Report on Statewide Trails Advisory Committee (STAC) January 8, 2008

Late in the Fall of 2007 you may remember Bill HB 441-FN-A. This bill was to generate funds for non-motorized trails and encourage more volunteers for trail maintenance. 75 % of the trails are not being maintained sufficiently because of lack of funding, State personnel and volunteers. The Statewide Trails Advisory Committee (STAC) recommended that the Bill be tabled so more investigation on options and on how to fund and promote volunteerism could be done. The decision was made because very little time was given to look over the bill and approve it. STAC was to look more into the bill in the year 2008.

Adopters have the responsibility of performing the basic maintenance on a regular basis on a trail or section of trail. Trails are extremely fragile and without regular maintenance will erode, widen or grow in. Proper maintenance is necessary to avoid serious damage to the mountain environment and to make hiking enjoyable and safe for hikers. Taking on the stewardship of a trail is a privilege and commitment, and it is important that the Adopter take the responsibilities of maintaining a trail seriously. Upon joining the program, the Adopter signs an Adopter Agreement (Appendix E) agreeing to perform the basic maintenance according to certain standards and requirements. The Adopter completes the required training and then begins work on the adopted trail. The basic maintenance tasks of the Adopters are cleaning out existing drainage, trail clearing, marking the trail with paint blazes and cairns, and trail definition. These tasks are described in the section on trail maintenance. As a general guideline, it is estimated that a one to two mile section of trail would require a minimum of 24 hours (= three days) of work to perform these tasks. These three work trips should be distributed throughout the spring, summer and fall so that maintenance issues can be addressed as soon as they arise. The Adopter also serves as an early warning system when serious problems are developing and alerts the Region Leader or trails staff so corrective action can be taken before a problem grows to major proportions. With training and experience, Adopters can perform more complicated tasks such as installation of water bars and step stones. This should be done only after all basic maintenance tasks are completed and the work is discussed with your Region Leader or AMC trails staff. Major construction and reconstruction projects are preformed by AMC staff trail crews.”

I would like to encourage horse owners and horse clubs to seriously consider being part of the Adopter Program. The above is just a guideline on the time involved, possible length of trail and the tasks required, which all seem very reasonable for the most inexperience adopter. Mountain Bikers, ATVer’s and Snowmobilers are already involved in trail maintenance; it is time now to get the same recognition for horse owners. Let’s be proud of being involved, giving back to improve our trails and strengthening our voice.

Look for more in February about the Adopter Program and join in on the training sessions to find out more.

Tom Dimaggio the chairman of STAC and also the representative for Sled Dogs gave a talk about his sport and their Share The Trail brochure. Here is some of the information he shared and I added some awareness for horseback riders. The speed of a moving sled depends on how many dogs are hitched up but they can move 18 to 20 miles per hour.

The ground conditions and how long the dogs have been traveling makes a difference in how soon they can stop. Dogs just starting out on their run are harder to stop then dogs that have gone a few miles. The pressure of the brake rubs upon the ground, so real hard ground is slippery; so the brake takes less hold. so less stopping power. Horseback riders can relate to this when you have a horse that is nervous or anxious to go, they are much harder to stop especially at the beginning of the ride. The musher’s use ATV’s and Snowmobiles for training purposes because it gives them better control especially for stopping. This can be a big advantage to winding trails or a popular trail with a lot of traffic. Training starts in the fall. Most musher’s will use the trails early in the morning, at night or at suppertime to avoid trail traffic. As horseback riders please be aware of this because you may be using the same trail at the same time for the same reason. The Sled Dog clubs encourage their musher’s to post signs on the trails they are using. If you are entering from a side trail and not from the trailhead you may miss some of these signs.

They prefer trails that are wide and with good visibility but being in New England you can’t avoid the winding and hilly trail. Corners and hills are where horseback riders have to be aware. The dogs have a natural tendency to cut the corners and it is very likely the musher cannot see around the corner or his lead dog. The musher’s rule is to stay safe and use the right side of the trail, so their training includes teaching the dogs to stay to the right. Horse owners, who also work with animals, should understand and realize that there are short periods of times where it may not be possible to stay to the right because of animal behavior. Tom did mention having an unexpected occurrence with 2 horses and their loose dogs on a corner of a trail. He could not stop the sled dogs until after he past the first horse. Horses, riders and musher were surprised and scared. There was a bit of frantic yelling on both parties until dogs and horses got under control and they could make decisions on how to proceed. (Trail etiquette-Ask to Pass or Give Permission to Pass) (Please remember loose dogs can be a major distraction to other users and you do not want them in the middle of a sled dog team). Normally the musher will have time to slow down or stop when meeting other users.

