TRAIL MIX - Indiana Trail Riders Association

TRAIL MIX
July 2013
The Official Publication of the Indiana Trail Riders Association, Inc.
ITRA GOLD NUGGET
CORPORATE SPONSOR
Brown County Spring Cleanup
By Brett Erwood
It always amazes me how fast those few days go by when I
attend the annual spring cleanup weekends at Brown County.
Like all others before it, the 2013 spring cleanup was quickly
done and over with.
However, there are three things that do not end quickly on
these annual cleanup days. They are the fond memories and
the positive impact we leave on our parks and the image we
leave as volunteers in our beloved sport of trail riding.
Like every year, we continued the trend by having mounted
trash collectors and folks on the highway picking up trash left
by the inconsiderate. We had the chainsaw crew working hard
on deadfalls blocking our trails. We had volunteers brushing in
the all too common illegal trails, which can cause erosion and
other damages.
This year we had a new project. All too often trail users
misuse or abuse our privilege of horse trails in a number of
ways. This may be either due to apathy or just by being
uninformed in proper trail etiquette. We had some volunteers
involved in a photo shoot to illustrate the “dos" as well as the
"don’ts " of proper trail etiquette.
Naturally, we ended the day with the usual fantastic pitch-in
dinner. After the dinner we conducted a board meeting and
discussed some exciting new concepts for the future of our
organization.
Some may think that every annual clean up is the same,
but one thing is perfectly clear. When ITRA builds trails, we put
the "trail" in trail riding and when we have cleanup days, we
"keep" those trails in trail riding.
Let's give all who gave their time and efforts a big YEE
HAW !
Road crew - Jim Britt, Linda Britt, Michelle Smith,
Susan Altum, Anna Zupancic
Chain saw crew member Duane Davis
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Just a Quarter Mile
By Jody Weldy
The northern Indiana chainsaw crew decided to tackle the
downed trees on Trail 14 in Brown County at the spring
cleanup with a very large tree over a creek crossing being our
main goal. Bruce and I had ridden it the day before and that
tree made the creek crossing very hazardous and needed to
be taken care of.
This almost world famous chainsaw crew consisted of
Brian and Cindy Harnish, Brian being the chainsaw guy, Dale
and Marlene Shirley and Bruce and Jody Weldy. We quickly
came upon an excellent working formula......the guys got off
and did all the work and the gals held the horses.
We got Trail 14 all cleared and were making our way back
to camp when Brian got off and cut a tree that was down on
the B Trail. While he and Bruce were clearing the cut tree off
the trail a rider came up and said there was a tree down on the
Story trail and only about a quarter of a mile down the trail.
Well, Bruce figured if it was that close he was just going to lead
Lucky to the tree and stretch his legs a little. Well after what
was surely a half mile walk, Bruce got back on Lucky and the
next rider who came from the Story direction was asked about
a large tree down on the tail and again we were told, “just
about a quarter of a mile down the trail.” So off we went,
heading in the direction of Story and after asking the third set
of riders about the tree and being told, yes, just a quarter of a
mile down the trail I remembered there was a Wine Tasting
event going on that day in Story and I got to thinking maybe
everyone we had asked so far had been at that event and
maybe their distance comprehension was a little impaired by
too much wine!
Well, we finally came upon that tree, and it was a big one
and it was practically at Story!
Cheryl and Rick Rager on their way to pick up trash
Duane Davis and a broken bottle someone left on
the trail
Brian Harnish with the chainsaw, Bruce and Jody
Weldy and Dale Shirley clearing trail 14
End of the day pitch-in dinner enjoyed by all
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Ride With the Governor
By Jody Weldy
ITRA’s first ever “Ride with the Governor” was a huge
success. Just about a year ago, I met then Congressman Mike
Pence at Republican Headquarters in Goshen, Indiana. I
introduced myself and said I was with the Indiana Trail Riders
Association and that after he was elected Governor that we
should have a “Trail Ride with the Governor” to give trail riders
in the state of Indiana a chance to meet and ride with him. He
said it was a great idea and to plan on it if he was elected.
So I waited until after the inauguration to contact his
scheduling people and to start working on a date for the ride. I
had asked for a Saturday in May knowing the weather would
almost certainly be warm enough and the woods would be
pretty with spring colors. I had planned from the beginning to
have the first ride at Deam Lake because the horse
campground is so awesome and I kind of wanted to show it
off.
