Conference noted::equitation

    I belong to the Arabian Horse Association of Massachusetts and we
    had a couple of folks representing us there last night....hope it
    
    went well.
    

    I ended up not going, however a friend went and he said the amount
    of horsey people who showed up was incredible.  A representitive
    from the forest/parks dept. was there and they addressed the issue
    first.  I guess a memo was issued listing all the activities which
    each state park could allow and could not allow.  Horses were allowed
    in some and were omitted in others.  So the park dept assumed that
    horses wern't allowed.  They will be set straight on the matter.
    
    The reason Rutland does not allow horses is because the MDC took
    control of it again, and MDC does not allow any horses on their
    property (w/ exception of their own).  
    
    the story I heard, prior to the meeting was a little stretched,
    but the point was the same.
    
    The outcome was, as of now we don't have a problem, but there may
    be one in the future.
    
    Also for those riding in Douglas state forest, watch out for the
    police praticing drills (cars and gun types).  A few riders
    got in the middle of one last weekend, I don't want to say
    to much for this is 2nd hand info....but this issue was addressed
    and the police are supposed be praticing drill in another area.
    Please be careful!
    
    If I get more info, or if anyone has better/more please post it
    here.
    
    Thanks
    
    Michele
    

    So supposedly we're not to ride in MDC land? Well, I'm glad Jaspie
    can't read. I use the attitude that DEC has. It's easier to appologize
    for something you did than to ask permission. Hence......
    
    Besides, if they don't allow horses, then they better not allow ATV's,
    trail bikes and snowmobiles since they do more damage than a horse
    would.
    
    				Cindy
    

    
    
    State land, huh?  I believe that belongs to the people of this
    state, right?
    
    Incredible how some people think they have more rights than
    others.  Maybe stepping in some road apples would be good for
    some of them.
    
    

    
    I have always ridden on MDC property,  although I knew it wasn't
    really allowed.  The MDC (in my area anyways) is concerned with
    the water quality (ie:  quabbin aqueduct watershed).
    
    Kathy

    Do bears S**t in the woods?
                 
    
    

	I belong to the Littleton Horse Owners' Association, and we have
	a couple of club members who regularly attend the meetings I
	believe you're talking about. The Mass state bureaucracy involved
	here is the Department of Environmental Management (DEM). The
	DEM has regular meetings (once or twice a month) in Auburn, MA.
	This month they are also having one in Gardner.

	At any rate, I've been informed that the ONLY state land closed to
	horses is Walden Pond. And that's due to the problem of overuse -
	there are just too many people there hiking and swimming, and they
	have to cut out someone...so it's horses and riders. [No comment.]

	Apparently, there is a yearly brochure put out listing all of the
	uses of each state park, and horseback riding was left off the
	description of most of the parks because it was not a PRIMARY use,
	and some of the rangers/wardens/caretakers of the parks decided
	that riding was not a use at all. Since then, the DEM has notified
	all park officials that horses are allowed.

	I was also told that at the last meeting, horse people outnumbered
	all the other people (snowmobilers, hikers, campers, rv'ers, etc)
	at about 4 to 1. So, we're well-represented.

	If you'd like more info about DEM and the meetings, let me know
	and I can probably dig it up somewhere.

	-julie

 
    RE: .7
    
     
    that sounds like what we were told.  about 15 people from my area
    were present, and more were willing to go if it meant taking our
    riding away.
    
    BTW, where is Walden pond?

    re: .8
    
    Where are you from?  Walden Pond was Thoreau's retreat.  It's on
    Rt. 126, right off Rt. 2 and I believe it is in Concord on the
    Concord/Lincoln line.
    
    Thoreau would not recognize the place today.  As for riding there,
    when I go riding in the woods, I do it to enjoy my horse and the
    ride in peace.  I don't think there's much peace and quiet at
    Walden Pond these days.
    
    

    
    RE: 0.9
    
    	That is what I thought, but was not real sure.
    
    	I am in Upton Ma.  The back yard is Upton State Forest.  We
    	also ride a lot in Douglas, and several people we know were
    	'victims' of the list which omitted horses from Douglas state
    	Forest.

