| Preserving the legacy trails of the Carolina foothills hunting country |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our annual New Member Potluck picnic is just around the corner. I look forward to seeing everyone there and enjoying lots of good eats. It's a great time to meet new members, share wonderful fellowship and good food, and check out the trail maps.
Please read carefully the notice in this newsletter about the change in status of approximately 70% of the Little Mountain trails. It is extremely important that our entire membership is aware of the changes for their safety as well as the safety of the other users of those trails. It also points out why easements on our trails are so important and why our board members have been working hard for several years to get as many trails under easement as possible. If you are a trail landowner, and your trail is not under easement and you want it to be, please contact us.
Pardon the inconvenience you may have encountered on our trail status phone. Please note the change and re-enter it into your phone's auto dial. The new Trail Status Phone Number is 828-859-0133. It was a necessary change due to phone line problems. Thanks for understanding!
 See you at the picnic! From my stall, Judith
|
|
 |
|
|
NEW Trail Status Number 828-859-0133
| |
The Trail Status Number has been changed. Please update your phone to include this new number. 828-859-0133.
|
|
New Member Welcome Picnic
| 
DATE: Thursday, May 28, 2015
TIME: 6-8pm
LOCATION: FENCE Main Hall All FETA Members bring your appetite and a covered dish to give a friendly welcome to our newest members. This is a great opportunity to meet riders from your neighborhood, check out the latest edition of the FETA trail map, and locate new trails. If you want information on our trails, this is THE event.
Our trail crew will be there to answer your questions.
Our picnic is potluck. Please bring a dish to share.
Last names beginning A-G please bring a dessert.
Last names beginning H-R please bring an entrée (meat dish).
Last names beginning S-Z please bring a side dish or salad.
FETA will provide bottled water.
A reminder for those of you planning to renew your membership at the picnic, you must have a copy of your negative Coggins along with your signed forms and check. If all is in order, you will receive your tag at that time.
|
|
Trail Alerts
| |
Cowboy Mounted Shooting will be all day Saturday and Sunday this weekend May 30-31 at the FENCE covered arena. There will be a lot of noise and commotion. Riders are asked to avoid that area.
Steps to Hope Hunter Pace is Sunday, May 31. FENCE, Pretty Bottom, and Stoney Brook will be closed to riders until 4 pm to accommodate the Hunter Pace.
|
|
Little Mountain Trails Update
|
Phase II of Hugh's Creek went back into bank ownership and was sold to a new owner. The original owner chose not to place these trails under easement with FETA. The new owner has also chosen not to make them FETA trails; however, FETA members have permission to ride on them along with ATV's, walkers, joggers, and dogs. Phase I, which is Hugh's Creek, is under easement and those remain FETA trails. The delineation of property lines is often unclear. We are in the process of putting up signs to alleviate confusion. Our thanks go to Mike Wolf and Terry Lynch of Hugh's Creek for helping us with signage. Those places where the trails cross property lines will be clearly marked. Please understand that the "non-FETA" trails now comprise about 70% of the Little Mountain trails. The new owners are kindly allowing us to continue riding them. Please ride with caution while sharing the trails with non-horse folks. We are guests on these trails. Remember to be courteous and respectful to all users. Be sure your horse is adequately trained to share multi-use trails. As always, ride safe and friendly! |
|
Safety Matters: Watch Out For Fences
|
|
| | This fence is set back from the trail allowing a safe distance for trail riders from the pastured horses. |
As more people discover our horse heaven, more fences are inevitable. How do we make sure that works near trails?
Fence lines can be an unsuspected hazard, especially if they create tight spaces. With little room to escape, close fence lines create a "squeeze" that can spook a horse. Add some curious pastured horses running up to investigate, and you can have a really dangerous situation. Add to that scenario an electric fence, a steep drop off or other hazard on the other side . . . Yikes!
Riders should ALWAYS walk near fences (it's a FETA rule). It is better to dismount and lead your horse if you are concerned or if your claustrophobic horse needs more space.
Landowners, if you are considering putting a fence on your property near or alongside a trail, please think about safety and access. The best safe practice is ten feet on either side of a trail for any structure, including fences. This gives enough room to escape the outstretched necks of curious horses and sufficient room for safe carriage driving. It also allows for room to fall without hitting a post! Consider the terrain when installing a fence as that might impact safety. For existing tight fence lines, it is effective to add a barrier of electric fencing or tape charged by solar power inside the permanent fence line. This will keep your horses away from riders and preserve your top rail as well. It is a simple, inexpensive safety precaution.
FETA is happy to help. So please contact the FETA president if you are considering a fence. Of course, landowners with trail easements need to contact FETA if they are not sure about the trail protections on their property. The trails are a system which depends on everyone, not just the large landowners, to remain safe and beautiful. Every piece is important.
Another safety matter: if you have read your new rules agreement and release you will see that safety helmets must be securely fastened. Apparently some people feel that just wearing, not securing, the helmet is enough to prevent serious injury. It's not. So buckle up securely when you are on other people's property. No one plans to fall off.
Happy Trails!
|
|
About Your Newsletter Subscription
|  This newsletter is published quarterly by season as content demands. It is sent electronically to FETA members only. If you are no longer a FETA member or prefer not to receive the newsletter, please scroll to the bottom and click on the safe unsubscribe link to have your email address immediately removed from the mailing list. Please do not report this newsletter as spam. Doing so reflects poorly on us. This is not a solicitation nor do we share your email address with anyone.
|
|
Guest Release Clause From Your FETA Membership Rules Agreement
|
- Members must obtain a properly executed Guest Release Agreement and return it to FETA by mail, or place it in the parking lot mailboxes PRIOR to trail use. The fax line has been discontinued. You may take a photo of the signed release and send it from your smart phone to Roberta at 954-298-9116. You may download copies of the agreement from the FETA Website.
- Members may only bring personal guests who have not directly or indirectly paid for their recreational use. No commercial use of any type is permitted.
- Members are legally responsible for their guest(s), including any liability or damages resulting from any accident, injury, loss or damage, including death.
- Local residents may only ride once per month as any member's guest.
- Employees and trainers who use the Property more than once per month in total must have their own FETA membership.
- Members must accompany their guests at all times, and are responsible for their compliance with the Rules.
- A guest must carry a guest tag and current Coggins test. Guests that haul in must have a guest parking tag easily visible on the dashboard of their tow vehicle.
|
|
Links to Trails Around the Region
|
 | | Trail at Big Creek in GSMNP |
|
|
Board Members and Meetings
|
Questions or comments? Board members are happy to talk to you any time. They are:
Judith Kerns, President Faith Jorgenson, Communications
Dot Moyer, Vice President Roberta Axelrod, Membership
Gail Gardner, Secretary Rhonda King, Member Relations
Bill Kerns, Treasurer Jim Troppmann, Trails Chair
Liz Dicey, Webmaster Anne Swift, Trails Chair
Holly Dake Tina Walker
Mike Frye Aleah Wicks
Trail Area Representatives are:
Nancy: Chinquapin Farm Dot: Pretty Bottom, Stonybrook
Rhonda: Pony Track, Hunting Woods Judith: River Rd, Carriage Row
Faith: Hunting Country Rd to River Rd Jim: North Peniel Trails
Anne: FENCE Tina: Little Mountain Trails
FETA's Board meets the 4th Tuesday evening of the month at 6:30. All members are welcome to attend, raise questions or issues at the start of the meeting, or just observe. Contact Judith Kerns for location. No July or December meeting.
|
|
|
Faith Jorgenson
Foothills Equestrian Trails Association
|
|
|
|
|
|
