Possibly Some Horse Trails to Close in Iowa

We received this email below and felt very strongly the need to get the word out to as many people as possible. We have removed some of the email addresses and last names, etc. in the interest of getting this information out quickly.

Denise Schieffer, president of Iowa Trail Riders Assoc urges everyone

to make sure Gov. Branstad, the DNR and the legislators are aware of

our protests.  Some riders have suggested they would be willing to pay

an annual bridle fee. Some have volunteered to help. We need to get

organized like the bicyclists did!  She suggests some text you can use: 

It has come to my attention that there is discussion of closing horse

trails in Yellow River, Shimek and Stephens State Forests to save

money.  There are already so few places where equestrians can ride

compared to other recreational activities in the state.  It would be

devastating to close these parks and basically eliminate riding

activities for many.  Given that our riding options are already so

limited, PLEASE when looking where to make cuts, consider other areas

where there are more options available and cuts would not be felt as

severely as would be the case here. 

We have so few places to ride in Iowa!  I hope people will keep calling

and writing!

Diana

(PS You don't need to read further, but if you are interested there is

related correspondence below.)   

From the DNR Communications Bureau Chief to me:

Thanks for sharing your very thoughtful and well-written letter.

As I¹ve explained to others, at this point we do not know what the

final appropriation will be so we are not sure whether the trails would

be closed or not. It is, at this point, an option that could be

considered depending on what kind of funding level we end up at.

In the meantime, I can't tell you how encouraged I am by the number of

equestrians today who have stepped forward, like your family, and

expressed a willingness to help be part of a solution in these

difficult times.

As a side note, I would mention that much of the public land in Johnson

County is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers via the Coralville

Reservoir system. Have you ever had any discussions with them to see if

there are any opportunities? Likewise, didn¹t Johnson County dedicate a

portion of sales tax revenue to conservation/recreation projects? Maybe

there are opportunities there as well to explore trail possibilities.

Once again, thanks for sharing this letter with me and for your

interest in helping find alternative should the need arise.

Kevin Baskins

Communications Bureau Chief

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

515-281-8395

kevin.baskins@dnr.iowa.gov

From: Diana L

Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 4:33 PM

To: Baskins, Kevin [DNR]

Subject: FW: Preserve Funding for IA Horse Trails

Dear Kevin, while we understand that not every program of the DNR can

be sustained, we who live and ride in Iowa feel that there are special

reasons for keeping trails open to horseback riders in this state.  A

few of these are stated below in my letter to the governor. 

BTW, my husband and I are willing to donate to keep IA trails open to

horses, and also to volunteer time to horse trails in our area -- oh

wait, there aren't any horse trails in Johnson County AT ALL!  (A

situation we would love to see remedied, but that's a topic for another

time.)

Thank you for your efforts.

Diana

From:  Diana

Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 3:51 PM

To: governor.contact@iowa.gov

Subject: Preserve Funding for IA Horse Trails

Dear Gov. Branstad:

Please do not allow any cuts in funding for maintenance of horse trails

in Iowa!  Iowa has fewer public areas for people to enjoy on horseback

than do most other states, and it is important to preserve, even

expand, what we do have.  Horses are part of our national heritage;

millions of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iowans still own

and ride horses, in part to recapture the spirit and values of our

forbearers who settled and built this great country.  It is a wonderful

way for families to spend time together, and for individuals to

reconnect with nature.

I moved to this state several decades ago, and at first missed the

mountains and accessibility to the ocean where I used to live.  But

fortunately, I was able to discover that Iowa too has great natural

beauty, and I've done this from the back of my horse.  Horses were also

the medium through which my family and I got to know and appreciate

"real" Iowans, and escape the isolation newcomers to the state often

feel.  Trail riding in Iowa has truly enriched our lives.  While my

family and I can take our horses out of state to ride, we spend the

majority of our riding time on the trails in Iowa, where we live, and

where we pay taxes.  People may not realize how much money horse owners

spend on our horses and all the associated equipment--indeed, we could

use that money to take frequent vacations to exotic locales elsewhere

in this country and abroad, but that would take the money out of Iowa's

economy!  As long as we have access to horse trails in this state,

especially trails in Shimek Forest, Stephens Forest, Yellow River and

Brushy Creek--we will continue to not only love and be proud of natural

Iowa, but also to keep the money where we live.

