Your participation in the following upcoming events is vital in securing & maintaining equestrian access to trails
in Boulder County.
Please read the letters and invitations below and join in our efforts to maintain our equestrian life style. |
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SAVE THE DATE:
2010 HORSE LOVER'S FLING: Under the Solstice Moon
When: Sunday June 27th, 5 - 9 pm
Where: Lone Hawk Farm 10790 North 49th St., Longmont, CO
www.lonehawkfarms.com
Dinner provided by Bay Window Catering: baywindowcatering@comcast.net
Music & Dancing by Nancy Thorwardson & Sugar Moon
Awesome Raffle
Big Red Wagon Rides by the Belgians of Mountain View Belgians
For Tickets, Contact Rose Valentine: 303-530-1960
For Information, Contact Patricia Jarvis: 202-247-0667
Raffle Chair: Carole Keele - 360-451-9507 or carolejanichkeele@msn.com and Ginny Carr - 303-938-8432.
Please call Carole if you have donations.
Please see any board member for raffle tickets.
Download / View the Participation Form here.
Download / View the General Information Form here.
Download / VIew the Fling 2010 Flier here and here.
Read the interview with Tom and Kirstin Lopez and view pictures of Lone Hawk Farm here.
11th Edition BCHA Horse Services Directory is Now Underway
The 11th edition of the Boulder County Horse Association’s Horse Services Directory is an excellent way for your business to present itself to the Boulder County horse community. The Directory will be distributed free of charge in Boulder County and the surrounding areas this October.
As before, we are offering every horse-related business in Boulder County one free listing. This listing is six lines long. It can include your name, address, phone number, email address, website and a short line to put any information about your business. You may also place your listing in additional categories for a small fee.
To make your business really stand out, consider a display ad. Display ads range from 1/8 to a full page. We will also be offering half and full page color ads again in the centerfold section. Deadline for listings and display ads is August 1.
Whether you are a well established business or new to Boulder County, the Horse Services Directory will give you the opportunity to be easily identified by the horse community.
For full details we recommend you download our “BCHA Ad Pack” here.
Evacuation Effort - Emergency Response - Thank you
Boulder County Horse Association wishes to thank the firefighters, sheriff's department, and individuals for their valiant and successful efforts in assisting with the containment of the fires, evacuation of humans and animals, and protection of property. The success of all participating crews and groups enabled a timely evacuation of homes and communities. Coordination amongst the various groups from diverse fire fighting districts, sheriff's department, individual people coming to load horses and other animals, to media for informational updates is an inspiration to all of us.
We particularly wish to acknowledge the heroic efforts of all firefighters, sheriff's staff, animal control officers, those evacuating residents, and the support staff needed in this huge endeavor. In addition, many unnamed volunteers did a heroic effort in evacuating horses, llamas, and other livestock. Several veterinarians were at the evacuation sites and later at the Boulder County Fairgrounds to assist with the many distressed animals. Boulder County Parks & Open Space staff did a great job under extremely difficult circumstances in receiving and processing the hundreds of animals evacuated to the fairgrounds. Many unnamed individuals, primarily those involved through the animal control emergency response team, arrived at the evacuation sites with trucks and trailers to load and transport animals and went back for more in the face of daunting flames and smoke.
Many businesses supported the evacuation effort with donations of hay, feed, buckets, and shavings for animals. Food and drink was also provided for the volunteers to keep up their courage and energy. Humane Societies opened their doors to small animals evacuated. Many small and large equine and other businesses opened their fields and pastures to animals in need. The Salvation Army, Red Cross, animal rescue organizations, and private parties also opened their facilities for the evacuated animals.
This response to a catastrophic event proves the human spirit and willingness of neighbors and businesses to help in times of disaster is alive and well in Boulder County. We applaud the gigantic efforts of official organizations and others who worked to insure the safety of people and animals.
Spring Brook Loop Trail Update
Greetings with an update on the Spring Brook Loop trail.
