Nebraska Horse Trails Committee

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NHTC Officers The NHTC annual meeting was held Sunday January 20, 2008. An election was held for new officers for 2008. They are: Sandy Ries of Malcolm - Chairman Kathy Newberg of Walton - Vice Chairman Pattianne Belitz of Omaha - Secretary Vickie Sich of Grand Island - Treasurer A special thank you to exiting Chairman, Tammy Vasa, for her guidance, support and vision provided to the NHTC.
The Nebraska Horse Trails Committee, a committee of the Nebraska Horse Council, was formed in August of 2000. We are a committee created to unite, educate and represent the equestrian community for the promotion, improvement and development of Nebraska trails for all horse users. Our Mission Statement is: -To conserve and promote enjoyment of horse trail use throughout Nebraska's diverse and scenic landscape. -To create opportunities for the education and cooperation of horse trail users and land owners on the issues involving horses on the natural environment. -To preserve horse trails and natural resources in Nebraska for present and future generations to enjoy . Be a part of the trails committee! If you are interested in joining the Nebraska Horse Trails Committee, please contact us at nhtc@nebraskahorsecouncil.org for more information! New members are always welcome and appreciated! Check the Upcoming Events page of this website for future meeting information and for trail clearing dates. Looking for trail rides? Visit Horse Events, courtesy of Horsetrailriders.com.
Trail Blazing with the NHTC Join the Nebraska Horse Trails Committee as we clear some area horse trails. Click on each location for additional information. Indian Cave State Park April 19th, 2008 MoPac Trail July 20th, 2008 at 8 am Rock Creek Station August 16th, 2008 at 8 am Email Kathy Newberg or call 402-782-8735 with additional questions.
Riders Begin Clearing the Way for More MoPac Miles! On July 20, about twenty volunteers had an awesome day making a new horse trail. Yes, it was hot, humid and miserable, but that didn't seem to dampen their spirits or dedication to working on new trails that we will all ride some day in the near future. NHTC is working with Lower Platte South NRD in establishing the new trail from Elmwood to Wabash. This was our first work day clearing trail. We met at 8:00 am and started clearing in Elmwood, heading east. We cleared almost ¾ mile. Some of my favorite parts of trail clearing are getting to work with other horse people, making new friends and taking a moment and looking back at the corridor we just created! This is one job where you can see what you have accomplished. I know we all feel the same way and just can't describe the awesome feeling it is the see the results of your work and to know it will be there years to come and for others to enjoy. This is going to be one great trail with lots of trees; at times you'll be riding in a canopy of trees. After 4 hours of work we all went to Elmwood's City Park and had a potluck lunch and an NHTC meeting. Thanks to everybody who showed up, worked and sweated to make this happen. Special thanks to Helen Smith and Terry Moran and their children Samantha, Ella, and Riddock, John Musil and his sons Gage, Chase, and Dalton, Tammy Vasa, Tara and her sister Haley, Jamie and Vicki Sich, Sandy Ries, and finally, Ed Mark and his tree eating skid loader which made the work much easier. A special thanks to my hubby, Rich, for giving up another Sunday to help me work on one of my passions. Thanks again everybody. We are planning another work day this fall and will post it when information is available. Hope you'll be able to join us then and see what this is all about. Kathy Newberg Vice Chairman Nebraska Horse Trails Committee
BRANCHED OAK LAKE IS ADDING NEW A HORSE CAMP AND NEW TRAILS Nebraska Game and Parks is working with the Nebraska Horse Trails Committee/Nebraska Horse Council with assistance from the National Park Service's Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program to add a new horse camping area at Area 2, south west end of the lake . Primitive camping will be allowed there now with access to trails on the south side of the Branched Oak Lake . When you pull in to Area 2 (See map on link below) turn left on gravel road following the signs to the archery range. Parking is on the grass field to the west, along the road or around the circle turn when the fields are wet. You need to bring your own water for horses and yourself and there are no bathrooms at this time. Water is available at the Homestead Camping area to fill buckets and barrels, but NO HORSES are allowed in the Homestead Camping area. The trail will go around on the south end of the Homestead Camping area and tie in to the existing trails. Park Superintendent Tom Morrison said that Area 3 (see map) will remain a campsite for horses and they have made the Hiker/Biker trails northeast of Area 3 available to horses. Adding more horse trails at Branched Oak Lake. Area 3 has water and bathrooms available. You may tie to your trailer or put up electric fence at either of these campsites. Mr. Morrison has requested that we no longer use Area 14 by the dam as a parking area for horses. Area 2 will be the new day use parking area for horse trail riders. Tentative future plans for Area 2 are corrals that will be donated by the NHTC, toilets, water, trees and signs. This is just the beginning stage so please be patient. The north trails are becoming multi-use so please be respectful of other trail users and practice shared trail etiquette. To preserve trails, trails may be closed when wet. This is great news for horse trail riders. Please remember to give the Game and Parks and Superintendent Tom Morrison a huge "Thank you!". http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/places/campmaps/maps/branchedoak.pdf
