Tom Burnside horse removal and cremation Oakland County, MI - “When heaven calls your horse home”

Here are some great trail tips published in Backcountry Horsemen newsletter…Here are some tips from other associations and websites:

• Stay on designated trails
• Close all gates that you open.
• Do not chase or bother livestock or wildlife.
• Respect private property and other trail users.
• Clean up manure and uneaten hay from picket and/or coral areas.  If possible, pack it out.  If there is a designated location, gather it and put it there.  If there is no bunker, spread the hay and manure away from camping and picket areas to allow for natural decomposition.  Do NOT pile old hay or manure against trees as this will kill the tree.
• Cross rivers, creeks, and streams ONLY at designated location.  No entering or leaving waterways in any manner that damages the bank or undergrowth!
• If non-horse people are present in waterways, ask permission to enter the water before crossing.  If person are fishing, wait patiently until they can retrieve their fishing equipment and move to a safe location.
• Do not bathe horse OR people in waterways.
• Avoid letting your horse rest in or adjacent to, bodies of water to prevent compromising water sources.
• Avoid insect repellents on horse when accessing waterways to prevent residue being left in water.
• Use a collapsible bucket to water your horse rather then ride into a stream or pond if you are not crossing the waterway.
• If a horse stops to drink while crossing, wait until all horses have finished before moving on.
• WALK your horse THROUGH muddy spots instead of going around them.  If you absolutely must go around a particularly bad spot, go to the uphill, rather than downhill side.
• Avoid riding side-by-side in open areas.  This causes “trail braiding” and leads to more erosion than a single track would cause.  On 2 tracks or roads this is not a problem.
• Wear hunter orange if riding during any hunting season, attach bells to your tack.
• When bicycles, back packers, or other users approach on a trail, ask them to speak to you.  This allows the horse to understand they are people and pose no danger.
• If you have a dog with you, keep the dog on a leash and on the trail.  Other horse may not be comfortable with dogs darting in and out of the underbrush.  Comply with local rules. 

Dehydration and Electrolyte Losses in the Sport Horse
Reprinted with permission of the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

‘You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink’ is a …

[more…]

Here is a sample letter that you can use, amend, etc.  But every equestrian needs to send a letter to their representative and their senator here inMichigan.

Also, if you know of any horse trails that have been closed in the last 10 or so years, please name them, how many miles, campsites, etc they closed.  Then please email them to Gabz Hume at bchgabz@earthlink.net .  She is compiling a list of trails and areas closed to horses.  She needs this information within the next week, so please send the information on any closed areas that you know of, even if you think everyone knows about them.  Better to get the same one several times than leave one out.

Thanks for your help,
Merle J. Richmond, Coordinator
Oakland Equestrian Coalition

Dear Representative 

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your diligent work to co-introduce our “right to ride” bill No. 4610 into committee with your peers, Reps. Moore, Sheltrown, Polidori, Elseinheimer, Stamas, Hildenbrand, and Genetski.

The group PIGEON RIVER & BEYOND, BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN OF MICHIGAN, has been working for over eighteen months now to preserve and re-open our camps and trails.  The passage of this bill will be a tremendous help to our cause.

The horse industry in Michigan is an 8 billion dollar industry and should not be taken lightly by our GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND OUR DNR.  We are totally dedicated to this endeavor and will see it through till the end.  We believe our trails and camps are a necessary part of growing our tourism and economy for Michigan.

We welcome you aboard, we hope you enjoy the ride, and will continue to support our cause.  Please take the time to talk to your peers in the House of Representatives that possibly have not been made aware of this bill, and encourage them to research it and the information gathered to make it viable.  With research we believe they too will support our Right to Ride the Public Lands of Michigan.

Thank You again for your support,

Sincerely,

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April 20th in Novi for Southeast Michigan

AS AN INDUSTRY, WE NEED TO FILL THESE MEETINGS AND LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2009

? Monday, April 20, in the banquet room of the Novi Civic Center,
located at 45175 W. 10 Mile Rd. in Novi.

Among the topics Humphries will discuss with participants are the role
of the DNR in natural resources management, land management, how best to
recruit new outdoor enthusiasts, the priorities for the future, and what
citizens value the most about their outdoor activities in Michigan.

Humphries encouraged anyone interested in outdoor recreation and
natural resources to attend the public meetings, including hunters,
anglers, trail riders, campers, boaters, mountain bikers, hikers,
birdwatchers, and representatives from resource-based industries.

Persons with disabilities needing accommodations should contact Natalie
Elkins in the DNR Office of Communications at 517-373-6919 a minimum of
five business days before the meeting. Requests made less than five
business days before the event may not be accommodated.

The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use
and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources for current and future
generations.

Report on Mar. 23 & 24 DNR Open Houses and Mar 25 Friends of FM CIS Annual meeting

1.  Many equestrians came to both open houses where their comments were written down by DNR & National Park Planning members. At least 70% of those who came were equestrians outnumbering all other users. I feel that facilitators were shocked by this turnout. I persuaded Tom Tyler, Tom’s Western Store to attend and his comments about economic impact were listened to.  The Planner for Clinton Co/Tri County Governing Bd. admitted  he did not know there was a tack store in the area! The Friends Group had their eyes opened. I am very pleased that if you were there and spoke to these planners, your time was well spent. These comments will be compiled & assessed into the use design and development of the trail. 

  2.  If you did not get to these meetings, they did a list of names but did not write names w/comment.  YOU CAN STILL MAKE COMMENTS REGARDING THIS RAIL TRAIL PROJECT.  THE DNR RETURNED TUES. WITH AN EMAIL CONTACT.  (Maybe when I told them I had 76 emails last week it had an impact.)  Please make a comment, add something you forgot last week, ADD YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT.  Include ZIPCODE 

 They had a green questionnaire sheet (I could not get extras to mail to some of you)  They wanted to know your uses of trail, activities, services trail should provide (they now know “horse parking” means hitching rail, pickett poles) manure management, TRAIL SURFACE-asphalt-crushed limestone-unimproved, distance between, trail heads, access to town/water/bathroom, how far you would ride, safety, parallel separate or on top, conflict with other users. and how far you’d drive to use trail.

     Send Project comments for the  Clinton-Ionia- Shiawassee Rail Trail:  DNR-RTS@michigan.gov

    Planning process information will soon be available at: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr

3. Wed. CIS  meeting was run entirely different since it was their annual meeting. The hall was standing room only, mostly equestrians and the air was tense. Barbara Nelson-Jameson, Planner  was the main speaker.  She said the most encouraging words-”Horse people we have heard you”. she presented a power point presentation and took a few questions.  Nancy Klurazar(sp)Executive Director of Mi Greenways Alliance also spoke.  She did a power point  that had one picture w/horses. She said, she did not know how many railtrails there were in Mi and how many were horse accessible. she stated the all the trails she knew about had a fence, greenbelt or space between  horses and other users for safety reasons. Several attempted to correct her. She took only a few questions.  Carolyn Kayne(sp)from the Hartland trail(Alma to Greenville) was there and that rail trail has JUST purchased the 16 mile Rail trail from Lowell to Ionia to hook up with their newly purchased 22 miles from Lowell to Greenville.  Guess what-There will be NO HORSES THERE!!!   So our CIS  horse mileage becomes more important.

