Nebraska Horse Trails Committee
Archives
From our files ......
Cunningham Lake's Rainwood Drive to Stay
Open!
Over 30 riders joined a rally with other trail users are
Cunningham Lake in Omaha on Sunday, January 22 to demonstrate to officials the
importance of the trails on this lake. Rainwood Road is in dire needs of repairs
with badly broken up asphalt and pot holes. The proposal was to close this road
and sell it to a private land owner. Although neglected by the city, this
entrance is used by horse trail riders, especially to accommodate larger rides.
There was talk of putting in a larger parking lot from the Hwy 36 entrance.
However, trail users feared this would ruin the aesthetics of the wooded portion
of the trail. At a city council meeting held last week, it was announced that
Rainwood Road would stay open and the private land owner would work with the
city in providing funding for much needed repairs. NHTC Chairman, Mike Anderson,
reported that the NHTC would be available for consultation should there be any
changes requested for the horse trail. Thanks to all trail riders who
wrote letters and emails supporting Rainwood Road and our riding privilege on
Cunningham Lake.
Oak Creek Trail Open to Brainard!
This fall, the final four miles of the Oak Creek Trail are now open to
horses! The trail continues from Loma to Brainard, following open fields and
native grasslands. Enjoy the beauty of Butler County on this last extension of
the Oak Creek Trail! The volunteers once again made it happen!
Pawnee Lake Improvements
Officials at Pawnee Lake near Emerald showed their support to equestrians by
grading some dry creek areas for the horses to use. The trail, which now goes
completely around Pawnee had been a concern due to some foot bridges not meant
for horse traffic. The area graded diverts the horses from the bridges and
provides safe crossings. And this success story only took a phone call!
Rock Creek/Rock Glen Work Day Update!
The NHTC had a work day at Rock Creek & Rock Glen near Fairbury. We were pleased to have volunteers come for some much needed trail maintenance. Special thanks to Mary & Dwight Hanson of Ithaca for organizing the day. Volunteers attending were Trudy Adams of Roca, Sharron Ankersen of Colon, Soni Hydo & her daughter and Leigh Freeman & her daughter, all of Beatrice, Nathan Murray of Courtland, Ed Mark family of Exeter and Pattianne Belitz of Omaha. These volunteers worked with park rangers Wayne & Jeff in Rock Creek and Brad in Rock Glen. Thank you for giving back to Nebraska horse trails!
NHTC Salutes the Seward County Posse!
When the Seward County Posse (SCP) heard of our efforts to raise funds for corrals at Rock Creek, they made a substantial donation to the cause. You may recall the SCP provided security for Expo last year! The Nebraska Horse Council & Nebraska Horse Trails Committee would like to salute the Seward County Posse and thank them for their interest and support in and of our organization!
SUPPORT RECREATIONAL RIDING AND RIGHT-TO-RIDE
Important legislation has been introduced to ensure recreational riders have access to public grounds and we need your help to pass it. Click here for information & please, pass it on!
This Trail is Ours to Lose…. A message from NHTC chairperson, Kathy Newberg
I received an email today stating that equestrians are close to losing some horse trails in Nebraska because of their attitude that “we have ridden here forever, and plan on continuing to do so’. It seems they took it upon themselves to cut a fence that had been placed by the park personal and remove signage. Yes, it was horse people: they admitted doing it
We have got to change this attitude and change it now. Riding on public trails is not a right, it’s a privilege. And it is a privilege that we could lose. I, myself have heard horse people say that they plan to ride where they want and when they want, because they have been riding there forever and they have no plans to change! It only takes a few to ruin it for everyone. The landowners and caretakers of these horse trails do know when people do not stay on the designated trails, they do know when fences are cut and they do know when we liter.
Please let’s work at changing this attitude and be respectful of our privilege to ride on these public trails. We can not afford to lose another inch of trail. We all need to be responsible for following the rules and educating other trail users. Remember we are all ambassadors for the entire horse community.
Corrals Installed at Rock Creek Station!
The Nebraska Horse Trails Committee is pleased to announce the horse corrals have been installed at Rock Creek Station equestrian camp near Fairbury. Come on out, ride the trails and use the corrals! A great way of partnering with our Game & Parks friends! Thanks to everyone who played a part in raising funds for this important project!
Rock Creek Station Corral Goal
Reached!