But this should not be just about money.  There is Iowa's heritage to

consider, as well as the pride and enjoyment taken by today's hard

working Iowans in the natural beauty of their state.  For my daughters

who grew up here, camping and riding the trails in Iowa is among their

most cherished memories.  They would also like to raise families in

Iowa, unless they are denied the opportunity go riding on Iowa's trails

with their own children.  

Let me also add that more and more often, trail riders are volunteering

time and money to preserve trails in Iowa, and have been taking a more

active role in working with park officials to do what's necessary to

keep horse trails open. 

It would be a terrible shame to see Iowa close its trails to horse

owners and riders.

Sincerely, 

Diana

Iowa City, Iowa 

Please send your own emails to the Gov. Branstad and any other organizations that might be willing to help. Thanks

Riding Dynamics for Riding Down Hills

Don't lean back, push in your stirrups and try to steer your horse to much when riding down a hill!  That goes against everything you've been taught, right? 

Here's why.  When you lean back in your saddle, thrust your feet forward and push into your stirrups what you are really doing is causing your horse to get heavy on the forehand.  You are pushing into the middle of his back and actually blocking him from using his body efficiently to negotiate going down the hill.  As he struggles to carry you down while you are blocking him, he loses his balance and then you try to over steer him.  He could end up rushing down the hill and pushing through the bit because his hindquarters were strung out behind him. 

Try this instead.  When sitting in your saddle, think about tucking your tail (if you had one), rounding your lower back.  (versus hollowing it out and causing you to perch in the saddle) This tucked tail/rounded lower back position will put you on your balance point.  Your rear end becomes an anchor in the saddle.  This will lighten your feet in the stirrups, because you are not bracing.  Your feet should be 'resting' in the stirrups, not pushing.  Your legs should hang against his sides.  Let your hips go with his motion as he moves down the hill.  Think of your hips individually like a slinky.  Each hip moving independently with your horse.  Stay in the middle of the saddle as your position will allow your horse to use his body efficiently.   He too, will be able to round his back, tuck his tail and be able to use his hindquarters to help him.   Focus your eyes straight ahead, not down!  If you look down, you'll hit the ground.  Point your horse down the hill and allow him to bring you there.  He will watch where he is going if you stay out of his way.  The only time you should pick up the reins is if he gets to fast.  Momentum can cause this.  You will raise one rein up, keeping the other rein low, just enough to slow his feet as he picks his way.  Or you could stop him on the way down.  Stop straight, letting you both regroup.  Get your body in position and continue on.  Same thing applies if you are going down the hill at an angle vs straight down. 

Try this body position on a barrel on its side first to get the feel of it.  Feel how your rounded back and tucked tail makes your rear end the anchor in the saddle.  Feel how light your legs and feet are.  In fact, you should be able to pick your feet up off the ground one at a time without coming off of your balance point.  Keep your eyes up and leave the reins alone unless you need to rate his speed. 

If you can arrange your body to stay out of your horse's way, he will be more successful at getting you down the hill safely and comfortably for you both. 

 Be advised that everything you read here are suggestions for different strategies of training and safety tips.  These suggestions and strategies come from experiences and years of learning according to the horse.  These tips are not meant to take the place of professional help when necessary. 

If you are unsure about what you read here or are not experienced enough to try some of them, don't hesitate to email me at ntrlgait@acegroup.cc .  Perhaps a personal session with myself, guiding you with hands on, would be more appropriate.  A simple clarification through email or one on one guidance is always better than guessing. 

Enjoy the tips, stay safe, be smart and put your horse first in your training. 
Terri Jordan