Massabesic
Forest Trail
The
Hollis Equestrian Park is located near the Massabesic Experimental
Forest, which is land owned by the U.S. Forest Service and is
open to recreation by the public. Please keep in mind that we
only provide a place for parking and unloading horses and do
not maintain the trails and are not responsible for trail conditions.
RIDE RESPONSIBLY AND AT YOUR OWN RISK.
WE
ALSO SUGGEST THAT YOU DO NOT RIDE YOUR HORSE OVER ANY
BRIDGES IN THE MASSABESIC WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE BRIDGE ON
THE MAIN ROAD.
The
first part of the trail is on private property. These landowners
have graciously allowed us to ride on their property but have
requested no ATV use, no dogs, and no littering (that goes without
saying!)
ATVs,
mountain bikers and hikers also use the trails in the Massabesic
Forest. Most are polite and will yield to horses, but there are
a few out there who don't know that horses always have the right
of way. BE PREPARED TO MEET OTHER USERS AND KNOW YOUR HORSE.
Trailriding
101
For
those of you who are new to trail riding here are a few tips
from Judy St.Onge:
1.
Ride with a buddy when possible.
2. Cell phone reception is "sketchy" on some parts
of the Massabesic.
3. ATV and mountain bike riders tend to look at the trail directly
in front of them - chances are you will see or hear them long
before they notice you, so move off the trail if you can. (Yes,
they ARE supposed to yield to horses, but if they don't see you
in time, you could end up in a wreck.)
4. Bicycles don't make much noise coming up behind you (on the
trail or on the road) and cause more horses to spook than motorized
vehicles! Keep an eye out for them and turn your horse to look
at them if you don't think he hears one coming.
5. Remember that you are an ambassador for the entire horse community
while on shared trails. Other trail users may not be familiar
with horses and their reactions. Use any opportunity to politely
educate them. (Like asking cyclists to call out and make their
presence known when approaching a horse from behind!)
6. If riding in a group or if overtaken by faster trail users,
move to the right and allow them to pass.
7. If you want to pass a slower trail user (horse or otherwise)
first announce your intention to pass and give them a chance
to move to the side of the trail to allow you to pass safely.
8. If riding with inexperienced riders or horses ALWAYS ride
considerately. In a group, stay at a pace that is comfortable
for the least experienced horse or rider.
9. Never try to lead your horse over a ditch or water. I've seen
more people get knocked down trying to do this than I can count.
Stay mounted and give your horse plenty of time to relax and
look things over. If it is a narrow ditch or brook, be prepared
for him to jump across!
10. Practice obstacles at home before trailering away for a trail
ride.
11. Oh, and don't clean out your trailer in the parking lot!
Here are a few things that I have found handy to have on the
trail - even on a short ride. I can fit most of this stuff in
a fanny pack, which I keep packed and ready to go in my tack
box:
Halter
and lead rope - the halter can be worn under the bridle and the
lead tied to the saddle. On an english saddle I snap a mountain
climbers clip on the D-ring and loop my lead through that.
Bug Spray - people spray also works on horses in a pinch.
Hoof Pick
Duct Tape - wrapped around a dowel to save space. Use it to hold
a loose shoe on or to tape up a hoof that has lost a shoe.
Water - in a squirt bottle can double as a wound wash or eye
wash.
Bandaids- for you
Vetrap - for you or your horse
Small tube of Vasaline- good for chapped lips, better for saddle
sores
Leather Shoelace - handy for bridle repairs
Leatherman Tool - trust me, you'll feel like you can handle any
emergency with one of these on your belt! (Cheap dept. store
models also work fine)
Cell Phone- I put mine in a case that clips to my belt and also
has a loop that I run my belt through for good measure. (Always
carry your cell phone on your person - it won't do you any good
if it's galloping towards home with your horse!)
Luggage Tag - attached to your saddle with your name, address,
cell phone #, home #, your best horse friends #, etc. If you've
ever been thrown and had your horse take off for parts unknown,
you'll know why this is a really good idea.
Helmet - (on your head, not in your fanny pack). Not only are
helmets great for protecting your head in a fall, they also shade
your eyes and keep your head from being whacked by low hanging
branches. Also, since they are strapped on, they can't get knocked
off. (This is pretty important for short people with tall horses).
Asprin - especially for those of you who ignore the helmet suggestion.
(Also good for after the ride!)
