Conference noted::equitation

    If you have time for a 5 hour drive, the most beautiful trails are
    in Bar Harbor Maine.  They have over 100 miles of riding and carriage
    trails through Acadia National Park, mostly through the woods, but
    some along the most beautiful ocean shoreline you could imagine.
    
    You can also rent horses there, but they are very expensive.  I
    have never done this because you have to go as part of a group,
    and I get bored ambling along at a walk all day.  
    
    Definately worth a trip though!

    	It would really be worth the drive if there were somewhere that
    	you could camp nearby.....  I'll give that some thought - 
    	maybe a nice trip up there to "check it out" would be a good
    	idea.
    
    	Hummmmm...  I always did want to go up there anyway!
    
    	Thanks!
    
    	Susan

Acadia National Park has camping areas. It is, as mentioned in this
original note, very beautiful. I would call the National Park Services
to see if horses are allowed in or near the campsites there.

Another beautiful place to ride is the Groton Town Forest. There are,
apparently, many entrances to it. We get there through a roundabout
backwoods way from Lunenburg. I understand that there are entrances
from rte. 225, the section which goes from West Groton to Rte. 111
in Groton. There are many many miles of trails. In fact, groups host
20, 25 and 30 mile judged trail rides there and the trails all have
arrow markers so you won't get lost.

The trails are a combination of narrow paths which go up and down 
steep hills and around marshes and ponds, and dirt roads. The forest
is really very pretty.

Sorry I can't be more specific about entrances to the forest. Does
anyone else know where they are?

-julie

    	If I knew where/who to call, I would ask about Acadia National
    	Park.  You mentioned calling the National Park Services - is
    	that in the phone book - or would I have to call the operator?
    	(I don't want to sound stupid - but...)
    
    	Yes, Groton is nice.  The Cross State Trail Riders and the New
    	England Horse and Trail Assoc. have both held rides there. 
    	I do remember markers too - I thought they were put up by the
    	ride.  It is good to know that they are up all the time.
    
    	I am hearing super things about the trails in New York State.
     	I am trying to find out more information - one juicy tid-bit
    	is that out of one particular campground there is 100++ miles
    	of trails and dirt roads.  Hummmmmm...... sounds good to me!
    
    	Susan

No, Susan, you DON'T sound stupid! It's no joy trying to get information
from the Feds. In fact, I had to make 3 phone calls before I even got
this phone number. The number for the National Parks Service is:

			(617) 223-0058

They will probably have phone numbers for each individual national park.

-julie

    	Gee, Thanks Julie!
    
    	I will definitely give them a call!  Sounds like this will help
    	me from running around.
    
    	There are many State Parks in New Hampshire too, and I would
    	like to find out which ones will let horses in.  I will post
    	what I find here.
    
    	Susan

    There are 95-odd miles of bridle trails in the Blue Hills Reservation
    in Milton.  They are patrolled by the MDC Mounted Unit, keeping
    loose dogs and motorized vehicles down to a minimum.  I am fortunate
    enough to board my horse where I go down past the paddock and into
    the Blue Hills Trails.  Trail maps are available from the MDC Police
    in Canton and they will be able to tell you where you can enter
    the Hills from.  There are many parking areas, including one at
    the Mass Audubon Center called Trailside Museum.  You can ride an
    hour loop, or all day, whichever you prefer. Happy riding.  See
    you there!
    
    				SDS
    

    	Is Milton in Mass?  If so, where is it near?
    
    	Susan

    Yes, Milton, Mass.  Near Braintree and Randolph, off Rt 128 South
    of Rt 1.  The exits would be Ponkapong Pond, Canton or Randolph.
    It is just north of the exit for South Shore Plaza.  The Rt 138
    exit off 128 is the one (I think) for the Trailside Museum.  I 
    hope this makes sense.  On my Mass map it is labeled Blue Hills
    Ski Area and shows just above Randolph.  Send mail if you want 
    more detailed info.
    
    				SDS
    

    If you are still interested in Acadia, probably the best place
    to board a horse there is Jordan Pond Stables.  It borders on the
    park, and is near most of the trails.  I'm not sure of the town
    it is in, probably Northeast Harbor, but directory assistance could
    tell you if you want to give them a call. 
    
    If you are seriously interested, I will probably be up there sometime
    in the next few weeks, and could check it out.
    

    	RE: .10
    
    	Thanks...  I am still interested - but just haven't gotten that
    	far yet.  
    
    	I really don't like to take my horse into a strange barn.  We
    	are really quite comfy camping out.  I just put my nag on his
    	"dog run" and he is happy.
    
    	So, what I try to look for is a field or someplace out of the
    	way to camp.  The three horseman's campgrounds that I have been
    	to leave room for your rig and you attach your nag to the trailer,
    	tie, put up your pen or run.
    
    	Just for chuckles...  do you think that there is anywhere near
    	there that could camp about 100 riders??  (a field or farm)
     	I am always trying to keep my eye open for places for the 
    	Cross State Trail Ride also.
    
