restrictions and are allowed on any trail • Horses are allowed only on road width trails unless the narrower trails are posted to allow our use. • Sled dog teams shall be permitted on DRED property roadways, parking areas and multi-use trails when posted as an allowable use. ATV’s and Snowmobiles need permission to ride any trail We want to stay as in-between, although it would be nice to be grouped with Hikers and Cyclists. To help understand equine trail design and width guidelines see online Equestrian Design Guidebook for Trails, Trailheads, and Campgrounds fhwa.dot.gov/environment/fspubs/07232816/index.htm Are We All Riding the Same Trail? Meaning…. are we aiming for the below changes, if not, let me know why. Aim to change RULES to: Res 7301.09 Horses and Other Work Animals. (2) Horseback riding shall be permitted on all trails with a minimum eight-foot (8’) cleared corridor unless closed or restricted by posting, and shall be permitted on other trails if posted open for such use. [Removed “hardened tread” & definition of road width] (c) Owners shall clean up all waste eliminated by their horse(s) or other work animal from public traffic areas, including walkways, play areas and lawns, campgrounds, and parking lots on DRED properties. [Removed “all trails, multiuse trails, beaches” and add to etiquette to keep beaches clean above high tide line rather than a rule] New (d) may be hard to remove for rules. (d) The department may prohibit horses and other work animals in areas where such animals are permitted when the department determines there is a lack of compliance to this section by animal owners, or there is concern for public health and safety or resource protection. Equestrians will need to be diligent with peer pressure and education to only ride appropriate trails and to keep parking areas clean to avoid closures! Res 7301.16 Motor Vehicles. Add the word “equestrians” (e) Gate closures shall restrict motor vehicle access to all state park properties by the public. This restriction shall not apply to pedestrians, or to equestrians, OHRV or snowmobiles where permitted. Debbie Briscoe NH Horse Council Trails Liaison Stay focus on horse issues and not of other user group faults-look for a solution-be a good ambassador. We need to work with these other groups. Join a club that focuses on trails, issues, maintenance, etc. NHHC has a trails committee that we wish each organization appoints a representative to be a member.
Posted on: Tue, 24 Sep 2013 02:10:58 +0000
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