*Trail Time* ...Making Every Moment Count! Trail Time Info Log Trail Time Hours View Trail Time Hours Trail Time is the Nebraska Horse Trails Committee trail riding & driving program. Join Trail Time, set your riding goal and start riding today! Any horse, any time! It is our hopes that enrolling in Trail Time will give you that extra incentive needed to spend quality time with your horse. Whether in your pastures, down the road or on the trails, enjoy all our state has to offer. Arena time is eligible too! Trail Time will provide the NHTC with important data on recreational horse use in our state. These statistics will be used to preserve our current riding resources and for promotion of new trails! Yes, there are awards! Upon completion of the enrollment form & appropriate membership fee, you will receive a Trail Time jacket patch. As you reach each riding milestone, you will be eligible for chevron awards. Awards will be sent out at the end of the year and recognition to those riding in the program will be shown in the Nebraska Horse Expo program. Log your hours ON-LINE! or you may also print log sheets & submit via snail mail. Fees for this riding program are $10 for NHC members & $15 for non-members. Just $5 for each family member. Dues are collected annually and the funds from this program will be used for the improvement and promotion of horse trails in our state and the continued support of this program. Click here to obtain a printable brochure containing complete guidelines to the program and an enrollment form (If unable to open enrollment form, click here for HTML format..) For information on this new program, contact trailtime@nebraskahorsecouncil.org Already a member? Check your hours online!
2007 Friends of Trails Award The Nebraska Horse Trails Committee is pleased to honor one of their own: Kathy Newberg of Walton, Nebraska, founder of the Nebraska Horse Trails Committee for the Friend of Trails Award. In August 2000, Kathy put a small group of trail riding enthusiasts together with the purpose of promoting and maintaining horse trails in our state. From creating educational information for riders to forming necessary partnerships with landowners, Kathy has repeatedly demonstrated her dedication to the organization and to fellow riders. She has worked with authorities to protect riding privileges through compromise and hard work. She has built relationships with public officials which exemplify the unity of our organization and she strives to keep these relationships strong. Click here for more information on the contributions made by this "Friend of Trails".
2007 Friends & Ambassador Award Fred Witte, Park Superintendent at Two Rivers State Park has demonstrated how horse trail riders & park officials can work together to make improvements to our parks. In the summer of 2006, Mr. Witte and his staff cleared a beautiful wooded area which could accommodate horse trailers. They added picnic tables and fire rings and invited horse trail riders to camp there. The new camping/staging area provides a safe separation between other campers and the horse camp. Also in favor of expanding the trails, he guided riders to areas where they could gently cut trails along the river and expand the miles already available at Two Rivers. Click here for more information on the contributions made by this "Friend and Ambassador".
2006 Friends & Ambassador Award This past year, the Nebraska Horse Trails Committee introduced the Friend & Ambassador Award to those persons advocating for equine trails in our state. The recipients for this years awards were Tom Morrison, Park Superintendent of Indian Cave State Park, Wayne Brandt, Park Superintendent of Rock Creek Station State Historical Park, Dan Schultz, Resource Coordinator for the Lower Platte South NRD and Tammy Vasa, webmaster for Horsetrailriders.com. Click here for more information on the contributions made by these "Friends and Ambassadors".
Local Riders Rally for More Trail Miles! Vicki Fraser, chairman of the Equestrian Advisory Committee to the Papio-MO NRD and Randy Lee, Park Superintendent, worked together to open additional equestrian trails at Walnut Creek Lake in Omaha. This park which previous had about 4 miles of trail officially opened an additional 3 miles of trail on July 15, 2006. This group has also been working with the NRD to include a separate equestrian trail next to the walking trail on the MoPac. This new section located between Springfield and Louisville, costing an estimated $72.000, is scheduled to open the fall of 2007. Its great to see riders and park officials working together -- its a win/win situation!		The Nebraska Horse Council and horsetrailriders.com have partnered to list area horse trails in & around Nebraska. And current horse events happening in & around Nebraska. Thank you Tammy!
