Re: RC: Re: re: manure at rides

[Howard4567@aol.com]

In a message dated 11/9/00 10:12:08 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
dfletche@gte.net writes:

<< Paper and plastics are also biodegradable. Plastic has a substantial
 different time frame. >>

Yea, like forever.  Come on, you're comparing plastic to manure?  This is 
silly.

 <<As for riding public land where you are prohibited, I know some golf 
courses on
 public land that I would love to ride. >>

Just because they call a golf course "public" does not mean the land is.  And 
I wasn't speaking of any golf courses.  I'm talking about our forests, our 
land.  Government land that is not privately owned.
 
<< I can also be somewhat an anarchist in terms of attitude. But I also
 understand the process. I can ride some prohibited areas and get away with
 it. But I can guarantee you will not ride in an endurance ride in a 
prohibited area. And that is not the ultimate solution. >>

I'm not speaking of endurance rides; they are never a problem.  Most riding I 
do, and other riders I'm sure, is training in areas to get your horse 
prepared for that next endurance ride.  If, for some reason, the state or 
federal rangers decide that I can no longer take my horse into the forest, 
because the hikers don't like the mess, or the hunters say I'm scaring away 
the deer, or the 4-wheelers can't hear me, I will still ride there.  

I'm not trying to get anyone to agree with me and have them think this is the 
proper thing to do.  It probably is not.  But I will do it if it ever comes 
to that point.  To ride is to live; to live is to ride. Ride till you puke (I 
never liked this phrase until I actually did it at an endurance ride).  On 
this issue I feel so strongly that I will violate the law, if no other option 
is available.

<<When push comes to shove, I (and other horsemen) lose. I (along with others 
in your organization) spend a great deal of time working to keep trails open. 
And
 part of that is obeying the rules. Part of it is pointing out where the 
rules may not have any signifcant difference to the goals of the land 
manager. And part of it is getting other horsemen not to screw us all because 
of their attitude. Instead of an attitude, perhaps you should spend some time 
helping out Jerry Fruth. >>

If I break the law and get caught I will be the one punished.  It is my 
choice and, if arrested, I promise not to tell the police that I belong to 
AERC or any other equestrian association.  If you really think that I'm 
harming you and other horseman because I have this belief in my head then 
you're missing my point entirely.  I'm speaking theoretically, of other 
options available, if it ever gets to the point where we have no place to 
train, no place to ride.  

Maybe it's just me, but I'm getting a little sick and tired of having to 
produce more and more papers, as time goes by, to cross my state line with a 
horse.  I'm getting a little tired of paying more money because I own a horse 
just because the authorities demand that I do so.  Why do I need to have my 
vet come out to my house to sign a Health Certificate that is only valid for 
30 days to leave my state?  Why do I need to have a Coggins test once a year? 
And, God forbid, if my horse comes up positive after the test they will 
expect me to allow them to euthanize my best friend, even if he's perfectly 
healthy.  Who knows what they're gonna come up with next month.  Am I the 
only one getting sick of this bullshit?  And now you're telling me I can't 
ride?  I don't think so!

I've attended several local meetings to discuss the use of local trails I'm 
concerned about and we have a good thing going here.  For now.  Not because 
of me, but because of other riders who know how to handle meetings and get 
things done.  These smart riders usually put duct tape over my mouth and sit 
me in the corner till the end of the meeting.  But I'm lucky and this could 
change at anytime.   I am concerned about our equestrian trails nationwide.  
And I think Jerry is doing an exceptional job and I commend him.  

But, let's say we start losing trails.  Some government agency comes in and 
says you can't ride your horse here anymore.  You attend meetings, do 
everything the legal and proper way, but you still can't ride.  Not where you 
want to, not where you've ridden for the last ten years.  It's all gone!

This is where I draw the line.  I'll take my damn glow stick and ride in the 
dark if I have to.  I just have to ride.  I'm training a Saddlebred for a 50 
and that is not an easy thing to do. We need space.  And it can't be done 
with just ring work.  Catch me Ranger, if you can!

cya,
Howard (I will shut up now cause I'm busy counting the votes down here in my 
precinct; Dan Rather will pass out when he gets our results.  Nader win's 
Florida, now what the heck do we do?)