If you like to trail ride and don't know where to go, then you will love Southern Horse Trails. We have located the most popular horse trails in the south for you to enjoy. Included with the description of each trail, you will find directions to each trailhead, a topographical map of the trail, and a map provided by the forest   service of each trail if applicable.  To see a sample: CLICK HERE

Part of the proceeds from Southern Horse Trails will go toward the legal fund    being created by the Backcountry Horseman of North Georgia. For those of you  that don't know, The National Forest Service is proposing a legislation that will close the National Forests to horseback riding except on trails that they designate. For instance, currently, we are allowed to ride on approximately 890,000 acres in the state of Georgia. Under the new legislation, that will be reduced to approximately 800 acres. By joining the Southern Horse Trails, you will be helping to fight this legislation. (See Below) Also, read the articles from Western Horseman below.

USDA’s National Trail Classification System: this proposed federal rule proposes to change the current three category classification system for NFS trails that evolved over, and has been time tested for, nearly a hundred years. The proposed revision views trails in an entirely different manner -- as a recreational facility rather than a means of transportation-- which will result in traditional stock users being denied the ability to access huge areas of our National Forest that have historically been available to them. Based on the new classification scheme and erroneous wilderness management principles that assert that wilderness should be managed to provide recreation opportunities only at the primitive end of the spectrum, we expect that much of the wilderness trail system will be identified for minimal management not designed or actively managed for equestrians. As a result, we will be locked out of these areas. This appears to be an accommodation for the anti-stock element that selfishly demand that any other users which they don’t like around, such as equestrians, be excluded. While generalized allegations have been made that equestrians damage the environment wherever they go, these blanket allegations have never been justified. These restrictions simply have no basis in any actual safety or environmental need and simply come down to one user group’s aesthetic preferences.

WESTERN HORSEMAN MAGAZINE

The following article was published in the March 2008 issue of Western Horseman

Hard Truths About Designated Trails

An endurance rider, backpacker, mountain biker, trail runner and self-confessed "trailoholic," Brian Bourne is a U. S. Forest Service staffer for Illinois Shawnee National Forest. There, he is responsible for the creation of a 223-mile trail system through wilderness and no wilderness areas. In the following question-and-answer series, the award-winning trail specialist and avid horseman shares his knowledge on the controversial subjects of trail designation, design, maintenance and access.

Q. Designated Trails are cropping up in National Forests where once riders  roamed freely. Why the push from the Forest Service to restrict access to only these trails?

A. It's all about sustainability. The sad reality is that the USFS is caught between dwindling recreation budgets and a smaller workforce, despite the increasing demands on individual districts due to ecosystem management, threatened or endangered species, environmental laws and increased equestrian traffic on public lands.

That "do more with less" philosophy can only be stretched so far. "Unmanaged recreation" has been identified as one of the four main threats to National Forest lands. Designating, designing and constructing sustainable trail systems that can be managed with the dollars and personnel available allows the USFS to provide a quality riding experience. It's more about compromise than restriction.

Q. What mistakes do other trail specialists make because they are not also horseman?

A. If a trail-builder doesn't understand the psychology and physiology of the horse, it can be difficult or impossible for him to create a trail that's comfortable or even feasible for a horse to negotiate. Knowing how a horse perceives depth and obstacles allows a trail-builder to design the most natural way for the horse to travel. Understanding the rider's perspective from atop a horse or mule, the desired trail experience, and safety concerns are all factors that need to be understood by those responsible trail design. If the trail specialist understands horses, the trails he designs and builds will provide a more enjoyable and safer experience for both horse and rider.

Q. What are some things I can do as a rider to help preserve my favorite trail?

A. Educate yourself about the issues that can affect your trail. It's the key to securing your access. Understand the issues from not only your perspective but also from the land manager's position.

Attend symposiums and conferences on trail issues and read publications that discuss those issues. Some of the better equestrian-trails symposiums are the Southeast Equestrian Trails Symposium and the Ohio Valley Equestrian Trails Symposium.

Get to know your local land managers. Learn everything you can about the past, present and future of a trail program.

Volunteer for trail work. It's not just about digging in the dirt. From financial contributions and material donations to providing physical labor and time, the opportunities are endless. Remember to make sure you're working within the context of the land management agency's vision and legal framework.