The nominees for Board were not allowed to be introduced, no ballots were given out-unless you produced evidence of paid 2008 membership. No challenge to change their bylaws could be mounted.  Only 5 people were allowed to speak -3min each. during public comment. I did find out using  “FOIA” orally, what the vote count was.  I had 12 votes compared to the incumbent, Adelle Rogers’ 47. That was out of aprox. 150 ballots. I thank those who did vote for me, but relieved in a way not to join them and have to sign that code of conduct. This way I can continue to speak about CIs with out written Board approval.  

4. The evenings HIGHLIGHT came as our group was leaving, Barbara Nelson- Jameson left whom she was speaking with and approached us. “Great Job getting organized and getting the horse people out and involved.  Stay involved.”  I take that as a very positive sign for equestrian support. Please, send in your comments.

5. Post this on to your groups, we must not stop here. We’ve shown our hand, we must stay aware of the process as this plan develops because more stakeholder meetings will review the draft plan, and its alternatives (I’m sure they-other users- will strongly oppose horses) and then the process for the final plan. A suggested timeline for this 1st stage if by summer 09, draft and final early 2010, implement development 2010-2011. Do not give up, we have made a significant changing in the planning process. Thurs. I was apart of the Greenways Summit Planning for Clinton County, that group seemed very favorable and open to horses.

6.  PLEASE-Check your email address and that of friends, I get a whole bunch back. GRRRRRR!  

Marsha Putnam

7455 Riley Rd.

Elsie, MI 48831

989-661-2541 H   989-277-8544 C

Fellow Michigan Trail Groups!

Pigeon River & Beyond~ Back Country Horsemen  has been working on the Right to Ride Bill. It has finally been introduced by Representative Tim Moore, House Bill 4610, which was then referred to the committee on Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources.
On April 28th, 2009, HB 4610 will be discussed by members of the committee. This petition and your presence in Lansing, is VERY IMPORTANT to getting this bill approved and adopted.

April 28th, Tuesday, at 10:30 am in Room 521 of the House Office Building. Lansing, MI
Committee Clerk: David Mead Ph: 517.373.2013
Committee Members:
Reps. Sheltrown (C), Slezak (Maj. VC), Ebli, Huckleberry, Lindberg, Simpson, Stanley, Stamas (Min. VC), Bolger, Hansen, Horn

517-373-3817 joelsheltrown@house.mi.gov
517-373-3906 JimSlezak@house.mi.gov
517-373-1791 JimStamas@house.mi.gov
517-373-2617 KateEbli@house.mi.gov
517-373-1775 mikesimpson@house.mi.gov
517-373-0834 MikeHuckleberry@house.mi.gov
517-373-7317 goeffhansen@house.mi.gov
517-373-0498 stevenlindberg@house.mi.gov
517-373-0837 kennethhorn@house.mi.gov
517-373-1787 JamesBolger@house.mi.gov
517-373-8808 WoodrowStanley@house.mi.gov

Please write your local rep. to support this bill.

Thank you,

Stephanie Gomola
Facebook Admin & Petition Admin for
Back Country Horsemen~Pigeon River and Beyond, MI

Liberty Ark Coalition Alert
February 28, 2009

Michigan Conservancy Wins $10,000 Breyer-ELCR Grant

Breyer Names ELCR Beneficiary of 2009 Breyer Benefit Model Program

(Pequannock, NJ – Jan. 30, 2009) — “Every time we turn our backs, we lose land to development,” says Sharon Greene of the Highland Equestrian Conservancy. Her group, based in southeastern Michigan, is the 2008 winner of Breyer Animal Creation’s Equestrian Land Preservation grant, awarded through the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource (ELCR), Lexington, Ky.  Highland Equestrian Conservancy will use the $10,000 grant to purchase land that connects a road in neighboring Rose Township to Highland Oaks Park, a popular park for local trail riders. This purchase will help preserve land and an equestrian way of life in an area, like so many, that is struggling with encroaching development.

The ELCR is the only national organization dedicated to saving land for horse-related activities. The organization’s goals are to get horsemen to understand the magnitude of the land loss issue and to guide them in taking grassroots action to preserve open space. Breyer created a special model horse from which a portion of the proceeds will create a fund to help local groups preserve land for equine use through the ELCR. Breyer has pledged a minimum of $20,000 to the ELCR over two years.

“Loss of land use for equestrian activities cuts across all breeds and disciplines and affects everyone who loves horses,” said Stephanie Macejko, Breyer’s Vice President of Marketing & Product Development, and a frequent trail rider. “That’s why we named the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource as the beneficiary of our 2008 Breyer Benefit Model program and why we will continue this

program with the ELCR in 2009.  If we don’t act, the land we ride on, drive through, pasture and raise our horses on will be gone.”

“It’s not enough to be aware,” agrees Deb Balliet, ELCR CEO. “You have to take action and be advocates in understanding and conveying appreciation of the value of horses.”

            The Highland Equestrian (Land) Conservancy, the first of its kind in Michigan, started as a small group of area residents with a mission to conserve and protect natural resources and the equestrian heritage of Highland Township.  Merle Richmond, Coordinator of the Oakland Equestrian Coalition, Paula Weaver from Highland Trail Riders, Sharon Greene, a 4H, US Pony Club and Equestrian Team mom, (all Michigan Horse Council members), and Dr. Fay Hansen of Oakland University and the Oakland Land Conservancy, spearheaded an effort to work with horse facilities, trail clubs, equestrian groups (4H, Pony Club, Equestrian Teams), Highland Business Association and the township Downtown Development Authority.  The “Highland Model” was established to promote  open  space, interconnecting greenways and wildlife corridors.

Plans are underway for hitching posts and stabling for equestrians to ride into the horse-friendly town. The Conservancy has already established two greenways with riding trails around local housing developments. The HEC is working on two more to create a network.  The “Highland Model” is now recognized  as a strategy for preserving the rural character of developing townships. Information on the Highland Equestrian Conservancy can be found at www.highlandequestrians.org.

Applying For Funds

To support the program, Breyer has created two new model horses for 2009 in ELCR/Breyer branded custom-designed boxes that also contain an application to apply for funding. The ELCR Benefit models will be available from January-December 2009 at specialty toy stores, tack shops, and agricultural retailers nationwide in specially marked displays. Details about applying for funding will also be available online at www.breyerhorses.com or www.elcr.com.

Horse Licensing Bill Scrapped after Protest

by: Pat Raia
January 29 2009, Article # 13526

A New Hampshire lawmaker scrapped mandatory horse licensing legislation after angry horse owners protested the measure on grounds that it would be financially burdensome.