The Nebraska Horse Trails Committee is working with Rock Creek Station State Historical Park to provide and install several horse corrals at their equestrian camp. All funds for this project needed to be donated. We are pleased to announce that we have reached our goal in contributions which will enable us to proceed with this project!
Saturday, April 30th, the NHTC partnered with 3V Stables in Ashland and held a benefit game day! About 75 riders came out to participate in speed events and mounted games on horse back. Mary Hanson was on hand with her Morgans and provided carriage rides to the "horseless". In addition, she demonstrated that she, too, could perform games of speed!
Proceeds from the event will be used to match the National Park Service's
Challenge Cost Share Grant. A special thanks to all the horse people who
came to our event. We couldn't of done it without you!
The NHTC would like to thank Greg & Cindy Vossler for donating the arena, Tim Kirkpatrick for being our entertaining announcer, and Jimmy DeVoll and his mini-donkey 'Goat' for entertaining the crowd. The event was organized by Horsetrailriders.com. In addition, area businesses -- whom we consider friends of horse trails -- donated items to a silent auction that was held during the games. This extra effort was instrumental in achieving the goal! We would like to thank these businesses. Please show your thanks by supporting their business and their products and services!
3V Stables, 920 CR 4, Ashland, NE (402) 944-4120 www.3vstables.com; Ameritas Life Insurance Corp, Lincoln, NE, (402) 467-1122 www.ameritas.com; Bomgaars Supply, 441 E 1st St, Wahoo, NE, (402) 443-1177 http://www.bomgaars.com/ Bronco Billy’s Tack, 19918 205th, Council Bluffs, IA (712) 322-7057;The Fort, 5601 S 56th St, Lincoln, NE (402) 421-3678 H2Optimal, Mary & Dwight Hanson, Ithaca, NE (402)-623-4247Horse-o-meter, PO Box 602, Atkinson, NE www.horseometer.com Horsetrailriders.com, Tammy Vasa, www.horsetrailriders.com JR’s Jewelry & Gifts, 721 S. 72, Omaha, NE JTV Manufacturing, Sutherland, IA, (888) 695-3636, www.jtvmfg.com Julie Baker, Whispering Oaks, Nickerson, NE Lucky D Tack Shop, 21689 Northstar Dr, Gretna, NE (402) 332-3603 Nebraska Game & Parks, 2200 N 33rd, Lincoln, NE http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/ Northwest Feeds, 8625 Military Rd, Omaha, NE (402) 571-0305 Purina Mills, www.purinamills.com Scheels All Sport, 2960 Pine Lake Rd, Lincoln, NE (402) 420-9000 The Seward County Posse, Seward, NE Shanahan Stables, Davey, NE Sundowner of NE, 13608 238th St, Greenwood, (402)-944-7386 Tack N Togs, 3700 Adams St Ste 3, Lincoln, NE (402) 466-4114 www.horsetrailriders.com/tackntogs.htm TO Haas Tire, PO Box 81067, Lincoln, NE (402) 474-1525 Tractor Supply Company, 9630 Ida St, Omaha, NE (402) 571-2575 Washco Feed, 217 N 10th St, Blair, NE, (402) 426-2620 Wyatt’s Western Shop, 500 S. Main St., Fremont, NE (402) 753-0227
Look for Big Changes at Rock Glen WMA
near Fairbury, Nebraska!
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s (NGPC) District VI staff is working to
restore tall grass prairie at the Rock Glen Wildlife Management Area. This is
being accomplished by removing invasive trees such as red cedar, honey locust,
elm, and mulberry trees that have invaded and taken over many of the grassland
areas. Gerry Steinauer, Plant Heritage Specialist for the NGPC has stated
that, “There is only one percent of tall grass prairie left in Nebraska.” Rock
Glen is one site in the Great Plains that offers a wonderful opportunity for
restoration of native prairie.
The restoration work also improves habitat for deer, turkey, quail, prairie
chicken, and numerous non-game species. The cedar trees have been cut down and
piled and will be removed during winter and spring controlled burns said area
manager Brad Seitz, Fish and Wildlife Biologist with NGPC. Some cedars and the
native Bur Oaks will remain. Grazing will continue to be a management tool
used to initiate forb growth and rejuvenate various native grass species. The
area has been divided into 6 pastures to allow intense rotational grazing on
one or two pastures per year. Most of the grazing will be early season to
reduce spread of unwanted cool season grasses such as smooth brome, bluegrass,
and fescue. Grazing generally will be for a 4 – 8 week period.
