A GUIDE FROM THE VIRGINIA HORSE COUNCIL g r o . l i ) c 6 n 0 u 1 3 o 6 0 c 0 ( e 4 s s 2 r e o v A a h e a V i , R n g i r n g o u r t i b t v i s . k L w c 8 a w l 6 B 3 w Published by the Virginia Horse Council with a grant from the Virginia Horse Industry Board e Virginia Horse Council Trail Administration e Virginia Horse Council (VHC) is your voice for e Virginia Horse Council has developed comprehensive the equine industry in the Commonwealth of Virginia. regional listings of the state’s public horse trails on the e Council is a not-for-profit organization formed by Virginia Outdoors website, www.virginiaoutdoors.com. VOur stiatre’s mgosit pnopuilaa r horse t raTils, basoed pon t heT 2008 Vrirgainiai Elquses trian Tourism Survey: horsemen for Virginia horsemen. e membership and Riders are encouraged to submit updates and pictures ’ Board of Directors represent all breeds and interests. to further enhance the website. I Manassas National Battlefield Park I Shenandoah River State Park e purpose of the Virginia Horse Council is to promote Trail location, mileage, terrain, trail markings and I Powhatan Wildlife Management Area I Pleasant Grove Heritage Trail and improve the horse industry in Virginia. helpful suggestion s— such as when to ride to avoid I biting insect s— are listed for each trail, along with rules I James River State Park Fountainhead Regional Park Our mission is to serve as the umbrella organization specific to that location. I Petersburg National Battlefield Park I Staunton River State Park of the Virginia equine community and to serve as the Trail users should take care to read and obey the posted I Lake Anna State Park I Cumberland State Forest lobbyist on issues affecting, horsemen, horsewomen requirements for each type of public trai l— federal, I Graves Mountain area trails I Northwest River Park and horses in the Commonwealth. is is a mission state, regional and local, which may include payment of I that your Virginia Horse Council Board of Directors a daily use fee or purchase of an annual pass or permit. I Beaverdam Park Phelps Wildlife Management Area takes seriously and is both committed to following and Remembe r— riders must carry a copy of the horses I Bull Run Regional Park I George Washington National Forest negative Coggins report when riding on public lands. is dedicated to fulfilling. I Great Falls National Park I Sky Meadows State Park Organized rides on private lands are also gaining in popularity . All horsemen are eligible for membership. By expanding Trail system administrators include: our membership, we can attain even more influence National Parks - Our state's national parks include in the public arena. Please visit our website Manassas, Petersburg and Yorktown Battlefield, www.virginiahorsecouncil.org or call or email our administered by the National Park Service, www.nps.gov. office (888) 467-7382 / [email protected] to learn more about the VHC and how you can join. National Forests - George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, administered by the U.S. Forest e Horse Industry Board Service, www.fs.fed.us. State Parks - Administered by the Dept. of Conservation e Virginia Horse Industry Board (VHIB) was established and Recreation, www.dcr.virginia.gov. in 1994 as the result of legislation and a statewide State Forests - Administered by the Dept. of Forestry, referendum. e Board is responsible for the promotion www.dof.virginia.gov. Annual state and economic development of the horse industry in forestry use permit required. Purchase Virginia and operates through the Virginia Department anywhere hunting licenses are sold. of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Activities of the Board are supported by the Virginia Wildlife Management Areas - Horse Industry Promotion and Development fund. As Administered by the Virginia Dept. assessment of $1.50 on each Equine Infectious Anemia of Game and Inland Fisheries, (Coggins) Test performed in the state generates money www.dgif.virginia.gov. Annual WMA for the fund. Additionally, the Horse Board receives access permit required. Purchase funding annually from an equine feed checkoff program anywhere hunting licenses are sold. that was implemented in 2006. Each year, the Board Local and Regional Parks - reviews grant proposals and considers projects in the Administered locally by counties areas of education, marketing, and research. For more and various park authorities. information about the VHIB visit www.vhib.org. is brochure has been funded by a grant from the VHIB. Trail Us e— and Overuse Trail Etiquette Just how popular are Virginia’s public horse Because horses are larger and more unpredictable, they trails? A recent Virginia Horse Industry Board technically have right-of-way over other trail users. A rider may not always have total control over his or her survey found that 48 percent of Virginia’s horse horse, which is a sensitive prey animal with a mind of owners trail ride on a regular basis, with a ma - its own, but the rider is still responsible for knowing jority logging 200-500 miles annually.