The dogs are a key part to their sport just like horses are to ours, so it is useful to understand some of their behavior. Experienced sled dogs pretty much ignore all distractions and keep on moving forward. However, younger or inexperience dogs may be frightened by loud noises or distracted by passers-by. Sound familiar? Training of dogs like training of trail horses cannot all be done at home, some training, including exposure to trail objects and traffic can only be done on the trail. If you meet up with a sled dog team on the trail, slow down or stop, keep your horse facing the team. If your horse is unsure, try to get off the trail and distance yourselves from the team. This will help to calm your horse. It is very unlikely that the sled dog team will have room to move off the trail. If your situation allows, let the dog team pass slowly by, this keeps the lines taunt and avoids entanglement of the dogs that sometimes happens at a stop. You know your horse best, so you may have to direct other trail users on the best solution on how to proceed. Remember to do this with courtesy. After the team has past then following a dog team for some distance gives you a chance to gain some confidence back into your horse that was unsure. Bravery and dominance return when the horse feels he is driving the culprit off.

So remember you are sharing trails with others. The more you know about other trail users and the more they know about you, then we will promote safety and courtesy on our trails.

Trail etiquette: (Please stay to the right of the trail)

Slow Down When You Meet Slow down enough so you can stop easily at a moments notice when you meet another trail user.

Greet and Access the situation: Give a friendly Hello, Access control issues and safety

while considering trail terrain, objects and the other user type for how to proceed with passing.

Ask to Pass or Give Permission to Pass Horseback riders know their horse the best and can give the best advice to the other trail user on how to proceed. Please do this with courtesy, others do not know horse behavior or your horse.

NHHC would like to improve communication and unity with New Hampshire horse owners and businesses. Please join as a club, organization or individual to show your support and willingness to unite. We are sustained by your membership. Pick a delegate to be on the trails committee or as an individual be a trails committee member. Help share information or make decisions on trail issues.

“Share the Road”

New Hampshire has a lot of country settings and many persons are moving or traveling into those areas to enjoy them. Rural neighborhoods still have farm animals and horses are a common sight you will see among the pastures and back yards. You are likely to see these horses ridden or driven down New Hampshire roads attributing to the country setting that others are seeking.

NH Horse Council would like to remind motorists about NH RSA 265:104 Approaching Horses. “Every person having control or charge of a vehicle shall, whenever upon any way and approaching any horse, drive, manage, and control such vehicle in such a manner as to exercise every reasonable precaution to prevent the frightening of such horse, and insure the safety and protection of any person riding or driving the same.”

NH Horse Council advises, “Please slow down and pass wide, allowing as much room as feasible between the horse and the vehicle. Slowing down allows the horse and rider (driver) enough time to realize a vehicle is approaching and to make sure the horse is under control and prepared for the vehicle to pass. When approaching a horse from the rear, it is important to know that the horse and rider (driver) is going to be less aware of your presence, so please be cautious. It is most important, that a motorist should never sound their horn or create loud noises at horses as this might cause them to spook.”

If a rider (driver) is moving their hand up and down with the palm down, they are asking you to slow down more. If they are holding their arm out with palm toward you, they are asking you to stop so they can move to a safer spot so you may pass safely. These gestures are meant for your safety and theirs.

Motorcyclists, box trucks or vehicles with trailers should be especially aware of how easily they can startle a horse. All motorists should be alert to the actions of the horse and rider (driver) and be sure to slow down and pass wide. Please help with safety and sharing of the road.

Horse owners do appreciate all motorists’ who show awareness, courtesy and respectfulness with sharing the road! We Thank You All! Remember we are your neighbors who you pass on your town roads. We all need to slow down once and a while and give each other a friendly wave.

From NH Horse Council “Thank You Again for your courtesy”!

"The New Hampshire Horse Council, Inc. is a non-profit association that serves as the voice of the horse industry in New Hampshire. NHHC, Inc. strives to promote the advancement of the entire equine community by serving as a means of communication, monitoring legislation, promoting horse related activities, promoting the highest standards of sportsmanship and horsemanship, encouraging the protection and development of resources, and encouraging youth equine groups. NHHC, Inc. is a member of American Horse Council, NH Farm Bureau, Equestrian Land Conservation Resource, and is an EquineSite.com affiliate." For more information, contact Bob L’Heureux at robert.lhx@verizon.net Your membership makes it possible for us to sponsor projects, provide benefits, and be involved in legislative issues. Your continued support is very important. PLEASE DON’T LET YOUR MEMBERSHIP EXPIRE.

Laurie Weir