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VERMONT HORSE COUNCIL SUMMER, 2002 NEWSLETTER |
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VERMONT HORSE COUNCIL SUMMER, 2002 NEWSLETTER |
Yahoo! The VHC 3rd Annual Trail Ride registrations are ready. We are giving members a one-weekjump on registration, as the limit is 100 riders. This year the registration is for two days only. Get your form and money into Karin Lewis quickly to insure your spot. A huge thanks to the committee for preparing what promises to be another wonder ride! A wild Chervil control flyer is also included (click here). Chervil is a fast growing problem in many areas of Vermont and a little effort now could make all the difference. Thank you to Victoria Weber for putting together and sharing the information. Soon the Vermont Department of Agriculture will be circulating the VErmont Equine Census. Once complete the plan is to compile a thorough picture of the equine industry in Vermont. When you receive your survey, promptly complete and return it. Encourage your friends and neighbors as well. Thank you to the Dept. of Ag. and UVM Extension agent Dr. Betsy Greene for putting this together. All business, farm, club and sponsor members need to supply the VHC with a business card size advertisement if you would like to make the next newsletter. Please mail your advertisement to me by July 22, 2002. Lynn Dow, Box 6495 Rte 12A, West Braintree, VT 05669. The NEKET committee has been working hard, and having some fun too. To date they have raised $3,665. Because the state is running behind with the final management plan trails cannot be marked and passes supplied this summer. Riders are allowed on the roads at this time. Any sponsorships and passes sold for this year will be extended and honored through next year. The committee is working with the state todevelop looping trails and camping areas. It's a huge job and their hard work will be a huge benefit to all Vermont trail riders. Another huge THANKS to NEKET! Lynn Dow On May 31st several camper/trailers started to roll in fro the beginning of a wonderful weekend camp over/trail ride to benefit the Northeast Kingdom Equestrian Trails - NEKET. The pasture was freshly mowed, the trails were all checked and clearly marked, and all was ready. Saturday morning the sunrise was glowing with the promise of a beautiful day. More campers arrived to bring our total number of riders to 20. What a sight to behold! Everyone busily setting up their portable fencing and arranging their campsites. The anticipation was palpable. By 10am all were saddled up and ready to ride. We set out along the farm road that takes you to the back woods of the property. We came out of the wooded area to a meadow with panoramic views of Lake Champlain crossing several fields and a short jaunt along a dirt road and back into the woods again. There was a stiff breeze and that kept the bugs at bay. The riders emerged from the woods again to take in another lovely view of the sandbar causeway crossing the lake. Another short walk along dirt roads and we were cantering along a fresh mowed field; then into a newly planted cornfield. Next came the apple orchards and the airstrip where there was still a faint smell of Apple blossoms (we just missed the the heavy bloom of the orchard by a few days). On to the South Hero rail bed, 4 1/2 miles of good footing (except for 1/2 mile area where there were still remnants of ties); a nice canter or gallop area. Next, on into the prettiest cedar woods on the island: a feast for the eyes and wonderful smells for the nose. Another short jaunt on a dirt road took us into an alfalfa field, along a farm road and into another scenic wood. Riders emerged at the lake and a great place to have our lunch. Some folks were able to entice their horses into the water for a refreshing splash session despite the huge waves. We all returned to the campsite on similiar trails. Total miles for the ride were 22 1/2! That was over 5 hrs in the saddle. Our dinner was potluck with a great variety of food. You never have to worry about not having enough to eat at a potluck, and everything was delicious. David Blow and Kim Parsons supplied door prizes. Then we settled around the bonfire to rehash the day's ride and share stories. One such story comes to mind aobut a rider, who shall remain nameless, lost his saddle pad and had no clue. Everyone retired to their humble abodes around 10pm to arise for the next day's ride on the rail bed in Sheldon which was fun but the wind was cold. We were out for 3 1/2 hours. When we returned tot eh trailers we loaded the horses and went into the Sheldon Casino and enjoyed a nice hot lunch. Some of the participants decided to stay behind and ride the South Hero area again. What fun we had and if your weren't there ... you will be next year! Return to top of page.On June 17th Susan McNeill, member of the safety committee, and Lynn Dow, VHC President, conducted a 'Large Animal Safety' workshop at the Vermont Farm Youth Copr summer employment training conference held at Johnson State College. The Vt. Farm Youth Corp employs approximately 55 kids who will be working at various farms, nurseries, and state parks this summer. This workshop was designed to help them better understand the proper way to handle large animals in order to keep both themselves and the animal safe. Some of the topics that were addressed included proper barn attire, equine vision field, picking up feet, proper leading techniques, safe quick-release knots, spooky environments and first aid kits. Thanks to Susan's Criollo mare Zorita the workshop was interactive and the kids had the opprotunity to try leading, picking up feet and tying proper safety knots. Zorita was a patient teacher and ramained calm and quiet even as a storm blew through. The kids piled in the trailer seeking a dry spot to observe the rest of the demonstration and only came out when the rain seized. Lynn, Susan and Zorita however got soaked, but it was well worth it since the kids are now more educated in working around large animals safely and will therefore be an asset to their employers. June 20, 2002
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