Even under the best of circumstances, things can go wrong on a trail ride. When bad things happen, it is our responsibility to make certain we have done all that we can to prepare for a worst case scenario. Please practice these safety precautions.

• Keep your cell phone on your person, not on your saddle.  If you and your horse part company, you will have your phone to call for help.

• Put ICE in your cell phone contacts list.  ICE is an acronym for In Case of Emergency.  Include an emergency contact (or several) along with a list of medications, health issues, and any allergies to medications that you may have.

• Know where you are.  We have gone to great lengths to mark and name the trails.  Your ability to tell EMS where you are could save your life or that of a fellow trail rider.  Pay attention to landmarks such as farm names, road signs, stream crossings, and your general direction of travel.

• Do not go around fallen trees. If you can't step over it, turn around and report it. There are a number of reasons to follow this safety precaution:

          1. Stepping off a well-trod trail may cause your horse to step into a ground wasp                            nest.

Clinician John Lyons' frequently reminds riders to, "Ride where you can, not where you can't." Make sure you and your horse are sufficiently trained to venture out on the trails. Practice with your horse in a controlled environment at home so that he is obedient and willing to follow through on whatever may be asked of him on the trail so that when you encounter potentially dangerous situations, both you and your horse are practiced enough to handle the unexpected.

• If you are allergic, always carry an Epi Pen when you will be in areas where there could be yellow jackets.

• If someone is stung, hives appear and they are wheezing or having difficulty breathing call 9-1-1 and give them a shot of epinephrine if they carry an Epi Pen.

• If you only have a local reaction, treat at home with a cold compact and Benadryl, and watch for any signs of a more serious reaction.

• If hives appear at the sight of the sting, watch very carefully for signs of the person developing difficulty breathing.

• If you are stung, DO NOT PANIC - the vast majority of people who are stung by yellow jackets are not allergic and have a very minor reaction.

source: http://www.multicare.org/news/5-tips-to-treat-yellow-jacket-stings-signs-bee-allergy/ 

From Cotton Patch to the Hooker Ridge Trails

Access Jackie's Bottom Trail off South River Road near the bridge by turning west onto the trail. Riders may access this trail by parking on River Road in the pull off area just east of South River Road or by parking in the designated pull off on Hooker Road then riding on River Road to South River Road.

Follow Jackie's Bottom Trail along the Pacolet River (river will be on your right). At the end of Jackie's Bottom Trail, riders may take the fork to the right onto TJ's Trace and stay along the river or turn left onto Olympic Trail passing between the two back pastures of Cotton Patch. TJ's Trace comes back into Olympic trail.

Cross over the creek and take an immediate right onto Riverside Lounge. At the river, turn right onto the River Crossing. Cross the river to the trail slightly downstream from where you entered. On the opposite bank, go to the directional sign and turn left on the Ag Tract. Follow the trail along the Ag Tract with the river on your left. At the end of the field, the trail turns right toward Scriven Road. Ride up the embankment and onto Scriven Road.

Cross the road and take Glen Trail up the hill. This trail winds through the woods and is part of Cotton Patch. Toward the end, the trail snakes back and forth on an incline coming out onto Hooker Ridge Trail.

Turn left onto Hooker Ridge Trail. Follow the trail through the open field (undeveloped home site, Lot A of Cotton Patch, LLC). There is a green electrical junction box and a high yellow diamond on a tree where the trail continues across the field. Stay on this trail to George Day Trail.

Turn Right onto George Day Trail. This is an old logging road that follows Hooker Road. At the "Y" intersection, take Ground Cedar Trail up the hill to the right back to Hooker Ridge Trail.

At the top, ride across the open area and turn left onto Hooker Ridge Trail. This is a gravel driveway to access Lot C of Cotton Patch, LLC. Continue to the bottom of the driveway. There is a cable across the driveway. Carefully ride around the post on the left and onto Scriven Road. See note below for another way to the Ag Tract.*

Turn right onto Scriven Road and ride toward the Ag Tract. Turn left through the opening in the fence at the Ag Tract. Stay to the left along the edge of the field, following the trail as it follows the river. Cross the small creek between the two fields and keep left around the next field. Ride to the post with River Crossing sign. Turn left and ford the river. Return on Riverside Lounge and retrace the path to your trailer.