Once you've done the research, embrace your political voice. Base you position on reason, logic and policy, not just pure emotion. Vote for and support legislators genuinely supportive of trails. Then, make sure your congressional representatives are aware of your stance on the issues, and offer to help in any way you can.

Align yourself with like-minded organizations by becoming an active, participating member. Organizations tend to have a bigger voice, the ability to effectively spread information to others, and usually have more fund-raising capabilities and financial resources.

Q. What goes into deciding a trail route?

A. There's a huge set of variables to contend with when looking at the "best" route for a particular trail. Anything less than the ideal circumstances has the potential to increase the time and cost necessary to build the trail. The long-term cost of doing it right the first time.

Sustainability is the overarching goal of good trail design. Sustainability factors include slope of the terrain and trail, as well as soil composition. Other variables include hazards, points of interest, water access, environmental considerations and accessibility for riders of all ability levels.

The key to designing a good trail lies in balancing the route that provides the optimal equestrian experience for both the horse and rider while mitigating negative environmental considerations.

Q. What things are being done to help horsemen cope with multi-use issues?

A. As horsemen, we tend to get stressed at the idea of meeting "someone else" on the trail because our form of locomotion has it's own brain and can be unpredictable.

User conflicts are being managed in various ways, including the use of dual surfaces or parallel tracks that physically separate users, and the implementation of rules that designate a trail for one type of use per day. For the vast majority of back country trails,  these options aren't feasible. Some managers choose trail designs to slow the speed of all users and minimize blind spots so unexpected encounters with others occur in a controllable setting.

Shared use is increasingly the only feasible option for many trail systems. As a result, user-specific advocacy groups have begun producing educational materials and recruiting ambassadors to introduce ways of respecting other forms of recreation on shared paths. Ultimately, it's the responsibility of every trail enthusiast to desensitize himself and his horse so that encounters with other users become no more than saying hello.

Q. What do riders not know about trail maintenance?

A. Once trail riders understand that trail maintenance means more than just breaking branches that will slap them in the face, then comes the realization of just how much time, effort, tools and money are necessary to properly maintain trails. Without proper maintenance, any trail might eventually suffer severe, even irreparable damage. I'm constantly amazed at how many years. Even a dirt or gravel road needs regular maintenance. Why would we treat trails differently.

One of the most important things riders should understand about trail maintenance is that each person has a significant impact. USFS districts rarely have enough money and manpower to properly maintain trails currently in use. Coordinated volunteer efforts allow riders to assist districts in managing their trails, and this can have a direct impact on the district's ability to offer quality trails. Be willing to work within the scope of what has been planned and budgeted, or be patient enough to wait until the time, money,  materials and personnel can be allotted to a trail project.

Contact Brian Bourne at (618) 658-2111, or email him at bbourne@fs.fed.us

WESTERN HORSEMAN MAGAZINE

The following article was published in the April 2008 issue of Western Horseman

 