The bill, HB 427, required owners to obtain licenses for each of their horses age 4 months and older at a cost of $25 per horse. Proof of rabies vaccination by a licensed veterinarian was a requirement for getting such a license. Municipal animal control departments, the state’s general fund, and the state veterinarian’s fund would share in revenues.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Carla Skinder rescinded the legislation on Tuesday after more than 100 horse owners attended a state House of Representatives hearing on bill. She was unavailable for comment.

Opponents claimed that the combined cost of license, veterinarian’s fees, and vaccines, would total $75 per horse, pinching owners and putting horses at risk.

“It was originally intended to address the unwanted horse issue, but it would probably make matters worse,” said New Hampshire Horse Council President Laurie Weir.

Others worried the bill would encourage future legislation to reclassify horses as domestic animals.

“That can affect all sorts of farm and agricultural issues,” said farm operator Kimberly Carlton. “It’s a very slippery slope.”

New Hampshire law prohibits Skinder from reintroducing the bill until 2011.

MHC News

February meetings:

The February meeting of MHC will be held February 3, at the MSU Livestock Pavilion, East Lansing, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Coffee and cookies will be served. Please note that the public comment period on the 2009-2019 Strategic Plan for DNR Parks and Recreation Division closes tomorrow, Friday, January 30. See item below for links to this. Discussions will include the TRAM (Trail Riders Alliance of Michigan) organizational meeting on February 7 in Midland. There also will be information on the grant ELCR has received to establish a national trails organization. MHC members who participated in the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Parade will have a report, with photos, from this historic event.MHC Trails Committee meetings will once again follow the regular MHC meetings.

March MHC meeting, and trails committee meeting, will be March 2, same place, same time.

Public Comment Period on the 2009-2019 Strategic Plan for DNR Parks and Recreation Division Closes Tomorrow—Friday, January 30!

The Department of Natural Resources is inviting the public to comment on the new draft 2009-2019 Strategic Plan for its Parks and Recreation Division.

This plan represents the culmination of two and one-half years of extensive outreach effort to the public and other stakeholders who helped define the goals, objectives, and actions identified in the draft plan.

The full draft plan is posted on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/prdstrategicplans.

The draft plan will be available for a 30-day public comment period, and comments may be submitted to DNR-RecreationFeedback@michigan.gov via e-mail, or in writing to: Paul N. Curtis, Park Management Plan Administrator, DNR-Parks and Recreation Division, P.O. Box 30257, Lansing, MI 48909-7757.

The public comment period will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, 2009.

The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources for current and future generations.

T.R.A.M. (Trail Riders Alliance of Michigan) will hold an organizational meeting in February.

               This meeting is open to any and all interested group leaders or individuals who wish to step up to the plate and join them  to continue fighting for the “Right to Ride in Michigan. The goal is to unite diverse groups to protect the “Right to Ride” Michigan’s public land and to help promote the importance of the equine industry in Michigan.

            When:       Saturday, February 7, 2009

               Where:      Dow Diamond, Midland, MI  (Midland’s baseball stadium), 3^rd floor suite lobby

               Time:         2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

               For driving directions, go to:   www.loons.com  (the Midland baseball team website) and click on directions.

Refreshments will be provided. For more information on this meeting, you may contact Dick or Connie Kleinhardt, 989-386-2910 or email them at okcorral@ejourney.com.

From AHC:  Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2009 – Not Dead Yet, It Has Been Introduced Again:

On January 14, 2008 Representative John Conyers (D-MI) re-introduced the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2009 (H.R.504).  The bill, which has sixty cosponsors, was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.  Mr. Conyers is chairman of that committee.

This bill would criminalize the possession, transport, sale, delivery, or receiving in interstate or foreign commerce of a horse or horse meat with the intent that it be used for human consumption.  It would thus apply to the transport and sale of horses for slaughter in the U.S. or to a foreign country.

Penalties would include fines and/or one year imprisonment for a first offense or one involving five or fewer horses. Offenses involving more than five horses or repeat offenders would face increased fines and/or up to three years imprisonment.

The bill introduced in the last Congress required that the “Attorney General shall provide for the humane placement or other humane disposition of any horse seized in connection with an offense under this section.”  However, the bill introduced this year no longer contains this requirement and makes no provisions for seized horses.

The bill amends Title 18 of the U.S. Criminal Code, which deals with animal cruelty prohibitions.

National Parks Service Awards Grant to Equestrian Land Conservation Resource To Develop a National Equestrian Trails Organization

The National Parks Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (NPS RTCA) has awarded the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) a technical assistance grant to develop a national equestrian trails organization. The terms of the grant include assigning an NPS RTCA staff person to facilitate of process, identify issues and needs of trail riders nationwide, determine an effective organizational structure to represent horse trail users; and provide a contact point for land managers to communicate with trail riders. The determination of the needs and appropriate organizational structure will be developed by conducting a series of meetings with stakeholders in 2009.

An organizing meeting was held in 2008 at the National Trails Conference. In 2009, a series of in-person and conference call meetings are planned. The plans also call for an on-line bulletin board to post the meeting agendas and notes. The on-line forum will also provide an opportunity for trail users and trail organization representatives to share their comments. In addition to ELCR and NPS RTCA representatives, representatives from the following organizations participated in the process: American Horse Council, Back Country Horsemen of America, Southeast Equestrian Trails Conference, Ohio Valley Equestrian Trails Symposium, Pennsylvania Equine Council, US Forest Service, and the US Department of Transportation Recreational Trails Program.

The project goals are to increase to the number of trails open to horses, promote good stewardship of the trails, enhance communication with land managers, develop positive relationships with other trail users groups, and serve in an advocacy role on the above issues and other issues identified during the grant process.

If your organization would like to join our national efforts to save land and trails for horses, visit www.elcr.org, or call (859) 455-8383 for more information.

About Equestrian Land Conservation Resource (ELCR):

ELCR, the only national not-for-profit organization assisting in the conservation of land for horses and horse-related activity, serves as a clearinghouse and educational resource for land and horse owners on issues related to conserving land, preserving horse access on public and private lands, equine economic development, community land use planning and zoning and good land stewardship.

MHC to establish Show Committee:

A new ad hoc committee of Michigan Horse Council was established at the December MHC meeting on December 2^nd. This is a show committee, and has been formed to address concerns of the horse show community in Michigan. First order for this committee is to define areas of concern, then devise methods of addressing and/or solving these concerns. Anyone with issues regarding shows that they feel need be addresses by this committee, or anyone interested in serving on this committee, should contact any MHC officer  (refer to website for contact info).