What does this mean for horseback riders? The changes will cast a very
different look and feel to Rock Glen. Combined with the seasonal restrictions
set by NGPC last fall, they are also establishing new trails to prevent
erosion and wildlife disturbance. Seitz has proposed a new lay out for trails
for use this spring. The first phase of trails will start with service roads
and firebreaks. Nebraska Horse Trails Committee (NHTC) and other horse groups
will be working with the NGPC staff to lay out more trails that will take
horse riders and other trails users back into the trees and canyons. We will
be looking at ways to realign trails that minimize erosion.
NGPC
and NHTC will be asking for help later this season to help create and
establish these new trails. Please plan to volunteer your assistance so you
can continue to ride in the diverse settings on Rock Glen.
Seitz states that the WMA is constructing three kiosks that will be at entry
points into Rock Glen and will have information and maps, and the trails will
be marked. NGPC personnel will depend on horse riders to report any problems
on the trails. These can include gates left open when they should be closed,
downed fences, or trail surface damage.
Despite the fact that the trail-riding season has been shortened, there will
still be cases where hunters will be present when horses are allowed on the
site. Seitz said to keep a positive relationship between horseback riders and
hunters NGPC asks that if a horseback rider sees a hunter, remain quiet, turn
and head the opposite direction as to not disturb his/her hunting. Seitz also
asks riders to please remove litter and do not put flags or ribbon in the
trees. The trails will be permanently marked with blue painted stakes similar
to the U.S. Forest Service markers.
Trail riders of Rock Glen all knew changes were coming. Brad Seitz says “the
area will look rough right now but in 10 years after a continued management
practice of controlled burning and managed grazing it will be a really neat
prairie /oak grassland.” Riding the restored oak savannah prairie will be a
unique riding experience in the future.
We are not totally happy with all the changes, but we are lucky we can
continue to have a place as diverse and beautiful as Rock Glen to ride. As
ambassadors for the horse community, we must maintain a positive relationship
with land mangers like NGPC and work to maintain and increase horse trails.
Please share this information with your fellow trail riders and plan to
volunteer.
Pine Ridge Update
Kathy Newberg, chairman of the NHTC, spoke with Charlie Marsh, District
Ranger, of the Pine Ridge Ranger District. She said Mr. Marsh states that the
Recreational Strategy study indicated that instead of spending time and effort
on developed recreational sites such as camp grounds that have little use,
they need to look at dispersed sites such as Soldier Creek and Robert’s
Trailhead, to concentrate management efforts. Mr. Marsh states this work could
begin as early as this fall. Mr. Marsh also stated they are considering
charging fees for use of these areas, but nothing has been made definite at
this time. Kathy believes paying a fee to be able to keep beautiful trails
open to horse and other trail users would well be worth the money and concurs
this sounds like a positive thing for horse trail users. Kathy went on to say
that any time they are working on horse trails, we should be grateful and let
the trail managers know how we feel. So be sure and say a good word the next
time you see a Forest Service Ranger.
Thanks to 43 volunteers, the final 2 miles of the Oak Creek Trail was cleared for horses this past Saturday, April 16. This project, going into its 4th year, was a partnership between the NRD and the NHTC to clear a total of 7 miles from Valparaiso to Loma. The horse trail runs parallel with the hiking/biking trail. Volunteers began arriving in Loma as early as 9:00, equipped with chain saws, nippers, clippers and elbow grease. In addition, there were 3 skid loaders and 2 four wheelers contributing to the efforts. Thank you all for your efforts!
The crew broke for a soup lunch and chairman, Kathy Newberg, had a short meeting to introduce new members to the NHTC. Nebraska Horse Council president, Rich Newberg, encouraged volunteers to get involved with our horse council!
Please come and ride our new trails at the Oak Creek Trail!. You will find a variety of terrain. Most generally, the trails run in the grass, along tree or fence lines. There are some bridges you will need to cross. Toward the west end, you will find more hills and low areas. Although there are some areas where riding on the limestone is necessary, to be respectful of other trail users - and as per our agreement with the NRD -, we ask horse trail riders to stay on the horse trails where marked! Thank you, volunteers, for making this happen! A complete list of volunteers will be listed here shortly!
News from the 2005 Nebraska Horse Expo!
Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth at the Horse Expo. It was exciting to meet fellow trail riders and share with you the progress we have made with horse trails in our state and tell you about our future projects. Thank you for donating to the Rock Creek Station corral project. Janelle Stelk was the winner of the Big Canyon gift certificate. Winners of the park permits were Leigh Ann Freeman and Ed Mark! Thank you all for your contributions!