    	IF it isn't too much trouble for you - and IF you have the time
    	- you could just look around the area and just "note back" if 
    	you noticed any other options to boarding.  
    
    	I would really appreciate it.
    
    	Thanks!
    
    	Susan

    	RE: 6.6
    
    	Well, I called the Parks Service and I did get a number of phone
    	listings for State Parks.
    
    	Well, folks they jus don like our nags!!  Not one park I called
    	allowed horses!!  Isn't that awful??!!  So, I guess I will still
    	be riding in Fox State and Bear Brook in NH anyway.
    
    	Susan

    YOU ARE SO LUCKY !! I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ALL THAT ROOM TO TRAIL
    RIDE!!!  WE ARE LOOKING FOR ANOTHER PLACE WITH SOME ACRES!!
    I HAVE NEVER DONE ANY COMPETITIVE TRAIL RIDING BUT MY FRIEND STEVE
    BELLAVANCE (FROM BROWNSVILLE, VT.) IS REALLY ACTIVE - HE RUNS THE
    VERMONT 100 MILE RIDE.
    
    LAST SUMMER HE WENT ON A 100 MILE RACE IN CALIFORNIA !!!!  IT SOUNDS
    SUPER EXCITING!!!  IT WAS ROUGH ON HIM THOUGH - IMAGINE HOW IT WOULD
    BE ON A PLEASURE RIDER!!!
    
    I HAVE A SUPER APPY MARE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO START ENDURANCE RIDING
    WITH - SHE IS AS STRONG AS AN OX & REALLY COMFORTABLE !!!  THE THING
    IS I NEVER HAVE THE TIME TO GET HER OUT - WE WILL EITHER BE SELLING
    HER OR BREEDING HER IN THE SPRING!!!
    
    THE THING I AM INTO IS APPALOOSA SHOW HORSES - & YOUTH RIDERS -
    DOESN'T LEAVE MUCH TIME TO JUST PLEASURE RIDE.
    
    NICE TALING TO YOU !!  LINDA BAGGS
    

    I have been to Acadia, and you are allowed to camp you and your
    horse by the stables(there's only one) in the park. You'll need
    to get permission from the Forest Service to do so. People that
    I met there would rope off a small section of land for their horse.
    
    I am interested in trail riding but have neither a trailer nor a
    group of people to go riding with. I'll go out by myself for only
    a couple of hours, but am interested in all day trails. I live in
    Upton, Ma. right by Rt. 495 - Mass Pike intersection.
    If anyone knows of a club or group of riders, please let me know.
    My DTN is 226-7781.
    
    Cindy
    

    Would anyone be able to maybe publish a partial list of pleasure
    rides in the New England area (close to Mass?) Also, what areas
    in Mass allow people to trailer their horses in and ride, such as
    Bradley Palmer, etc? Also, can people still just trailer in and
    ride at Bradley Palmer?
    
    Thanks in advance for any info!
    
    Linda
    

    
    	HI there....
    
    	I would be happy to send you a copy of the list that I have...
    	so far I have the New England Horse and Trail Assoc.'s list
    	and that has about 20-25 rides on it....
    
    	Most rides on that are in New Hampshire, Mass and Rhode Island.
    
    	Just send me your name and mailstop.
    
    
    	Susan

    Linda,  Bradley Palmer still lets you ride there, a friend
    of mine just took her horses there this weekend.  Also, I
    think Crane's beach lets you bring horses up for a small
    fee.  The UNH people let you school on their XC course if
    you have a trainer with you and it's $10/horse.  Where
    do you get your listings of hunter paces?

re .2

	 Now that  it's  'beach season', Cranes is closed to horses. (As
     of May 1)

	

    Hi Julie, I usually get my list from friends of mine who are either
    in Old North Bridge or Nashoba Hunt. The lists come out in September
    or so and when they do, I will try to post them here!
    
    Thanks for the info on UNH, I didn't realize that they still let
    you school up there!
    
    Linda
    

Re: Trailering in to ride -

I just moved to a wonderful spot in Mason, NH, just off Route 119 in
Townsend, MA. Across the street from my house is a dirt road which goes
to a railroad bed with NO rails or ties - from there you can ride to
Maine, I understand, or New York. Someone told me that the Cross State
trail ride goes through that area. You can also get down into the the
Townsend, MA, state forest.

Anyhow, the point here is, that if anyone wants to come and park their
trailer in my yard and ride out from my house, feel free to do so anytime.
The only problem is that I have a relatively small yard, and there's not
room for more than 2 or 3 trailers at a time.

I have copies of maps of the area, you can use the outdoor water faucet,
there's a large brook out back if you want to give your horse a bath after,
AND I could have someone to ride with once in a while! (Don't worry that
I'll tag along all the time.) So send me mail if you want directions.

Enjoy the fine weather now!