Michigan Multi Jurisdictional Mounted Police Drill Team and Color Guard

               The trip to Washington, DC, to participate in the 56^th Presidential Inauguration, and the 2009 Inaugural Parade was fantastic. Twenty-two members of this group rode in the parade, were cheered by Detroit Police Officers serving as crowd control near the presidential viewing stand, and all report it as a one-in-a-life-time experience. This group did a tremendous job of representing Michigan and the Michigan horse community on a national basis, and each deserve a big “Thank You” from everyone. Mounted officers participating in the Inaugural Parade were: Eaton County Sheriff’s Mounted Division: Karen Hathon, Commander, Sue Boyles, John Boyles, Lorenzo Veal II and Fran Rasool-Veal; from Macomb County Sheriff’s Mounted Divison: Paula Keena, Leslie LaVerdiere; and Tony Spiteri;  from Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Mounted Division: Larry Bireta; Muskegon County Sheriff’s Department Mount Division: Matt Kempf, John Spaans, Laura Jean Johnston and Phillip Monroy; from Manistee County Sheriff’s Mounted Search and Rescue:  Renia Kuenzer; Kyle Kuenzer; Wendy Olson and Judy Hallan; from the Augusta Township Mounted Patrol: Connie Maynard; Sally Altenbernt and Bill Beach; from the Toronto Metro Police Mounted Division: Jeff  Dale and Rob Graham. Side walkers for the group were MHC president Mike Foote; and Executive Board member Bob Clogg. Visit the MHC website, then go to the Michigan Multi Jurisdictional Mounted Police Drill Team and Color Guard page, visit the blog for complete day-by-day story of the trip and photos!

2009 MHC Horse Expo

               The 2009 MHC Horse Expo, scheduled for March 13, 14, 15, at the MSU Livestock Pavilion in East Lansing, Michigan, is fast approaching. Much information is already on the website about the Expo, watch for continuing updates on clinicians and demonstrations, as well as an exhibitor list, stallion list and trails area participants. Remember that we are hosting an elementary group from Lansing Christian Schools on Friday—from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Senior youth and adult volunteers are needed as group guides for this program. Anyone interested should contact either the Volunteer chairpersons (Jean Ligon or Ida Glassbrook), or Marilyn Graff.

               The committee is very excited about all the new and innovative programs that are being included in this year’s Expo….and we hope that all will attend.  Remember the MHC Horse Expo is the major source of funding for all MHC projects: scholarships, philanthropic grants, trails grants, and much more!

We hope to see all of you at the meeting next Tuesday, February 3, 7:30 p.m., MSU Livestock Pavilion, East Lansing.

THE PIGEON RIVER DEBACLE
For the most part it wasn’t until this past spring that the majority of trail riders learned of the virtual closing of the Pigeon River State Forest to horseback riders as we once knew it. The new land use order signed by Director Humphries on May 8th closed down the 15 remote campsites that were once designated for horse camping, hundreds of trails and two tracks in the vast 118,000 acre forest. They replaced it with 280 dangerous miles of road riding.

The ludicrous claims by the DNR have all been proven as nothing more than a propaganda campaign. They cited user conflict, noxious weeds, and horses driving elk from the Pigeon. They also stated that federal funding was in jeopardy because of unregulated equestrian activity in the PRC according to an official pre-audit report. Through the help of 11 state representatives, 4 state senators and Congressman Dave Camp, we learned that there was not even an official report filed. In a recent magazine article published in the True North magazine, Deputy Director Mindy Koch stated, “The DNR has yet to receive any complaints from the federal officials about conflicting usage”.

What could possibly drive the DNR to such desperate attempts to deprive us of riding “our land”? We learned that a group known as the Michigan Resource Stewards was instrumental in persuading the NRC Commission to implement this order! As a matter of fact, this group met a year ago last March and indicated what must be done! The NRC gave “carte blanche” approval to their suggestions! The stewards are comprised of retired DNR employees, environmentalists with a greenie agenda. A quote from the wife of one of the members given at the May 8th NRC commission meeting stated, “There are few undisturbed areas left in Michigan and request that the PRCSF be kept from the consumers’ use!” The next obvious question is who will be next?

We’ve testified at the NRC meetings, also at the House Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Rep. Sheltrown and now on December 10, a Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing was held, chaired by Senator McManus. Testifying in our behalf were Reps. Tom Casperson, Joel Sheltrown and Kevin Elsenheimer. They told of their experiences of saddling up and riding in the Pigeon on trails that were now banned. They stated they witnessed nothing that the DNR was claiming. They attended a “Cowboy Picnic” this past summer that we hosted. This was very key for our cause. I urge folks to contact their state representatives and senators in this matter. We are calling for reversal of this oppressive land use order. We believe decisions should be based on sound scientific evidence. Special interest groups should not dictate to the masses.

As citizens of this state we deserve better! I believe we need to have a clear singular voice that speaks for all trail riders interests across this state. We have seen too many of our trails virtually disappear. We seem to be losing our rights, one trail, and one state forest at a time. We need a singular voice in the matter. With the virtual closing down of the Pigeon, Black Mountain Forest area, Lapeer Game Reserve, Holly Recreation Area, the Gladwin Game Reserve, Thompson Harbor by Rogers City, Rockport by Alpena, and Negwagon by Lincoln is in the process of being closed. These are only some of the trails that we are currently aware of and I am aware of some trails in other areas being turned into Game Preserves and therefore off-limits to horseback riders. When are we going to rise up and take a stand?

The Michigan Equine industry contributes $805 million dollars annually to our economy excluding the $25 million dollars in direct wages and excluding the large number of workers not employed by the equine industry: trainers, vets, farriers, tack stores etc. There are 80,000 recreational/trail riders in our state. It’s time to take a stand. We have the Michigan Snowmobile Association (MSA) with 20,000 members strong, the Upper Peninsula Sportsmen Alliance (UPSA) with 17,000 members strong, Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) with over 60,000 members, Michigan Equine Partnership (MEP), Michigan Horse Council (MHC), American Quarter Horse Association with over 300,000 members, and thousands of Michigan citizens that are in agreement with our position. They are concerned that their interest in the “Great Outdoors” will be next.

We will actively pursue “Right to Ride” legislation here in Michigan.

We will hold a meeting on February 7 from 2-5pm at the Dow Diamond in Midland to lay the ground work for ”Trail Riders Alliance of Michigan”(TRAM) and start working on setting up a 501. Through this we will be free of intimidation by the DNR to be able to work to educate our legislators to the many problems relating to equine rights in our state.

Please, don’t misunderstand me, we really need to work together with the DNR; but at this point, until things change, it is difficult.

Richard Kleinhardt
Organizer of Trail Riders Alliance of Michigan (TRAM)

Michigan State University

January 14, 2009

 Contact: Judy Lessard

CVM Publications and Media Relations

(517) 355-0001

 Attention Horse Owners!

The 2008-2009 winter in Michigan has been unusually cold with temperatures well below freezing for many days in a row.  This extreme cold weather can be particularly dangerous to animals that live outdoors and the MSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital is reporting an increase in the number of animals presenting with starvation and exposure-related problems. 

