Equestrian News Release
Although it was
founded in the west, Back Country Horsemen
of America has truly become a national
organization that fights for horse use on
all public lands from coast to coast. It has
at-large members in 47 states and has 25
member organizations, nearly half of which
are based east of the Mississippi River.
Concerned about the status of horse trails
in the east, BCHA Chairman Mike Reedy
recently visited Back Country Horseman
groups in North Carolina, Tennessee,
Georgia, and Alabama. Back Country Horsemen
of America has only recently had a presence
in that area of the country, but these
groups are growing rapidly and eager to do
what it takes to keep trails open for horse
use.
Challenges to Horse Use on Public
Lands
Reedy was impressed with the lovely terrain
and the strong horse community in these
states. But he also found some troubling
trends and situations that severely limit
the enjoyment of horses on public lands.
One major problem in Alabama is a change in
the general rule regarding U.S. Forest
Service lands. It used to be (and in many
parts of the country, still is) that horses
were allowed on any U.S. Forest Service
trail except those designated “stock free.”
But the rules now state that horses are
prohibited unless the trail is specifically
marked for equestrian use.
It is estimated that this rule change leaves
this state with less than 10% of National
Forest Service trails available to horses.
BCHA has agreed to assist the horse users of
Alabama in investigating how this change was
made and if the legal requirements, such as
public input and an environmental impact
study, were met.
Not only are trails designated for horse use
few and far between in this region, they’re
often short and offer limited loop ride
opportunities. When horse users reach the
end of the trail, they must double back on
the same trail or ride along a public road
to return to the trailhead. Another
unintended result is trails that are more
crowded and therefore have a heavier
environmental impact.
Reedy is from out west, where public lands
are large and the deeper into the wilderness
you go, the more horse riding opportunities
you find. But on this trip, he discovered
that the Appalachian Trail is almost
completely closed to horses. Any trails that
lead anywhere near the Appalachian Trail are
also closed to equestrians. This was a
disappointment, as this famous trail
traverses 14 states from Georgia to Maine.
One problem Reedy found prevalent in all
four states is an extreme lack of basic
facilities for horse users. Trailheads that
provide hiker parking for several hundred
cars force horse users to drive to a
different parking lot that has space for
only a small handful of horse trailers. Very
often, if one or two truck-and-trailer rigs
are parked there, it is impossible to get
your own rig turned around.
Some trails are marked open for horses, but
there is no trailer parking at the trailhead
at all. Rules prohibiting horses anywhere
but on designated trails prevents a rider
from parking elsewhere and riding across
country to access a trail.
In today’s world of equal opportunities for
all Americans, Reedy was shocked to find no
trailhead amenities for handicapped
horseback riders, such as ramps to assist
mounting. Terry Howell is a Back Country
Horsemen of America member from North
Carolina who is handicapped and not only
rides but also leads a pack string. Reedy
asked her how she is able to ride without
those amenities. She explained that she must
depend on good hearted riding friends who
help her mount up.
A National Trails Organization for
Equestrians
In his travels throughout North Carolina,
Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, Reedy met
many Back Country Horsemen members and
answered their questions regarding horse and
stock use on public lands. BCHA has also
received numerous calls from people in
various parts of the country looking for
direction and advice about horse use on
trails. It’s clear that Back Country
Horsemen of America is now recognized as the
one national trails organization equestrians
need to stand united against the closure of
public lands to horses.
About Back Country Horsemen of
America
BCHA is a non-profit corporation made up of
state organizations, affiliates, and at
large members. Their efforts have brought
about positive changes in regards to the use
of horses and stock in the wilderness and
public lands.
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