    I received my copy of the Equine Journal last week and saw an article
    on this subject.  It acually listed the parks and state properties
    that were closed to horseback riding.  The article gave an address
    and suggested that those concerned write to it and voice their
    opinion.  Well, now I have my Horseman's Yankee Pedlar in front of
    me and it tells the same facts explained in 832.7.  It was all a
    misunderstanding.  The parks brochure simply omitted horseback riding
    as an activity allowed in the parks as an effort to 'clean up the
    brochure'.  Unfortunately some people including Park officers did
    not understand that the brochure is only for information - not 
    a policy statement.  The only Park that no longer permits horseback
    riding is Rutland.  And that is only due to the fact that the DEM
    was only leasing the MDC property.    
    
    I hope that this article in the Pedlar represents the true facts.
    I have both articles if anyone is interested in the details.
    
    

    Here is something from the latest AHAM newsletter:

    "A State Trails Advisory Meeting was help July 20, 1989 at the 
    visitors center at Mt Wachusett. These meetings are open to the
    public and are held every other month, with people representing 
    various trail user groups in attendance." [Bikers, ATV, XC skiers,
    etc]. "The largest group attending this particular meeting was
    horsemen, [making up] almost half the total number [of attendees]."
    "DEM employees gave a brief overview of what was going on in their
    region of state parks and forests. Also, 'Trails for Today and
    Tomorrow', a video presentation based on a successful trail system
    located in northern California, was shown, followed by an open 
    discussion. Most horsemen would like to see the state adopt a 'multi-
    use' trail system rather than a 'designated use' system which is
    currently in place (but not strictly enforced). Horsemen hold the
    opinion that they would rather share 100 miles of trails with other
    user groups than have only 10 miles strictly for riders only. If
    you are interested in trail issues, plan on attending the next 
    meeting September 21 at 7pm in the Mt. Wachusett Visitors Center."
    

  This is from the Equine Journal March issue:

  "The ability to ride one's own horses in Acadia National Park,
   a longstanding tradition, is now in danger of being lost. 
   Planning Documents regarding the future of Acadia National Park
   are now available. Included is what will become of the carriage
   roads, an integral part of the Park System. Suggestions include
   turning the roads over to become hiking and/or biking trails.
   A program is being debated that may require anyone wishing to
   ride in the Park to rent horses from a local concessionaire
   contracted to provide horses in the Park. There is a very real
   possibility that in the near future, we will not be allowed the
   pleasure of using our own horses, but will have to ride those
   stabled in the Park.

   It appears there is some confusion here. Mr Jack Hauptman, 
   Superintendent of the Park, has reassured some individuals there
   will be horses in the Park. That isn't the point in question. The
   point is -- whose horses will they be? I'm sure I speak for others
   when I say if I have three of my own standing at home, I'm 
   certainly not going somewhere to ride where I have to rent someone
   else's horse.

   We need public support, in writing, to the Superintendent, the 
   Regional Director, and your Senators and Congressmen to let them
   know we feel it is very important to not take away the enjoyment 
   of riding our own horses in Acadia National Park.

   Get out your pens and paper, and send your protests to:

   National Park Service
   US Dept of the Interior
   North Atlantic Regional Office
   Attn: Gerald Pattent
   15 State Street
   Boston, MA 02109

   Mr Jack Hauptman, Superintendent
   Acadia National Park
   PO Box 177
   Bar Harbor, ME 04609

   Signed,
   Deborah A Scates,
   South China, Maine"
   

    Thanks for putting that article here. When my husband and I were in
    Acadia last Summer we stopped in to the stables there (I think it's
    called Wildwood) to ask about bringing our horses. The stable manager
    showed us blueprints of the new barn he was planning to build to house
    park visitors' horses in box stalls. He was also planning to build
    discount motel-type rooms for the horses' owners. Presently, you can
    bring your horses and use their tie stalls, use portable stalls you
    bring, or tie them up. You have to camp out yourself on the premises.
    
    I'm amazed that there has been such a wide shift in the park's plans in
    the space of less than a year.