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/ 

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 or when it is dark.  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.