The trail is open as of today, December 2. This trail connects Doudy Draw Trail to the Fowler Trail and is open to all visitors including mountain bikes. The following regulations are in effect on Spring Brook Loop and Fowler Trail:
· Dogs, horses and bikes are required to stay on trail
· Dogs must be on leash and are only allowed on Spring Brook Loop North and Fowler Trail
· Bikes are allowed on Spring Brook Loop and Fowler Trail to County Road 67 but are prohibited on Fowler Trail west of where it joins with Spring Brook Loop
· Public access is prohibited to the Denver Water canal and road south of the Spring Brook trail
Compliance with regulations, courteous sharing of the trail and being mindful of minimizing resource impacts will help everyone have a more enjoyable outdoor experience. There has been a lot of community involvement and collaboration in this trail project and appreciation goes out to everyone for working towards making the trail successful.
Steve Armstead
Visitor Master Plan Implementation Coordinator
Picture Rock Trail at Heil Valley Ranch Open Space
Grand Opening
After more than ten years of planning and thousands of hours of staff & volunteer labor, the Picture Rock Trail connecting the top of 5,000 acre Heil Valley Ranch Open Space with the south edge of the town of Lyons is open. BCHA members actively participated in the trail construction from the Wild Turkey Loop Trail down the valley to Red Gulch Road.
A temporary trailhead, and eventually a permanent one, linking the Lyons area to the Heil Valley Ranch trail system will accommodate horse trailers and cars for the multi-use trail. The trailhead is located on the Olsen Property off highway 7, down Old South St. Vrain Road, and east onto Red Gulch Road. Parking is not permitted on Red Gulch Road, but there is space for 3 trailers in the lot opposite the trailhead.
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 The Trail: From the Lyons area, travelling south, the trail follows the Red Gulch Valley and provides panoramic views of the surrounding foothills. The trail passes ruins of an old sheepherder’s cabin and on through the Whitestone and Vickery Quarry Complex that contained the decorative flagstone we see throughout Boulder County, giving name to the trail, Picture Rock. The bridge, retaining walls, and switchback stonework along the trail came from the local quarries. The trail then follows several switchbacks up the ponderosa hillside toward the Wild Turkey Loop.
Areas to be watchful of are along the ridge above the meadow at the silo, where meeting a biker or another equestrian going in the opposite direction may be difficult due to limited space to move out of the way. Bypassing this section of trail by choosing to ride the old road in the meadow may be necessary on busy days. Be aware that there are both seasonal and permanent closures surrounding the trail. Check the kiosk or the Boulder County Parks & Open Space website for details on closures and trail conditions.
BCHA would like to thank the staff of Boulder County Parks & Open Space for working with us on trail construction to provide a trail that is safe for equestrians as well as other user groups.
Horse Park Proposal
BCHA's Horse Park Steering Committee presented a proposal for a Longmont Horse Park to City Council on Tuesday, September 9, 2008. It was suggested that BCHA work with City Parks & Open Space staff to review alternative locations. BCHA has sent the following information to the Parks & Open Space Advisory Board.
 Longmont Horse Park preliminary planning information
The next horse park steering committee meeting will be in March 10th, 7:00 PM, at the Longmont Public Library, Room B, (Kimbark between 3rd & 4th). Meetings are open to interested parties.
Colorado's New License Plate - "Support the Horse"
 Wednesday, May 14 was an historic day for the 250,000 horses in Colorado when Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed SB 178 into law, creating a special license plate honoring the contributions the horse industry makes to the economy and culture of the Centennial state.
A portion of the $30 license plate fee supports the work of the Colorado Horse Development Authority. The DMV orders the plate when you give them a payment certificate from the CHDA.
The standard DMV one time only designer-plate fee of $50 will be charged at the time of pickup. Plates will be renewed from the calendar date you receive the plates, but the fees will be pro-rated from your last calendar date.
For additional information and/to order your certificate, visit: https://www.chda.org/purchase/index.php
Colorado's Poisonous Menace:
Do You Know What Your Horse is Eating?
New Edition of the "Weed Brochure" is available now.
Identify Colorado's six worst poisonous weeds for horses
Three major steps for preventing
equine weed poisoning
Pasture management for
horses on small acreages
To order copies, please contact BCHA at: info@boulderhorse.org
Copies are $ .50 each plus shipping & handling |
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Sample Entries:
Artemisia frigida |
Curly Cup Gumweed |
Houndstongue |
Leafy Spurge
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Oxytropis Lamberti |
Yellow Starthistle
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Proposed Mountain Bike Trail from Eldorado Canyon to
Walker Ranch
Eldorado Canyon State Park in conjunction with Boulder Mountainbike Alliance (BMA) is currently exploring the possibility of a mountain bike trail that would connect Eldorado Canyon with the Walker Ranch trail.