During the winter it is imperative that you monitor your horse’s body weight by putting your hand on them frequently!  Furry coats make visual assessment of body condition impossible - the ONLY way you can assess your animals condition is by touch. 

As temperatures continue to remain unusually cold, it is important to remember that your animals require MORE calories to maintain body temperature and body weight.  Once an animal’s body condition has deteriorated it may no longer be strong enough to eat enough food to survive. 

Remember older animals with poor dentition an d young animals may require more feed, and be fed separately from other horses to ensure adequate intake.

Points to remember!

1.       The average inactive horse needs to eat 1.5 to 2 percent of its body weight in food per day to just maintain weight without any other energy demands.  In the winter, the amount needed will increase as the demand to keep warm will increase the amount of energy the horse expends.  This means that the average 1,000-pound horse in good condition needs at least 20 pounds of hay during normal weather and may need as much as 35 to 40 pounds of hay and grain products during cold weather.  If your horse is considered underweight, the amount of feed needs to be calculated based on his ideal weight, NOT his current weight.  While hay diets are ideal, certain animals will require grain, complete feeds or fat supplements to maintain body weight.

2.        Separate young, old or debilitated horses as the dominant horse will frequently eat most of the food provided, resulting in some horses being healthy and others facing malnutrition.

3.        Blankets and shelters will help decrease energy demands.  However, remember a blanket hides the body condition so it is important to place your hands under the blanket and remove it at least every week or so to assess body condition.

4.       Old horses with poor dentition (teeth) may require complete pelleted feeds that are easily broken down, as they may be unable to adequately chew fiber (ha y). For the average horse that should weigh about 1000-pounds, at least one-third of a fifty-pound bag needs to be fed daily just to maintain the body weight, and more will be needed if severe energy demands are present.

5.       Water intake is also very important during the winter.  Many horses will suffer from impaction colics due to inadequate water intake.  Older horses may require the water to not only be frost free, but warmed due to older horses having sensitive teeth.

6.       Remember, during extremely cold weather, to provide extra (free choice) hay, as this will generate more energy and comfort than just increasing the grain (concentrate) portion of the diet.  Just the physical aspect of moving and eating will make the horse more=2 0comfortable.  The hay fermenting in the large intestinal tract will generate heat and finally, the horse will utilize the calories absorbed from the feed.

Body condition score- The body condition scoring (BCS) system is based on a 1 through 9 scale and is designed to assess a horse’s overall condition.  Horses with a BCS less than a 4 are at increased risk of hypothermia and starvation, especially when the weather conditions cause an increase in energy demands just to maintain weight.  If an individual is already thinner than desired (BCS < 4), they will not have adequate body mass (fat) to help with insulation from the cold or provide a supply of energy when the diet is lacking and demands are higher than expected.  

To determine your horse’s BCS you must touch your horse, especially in the winter, as winter hair hides a horse’s true BCS, often until it is too late to successfully correct the weight loss.  Feel over the ribs, neck, shoulder  area, mid-spine, hips and tail head.  If your horse’s ribs over the widest part of the barrel are easily felt with little or no tissue between the skin and ribs, the BCS is below 4. This horse is suffering from malnutrition and is at a high risk of hypothermia w hen the temperature drops, particularly if the wind chill is high and little to no shelter is available.

For more information on body condition and feeding horses during the winter, please contact your veterinarian.  The website www.extension.org is also a very good site to visit for information on feeding, care and body condition scoring.

Dr. Judy Marteniuk,

Equine Medicine and Extension Veterinarian

Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Michigan State University

  and

Dr. Elizabeth Carr

Equine Medicine and Critcal Care Clinician

Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Michigan State University

EQUINE COLIC: RECOGNIZE, PREVENT, TREAT

Equine Health Seminar Series
College of Veterinary Medicine
Michigan State University

Saturday, February 28, 2009
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
E-100 Veterinary Medical Center
East Lansing, MI 48824

Free admission and refreshments, but please RSVP to:
Judy Lessard
Lessardj@cvm.msu.edu
517-355-0001

Maps and Directions to MSU: http://www.msu.edu/maps/index.html

The Veterinary Medical Center is located at the intersection of Wilson
Road and Bogue Street on the MSU campus. Maps and directions can be
found at http://www.msu.edu/maps/index.html. Guests should park in the
north ramp of the Wharton Center parking ramp off of Shaw Lane, walk
south out of the ramp to Wilson Road, and cross the street. The entrance
to E-100 is to the right of the Small Animal Clinic (do not use the
Small Animal Clinic entrance).

CALLING ALL EQUINE ENTHUSIASTS

ANNOUNCING: “T.R.A.M.”
TRAIL RIDERS ALLIANCE OF MICHIGAN
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

OPEN TO ANY AND ALL INTERESTED GROUP LEADERS OR INDIVIDUALS WHO AREN’T AFRAID TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND JOIN US TO CONTINUE FIGHTING FOR OUR “RIGHT TO RIDE” IN MICHIGAN!

THE GOAL IS TO UNITE DIVERSE GROUPS TO PROTECT OUR RIGHT TO RIDE OUR PUBLIC LAND AND TO HELP PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE EQUINE INDUSTRY IN MICHIGAN……

WHEN: FEBRUARY 7, 2009 (Saturday)
WHERE: DOW DIAMOND, Midland, MI
3RD FLOOR SUITE LOBBY
TIME: 2:00PM-5:00PM

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: www.loons.com

Refreshments will be provided
For more information you may contact
Dick or Connie Kleinhardt
1-989-386-2910

Updated Website:

Like our new look? There are some new features for you. There is now a Library Tab with many articles to give information to local politicians and trail advisory boards that continue to use false information to exclude horses from their multiuse trails. Help enlighten them. In addition….

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Hope everyone has had a great spring and early summer. The heat and the bugs are bad, so time to catch up on news.

Rose Oaks County Park: Great news! The 3^rd Annual Ride the Rose sponsored by Headwater Trails, Inc. and Oakland County Parks as a fundraiser for equestrian friendly trails in northwest Oakland County is coming up on August 26, 2007. The flyer, registration form and pledge form are all attached to this email and are downloadable. The Great News is that August 26^th will be the grand opening of the trails at Rose Oaks to equestrians. After this day, the trails in the park will allow equestrians as one of their regular users. Yeah! There will be limited trailer parking until they construct the trailer staging area, but at least riding will now be available. Let’s show up, help Headwaters Trails and show Oakland County how much we appreciate the opening of these trails to equestrians.

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March 2007 update

Well our lovely late Indian Summer weather finally ended and the frigid, wet weather has moved in. I hope you all had a good spring, summer and fall whether it is trail riding, showing or raising babies. I will try to catch you up on rumors or news that has been circulating around and there has been lots going on.

Thanks to Claire Hammond for her classified ad and to donations from PJ Tomalin of Wolcott Mills Trail Riders and Julie Ferhtman, equine attorney, Merle has now been totally repaid for her out of pocket payment of 2006 expenses. Our deep thanks to our 2006 supporters. I would like to solicit support for the 2007 website expenses, so we can have funds available when next year’s bills come due in June.