New Trails & Horse Camp at Two Rivers! The Nebraska Horse Trails Committee would like to recognize and give a round of applause to the management of Two Rivers State Park south of Venice. Not only has Two Rivers been a horse friendly park, management has recently moved from providing just a "horse staging" area to a full blown campsite! Primitive camping is now available for you and your horses at Two Rivers. Be sure and tell the rangers and staff "thank you" from the equine community! In addition to the new horse camp, the Colts & Fillies saddle club have been working on clearing additional trail along the Platte at Two Rivers. Its exciting to see horse clubs getting involved and helping build more miles of trail. We salute the Colts & Fillies!
Thunderstruck Trail Riders Clear Trails & Branched Oak Gives Back! Spring 2008, the Thunderstruck Trail Riders organized a horse trail clearing day at Branched Oak Lake near Raymond. Many members and friends, along with participants from the NHTC, worked in clearing litter and overgrown branches from the horse trail. Good deeds don't go unrewarded. Branched Oak has once again started mowing the trails which go north from the trail head, adding more miles of horse trail to be enjoyed at this picturesque lake! Thanks to the Thunderstruck Riders and to the staff of Branched Oak Lake!
Check Out New Trails at Rock Creek Station! Wayne Brandt, superintendent of Rock Creek Station in Jefferson County has been busy this past winter. A few miles of new horse trails have been cut in the park. The scenic trail takes you along a deep creek. You may recall Wayne Brandt was a recipient of our Friends & Ambassadors award at this past year's Expo.
Our Scrapbook! The Nebraska Horse Trails Committee is a family organization. We welcome families to attend our meetings and trail clearings. We are pleased that many "junior" members have taken an interest in our committee, attend meetings and help to clear the trails. Jud and Jake Buescher have been named "Historians" of the NHTC. In this role, they will record meetings and activities, in their words, from their point of view. Visit the Scrapbook to meet the historians and see their reports.
Where We've Been! Updates & accomplishments through the years are recorded in our NHTC Archives
Trail Sharing Keeps You on the Trails! A message from the Nebraska Horse Trails Committee As trail use is becoming more popular, we all need to be respectful of all trail users. If we follow the rules and guidelines, your trip will be safer and more enjoyable. Here is what we at the Nebraska Horse Trails Committee deem as the Equestrian's Responsibility. Keep to the right of the trail Pass only on the left and announce your intention to pass Stay only on equestrian approved trails Uphill traffic has the right-of-way -- regardless if it is a hiker, biker or horse rider If there is a large group of hikers or bikers, it may be better for the horse to move off the trail until they pass Remember that other trail users may not be familiar with horses or their reaction to new experiences. Your horse may be that trail user's introduction to horses. Remember that many non-equestrians may be afraid of horses and may react unpredictably out of fear. Tell them about your horse if they express an interest. Cheerfully answer questions. On a shared trail, if your horse relieves himself, do the "boot scoot & boogie!" Get off your horse, use your boot to scoot the droppings off the trail. Get back on your horse & boogie on down the trail! Do not clean your trailer in the public parking lot Follow the trail right of way. Bikers yield to hikers and hikers yield to horses. Use common sense. If its easier to move out of the way, do it. Stay off of muddy trails. Riding on muddy trails increases erosion. Always use the designated switchbacks. Bikers can travel at a higher rate of speed than most horses. Be aware that they must watch the trail directly in front of their bike and don't always see that they are coming up on other trail users. Be polite to all trail users. Remember, a horse is a large unknown to most people. A conversation started before reaching another trail user can prevent accidents. Something as simple as a smile and a hello can increase the chance of trail cooperation and goodwill. Understand that bikers and hikers, like riders, are individuals. The actions of one do not typify the actions of all. Remember -- you are an ambassador for the entire equestrian community!
*Contact Info:*	Sandy Ries Kathy Newberg Pattianne Belitz Vickie Sich	*Trail Alert!* Horse trail riders need to take action today!

NEBRASKA HORSE COUNCIL

The

Nebraska Horse Trails Committee