Yes, you read that correctly -- a "mountain bike trail" -- not necessarily a shared-use trail, or a multiple-use trail, but possibly a mountain bike ONLY trail. The Action Committee for Eldorado (ACE) is gathering the opinions of Boulder area climbers -- and others -- regarding this possible mountain bike trail. The exact location of the trail has yet to be determined, but will involve both existing and new sections of trail to minimize erosion and potential conflict between different recreational user groups. Two obvious roadblocks to this plan are financing the construction of new trail on steep terrain and negotiating access through Boulder Open Space. Please let ACE know your opinions!
Betasso Preserve Public Meetings
Please send feedback to BCPOS with regard to supporting trailer parking at Betasso Preserve. It’s a beautiful and historic place to ride but without access to trailer parking, equestrian use will be limited.
Questions? Comments? Contact the project planner, Ernst Strenge, at (303) 678-6260.
Betasso Preserve Expansion
This project update pertains to the Benjamin Property, which is adjacent to Betasso Preserve and expands trail opportunities greatly. We need new trails to connect with Betasso, and we need at least one large loop trail on the Benjamin property. Finally, we need BCPOS to redesign the Betasso parking lot to accommodate horse trailers!!!
PROJECT UPDATE: The rapid Resource Assessment Report conducted by ERO Resources Corp. is now available to view and download at: http://www.co.boulder.co.us/openspace/management_plans/Benjamin.htm This report evaluates resources in the Benjamin property and northern Betasso Preserve.
In September 2007, the Boulder County Commissioners have voted to close the Benjamin property for an interim study, at the request of the mountain bike lobbyists. No further information is available at this time. Thanks to those of you who supported access for equestrians and hikers.
Suzanne Webel BCHA External VP
Trails & Public Lands Chair 303-485-2162
Boulder County Fairgrounds Indoor Arena
Open Wednesdays, AM & PM
Horseback riders may access indoor arena on Wednesday mornings & evenings.
Boulder County Parks & Open Space has scheduled horseback riding at the Boulder County Fairgrounds indoor arena on Wednesday mornings & evenings. The indoor arena is open for public riding from 9 - 12 a.m. and 6 - 9 p.m. every Wednesday from November - April. Use of the facility costs $5 per horse, via a self-pay system.
Envelopes will be available to deposit fees into the deposit box located in the southeast corner of the arena. Riders, please clean up after your horses; forks are available.
Please contact Rebecca Harp, Boulder County Fairgrounds Scheduling Coordinator, at rharp@co.boulder.co.us for more information.
For more information about the Fairgrounds (shows, camping, temporary stalling, etc.), go
to www.BoulderCountyOpenSpace.org and click on Fairgrounds in the left-hand column.
Hessie Trailer Parking
Boulder County Parks & Open Space and Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest are working together to improve trailhead parking at Hessie, just west of Eldora. This is the jumping-off point for many spectacular trails in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, including Lost Lake, King Lake, Woodland Lake, Jasper Lake and others.
The old road down to Hessie has recently become impassable for horse trailers and the meadow is too small and full of cars for us to continue to park there. Also, parking is now banned from The Fourth of July Road (people have been getting tickets for attempting to park there). We need ACTION, now, to improve this situation!
Please visit the Boulder County Parks and Open Space website at www.co.boulder.co.us/openspace
Let the County and Forest Service know that we do want this parking lot, and we want it to contain designated horse trailer parking spaces! Register your support for this plan by emailing sadamietz@co.boulder.co.us
Equine Neglect: Letter to the Editor
from BCHA Board
Below, please find a "Letter to the Editor" of the Times-Call, publsihed Wednesday, April 3, and Daily Camera from the BCHA Board of Directors. We believe this letter is of urgent importance inasmuch as it pertains to the recent incidents of horse neglect that have been reported in
the press. |
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Editors:
Recent Animal Control intervention in several Boulder County equine neglect cases has prompted us to issue this letter.
We urge the public to understand that keeping any livestock requires a major financial, emotional, and time-consuming commitment, and is not to be undertaken lightly. Horses need daily feed, water, exercise, and care, sometimes including veterinary attention. They are large animals that also require space, shelter, and socialization with other horses and with people. Horse owners should educate themselves about the responsibility that comes with horsekeeping. There are many sources of this information, including journals, veterinarians, associations, trainers, and other horse people. Domestic animals are entirely dependent on humans for all their needs, and if you cannot meet these needs, please do not keep animals.