Government Officials visit our website quite frequently, so we want to make sure it continues. We would like to solicit some advertising, as we do get requests for boarding facilities especially. Also if you have anything for sale, please think of posting an ad. With the ad on the website, I also email the ad to over 200 equestrians on my list serve. Just click on the Classified Tab on our website at www.oaklandequestrians.org for rates or email Merle.

Polly Ann Trail Update: The Polly Ann Trail is open, the pedestrian bridge is in place over M-24 and the surface, which had stones way too big for all users, has been refinished and is totally acceptable for horses. Our thanks go out to Ed and Cathy Brakefield and Addison Township for hanging tough for equestrians. TheDNR has come up with grants to pay for the resurfacing. As for the mile of asphalt in the Village of Leonard passing by the equestrian staging area, a side trail has been engineered and it is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2007. We’ll look forward to the equestrian events on the Polly Ann Trail soon.

Lakelands Trail Update: Many of you know that the Lakelands Trail in Hamburg Township has been asphalted. Along most of its length there is four foot dirt path on one side that equestrians can use. There are a few tight spots, but all efforts are being made to make sure equestrians are accommodated. Anita Maynard of the Brighton Trail Riders in active in the Friends of the Lakelands Trail, and is working to make sure equestrians are accommodated. Some of the initial concern was before the contractor had finished his work. Hopefully all will find the trail acceptable.

Rose Oaks County Park: Oakland County has finished the public input portion of the Master Plan for Rose Oaks County Park. Compilation of comments is proceeding and sometime in early to mid 2007, the master plan should be completed. It looks very positive that equestrians will be given access on a daily basis to the trails at Rose Oaks. Planning will proceed for a 3rd Annual Ride the Rose and Cruise the Connector. A date will be chosen in early spring 2007.

Equestrian Trail Riding Events: If you are in an equestrian group and would like your events placed on the Schedule for Southeastern Michigan, please email them to Merle at merlerichmond@sbcglobal.net by the end of February. If you have any events before March that you want publicized, please send them and I will see that they get on the calendar on the website. Just give me the event, date, time, a short description and a contact phone number. Hope to have the schedule out by expo time the middle of March.

Pontiac Lake Horseman’s Association 6th Annual Western Barn Dance: Saturday, February 24, 2007, 8 p.m. until midnight. Tickets are now available from Susie Sulla at Us5495@ameritech.net or 248-889-3799. Price is $20 per person, which includes dancing, soft drinks/mixers and munchies. Bring you own adult beverages. It’s a popular event and always sells out. Tickets would make a nice Christmas present.

Michigan Equine Survey: With the receipt of a $50,000 grant from the state legislature helped along by the Michigan Equine Partnership, most funding is in place to begin the survey next spring. The survey will be done on a sampling basis, with 4,000 questionnaires mailed out to people involved in the state’s horse industry.

Information collected from the survey will be useful in determining the equine industry’s contribution to the state’s economy. This information can then be presented to local and
state government officials who make decisions and policies on zoning and land use, trail access, tax laws and other issues affecting horse owners. If you receive this questionnaire, please cooperate by filling it out. Some properties may also be surveyed by pollsters knocking on the doors of horse properties. All information collected is protected by law. The last comprehensive survey in Michigan was done in 1996.

NAIS: Animal Identification won’t be Mandatory:
This is the latest information I have received on the National Animal Identification System.

By LIBBY QUAID, AP Food and Farm Writer Wed Nov 22, 4:36 PM ET
WASHINGTON - Farmers and ranchers won’t be forced to register their cows, pigs and chickens in a nationwide database aimed at helping track the outbreak of disease, the Bush administration said Wednesday.
Hoping to dampen widespread opposition to the animal tracking program, the Agriculture Department has decided it should remain voluntary.
“Really embracing this as a voluntary program will help the trust issues that some farmers and ranchers have been raised about the national animal identification system,” said Bruce Knight, undersecretary for marketing and regula
“I’m certainly hoping to move beyond some of the very emotional debates on animal ID,” Knight said in an interview with The Associated Press.
First promised in response to the discovery of mad cow disease in this country, the tracking system would pinpoint an animal’s movements within 48 hours after a disease was discovered.
Investigators never found all 80 of the cattle that came to the U.S. from Canada with the infected dairy cow that became the country’s first case of mad cow disease in 2003.
Many cattle ranchers are wary of the program because they want records kept confidential and don’t want to pay for the system. The industry estimates it could cost more than $100 million annually.

OVETS: Ohio Valley Equestrian Trails Symposium will be held at Midwest Trail Ride, in Norman, Indiana, June 21-24. It’s a beautiful place to ride, close to Brown County, Indiana. Seminars are scheduled to leave time to ride. More information will be forthcoming.

MICHIGAN HORSE COUNCIL FUN TRAILS WEEKEND: September 21-23 at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, so mark your calendar and come have some fun. More details will follow.

Pontiac Lake Recreation Area Master Plan Public Meeting:
The DNR is holding a public meeting to review and discuss a draft of the Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area master plan. The meeting will be held Sunday January 28, 2007 2pm-4pm at the Oakland County Sportsman’s Club at 4770 Waterford Road, Clarkston, MI. The time is from 7-9 p.m. All users are welcome. Equestrians need to show up and voice their opinions. Mountain Bikers are looking to expand their usage to the West side of the park and reclaim the trail up by Teggerdine. Bring constructive ideas and voice them. If you like the changes that have occurred at the park, please praise the DNR and the Pontiac Lake Horseman’s Association for their work.

Schoolcraft College-Equine Program:
Contrary to rumor, the Schoolcraft College Equine Program has not been discontinued; however, they have decreased the number of classes offer because of decreased demand. For the winter 2007 semester, they are offering only one course. It is Equine Sports Massage and will be offered on April 28 & 29 from 9-4 somewhere in Highland Township. Call the college for further information at 1-734-462-4400 and ask for Continuing Education.

Michigan State is Offering Horse Classes on Line:
The current class being offered is “Horse Behavior and Welfare”. You do not have to be registered at the university, just go online to www.myhorseuniversity.com and you can register. The cost for this class is $200.

Modern Horse Campgrounds:
Ortonville has a grant to start the design and engineering for a modern equestrian campground with 100 spaces. They plan also to greatly increase the number of miles of trails. Obviously this process will take several years.

Brighton Recreation Area is also looking into a possible modern campground at a prison site that will soon be abandoned by the state, so stay tuned to Brighton.

White Lake Township News:
White Lake Township has announced that they have purchased the 20 acre horse farm on Porter and Grass Lake Roads. Plans for the property have not been finalized, but it is located along a utility corridor that is being considered as a trail linkage between Highland Recreation Area and Pontiac Lake Recreation Area. Time will tell and we will know more later.

I think that about wraps up everything I have been able to find out. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hope to see many of you out and about in the horsy world come spring.