Julie

Are there any beaches on the Massachusetts shore where horseback
riding is allowed?

Also, are there any public trails in Eastern Mass that feature
soft, sandy terrain where cantering would be comfortable?

Thanks, Dave

	 You can  ride  on  Cranes  Beach,  but  not during the 'summer'
     months which, I think, are something like May thru September.

    You can also ride at Salisbury State Beach, but like Cranes Beach,
    only from September (after Labor Day) thru May (before Memorial
    Day).
    
    The Billerica Horsemen usually have a ride at Salisbury sometime
    around Columbus Day (October).
    
    Roslyn
                             

    Hi Louisa,
    
    I live in Southborough and I have not ridden on the trails in Sudbury
    for many years. Maybe we could get together sometime (weather
    permitting)and time allowing.
    
    terry    dtn 225-5110
    
    ps...I have appy's too.

    I am looking for some interesting, pretty places to ride in the 
    Massachusetts area.  Also, does anyone ride on any of the beaches in
    the South Shore area?  Would appreciate any info.
    
    stephanie

    Sandy Neck Beach on the Cape is a great place to ride.  We go every so
    often.  It is supposedly closed to horses bewteen memorial day and
    labor day.....but this summer I think you could go on it after 6pm.
    
    Someone usually calls before we go down because there are always some 
    strange rumors floating around about their rules.  Unfortunatly, I
    don't have the number, but I think it is located in Sadnwich, MA.
    
    Another great place to ride is Douglas State forest.  From there you
    can hop on the railroad beds and ride to RI or CT (depending on how
    much time you'd want to spend).  WE go there a lot because my
    girlfriend happend to live right on the RR beds.

     re: .1
    
    Both places allow horses, however there arn't any facilities.  So bring
    water ect.
    
    Michele

    
    I wish I had a trailer!  but I do have 800 acres of woods and trails in
    Berlin where I ride..and not to mention an Aquaduc. I can go from
    Berlin to Clinton, Hudson, Northboro and menyothers..if ya ever want to
    come to berlin Id love to show you around... I also know of MEGA trails
    in Stow/Sudbury..but I hve not trailer any more and cant get there
    
    Louisa (Joey and Chipper)

I was all set to go to the NHQHA (New Hampshire Quarter Horse Assoc) trail
pace event at Beaver Brook state park , Suncook N.H.  Until my partner
decided not to go.  I would still like to go its TOMORROW and costs $15.

Any body elso going that I can tag along with? Or who would like to join me?
I'd like to have a relaxed ride (mostly walk and trot).  The ride is 10 miles.

Please send me mail directly as I hope to leave DEC at 4:00 to go get the
trailer ready.

Oh. My horse is in Litchfield N.H. (off of 3A).  I'd discuss picking someone up
if they're not too far out of the way and have a horse that trailers well.

Dani

    
    Rutland State Park is a great place to ride! I stable my horse up
    the road from the entrance. Miles of dirt road and trails.
    
    

    Just went to Douglas state forest, that was very nice indeed.
    
    Also, what is that attractive stretch of trail on the Marlboro,
    Northboro line right by the Northboro Police Station?  Is that
    accessible?  Where and what is it?
    
    stephanie

    I believe the area you are talking about on the MRO/NRO line is
    MDC property, and I pretty sure you arn't supposed to be on that.
    
    Maybe the a call to the Town police will get you a better answer.
    
    M

     
     I'm looking for information on locations in New Hampshire that
    allow a combination of trail riding and overnight camping.  The 
    further north the better.  Spring time is several months away
    but a few folks in the Nashua/Hollis area would like to start
    planning such a trip.  Any information and/or talk of previous
    experiences would be greatly appreciated.
    
     Thanks !
     

Some of the folks in the PATHWORKS group (Littleton MA, LKG2) have been going
for a 1-hour trail ride at Bobby's Ranch (off Rt.2A/119 at Nagog Square in 
Acton, Mass) on Wednesdays over lunch.  Fee is $15.

Reservations are required...  Call Bobby's Ranch (508-263-7165) Tuesday before
5:00 or between 8 and 9AM on Wednesday.  They need to know how many horses to
saddle.

We car-pool from LKG and generally stop at the Deli in Nagog Square or the 
Subway Sub Shop to pick up lunch on the way back.  The car-pool leaves from
LKG2-1 pole R3 promptly at at 11:45 (we'll be the ones wearing cowboy hats!)
or meet us at Bobby's Ranch by 12:00.

    This is a little early but I could use some help finding places to ride
    during the week outside of the Springfield, MA, area.  At least, that's
    where I'll be staying.  I've noticed on my map that the Berkshire's are
    too far and I've heard that there are riding places available up there
    but have no idea how to get a hold of them.  I'd be willing to travel
    but would like to keep it under an hour if possible.  Just lookin' for
    a little R&R unguided western trail ridin'.
    
    I'll be up there for a few days the week of 7/10.
    
    Thanks in advance for anyone's help.
    Craig