Vermont Horse Council 16 members attended Secretary’s report from the February 11, 2001 Board of Directors Meeting was read and accepted Treasurer’s Report was read, revised and accepted. Currently have $1,541.99 in checking Morris Lasell reported for the Trail Ride Committee. Tunbridge Fair Grounds was given a $250 deposit for use of the grounds during our Annual Trail Ride to be held September 22nd and 23rd 2001. The price is the same as last year with the exception of a $10. per hook-up fee for each sight which includes water and electricity. David Blow spoke about the Future of Former Champion Lands in the Northeast Kingdom. We formed a committee to help take over trail work, maintain the VAST trails in the summer for horse use. David offered to be on the committee. This land is located below Canaan, Vermont. The State, Fish and Game Dept. and the paper company want to open it up to horses. There is a small horse club in the area that is interested in preserving these trails for horses. The application will need to be mailed out ASAP as the deadline was in March. The committee consists of: David Blow, chairperson Betsy Green spoke about “Ag Grants”. A grant proposal was created in hope to get monies from the state to present 3 lawsuit avoidance workshops for the fall of 2001. The Equine Facility liability worksheet was made up by Betsy. The Horse Council and the Vermont Dept. of Ag and through UVM via Betsy could co-chair these workshops. The council was encouraged to give Leon Graves from the Ag. Dept. a positive, quick note telling him we’re still out there. The VHC website needs to be changed. Bob Averill is currently the contact through the American Horse Council websites. Sharon McNeil will search the internet, contact the webmaster, and change the contact to herself. Lynn Dow has a copy of the Ag Development Grants paperwork from Betsy. We formed a committee to pursue other grants called Agricultural Development Grants Committee; Consisting of: Lynn Dow, chairperson, Susan McNeil, Robin Severy, Betsy Greene, Sharon McNeil The next newsletter was discussed and it was decided the mailing date should be April 26, 2001 with material deadline of April 20th. Liability insurance was discussed. Currently we have none. Lynn Dow is checking with the Vermont Farm Bureau and other agencies for a new policy Reports from Committees: Safety Committee passed around pamphlets they had made up regarding Ride Safe And Smart and Equestrian Helmets Save Heads. These pamphlets will be revised and ready to pass out by the next meeting. They plan to give notices to radio stations, TV stations, newspapers, Police Depts., UPS drivers, and Drivers Education classes. A poster or camera-ready picture was discussed. The possibility of a partnership between VHC and the Dept. of Ag or some other group to help share the costs of promoting horse safety will be looked into by Sharon McNeil. The next meeting will be held May 6th at 1:00PM at the Vermont Law School. Pot Luck Snacks. Lynn Dow will provide coffee. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * (top) Vermont Horse Council The Vermont Horse Council is the recipient of a 2001 Agricultural Development Grant ($3,500) from the Vermont Department of Agriculture, Food and Markets. The Vermont Horse Council will be working with the American Association
for Horsemanship Safety, Inc. and The University of Vermont Equine Program
for 1. To present a one-day “Lawsuit Avoidance: Equine and Equestrian Liability” workshop at a central location in the state during fall, 2001 for Vermont Horse Industry members. The workshop will be an educational, active learning, and participatory workshop that will cover topics including: the nature of the horse, negligence law, equine liability statutes and release forms, how the law influences business procedures, and facility evaluation. 2. To generate a “Self Evaluation Equine Facility Liability Worksheet” for use by Vermont Horse Owners and Businesses (along with other agricultural commodity groups that serve the public). This educational checklist will allow both equine individuals and businesses to evaluate their facilities for potential liability exposure. In addition, the act of walking through the checklist will inform the user of issues that can affect the way they do business. In addition, the checklist will provide a tangible, and useful product developed by experts in equine liability, negligence law, and horse safety (Jan Dawson, Dr. Betsy Greene) in concert with the Vermont Department of Agriculture, The Vermont Horse Council, and the University of Vermont. 3. To evaluate the impact of the workshops and the Equine Facility Liability
Worksheet on the practices of Vermont horse industry members. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * (top) HELMETS SAVE HEADS The Facts Injury Rates: 145,315 equestrians were treated at hospital emergency rooms in 1991-1992. Head injuries: More than 17% of all horse related injuries are head injuries. Furthermore, head injuries are associated with more than 60% of equestrian related deaths. Injuries occur: Most frequently around or near the home/farm (60%).