If you, as a horse owner, are considering keeping your horse at home, please do not neglect him! In general, keeping a horse in your backyard (even if your property has the appropriate zoning) is not a great idea unless you are a knowledgeable horse person: solitary horses can develop bad habits from boredom and lack of exercise, and they still require daily year-round care. Boarding your horse at a reputable facility can relieve you of some of the daily responsibilities, but it is more expensive and still requires careful evaluation on your part. Is the facility clean and well-maintained? Is the hay they feed your horse bright and mold-free, and distributed so each horse gets adequate nutrition? Are horses there monitored and treated promptly for injuries or other health problems? The horses should appear healthy and cheerful. If you observe legitimate problems with the facility and point them out to the management, they should be rectified right away – if they are not, vote with your feet and take your horse elsewhere.
If you, as a horse owner, are having financial or other difficulties keeping your horse, you have many options. These range from selling the horse outright, to leasing him to someone who can keep him for you or pay part of his expenses, to voluntarily relinquishing him to one of several fine animal rescue organizations in Boulder County. These groups will rehabilitate your horse, retrain him if necessary, and find a great “forever home” for him where he will be cared for, appreciated and loved. Even horses no longer able to be ridden can be adopted as “companion animals” for other horses. Or, if his temperament is suitable, consider donating him to one of several other non-profit organizations that use horses in their therapeutic riding programs. Parting with your horse may be a very difficult decision, but please keep his best interests in mind at all times.
If you, as a well-meaning citizen, observe a horse in distress, assess the situation carefully and get as many facts as possible. Do not try to intervene in the horse's management. Instead, call Boulder County Animal Control (303-441-4444), which is a division of the Sheriff's Department. Report the situation objectively, describing the animal, the circumstances, and the location. You may choose to remain anonymous, but if you do give them your name the Animal Control officer will keep your information confidential and will contact you with an update on any remedial actions they have taken. Remember that the Animal Control officers can only do what is within the law, and although you may be impatient to see the situation resolved, they have to give the owner time to correct problems before animals are impounded.
Also, horses (like people) are living longer lives than ever, so even healthy and well-cared for equine retirees who receive excellent care and are under a veterinarian's supervision may appear unkempt and thin. The Animal Control professionals are trained to assess each situation on a case-by-case basis.
Horsekeeping is a life-long educational process that can be humbling and frustrating, but it can also provide immense rewards and satisfaction as a partnership bond develops between people and their horses. Equestrian sports provide unique recreation and healthy lifestyle benefits, and horses are useful in many types of therapeutic programs ranging from at-risk youth to handicapped riding. Horsekeeping also helps preserve our collective agricultural heritage by maintaining open space and supporting pastures, hay and grain crops, which are important to the quality of life for all citizens in Boulder County.
Suzanne Webel
For the Boulder County Horse Association
Open Space and Mountain Parks Off-Trail Permit Program
The city of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department will require off-trail permits beginning Monday, March 12, 2007, for people who walk off-trail through Habitat Conservation Areas (HCAs) in the Western Mountain Parks, the Southern Grasslands and the Lower Boulder Creek. Maps of these HCAs and applications for permits can be found at www.osmp.org . Visitors who remain on designated trails in HCAs do not need a permit. Designated trails have been marked with signs that include a trail name.
HCAs are designated because of their exceptional resource value. They provide homes to some of Boulder's rarest and most sensitive plants and animals. The Off-Trail Permit Program was developed as part of the OSMP Visitor Master Plan and is designed to help minimize impacts to natural and cultural resources. OSMP plans to designate more HCAs in the system as more planning processes are completed.
For information on the Off-Trail Permit Program and OSMP, visit www.osmp.org or call (303) 441-3440.
Lisa Nieman
City of Boulder
Open Space and Mountain Parks
720-564-2007
Forestry Thinning Project
If you have a group of volunteers, you can create your own volunteer project. Boulder County needs people to help thin unhealthy stands of Ponderosa pine trees with hand tools. This work helps improve plan and wildlife habitat while reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire.
Contact Mary Wiener at 303-441-1647 or mwiener@co.boulder.co.us to arrange a time.
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