The Governor’s scheduling team came through with a date
of May 18th and Greg and I got into full gear. Greg got some
sites set aside for us and we started rounding up well broke
horses for our guests to ride. Greg brought one, Rheba
Montgomery brought one, Mindy LeVeque brought Joe Cool
who the Governor’s son Michael rode, Yvette brought one and
Duane and Sarah Davis brought Prince, who the Governor
rode and Mary Williams brought one of her former show
horses.
I was visited a couple of days before the ride by one of the
Governor’s detail guys, an Indiana State Trooper, Aaron
Haney, who came down to make sure he knew where he was
going on Saturday. He and the other Trooper, Eric Freeman,
had never been on a horse before but they were both game to
give it a try. Also, Zach Bauer, the Executive Assistant to the
Governor had not ridden in several years and was looking
forward to getting in the saddle again. Diego Morales, the
Governor’s Community Relations guy rounded up the riding
crew.
The ride was set for 10 until noon and we had all the
horses saddled up and ready to go when the Governor
arrived. The black suburban arrived with the “detail” and it was
followed by the now famous red Silverado, which is the
Governor’s personal pick-up. I made introductions and the
Governor greeted several trail riders who had ridden up just to
say hi and several got to shake his hand and get their picture
taken. We knew we didn’t have a lot of time so we tried to get
riders and horses matched up and get the ride started. We
already knew what route we were taking and within a few
minutes, folks were in the saddle and the group headed out.
About halfway through the ride, the trail passed a parking
lot for hikers and there were a few trail riders there, taking a
break and to their surprise, here comes the Governor of
Indiana riding up to shake hands and to say hi! After a brief
rest and much picture taking everyone was mounted again and
back on the trail. When the group got back to camp another
large group of trail riders were waiting to see the Governor and
again, much hand shaking and picture taking took place.
Greg presented the idea to Governor Pence about maybe
riding in every horse facility in the state and Mr. Pence thought
it was a great idea. We are hopefully going to have 4 more
rides yet this year.
Everyone had a wonderful time and the two “detail” guys
had a blast and both said they’d volunteer for this detail again!
Sarah Davis adjusting the Governor’s stirrups. The
Governor is on Sarah’s horse Prince.
Michael Pence, Governor Mike Pence, Jody Weldy
and Bruce Weldy
Governor Mike Pence enjoying his ride
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ITRA & OBWSP
Host the 4th Annual Memorial Day Picnic
By Ranger Bob Sawtelle
ITRA leadership continues to make its presence known in
Southern Indiana; most recently with a horse ride with our new
Governor Pence at Deam Lake State Recreation Area, and
then with the annual Memorial Day gathering at O’Bannon
Woods State Park.
Seems like there is always some discussion and light
debate on how long we have been having the ITRA and
OBWSP staff Memorial Day Cookout. Four or five years, or
what seems like forever.
We have all known each other for a long time,
professionally as we pursued in- partnership the continuance,
preservation and advancement of the horse riding and trail
tradition on State Park and Forest Lands, and personally as we
developed deep rooted friendships and associations through
those efforts and endeavors. Our entire park staff always
looks forward to and welcomes the ITRA leadership and
membership to the park for the Memorial Day Picnic, for
volunteer work weekends and when you just come to ride. We
appreciate seeing folks and their families enjoying what we
collectively work so hard to provide.
We continue to work hard to make trail and campground
improvements and are always in need of extra help. If you
would like to volunteer please contact us at
bsawtelle@dnr.in.gov or sbaelz@dnr.in.gov
We have volunteer campsites available in both the electric and
Horsemen’s Hideaway campgrounds. There is plenty of work
to do but also always time to enjoy the Park, Forest and Trails.
Come join us for a weekend or longer stay.
The Hersberger cart getting rigged and ready for a brisk tour of
the electric horse campground and wagon trail riding on Park
and Forest roadways and trails.
National Trails Day
The cleanup at Potato Creek had to be postponed one
week due to everyone having other things on their schedule
but everything worked out great.
I had contacted Jim Webb, the Property Manager, and he
said he’d like us to pick up any trash we may find on the trails
and to trim back the limbs and brush.