Other Interesting Tidbits:
1. Equestrian Land Conservation Resource: I would encourage all equine
organizations and individuals to join this group that is working to protect riding land all over the country. Check out their website at www.elcr.org
2. Horse Quest: Michigan State University has set up a website at www.extension.org/horses, that will provide news, events, frequently asked questions, and “Ask the Expert” features as well as in-depth learning modules on equine related topics. This is an interactive site, so check it out.
3. Be a part of an Equine Behavioral Research Study: Study investigating stereotypic behaviors in the Michigan Horse Population. The on-line survey is completely voluntary and anonymous. You can easily access the questionnaire at the following website: www.ippsr.msu.edu.

Merle Richmond
Coordinator, Oakland Equestrian Coalition

Oakland Equestrian Coalition Update
July 6, 2006

Well, it’s been a long time since I have done an update. I have no excuse except that I have been out of town a lot and I must admit having fun. However a lot has been going on in the world of Oakland County Equestrians, so I’ll try to catch you up.

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MICHIGAN TRAILS & Greenways- SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN TRAILS/RECREATION AREAS

Access to existing and planned Greenway Trails linking parks where historical equestrian trails already exist.

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USDA NASS Michigan Field Office is going to begin doing a horse inventory and study the state of the equine industry in Michigan this summer.

Access the letter about the horses census. Please use your browser’s back button to return to this page.

Highway Administration clarifies horse access to certain trails

WASHINGTON — The American Horse Council reports that the

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has publicly clarified that equestrians are allowed on shared-use paths and trails that use Federal-aid transportation funds.

The notice, posted on the FHWA website, is a positive step forward in acknowledging equestrian activity on public land.

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Get all the latest - there’s lots going on, including the latest news on the Polly Ann Trail

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Oakland Equestrian Coalition Update
August 25, 2005

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Well it’s been awhile since I’ve given the news. Riding season is here and I have been riding, but here goes with what I know.

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Oakland Equestrian Coalition Update
February 2005

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Oakland Equestrian Coalition
Update
October 20, 2004

l. Equestrian Opportunities in Oakland County” brochure is already in its third printing and
hopefully you have picked one up at one of the county parks or State Recreation Areas. They
will also be available at trail events and at the Novi Horse Spectacular, November 12-14.

2. Camp Has-O-Rec in Rose Township has been cleaned up and secured thanks to 26 equestrian
volunteers who worked hard from 5:30 –8:30 p.m., August 10, 11, 12, 2004. Thanks to all
those volunteers who did so much dirty work. We have no guarantee that we will get
equestrian usage there, but we showed our willingness to work so that we are included in the
Headwaters Trails. Thanks again.

3. Our presentation was presented on July 15th to the Oakland County Board of Township
Supervisors. This had led to invitations to present at Milford Township. That presentation
will be on Thursday, September 30, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. in the Civic Center, behind the Post
Office. We don’t know the exact place on the agenda, but I will send the specific time when I
get it. I would like for Milford equestrians to show up and show their interest. The greenway
that will connect Milford, Highland and White Lake Townships should be in the planning stage
very soon. We will also be giving our presentation in Holly Township and Groveland Township
in the near future. A presentation was also planned for the Michigan Horse Council at their
regular monthly meeting on October 5, 2004.

I have also attached a copy of the list of our accomplishments so far. It appears that Oakland County Parks is finally on board for equestrians.

Merle Richmond
Coordinator
Oakland Equestrian Coalition

Oakland Equestrian Coalition Accomplishments
Since February 19, 2003 Original Meeting

1. We are a recognized voice for equestrians in Oakland County with an Ad Hoc membership to
the Oakland County Trails Advisory Council (OTAC).

2. Oakland County asked equestrians what they wanted from Oakland County, and with the help
help of Larry Falardeau of Oakland County Planning and Economic Development, we were
able to put together a presentation of our needs. This presentation has been presented to
a. OTAC
b. Oakland County Parks Commissioners
c. Oakland County Parks and Recreation
d. Oakland County Commissioners
e. Oakland County Board of Supervisors
f. Highland Township
g. Rose Township Planning Commission
h. Michigan Horse Council Stallion Expo in March 2004
i. White Lake Township Planning Commission
j. Milford Township to be given September 30, 2004
k. Michigan Horse Council Monthly Meeting, October 5, 2004

We look forward to presenting it to many other townships and trails commissions.

3. We organized a total census for Highland and Rose Townships, and spot census data from
from several other townships. We are still looking for counts from Lyon, Holly, Brandon,
Oxford and Oakland Townships. If you can help, please contact us.

4. Oakland County Parks and Rec has produced an “Equestrian Opportunities in Oakland
County” brochure, which has been placed in Oakland County Parks as well as State Parks
located in Oakland County.

5. After many Oakland County Parks people as well as some from Planning and Economic
Development attended the Michigan Horse Council’s Stallion Expo in March using compli- mentary tickets provided by the Michigan Horse Council, they realized the huge economic enterprise the horse industry in Michigan and Oakland County is. They have now joined forces with the Oakland County 4-H Board to expand Springfield Oaks County Park into a premier, regional Equestrian Center. They gathered data to indicate that 37,000 horses are within a 1.5-hour drive of Springfield Oaks’ new equestrian center. They already have grants and funding for $2 million of the proposed $3 million cost for this. This will be the first equestrian trailhead in Oakland County. They are currently making about 5 miles of equestrian trails in the park and will have them signed very soon.

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6. Oakland County Parks is currently laying out equestrian trails in Addison Oaks County Park
in Addison Township. They will also add some modern equestrian camping sites and will
hopefully connect Addison Oaks to the Polly Ann Trail which was originally planned around
equestrian usage.

7. Oakland County Parks will begin the master planning process for Rose Oaks County Park,
located in Rose Township, at the end of 2004 or the beginning of 2005. Oakland County Parks
is committed to talking to and working with Rose Township to make Rose Oaks an equestrian
park.

8. We are trying to organize trail riders around Holly and Bald Mountain Recreation Areas to
reestablish the historical equestrian presence in these two Oakland County State Recreation
areas.

9. We have established a list serve for disseminating information of importance to Oakland
Equestrians.

10. With the financial donations of generous sponsors, we have established a website that is up
and running. Please check it out at www.oaklandequestrians.org.

We will continue to try and represent all Oakland County Equestrian interests. If we haven’t represented your interests, please contact us and tell us about them.

Merle Richmond,
Coordinator
Oakland Equestrian Coalition

Meeting held on May 6th at the Lone Tree Inn on Milford Road.

The powerpoint presentation was approved by the members present with a few minor changes.

It was agreed that the following would be the preferred order for presentations:
Oakland County Commissioners
Oakland County Board of Supervisors
Individual Townships anytime after the first two presentations
Individual Trails Councils (Huron Valley, Headwaters, etc.)
Oakland County Planners
Oakland County Parks and Recreation
Road Commission of Oakland County
Any Equestrian Groups that are interested.