End of Trail

Written by Gary Hubbell

Across the United States, riding trails are at risk. More than ever, backcountry horsemen must compete with hikers, mountain bikers, ATV riders and others for public-land access. And, with increasingly restrictive—even anti-horse—regulations in some locales, trails on which riders were once welcome are now hostile environments for horsemen. Learn how 10 of the country’s top riding destinations have come under threat, and how you can get involved in the fight to save them. 1. California Riding & Hiking Trail Location: Statewide In 1945, the State of California created the California Riding and Hiking Trail to honor returning veterans of World War II and their fallen comrades. More than 40,000 pages of trail easements (rights of way for trail users) were negotiated, and a 3,000-mile statewide loop through 37 counties was mapped. More than 60 years later, the trail is in danger of going to waste despite efforts by dedicated volunteers. Part of the problem lies with uncooperative landowners, notes Backcountry Horsemen of California activist Pete Spencer. According to Spencer, landowners continue to disregard deeded easements by building structures atop the trail, destroying signs and trail markers, erecting gates and fences, and even threatening horseback riders and trail volunteers who try to access the loop. Volunteer Opportunities: Backcountry Horsemen of California  • Pete Spencer, activist  • (760) 782-3747  • muleman2@wildblue.netThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Voice Your Opinion: California State Parks  • parks.ca.gov  • Steve Musillami,     statewide trails manager  • (916) 653-6501  • smusi@parks.ca.govThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   2. Shawnee National Forest Location: Southern Illinois The Shawnee National Forest covers more than 277,000 acres, south of Harrisburg, Illinois. Under its 2006 Forest Plan, the U.S. Forest Service enacted regulations in the Big Grand Pierre Creek, Eagle Creek, Lusk Creek and Upper Bay Creek watersheds to prohibit riders from leaving established trails, with a $5,000 fine and six-month imprisonment for violators. According to USFS recreation program manager Tim Pohlman, such regulations became necessary because the Shawnee trail system had long been neglected, and riders were venturing into biologically sensitive areas. Under the new plan, riders have access to 150 miles of designated, maintained trails. USFS officials say that other areas of the forest will be studied in 2008 or 2009, with additional riding restrictions a possibility. Voice Your Opinion: Shawnee National Forest  • fs.fed.us/r9/forests/shawnee  • (618) 253-7114  • mailroom_r9_shawnee@fs.fed.usThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   3. Cheyenne Mountain State Park Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Currently open to hikers, bikers and campers, the 1,680-acre Cheyenne Mountain State Park is closed to riders due to concerns by the Colorado Parks Board that horses will disturb wildlife or be a source of invasive weed species. The potential acquisition of an additional 1,000 acres abutting the Pike National Forest, though, could present an opportunity for riders to access both the park and the forest. Horsemen are encouraged to take part in discussions over potential uses for any newly acquired parkland. Volunteer Opportunities: Backcountry Horsemen of Colorado  • bchcolorado.org Colorado Horse Council  • coloradohorsecouncil.com  • (303) 292-4981 Front Range Backcountry Horsemen  • frontrangebackcountryhorsemen.org  • John Leavitt, president  • (303) 646-2135  •  johnlevitt@evocohs.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Voice Your Opinion: Cheyenne Mountain State Park  • parks.state.co.us/Parks/cheyennemountain  • (719) 575-2016  •  cheyennepark@statepark.co.usThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   4. Ozark National Scenic Riverways Location: Southeast Missouri Home to idyllic stretches of beautiful rivers, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways offer ample riding opportunities along historic trails, as well as spectacular views of the Current and Jack’s Fork rivers. However, user conflicts and proposed trail relocation threaten the area’s riding trails, says Gail Gartside, chair of Show-Me Missouri Backcountry Horsemen’s public-lands committee. Each summer weekend, she notes, outdoor enthusiasts from St. Louis descend on the area to float the rivers. According to National Park Service personnel, litter, loud stereos and a “family-unfriendly” atmosphere are the norm. That issue aside, NPS has concluded that horse trails, despite the fact they’ve paralleled the river since pioneer days, might pose a danger to floaters and therefore should be relocated farther away from the river, where views are not nearly so spectacular. Volunteer Opportunities: Show-Me Missouri Backcountry Horsemen  • Showmebch.org Voice Your Opinion: Ozark National Scenic Riverways  • nps.gov/ozar • (573) 323-4236   5. Emigrant Overland Trail Location: Nevada County, California One of the main wagon-train routes to California since 1844, the Emigrant Overland Trail winds along the mountains through stands of wild oak, pines and manzanita as it makes its way into California’s Central Valley. Though other portions of the trail are in danger of being abandoned by the Nevada County Board, a 12.5-mile section located midway between Truckee, California, and Sacramento is considered most in danger, says Jaede Miloslavich of the Emigrant Trail Conservancy. According to Miloslavich, the problem stems from landowners’ rejection of public easements through their properties. Owners have installed gates and barbed-wire fences, and removed signage to discourage trail use. In one instance, notes Miloslavich, an owner threatened to shoot a rider if she attempted to cross his property.  