Trail Information

HARDING TOWNSHIP/GREEN VILLAGE

BRIDLE PATH ASSOCIATION

P.O. BOX 710

New Vernon, New Jersey 07976-0710

PLEASE NOTE: THE BRIDGE AT CHERRY LANE IS OUT!!!

TRAIL INFORMATION

RIGHT TO RIDE LEGISLATION

From The American Horse Council

Congressman George Radanovich in the House and Senator Mike Crapo in the Senate are planning to introduce the bill in their respective bodies in the near future. Both are seeking cosponsors to their bills so I would urge you to call/write your Member of Congress and your Senator and ask contact Radanovich in the House and Crapo in the Senate to cosponsor Right to Ride. Below I am including some talking points .

This legislation is intended to preserve the use and access of horses and pack stock to public lands where there is a historical tradition of such use.

Right-to-Ride legislation is crucial to riders and their continued use of public lands.

Horses have played a critical and historic role in opening and settling our country.

What may now be perceived by some as recreation was once a vital part of everyday living in the U.S., particularly in the West.

This bill does not diminish the Secretary of Interior’s ability to implement emergency closures or permanent reductions in the use and access of these pack and stock animals, after complying with the full public review process required by law.

The House of Representatives passed this bill by voice vote in May 2006; It passed a similar bill in the 108th Congress.

S. 781, introduced by Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho, was referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on April 14, 2005.

The recreational horse industry, which includes recreational riders and pack and saddle stock, has a $32 billion effect on our economy each year and supports 435,000 jobs nationwide.

The American Horse Council supports this legislation and asks all recreational riders to contact their Senators encouraging them to act on it in the Senate.

Click here for a letter to Senator Robert Menendez

The Honorable Robert Menendez email

Click here for a letter to Senator Frank Lautenberg

The Honorable Frank Lautenberg email

If you live elsewhere, please contact the webmaster and I will find your Senator for you.

Bridle Trail Sign

Look for this sign on the trails to help you find your way! We will be posting these signs gradually on the Bridle trails. If you have an opportunity to speak with a landowner about a trail through their property, please get permission to post this small sign on selected trees along the trails.

The signs are only 3.5" square and are posted 6 to 8 feet above ground. We use aluminum nails (tree safe) only. Please contact HT/GV if you need some signs for posting.

We have just started a Trail Welcoming Committee. If you would like help navigating the trails, please contact

the webmaster and we would be happy to put you in touch with some of our seasoned trail riders.

Trail Maintenance

Most Trail Maintenance is performed by members. Professionals are contracted for large projects such as major tree removal and bridge repair on trail easements. Many homeowners maintain the trails that pass through their properties.

If you have a trail on your land that requires maintenance or wish to reopen an old trail on your property, please contact us.

Horses Have the Right of Way

According to New Jersey state law, horses and riders have the right of way in New Jersey. If you see a horse crossing a road, please stop and let them pass. If you pass a horse and rider walking along the edge of a road, please go by slowly. The horses are beautiful to look at as you drive by--so enjoy!

"When approaching or passing a person riding or driving a horse, a person driving a motor vehicle shall reduce the vehicle's speed to a rate not exceeding 25 miles an hour and proceed with caution. At the request of or upon a signal by putting up the hand or otherwise, from a person riding or driving a horse in the opposite direction, the motor vehicle driver shall cause the motor vehicle to stop and remain stationary so long as may be necessary to allow the horse to pass."

BRIDLE PATH TRAIL RULES

Stay on paths only. Do not cut through the middle of fields.

Do not walk on driveway grass borders, lawns, planted fields or by young trees.

Do not school your horse in a field by the bridle path.

Close all gates behind you! If you can not close a gate while on your horse, dismount or take another route.

Be courteous to Landowners. Obey their requests.

No motorized vehicles of any kind on bridle paths, except during bridle path maintenance, as necessary.

Be thoughtful of landowner’s privacy. Be quiet near homes and walk your horse by houses.

Trail maintenance activities should not occur in the early morning hours and should only be done with property owner’s permission on private property.

Members are encouraged to wear protective headgear and practice safe and sensible riding.

Ride at your own risk.

Remember, a careless rider can cause a bridle path trail to be revoked. All riders are representatives of the Harding Twp/Green Village Bridle Path Association to the community at large.

2006-2007 Hunting Season

2006/2007 Hunting Season extends from September 10, 2006 through February 18, 2007.
    Fall Bow  42 days: Sept. 10 - Oct. 28
    Permit Bow  52 days: Oct. 29 – Nov. 190 and Nov. 24 - Dec. 31
    Permit Muzzleloader 63 days between Nov. 21 and Feb. 11
    Six-Day Firearm 6 days: Dec. 5 – Dec. 10
    Permit Shotgun  44 days between Nov. 21 and Feb. 11
    Winter Bow  42 days: Jan. 2 – Feb. 18

REPORTING ANIMAL ABUSE:

Many people, horse owners/lovers included don't know what do when they see
an abused situation. This information is in the NJ Trails Book that the
Horse Council now has available:   Contact: NJHorse@aol.com for the book.

To report neglect, cruelty or abuse of horse(s):

            NJ classifies horses as livestock. Under this classification,
they are protected under laws that do not include dogs and cats. Also, if
there is a question of neglect, cruelty, abuse or anything of that nature of
HORSES, the issue should be referred to NJ Dept. of Agriculture
609-292-3965 Dr. Nancy Halpern, DVM and not the local humane association.
Nancy.Halpern@ag.state.nj.us

The livestock laws are under NJAC 2:8

This page was last updated on June 13, 2007