In recent years there has been a decrease in the number of severe riding
injuries at equestrian events and schools. This is due in part to an increase
in the use of protective head gear at such events. Myths... “Riding helmets are just for kids”... “I’m not likely to fall on my head”... “I don’t ride competitively, I just ride for leisure. I
don’t need a helmet.” Ride Safely: Most severe head injuries can be prevented. Like football, baseball,
hockey and bicycling, horseback riding is an activity for which helmets
are essential for safety. Choose a helmet for your riding style. There are new light-weight, ventilated equestrian helmets available in assorted styles and colors. HEAD INJURIES ARE FOR LIFE Developed by the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, Seattle, WA. For more information, contact; CSN Rural Injury Prevention Resource Center National Farm Medicine Center 1000 North Oak Avenue Marshfield, WI 54449-5790. Telephone 715-389-4999 FAX 715-389-4950. Revised: 4/95. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * (top) ROAD & TRAIL SAFETY Every horse owner would rather be riding off the main roads but often have to travel on busy, public roads to get to the forest trails and pastures. Common sense and courtesy from both the horseman and the motorists can keep everyone safe. FOR MOTORISTS: *Slow down when approaching horse and rider to 30 miles per hour... or
less FOR HORSEMEN: *Always wear an ASTM-SEI approved helmet and heeled boots or shoes. TRAIL SAFETY *Ride with permission and consideration for the landowner. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * (top) EQUESTRIAN ACTIVITIES “The Public Access Easement for the 84,000 acres of the former Champion lands now owned by the Essex Timber Company (Essex), and the Conservation and Access Easement for the 22,000 acres now included in the West Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA), require that all motorized, mechanized, and equestrian activities and long-distance pedestrian trails be confined to designated “Recreation Corridors.” In order to further the planning for these corridors, the Steering Committee that is overseeing the planning process for the former Champion Lands is inviting groups interested in corridor-based recreational activities to prepare proposals with suggested locations of corridors for those activities. The planing period extends through the end of this year.” The above paragraph briefly explains what the Vermont Horse Council (VHC) has taken on as a project. So far every horse organization approached has agreed that the “Champion Lands”, is too important, for recreational enjoyment, not to be opened for ALL recreational use. The VHC is looking for other Horse Clubs and Association to join in the planning and execution of the project. At The VHC Member’s Meeting April 1st. a committee was formed to apply for stewardship with as many other equine related clubs and organizations as possible. David Blow was elected Chairman and at his direction a preliminary proposal was written and sent to: Dave Willard, Agriculture Dept. of Forests, St. Johnsbury; Com-missioner’s Office, Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, Waterbury; and, Phil Huffman, Land & Water Assoc. Burlington. Champlain Lands Equestrian Trail Development Based on the Vermont Horse Council’s interest in all equine activities and in particular trail riding, a committee was established, recently, to look into the possibility and feasibility of establishing an equine trail on the Champlain Lands owned by the State. Passed experience in horse trail development indicates that horse trails work well with snowmobile trails since the summer horse activity compliments the winter sledding. In addition, much of the trail work would be shared by both horse clubs and snowmobile clubs. When available, horses use logging trails, dirt roads, and snowmobile trails. A trail head (unloading/loading) area can also be shared by several activities. The Vermont Horse Council (VHC) has members from all over Vermont and adjoining states. During the next five months members of the VHC committee will work with other Equestrian Clubs interested in assisting with trail development and the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) . Within the next few weeks the VHC committee will present a more complete proposal with a list of other equine clubs interested in working with VHC as well as a Corridor Map. In addition the committee will get in touch with other organizations already involved in using the Champlain Lands for recreation. (top) |
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Updated: May 1, 2001 |