Volunteer Opportunities: Bear River Recreation & Parks District  • brrpd.org  • (530) 268-7275  • brrpd@nccn.netThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Emigrant Trail Conservancy  • Jaede Miloslavich  • jdmilo@inreach.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it     Voice Your Opinion: Nevada County Master Plan  • brrpd.org/master%20plan  • (530) 265-7040  • ceo@co.nevada.ca.ucThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   6. Otter Creek Wilderness Location: Tucker and Randolph counties, West Virginia A popular destination for hikers and campers from nearby Washington, D.C., Otter Creek Wilderness isn’t so popular with riders of late. According to USFS spokesperson Carol Wetzel, waterlogged, rocky conditions and dense vegetation have made difficult any horseback travel along the 42-mile trail network, based on old logging roads and railroad grades. USFS policy, she adds, is to not maintain Otter Creek trails for horse use; official USFS publications discourage equestrians from accessing the wilderness, even though riding is allowed. USFS is at work on a revised plan for the area, and is inviting input from riders.  Volunteer Opportunities: American Endurance Ride Conference • aerc.org • (866) 271-AERC • aerc@foothill.netThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it West Virginia Horse Council • mysite.verizon.net/resww34d/westvirginiahorsecouncil • Amanda Stewart, president • (304) 282-2177 •  amandastewart@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Voice Your Opinion: Monongahela National Forest  • fs.fed.us/r9/mnf  • (304) 636-1800  •  r9_monong_website@fs.fed.usThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   7. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Location: Northern Georgia As riding opportunities dwindle in the heavily developed Atlanta area, riders and outdoor enthusiasts have headed north to the 430 miles of trails in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, home to red clay hills, trout streams, hardwood forests, beautiful riding trails, and the origin of the 2,135-mile Appalachian Trail.  USFS has backed away from regulations that would have restricted horses to the Chattahoochee-Oconee’s established trails, many of which are shared with vehicles, but continues to monitor horse travel. Resource damage from riders creating trails across open spaces could lead to horses being restricted to system-only trails. Forest supervisor George Bain is working with horse groups to create partnerships that will ensure open access and minimal resource damage. Volunteer Opportunities: Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests  • fs.fed.us/conf  • Supervisor George Bain  • (770) 297-3000   8. Coronado National Forest Location: Southeastern Arizona The Coronado National Forest, home to countless miles of remote riding trails, serves as one of the most active corridors for illegal immigrants and drug smugglers entering the United States from Mexico. Riders in the area often encounter signs of recent illegal traffic—typically litter or the remnants of recent campfires. Local ranchers and hunters report that such traffic is a daily occurrence along the border, and while riders’ encounters with illegal immigrants and drug smugglers tend to be fleeting, the potential for violence exists. According to Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada, the safety of riders venturing into the region’s backcountry can’t be assured. Volunteer Opportunities: Coronado National Forest  • fs.fed.us/r3/coronado  • (520) 388-8300  • mailroom_r3_coronado@fs.fed.usThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   9. Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Location: Central idaho Between 2000 and 2007, hundreds of thousands of acres of forest burned in the Frank Church Wilderness, including 180,000 acres last year alone. According to USFS trails coordinator Kevin Fitzsimmons, it’s not uncommon to find 300 to 400 dead trees across the trail in a three-mile stretch. Landslides caused by unstable soil in the steep country are also an issue, often washing out trails. Approximately 700 miles of the region’s 2,616 miles of maintained trails are endangered. The USFS ranger district in Challis is currently coordinating with outfitter, backcountry and volunteer groups to procure grants and manpower to implement trail-maintenance projects. Volunteer Opportunities: Backcountry Horsemen of Idaho  • bchi.org  • Raenette Didier, chairman  • (208) 926-4910  • raenette.didier@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association  • ioga.org  • Dave Melton  • (208) 756-6963 Salmon-Challis National Forest  • fs.fed.us/r4/sc  • Cavan Fitzsimmons, trail coordinator  • (208) 756-5100  • kfitzsimmons@fs.fed.usThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Student Conservation Association  • thesca.org  • Boise Field Office  • (208) 424-6734 10. Altadena Crest Trail Location: Los Angeles, California Envisioned as a continuous west-to-east trail from the Eaton Canyon Natural Area to Hahamongna Watershed, the Altadena Crest Trail, nestled between the eastern edge of Los Angeles and the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, is a dream in the making—for now. Once the 12.4-mile trail is completed, Los Angelenos will have quality riding and hiking trails at their back doors. The difficulty lies in gathering easements across numerous parcels of private land so that four major gaps can be closed in densely settled areas.  Voice Your Opinion: Michael Antonovich Los Angeles County Supervisor  • (213) 974-5555  • fifthdistrict@lacbos.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it County of Los Angeles Adrian Garcia  • (213) 974-4266  • agarcia@cao.lacounty.govThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Los Angeles County Parks & Recreation  • parks.lacounty.gov  • (213) 738-2951  • info@parks.lacounty.gov