We had wonderful weather and several members showed
up to help. My neighbor Ginger Craigo came and camped plus
Gayle Vautaw and her hubby were camped a ways down the
road. Our usual crew of Brian and Cindy Harnish pulled in
Saturday morning with their horses and our other regulars, Jeff
and Sally Babcock and Marlene Shirley came horseless but
helped clean up the trails right outside of camp. My sister Jan
Donath and her daughter Laura hauled in with their horses
from Michigan and brushed back several trails and Larry Hahn
and his good-looking mule also helped. Pam Bice brought her
horse and camped with us but helped the horseless bunch with
trail cleanup.
After the work was done we had hamburgers and brats
over the fire plus everyone involved with cleaning also brought
a dish to pitch in and the eating was good!
Jody Weldy
We held our annual clean-up ride at Yelllowwood State
Forest. We had a small turnout, but we did accomplish a lot.
We cut back brush in the camping areas in the horse camp,
picked up trash on the Y trail, cut back a lot of brush on the
south loop of the Y, particularly between DuBois Ridge Road
and Martlett Road. This area had been neglected for over a
year as that trail was closed due to logging. The trail has since
been re-opened.
Afterwards, we rewarded ourselves with grilled Italian
sausage with peppers and onions. If you've never grilled Italian
sausage, you should try it, It’s very tasty.
Come join us next year.
Chris Riehl
The Mayor of the 1840s Historic Hickory Hollow Pioneer
Homestead and Hay Press meets with ITRA leadership to
discuss the contribution and tradition of horse riding and
working farm animals in Indiana
Trail Riders and Equine enthusiasts from the Greene County
Horse Council, Indiana Trail Riders Association and
Traildusters Saddle Club worked side by side with Property
Manager Steve Siscoe and his staff to remove trees and
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obstacles from many of the more than 25 miles of trails in the
9000 plus acre forest.
The workday, organized by past ITRA President and current
board member, Yvette Rollins, attracted volunteers from as far
away as Shoals (more than 50 miles). Workers were treated to
grilled Angus Burgers with all the trimmings and ice cream.
Greene-Sullivan has a primitive horse camping area about
4.5 miles south of Dugger on State Road 159. There are four
water stations and room (unmarked) for about 25 horse-trailers.
There is a pit toilet. No electricity or lights anywhere near the
campground. Unless there are other campers using the
campground, it can be very dark.
The day riding area is 1.5 miles south of the overnight
campground. There are hitching rails and a mounting block.
Plans call for a new day ride area to be constructed near the
entrance to the overnight campground by spring 2014.
Considered one of Indiana’s best kept trail riding secrets,
Greene-Sullivan State Forest (Southeast of Terre Haute)
boasts more than 120 lakes and equine trails that wind through
some of the most unique areas in Indiana.
Yvette Rollins
President’s Message
By Bob McPheeters
The 2013 season is going well. The ride at Deam Lake with
Governor Mike Pence on May 18, was great! We had a wellrepresented turnout, the weather held just for us, and we
believe the Governor had a very good time with the ITRA
representatives. Thank you, everyone who helped with the
planning and execution of this great event.
There have been several successful clean-ups at various
sites around the state...and several postponements due to
weather. Salamonie State forest and Lost Bridge had to be
delayed 2 weeks because of all the rain. The F trail at Brown
County is getting some sorely needed work, headed up by
Yvette Rollins.
My own pet project, the Trails of Anderson, has hit some
snags. We're having trouble with uncooperative local
horsemen who will not abide by the wishes of the city, and
continue to ride on the designated mountain bike trails in
Rangeline Nature Preserve. Signs have been installed, only to
be vandalized and torn down. At this time, we have a new set
of signs to put up. We will continue to work on improving and
promoting safe and cooperative trail use in our community.
Barb Ferguson is looking for volunteers for a stall and trail
cleaning party at Deam Lake in August. She is hoping to have
everything spruced-up for Labor Day Weekend. Anyone
interested, please contact her.
Horseman’s Camp Christian
Outreach
Serving God In Brown County State Park
and Beyond
July 2013
By Pastor Dean Manuel
How do you hit the trail?
I am sure we have all anticipated getting ready to
go hit the trail and ride. Most of the times it is with
friends and family for a "much needed" ride. But what
about those times when you’re going down the trail
or maybe it feels more like a path and maybe it’s a
path of lonesomeness, doubt, trouble, or you just
don't feel loved. This is the time that we need to
remember that Jesus said he would never leave us
or forsake us! Hear what Romans 8:38&39 says!