It was decided to ask the Oakland County Trails Council, what type of data they would be interested in before we send out volunteers to go door to door.

May 14th Meeting of the Oakland County Trails Advisory Council

At this meeting the voting members of the Council agreed that we as equestrians did not need to go door to door and count individual horses.
They will be happy if we count horses in a couple of square miles in each township.
They would also like the number of boarding, training, breeding facilities in each township.
We should especially be sure to count horses in the vicinity of trails or parks where we are requesting access.
We need volunteers for each township.
I currently have volunteers to head the counts in Springfield Township, Milford Township and Rose Township in the vicinity of Rose Oaks.

If you know equestrians in other townships, please have them email the Oakland Equestrian Coalition and let us know. We should get on this count ASAP.

Equestrian Economic Study & Census for Oakland County, Michigan

Click Here to Read the Equestrian Economic Study

Below is the

Equestrian Census Information

NOVI TOWNSHIP

Horse Census
BECK ROAD TO NAPIER RD. BETWEEN 8 AND 9 MILE

25 HORSES
3-4.5 MILES FROM LYON OAKS COUNTY PARK

MILFORD TOWNSHIP/WESTERN EDGE COMMERCE TOWNSHIP

Horse Census
OLD PLANK ON THE WEST, GARDEN RD. ON THE NORTH, PONTIAC TRAIL ON THE SOUTH AND WIXOM ROAD ON THE EAST.

277 HORSES
9 BOARDING FACILITIES
ALL WITHIN 1-4 MILES OF LYON OAKS

ROSE TOWNSHIP
Horse Census

TOWNSHIP WAS DIVIDED INTO NINE QUADRANTS NORTH WEST UPPER, MIDDLE UPPER, NORTH EAST UPPER, WEST CENTRAL, MIDDLE CENTRAL, EAST CENTRAL, SOUTH WEST LOWER, SOUTH MIDDLE, AND SOUTH EAST LOWER.

THEY WERE NUMBERED 1, 2, 3 ACROSS THE TOP FROM WEST TO EAST, 4,5,6 ACROSS THE MIDDLE FROM WEST TO EAST AND 7,8,9 ACROSS THE BOTTOM FROM WEST TO EAST.

AREA 1 59 HORSES 3 BOARDING FACILITIES
AREA 2 61 HORSES
AREA 3 50 HORSES 2 BOARDING FACILITIES
AREA 4 109 HORSES 3 BOARDING FACILITIES
AREA 5 81 HORSES 1 BOARDING FACILITY
AREA 6 66 HORSES
AREA 7 54 HORSES 1 BOARDING FACILITY
AREA 8 56 HORSES 1 BOARDING FACILITY
AREA 9 142 HORSES 4 BOARDING FACILITIES

TOTALS 678 HORSES 15 BOARDING FACILITIES

ROSE OAKS IS IN AREA 2 AND 5 AND BORDERED BY AREA 4.
ALL HORSES IN ROSE TOWNSHIP ARE NO FARTHER THAN 3 MILES TO ROSE OAKS.

WHITE LAKE TOWNSHIP
Horse Census

SOUTHEAST—SUGDEN LAKE RD ON THE WEST, COOLEY LAKE ON THE SOUTH, CEDAR ISLAND LAKE RD ON THE NORTH AND ROUND LAKE ROAD ON THE EAST.

102 HORSES
3 BOARDING FACILITIES

THESE HORSES ARE ONLY 2-3 MILES DOWN CEDAR ISLAND LAKE ROAD FROM THE EAST SIDE OF HIGHLAND RECREATION AREA. MULTI USE TRAILS ALONG OXBOW LAKE ROAD, SUGDEN LAKE ROAD AND CEDAR ISLAND LAKE ROAD ARE NECESSARY.

NORTHERN AREA—CROSBY LAKE ROAD ON THE NORTH, M59 ON THE SOUTH, TEGGERDINE ON THE EAST AND ORMOND ON THE WEST. Sixty-four of these horses are on the north side of Crosby Lake Road in Southern Springfield Township.

424 HORSES
12 BOARDING FACILITIES
1 HORSE RENTAL FACILITY
2 HORSE TRAINING FACILITIES
1 BREEDING/RACING FARM

THESE HORSES ARE WITHIN RIDING DISTANCE TO PONTIAC LAKE RECREATION AREA. WHILE THERE ARE OTHER HORSES IN WHITE LAKE TOWNSHIP WE COUNTED TWO AREAS AS AGREED UPON BY OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS.

TOTALS HORSES 526
OF TWO BOARDING FACILITIES 15
AREAS

HORSE RENTAL FACILITY 1
HORSE TRAINING FACILITIES 5
BREEDING RACING FARM 1
BREEDING FARM 1

HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP

Equestrian Friendly Community Highland Township has some interest in having developers design equestrian friendly developments where at least some of the lots are big enough for a couple of horses. These developments would have common areas for arenas and trails. If you have any ideas please forward them to me and we will see that the proper individuals in Highland Township get your information.

HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP HORSE STATISTICS

Horse Census
Northeast corner—East of Milford Rd. and North of M-59 163
Southeast corner—East of Milford Rd. and South of M-59 179
Northwest corner—West of Milford Rd. and North of M-59 283
Southwest corner—West of Milford Rd. and North of M-59 120

Total Horses 745

Horse Businesses
Two Tack Stores - One is also a feed store
One horse Vet
Hay farms still to be counted

GROVELAND TOWNSHIP
Horse Census

Area 1-from County Line Road to Grange Hall n/s
And Vassar Road to Barron Road
150 horses

Horse Businesses
4 Boarding facilities
4 Hay Farms

Horse Census
Area 2-from County Line Road to Grange Hall n/s
And Barron Road to M-15
138 horses

Horse Businesses
3 Boarding facilities
1 Hay Farm

Horse Census
Area 3-from Grange Hall Road to Kier Road n/s
And from Wildwood Road to Township Line Rd.
143 horses

Horse Businesses
2 Boarding facilities

Horse Census
Area 4-from Grange Hall Road to Oakhill Rd. n/a
And Weber Road to Wildwood Road
27 horses

Horse Businesses
1 Boarding facility
2 Hay Farms

Horse Census
Totals For All Four Areas
458 horses

Horse Businesses
10 Boarding facilities
7 Hay farms

ADDISON TOWNSHIP
Horse Census
Preliminary count
253 horses

Horse Businesses
2 Boarding Facilities
4 Vets
3 Farriers

Michigan Trail Riders Equestrian/Horse Group

Join other equestrian lovers in our active Oakland County equestrian group.

Vision Statement:

Educate Oakland County governmental units and citizens about equestrian concerns in our county.

Promote growth of equestrian activities in Oakland County.

Preserve existing equestrian facilities and trails in Oakland County.

Develop new equestrian opportunities in Oakland County, including access to the entire Oakland County Greenways system of multi-use trails.