February 2020 FCOHC Newsletter – Ohio Horseman's Council, Fairfield Chapter

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I'm not complaining about our winter so far because it has been mild up to this point. However, I'm ready to get rid of the mud and for that to happen, the temperature is going to have to go one way or the other. I vote for warmer.

If you follow our face book page, you have seen some of our members out riding in recent weeks. The dedication of our members to riding their horses is one of the items I am most proud of about our OHC chapter. Tom McGuire has compiled all of the trail miles that were turned into him. As of today in 2019 our little band of thieves have totaled 27,137 miles. I don't have the individual break down for each member, but as soon as I do I will provide that list. I can tell you the 6 most popular locations and the miles ridden at each of those locations. Hocking 7714, Tar Hollow 3943, Scioto Trails 3030, Stone Church 776, Paddle Creek 703 and Zaleski 688.

We are working on a ride schedule for 2020, but do not have that firmed up as of today. We will be discussing it at the February meeting. Bring your thoughts, all input is appreciated. The one ride I can confirm is at Mohican on May 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd. Charlene Santee, Licking county OHC president, was willing to lock in the ride for Licking county and they have invited us to join them at the ride. I think it is awesome we can work together to accomplish mutual goals. Side note, when Charlene called the Mohican manager to inquire about availability, this was the last open week end available.

Our application to the state OHC for grant money was declined. We do have some other options to explore as a means to fund the projects we had discussed and approved last fall. {manure bins at the Hocking state camp and tie rails at rest areas out on the trails at Hocking}. For the moment, those projects are on hold. The one major project we do hope to attack as soon as the weather starts to improve is the tie line expansion at Scioto Trails. Our state ride over Labor Day has been extremely successful. However, with success comes growing pains. In short, we have outgrown the parking and tie line spaces at Scioto Trails. We all agree. We wish to keep our Labor Day ride at Scioto Trails but need to expand the parking and tie line spaces to meet our current needs. Tom McGuire and I met with Brian Kelly, the park manager, a couple weeks back. We outlined what we thought might resolve our situation. Brian gave us the go ahead to expand the tie line row in two directions. We hope this expansion will get us close to our current and future needs. This project cost to our club will be minimal. Julie McGuire's son works for South Central Power. He has access to used electric poles that we can cut to the lengths that fit our needs. Our main obstacle will be the muscle power to set the poles. This may be your first opportunity in 2020 to get your name in the hat for the volunteer of the year program.

Starting at our February meeting, I will be circulating a sign up sheet for the All American Youth Show in Columbus. The show is May 7, 8, 9 and 10. This is our major fundraiser for the club. The work is easy and simple. We do whatever is necessary to assist the managers of the event so it runs as smoothly as possible. We are assigned to Cooper Area. The show starts at 8 am and runs until the classes are done for the day. We do this in 4-hour shifts, starting at 7:30 am. To cover the day, we need approximately 12 people a day. The Chicago political philosophy of voting early and often works well for this project. In our case, sign up early and often, it's fun.

We have a special feature in this month's newsletter. Kathleen Smith is one of our members. Kathy is probably better know by most of our member as the lady that makes our computer needs look way more professional than someone like myself could do.. She is a retired Veterinary and along with her husband Bruce, also retired, enjoy traveling to warmer places in the winter so they can enjoy two of their favorite hobbies, riding horses and playing golf. She has offered to give us some insight into her experiences while traveling to Florida. I for one welcomed this offer without a second thought because I doubt that I personally will ever get there. Enjoy her thoughts and experiences.

At last months meeting we had a super turn out, 37 by my count. I hope to see most of you again on February 9^th. Same time same place.

Chris

Riding in Florida

Since winter is slow for trail riding news, I asked Chris if he thought you (OHC members) might be interested in some experiences we have had so far on our new venture into wintering in Florida with our horses. So here goes………

For background, we have been coming to Florida for about a month for several years since our retirement. Last year we stayed at Spotted Dance Ranch in Brooksville and really liked the smalltown atmosphere and all the trail riding in the state forest.. We bought 6 acres of an overgrown field last spring which we cleaned up this fall and we plan to build a small “barndominium” at a future date. For this year, we are staying in a 5^th wheel which I found to be very comfortable. We are 2 miles off Rt 75, and within an hour of Tampa, Orlando and Ocala.

Right now, the horses are out 24/7 in a sand pasture since we can’t plant real grass until spring. They eat out of feed bags and we feed round bales, covered with a slow feeder net inside a hay hut. This really prevents waste. They have shelter in the pine trees and although the days are mostly pleasant (60 – 85 degrees so far), some nights get down to 40, so I am using blankets.

: The Smith Compound, 2 trailers and a sea box

: We are all living in a sand box this year, especially the ponies.

I have been told that within an hour drive, there are over 50 trailheads for horseback riding, of which half have equestrian campgrounds. Some are primitive, others have utilities and stalls. Some are state and county parks, others state forests and there are many South Florida water management areas totalling over 1 million acres. The Croom Preserve, where we are, is 20,000 acres and has over 30 miles of horse trails. So far, I have hit a few other places – Tillis Hill (Video Tour), Serenova and Colt Creek – all are about 30 minutes drive from our place. Therefore, I have a lot of exploring to do! I am especially looking forward to visiting Alaphia and the Florida Greenway in Ocala. The Greenway is a series of trailheads similar to the Emerald Necklace in Cleveland. Equestrian camping is actually pretty inexpensive, but you have to reserve a spot early AND you can only stay at one campground no more than 14 consecutive days.

I cannot say the trails are as challenging or scenic as Hocking Hills. The terrain is relatively level and sandy, with no rocks or mud. Actually, the footing is even better after a rain! Although there are some areas where the sugar sand is deep, there are lots of long fire roads and packed sand trails where you can just go. The flora is either pine woods, oak hammocks or enormous palmetto fields. There are not many open grass fields. Our area is high and dry, but in areas south of us where it is wetter, I have seen wild hog damage, and heard there are alligators and more snakes. Those wetter areas also have all that exotic florida vegetation which is striking, like being in the jungle.

There are small horse farms everywhere around us. Most are not fancy places. Many horsey neighbors have stopped by to say hi. I found 3 trail riding clubs in the Brooksville area alone. Like ours, they are mostly mature riders and over half ride gaited horses. Of note is the Nature Coast Back Country Horseman (NCBCH). They are a Chapter of a National organization and function, like ours, to work with the forest/park leaders to maintain equestrian trails. They have monthly meetings and scheduled trail rides. Another is the Suncoast Trail Riders who have several weekend trail rides every month at various places. A big concern here right now is the stealing and slaughter of horses for meat. Horse owners are all on alert and posting suspicious activity on Facebook.

Visiting Florida with your horses really is actually not that daunting. We can make the drive in 16 hrs (although I prefer to layover overnight 1/2 way). There are many private and public places to camp with horses and it is actually pretty inexpensive, especially at the public camps. But if you want utilities you have to reserve a spot early AND you can only stay at one campground no more than 14 consecutive days. Plus there are lots of other outdoor recreational activities in Central Florida other than Disney World and they have the biggest Walmarts I have ever seen. Might be something for your Bucket List.

From the President

Calendar

Riding in Florida

Photos from Florida Trails