Trail Information

HARDING TOWNSHIP/GREEN VILLAGE

BRIDLE PATH ASSOCIATION

P.O. BOX 710

New Vernon, New Jersey 07976-0710

TRAIL INFORMATION

RIGHT TO RIDE LEGISLATION

Legislation was introduced in the last Congress to ensure equestrians are not unfairly excluded or removed from federal public lands to which they have traditionally had access, including the Right to Ride Livestock on Federal Lands Act and the Preserving our Equine Heritage on Public Lands Act. The American Horse Council (www.horsecouncil.org) will be working to make sure similar legislation is reintroduced, but will need substantial support from horse owners and recreational riders to have any chance of passing this legislation.

The Congressional Cavalry (http://www.horsecouncil.org/cavalry.php) was formed last year by the AHC in an effort to better represent and serve the horse industry before Congress. All horse owners, breed ers, veterinarians, trainers, competitors, recreational riders, service providers, and anyone who desires to be involved in grassroots efforts in Washington may join the Congressional Cavalry.

The AHC will provide participants with whatever information is required to take action. Participants will be contacted as necessary and activated quickly. Anyone who wants to enlist in the Cavalry or has additional questions about the program should contact the American Horse Council at 202-296-4031 or email: AHC@horsecouncil.com. There is no cost to join so I urge everyone to sign up today. Your participation in this exciting new grassroots initiative will help make sur e your voice is heard in Washington.

Last week I spoke with Ben Pendergrass, AHC Legislative Director. He said the bills are presently being reworked and once the language is finalized the equestrian community will be called upon to act.

In the meantime, Mr. Pendergrass urg es us to=2 0contact our Senators and Represent atives offices expressing our support for allowing equestrians access to public lands. (Please go to http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/ to find out who represents you in Congress and all contact information). In Ben’s experience, petitions and form letters are much less effective than phone calls, e-mails and personalized letters.

When making your call, you will likely speak to a staff member who will pass your message along to your representative. Please remember to be polite and professional, and leave your name and address so it is clear that you are a constituent.

It is important to forward this information to anyone who wants their voice and the voice of their horse community heard in Washington. To send to others, forward this email as you normally would, but please be sure to delete the header information (including the names in the distribution list) and any personal messages that you add as you send to different recipients. Also, please copy me so that I can accurately track the circulation of this co rrespondence.

Let us all unite and use our “horsepower” to get this legislation passed.

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 April 13, 2009