I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us
from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither
angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor
our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of
hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in
the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing
in all creation will ever be able to separate us from
the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our
Lord.
So you see Jesus is ALWAYS with us, even on
life's trail, don't leave without him! Stop in and see us
sometime at Brown County on Sunday Morning at
9:30 am. at the Trail A cabin.
Left to right. Betty Duffy, Steve Siscoe, Sandy McDaniel, Mike
McDaniel, Grace Helms, Yvette Rollins, not shown is Jim
Helms, photographer (Greene County Horse Council), Penny
and Steve Murphy, Debbie Vire, Marsha Bedwell and Martha
Jackman from the Dusty Trails Saddle Club
Deam Lake – Henryville News
By Barb Ferguson
I will be hosting a Horse Trail and Stall clean up at Deam
Lake on Saturday August 24th. The clean up will begin at
9:00AM. Lunch will be provided. It might be hot so bring plenty
of water. Tools for cleaning stalls will be needed like, rakes and
manure forks. Anyone interested in helping can email me at
itra.barb@gmail.com or call me at (812) 620-6341.
3/4 of Mountain Grove Loop horse trail is still closed from
the tornado damage from March 2012. We hope the salvage
logging and re-hab will get done soon so the DNR will open it
back up.
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Until the next time, MY Friend
By Greg Hersberger
Many, many trail miles ago there was an ITRA annual
membership meeting in which some new directors and officers
of the ITRA were elected. This brought some new friendships
and working partners together that have lasted for the majority
of 2 decades.
One of these was Ron McCoy. Ron was elected as a
Director and then Chairman of the Board of Directors. During
those early years we had some major hurdles to climb over.
The state wanted to close two areas to horse riders. The
Potato Creek campground and the majority of Salamonie State
Forest were targets of the IDNR at that time. With Ron at the
lead and Jody as the President and Yvette as Vice President
we were able to stop both of those things from happening.
We’ve had many challenges since that time but nothing to
compare to them.
A few years back Ron and his family moved to Arizona so
Ron stepped down from the Board and his Chairmanship and
went to ride out west. Many of us stayed in touch with Ron and
talked to him on a regular basis to get his wisdom and insight
on how to handle issues we were facing back here in Indiana.
Ron never did get ITRA out of his blood as he followed
everything we did and offered his help whenever we needed it.
It was after a few years that Ron and Karen decided to
move back to Indiana and Ron was running for a director’s
spot even before the move was completed. If memory serves
me right he was elected to the Board and then elected as
Chairman again even before they were settled into their new
home back here in Indiana.
Ron dug right back into working with everybody here and
got a few things going that were somewhat stalled. He was a
driving force in getting the new Versailles horse camp started
and getting the grants for that pushed through. I won’t go into
every detail on things he has worked on but the list is long.
Ron and Karen are now going back to Arizona to be closer
to the girls so he is leaving us again. He does leave his legacy
here in Indiana and many friends who will miss him but we will
stay in touch as he doesn’t change his cell phone number no
matter where he lives.
Good Luck My Friend and stay in touch with all your ITRA
member friends.
I miss you already!
Greg
Tell us about…
your worst trailering experience
Stuck at McDonald’s
Giving my age away…. Back in 1980 I was pulling a brand
new 12 foot stock trailer (which I still own and use). it was the
first time my parents allowed me to pull a trailer with a horse in
it by myself. I was heading to Brown County State Park with
my girlfriend for the weekend. My parents were so concerned,
after all, two young ladies all by themselves, driving so far
away with two horses! Everything went well until we got
hungry and decided to stop for something to eat.
We were in Franklin Indiana on Highway 31 and found a
McDonald’s. Given we did not want to leave the horses
unattended, we decided to do the drive through. Back then the
drive though had sidewalks on each side; the sidewalks were
about 8” tall. We placed our order and went to drive up to the
window and came to a hard stop! The truck fit just fine, but the
trailer was about a foot wider on each side and got wedged
between the sidewalks! It was wedged so tightly the truck
could not back it up! We were about 3 feet away from the
window. One of the employees came out to see what the
problem was and started laughing but I was in tears! Cars
were behind us; everybody was walking over to look and then
they would laugh. I wanted to die! After a bunch of people tried
to push/pull it out for about an hour it was determined a tow
truck was needed.