Corrals Installed at Indian Cave State Park!
Indian Cave State Park, near Shubert, has always
been a friend to equestrians. Boasting well maintained, shaded trails
and a wide assortment of wildlife, the park is always a favorite to riders.
The new trails afford us a view of the Missouri River in an area previously
closed to horses. Follow marked signs! This new area is
being introduced to horse trail riders on a trial basis. It is
important trail riders adhere to the signs and stay on the trail. And
we MUST clean up any manure that would fall on the roadway when crossing to
the north trail.
Park superintendent, Tom Morrison, worked with members of NHTC in planning for the placement of the corrals and signage for the new trails. The project was funded by the Nebraska Horse Council and installation of the corrals was a cooperative effort between park management and the NHTC.
New Officers Elected for Nebraska Horse Trails Committee
On
Wednesday, December 1, the Nebraska Horse Trails Committee held their end of the
year meeting which included officer elections for 2005. Fourteen
members were present. New officers are:
Kathy Newberg of Walton,
Chairman, Mike Anderson of Blair, Vice Chairman, Pattianne Belitz of Omaha,
Secretary and Vickie Sich of Grand Island, Treasurer. A special thanks to
out-going Chairman, Jamie Sich, for his service for the last two years!
Minutes to the annual meeting
are now available on-line.
Natural Resources District Recognizes Trail Builders
New Trail Opportunity in Eastern Nebraska
Lincoln, NE (October 20, 2004) - The Nebraska Horse Council's Horse Trails
Committee volunteers recently complete clearing 13 miles of back country to
create the Oak Creek Natural Trail. The natural surface path parallels the
hard surface biker/hiker trail. The National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and
Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program provided information on trail design
and location to minimize impact while creating a challenging trail for both
horseback riders and mountain bikers. The trail takes advantage of the rolling
hills, scenic valleys, and open plains of eastern Nebraska. The trail opened
this past spring and was the site of the 2004 Mother's Day Trail Ride.
Fifty-nine women and three men rode the entire route from Valparaiso to Loma,
NE and back. Oak Creek Trail, located entirely in a rural setting, has been
recognized as a positive economic benefit in the small rural communities where
trailheads are located. The Lower Platte South Natural Resources District
presented the Horse Trails Committee of the Nebraska Horse Council with a
special recognition award for their work on the trail. For more information,
please contact Mary Hanson, RTCA Outdoor Recreation Planner, at
mary_hanson@nps.gov or
402-661-1554.
The
Horse Trails Committee of the Nebraska Horse Council was honored by the Lower
Platte South NRD Board of Directors Wednesday, October 20, for their efforts in
establishing an equestrian trail within the Oak Creek Trail Corridor. The
12-mile corridor stretches between Valparaiso and Brainard. A 7-mile segment
between Valparaiso and Loma is nearly completed.
Update on Rock Glen WMA
The Nebraska Game and Park Commission approved the recommendations made by the
Wildlife Management Area to change some of the horse back riding times and
places at Rock Glen in Jefferson County. Horses will be allowed in Rock Glen
beginning May 10th through October 22nd each year. Horses will be restricted to
designated marked trails only. Parties of five or more need to obtain a special
permit. (During hunting season in these specified times, riding is permitted
only from 9:30 am until 3:30 pm . It is our understanding that would be only 2
weeks of the above stated allotted time. )
This is disappointing news as we all love riding Rock Glen and enjoying the
beauty there. We are, however, thankful they are working with us for horse trail
use. It is important that we remember Rock Glen's primary use is hunting and
wildlife. So it is very important that we follow these guidelines or in the
future they may make even stricter restrictions.
The Commission is willing to work with equestrians on establishing and
maintaining some of the trails. Because it is a wildlife area, the law will not
allow the Commission to spend wildlife dollars. So we as an equestrian community
will need to work together with the Commission. The Nebraska Horse Trails
Committee will meet with some of the Commissioners and Wildlife staff in the
near future and get ideas of what we as equestrians can do to help.
Please note that these restrictions DO NOT apply to Rock Creek Station. Horse
trail riders, as always, are welcomed and encouraged to enjoy the trails in Rock
Creek Station as we have in the past!
Nebraska National Forest / Bessey Ranger
District-- near Halsey
Minutes To Meetings