Trail Ride Rules
CHESLEY SADDLE CLUB TRAIL RIDE RULES
In order that everyone has an enjoyable and safe trail riding experience the following rules will be adhered to:
1. The Club will not be responsible for loss, or injury.
2. Please arrive at camp well before dark, so we can get you set up in daylight.
3. Upon arrival, contact a trail committee member before parking.
4. Horses should not be left unattended in camp.
5. All horses must be tied properly at camp. No portable or electric corrals. e.g. picket lines or to trailers.
6. Stallions are not allowed.
7. Dogs must be kept on a leash or confined while in camp.
8. Dogs are not permitted on trails.
9. Litter will not be tolerated (in camp or on trail). If you carry it in, carry it out.
10. Leave horse and camp areas clean. (Bring a fork or rake to spread manure in your tie area.)
11. Appointed trail ride leader and drag rider for the day will have the authority governing conduct of the riders. The drag rider must be notified if you stop or leave the ride.
12. If this is your first trail ride experience the trail boss or ride management will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
13. Respect private property. Ride only where permitted and leave all gates as you find them.
14. No more the two riders abreast on public roads (you are entitled to only half of the road) and single file going up and down hills on public roads and on trails.
15. Allow a safe following distance from the horse in front – one horse length between horses. No crowding or bumping the horse in front of you.
16. If your horse is a kicker or if this is your horse’s first trail ride experience, put a red ribbon in its tail to indicate such. Be prepared to discipline your horse if it does kick!
17. Passing trail leader will not be allowed.
18. If you wish to pass the horse in front of you, state, “Trail Please, passing left”, and proceed in a manner that will not upset either horse.
19. No racing or running past other riders!
20. Avoid letting branches snap in the face of the horse or rider following you.
21. On trail you are responsible for the person behind you. If they are out of sight, ask the group to halt until they catch up.
22. No smoking in woods or on cross country trails and be careful with smokes and matches on the roadside and in camp.
23. No alcoholic beverages on the trail.
24. If riding after hours, a member of the trail committee must be notified and be limited to roads only.
25. Inappropriate behaviour towards individuals or horses will not be tolerated by the CSC. If you witness or are the recipient of inappropriate behaviour on the trail or in camp, immediately contact the trail committee chairperson who will investigate and take action.
Trailer Checks
Inspect Your Horse Trailer…….are your balls the right size???
As you get closer and closer to trailering your horses out to rides, whether that is with CSC or on your own, you should make sure that your trailer is up to snuff for the coming year. I know I sometimes think, well it was fine in the fall, but that is not good enough. It is not a bad time to get your trailer and truck certified to make sure it can pass a safety. If we don’t get it certified at this point here are the things you should all be doing.
•Check the trailer floor. Lift the mats and whether it is boards or aluminium make sure it is solid..
Make sure you are hitched up correctly, locked and that the safety chains are on. Make sure you are using the correct size BALL for the trailer you are pulling. The rating of a hitch and each of its components must be equal to or greater than the loaded weight of the trailer it’s pulling.
- Check the lights. You should do that every time you hook up.
- Check the tires for cracks or bulges.
- Check the air pressure including the spare.
- Check your brakes and brake controller to make sure they work.Make sure you have a jack and lug wrench to change your tires or barring that you have some roadside assistance package. Get yourself a Trailer Aid!
- Finally, carry a first aid kit for you and your horse.
Safe travelling to all CSC members and your horses!
Dufferin Forest Host Responsibilities
Additional Information
Host responsibility at Dufferin:
● Pay for and obtain permit to be posted in front windshield of host vehicle
● Obtain gate key combination from Carolyn Mach
● Provide gate key combination to registered riders ONLY, obviously do not post this
info on social media
● Obtain a current member list fromTreasurer to use as a sign-in sheet.
● We encourage all riders to register as a member prior to the ride, however, bring
copies of membership forms and non-member insurance forms. Please forward any
funds received to treasurer
● Assist members with parking, highline, forest maps, where to dispose of manure,
camping area layout to avoid fire pit, deep holes, metal posts, and tree stumps, most
are marked by wood stakes
● Trail maps are available in the kiosk at the lower parking lot
● Riders to leave their site clean, no manure, no leftover hay, no garbage
● Riders should be aware that County of Dufferin has a helmet bylaw.
● Become familiar with signage within the forest, the small coloured discs with arrows
are located at intersections instructing which colour trail you are on and the direction it takes. OCTRA will flag trails with ribbons on their first ride. Ribbons are always on the riders’ right side. white, pink, blue, yellow, orange, red (red and orange trails utilize Simcoe County Forest and Dufferin does not provide signage for trails in Simcoe County)
● Communicate when the ride will start, which trail you are taking, if riders need to pack lunch and snacks, water, approximate return to camp time
● Remind riders that if there are any issues to communicate that information so the riders do not become separated. Some horses will react to be separated from others.
● Ride at speed comfortable for newest/youngest rider
● Carry a watch and first aid kit
be aware of current weather conditions
Have fun