* With an e “Leave No Trace” Ethic what to do when meeting other types of users on trail. estimated 220,000 horses in Virginia, this means Bicycles can be especially frightening to horses because Whether leaving a camping area in pristine condition they are so quiet and can move fast, like a predator. no small number of hooves hitting our trails! or postponing that ride until soggy trails are dry, riders can take steps to minimally affect public trails and Tips for sharing our trails: Both one-day and overnight pleasure and competitive prevent wearing out our welcome with land managers. trail rides are growing in popularity. A growing population “Leave No Trace” guidelines to lessen impact on public I Be polite when meeting other trail users. If you of horses and humans means our public lands are busier lands include: have a chance to talk with them, educate other users than ever before. Litter and pollution are too frequently understand how horses behave and how we all can 1. Plan ahead & prepare seen on our trails, along with overuse that gives vegetation, work to preserve our trails. soil and water little time to recover. 2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces I If you encounter a biker or other user who you are Caring for Our Trails concerned may spook your horse, be sure to 3. Dispose of waste properly Since even a minor storm can result in tree limbs and Here are ways you can reduce our communicate politely and clearly, as they may not debris blocking the trail, horse trails require ongoing impact on riding trails: 4. Leave what you find always know what to do around horses. maintenance to remain useable. I Leave the trail better than you found it. Creating a 5. Minimize campfire impacts I When being passed, turn your horse's head towards In hilly areas, storm runoff can lead to damaging detour around a fallen tree is not a desirable option, 6. Respect wildlife the horse or person passing you so there is no chance erosion if the trail is not properly constructed. since it may affect fragile habitat. Instead, if you of your horse kicking. While most trail maintenance does not require special cannot easily clear fallen limbs and branches during 7. Be considerate of other visitors training, to construct trail or operate chain saws on I When passing another trail user, ask permission first your ride, report the damage to the trail administrator public property, you must have prior training and obtain Specific examples include camping at least 200 feet and wait for a wide enough section of trail to pass safely. aer your ride. authorization. Each spring, the George Washington away from water sources, moving picketed or corralled I Yield to uphill, oncoming trail users. A smaller party National Forest's Lee Ranger District Office in Edinburg I Don’t leave a mess at the parking area. Scatter manur e— animals frequently and using weed-free hay and feed. should also yield to a larger group, since its easier for offers a two-day chainsaw certification course. or better ye t— pack out your manure in your trailer, More information is available at www.LNT.org, small groups to move off trail. To get more involved with maintaining our current being careful to follow any posted signs. www.BCHVA.com and www.backcountryhorse.com. trails or building new ones, contact the administrator I Stay on the trail to avoid spoiling fragile areas. Cutting I Do not tie horses to trees. Picket lines should employ of your favorite public trails and ask how you can help. Other trail resources: across switchbacks can cause erosion and leaving the protection for the tree (no bare ropes) or consider For examples, Virginia State Parks has a volunteers trail in unfamiliar areas also can be dangerous. investing in a portable corral or hi-tie for your trailer. e Equine Conservation Land Resource (ELCR) program you can join. website: www.elcr.org If you belong to a horse organization, see if they'll I Use good judgment about when to ride. Riding aer a consider fundraising and/or dedicating a portion of e “Horses and Equestrian Trails” section of heavy rain or snowfall can lead to long-lasting trail their revenue to supplies needed for trail maintenance. damage and erosion. Wait until the mud dries up to www.AmericanTrails.org hit the trai l— or choose a more weather-resistant Equestrian Design Guidebook to Trails, Trailheads and Please share this brochure with others you place to rid e— such as a packed dirt road.