About this loop

All of the trails listed in this ride are signed and marked.

The Hooker Ridge Trails are part of Cotton Patch. There are 3 homesites along the ridge. One site is developed (the site in the middle) while the two end lots are undeveloped lots that are for sale. The center lot is owned by John and Catherine Ernst. The beautiful post and beam barn on Scriven Road across from the Ag Tract is part of the Ernst property.

*As you approach Scriven Road, instead of riding around the gate post, there is an alternate route off the driveway (Hooker Ridge Trail). Near the last bend in the driveway, the trail crosses the driveway. Low C Trail is to the left which goes back to Ground Cedar off of Hooker Road. Scriven Road Trail goes to the right and comes out onto Scriven Road at the entrance to the Ag Tract Trail. A word of caution about Scriven Road Trail and Low C Trail:

• Both trails are very steep in several places.
• Both trails cross the gasline easement on a ledge trail. Anyone afraid of heights should not ride these trails.
• These are challenging trails for a brave horse and experienced rider.

FETA has four official parking areas.  The entire system of trails may be accessed from these lots.

Go 1.5 miles, then turn right onto Bomar Road (look for the Land Mart on the corner).

Go one short block, turn right onto Prince Road.

Follow Prince Road for approximately 1.5 miles.

Turn left onto Hunting Country Road (just before the I-26 overpass).

Follow Hunting Country Road for approximately 3/4 mile.

Equestrian Center entrance, Mane Gate Lane, will be on the left just before the I-26 underpass.

For the main FENCE entrance for the FENCE Center, hiking trails and TROT barn, continue on Hunting Country Road under the I-26 underpass to the main FENCE gates on your right.

Hooker Road
Located just past the intersection of Old River Road and Hooker Road, along the right side of the road, just before the pipeline.  Rondo Ridge and Cotton Patch areas are accessible from this parking area.

Peniel Road Parking
Located on Peniel Road, 3/4 of a mile west of the intersection of Henderson Road, Luther Durham Road, and Peniel Road.  Situated on the edge of a hay field, riders are reminded to keep to the designated parking. Do not drive or ride your horses in the field.

Scriven Road Parking

Parking is available on Scriven Road, just east of Markham Road and west of the Scriven Plantation home.  This parking area provides access to the Scriven Trails back to Cotton Patch or hack along Scriven Road to the Glen Trail on Hooker Ridge or the Ag Tract at Cotton Patch.  Follow Scriven Road to Hooker Road to access the Rondo Ridge Trails.

In addition, there are unofficial parking areas. They are:

Finally Farm

Located on Carriage Row, just before the intersection with Hunting Country Road.  Several trails may be accessed.  You may ride along Carriage Row when trails are closed.  Riding on the roads is permissible when the trails are closed but be aware that you may not use a FETA trail to get to the road.  Do not tie to fences.  Never tie your horse to anything they can pull loose from in the event of a panic.  Horses have been known to pull away from fences that remain attached to the lead rope.  Compounding the flight response is the object chasing them which usually results in injury.

Fields Edge

Park along the fence near the Morgan Chapel Bridge.  Do not ride across the short end of the field. The Field's Edge trail is currently closed.  Ride River Road in either direction to access FETA trails.  Cross the Morgan Chapel Bridge to access trails to FENCE (left after crossing the bridge) or the Underpass Trail (right after crossing bridge).  Check the trail status line for updates on the Underpass Trail. Do not tie to the fence.

River Road

A favorite parking area is on River Road almost to the western end, just past Appaloosa Lane.  There is a pull off there.  Access Rondo Ridge, Cotton Patch, and Hays Hollow.  You can back track down River Road, cross the river, and ride River's Edge from there.

Remember that you may not ride when trails are closed.  Information about vehicles, the date/time, vehicle tag numbers, both truck and trailer, are usually recorded  by someone passing by in case a question arises which FETA needs to address.  We take the protection of the best trail system on the East Coast seriously.  Thank you for your help in maintaining it with us.