Of course I could not call my dad or mom, so I borrowed a
phone book and found a towing service. The tow truck driver
got to McDonald’s and got out of the truck to see what was
going on and he starting laughing! When he could finally
speak he asked us to unload the horses, and we did. He had
us out in about 5 minutes! I asked him how much the bill was
because he told me on the phone it would be between $30-$50
dollars. He told me “No charge, in 25 years of towing cars this
is the hardest I have ever laughed”. Then the manager carried
out a sack full of food and drinks on the house and told us he
hoped the rest of our weekend was uneventful.
Send articles for the Trail Mix to:
Marsha Berry
70417 C. R. 13
New Paris, IN 46553
mlberry@bnin.net
Deadline: August 10, 2013
Becky Bennett
Adventures in Hauling Horses
Hmmm, how to just choose one of my adventures in hauling
horses? Well shoot, I'll just tell all of them, or at least, all of
them that I want to admit.
When I was raising Appaloosas, I hauled a mare to
Michigan for breeding. No problems. A couple of weeks later I
went back to "fetch" her. It's a long trip, about 6 hours for me,
one way. And of course, like most of my hauling adventures, I
was alone. About a mile from my house, in the wee hours of
the morning, a police car squeezed up beside me on the
narrow country road. I pulled over. He came up to tell me that
someone had reported me weaving around on the road, and
hey, "just what IS in that McDonald's cup there?" I told him it
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was Diet Coke and he was welcome to take a sip; and I was
not weaving. He looked at me suspiciously but let me go on
home. When I got home, the dog ruckus caused by my arrival
awoke my husband, who came out to see if I was in one piece
and to help me unload the mare. He casually asked where my
other trailer wheel was. I said, "Well, I suppose it's on the
trailer," too tired to joke around. As he pointed out, somewhere
between here and central Michigan, I had lost a wheel. Maybe
that was why I was allegedly weaving on the road?
Another adventure was having a truck tire blow out on I69
east of Indy at rush hour, 92 degrees, with a 2 year old filly in
the trailer. My cell phone had just died (this is in the old days
and I didn't have a car charger). It took about a half hour for a
state police car to stop, then call a local service truck. The
young man who came was tattooed on all visible surfaces, and
had enough piercings to set off TSA alarms. I thought, "Oh
no." But you know what? He hopped out, was unfailingly
polite, quickly efficient, and fearless in changing that truck tire
(on the traffic side, of course) alongside the interstate
racetrack. I was grateful.
My next adventure was driving home from a horse show in
the south. It was a busy Sunday late afternoon. I was hauling
my 17 hand hunt seat filly, and a friend's 3 yr old World
Champion hunt seat gelding. A trailer tire went flat, and the
tread began to come off, smacking against the trailer and
smoking like a forest fire. I was 4 miles from the nearest exit. I
pulled over and waited to see if someone would stop. And
waited, and waited, wracking my brain to figure out how to get
help. Finally, knowing AAA wouldn't touch the trailer, I called
them and....yes, I lied. I told them it was a truck tire that was
flat. When they connected me to the local dispatcher, I 'fessed
up and told him it was my trailer tire. Before he could hang up,
I asked him to just give me the number of the service truck he
would have called if it had been my truck. I'd happily pay, if
only someone could come rescue me. Semi trucks were
almost blowing me off the road as they roared past in an
almost solid convoy. Of course the flat tire was again on the
traffic side. The dispatcher gave me the number. I called the
gentleman, who said he'd be there as soon as he was out of
church. He came, had some problems getting the spare tire off
even with his impact wrench, but eventually we got it changed.
In the two and a half hours I was on the side of the road, not
one person stopped and not one state police car went by.
After that episode, I saw an ad for US Rider, signed up, and
never had that problem again.
I'm not going to tell you about the time I hauled, alone
again, from Madison to Ft. Worth, TX...took me 22 hours from
the time I left the driveway to the time I got the horses bedded
and watered and could park the dang trailer and go to bed. Oh,
and during that trip I stopped at a Love's truck stop, got both
horses out, and took their blankets and slinkys off. The
younger one, a huge yearling hunt seat star, was a calm quiet
filly. Luckily, because when I took the slinky off, her halter
came off and she was standing in the truck stop lot naked for
about 5 seconds. When I recovered from THAT heart attack, I
loaded them back up and on we went. Never a dull moment
hauling with me.
Or the time my truck wouldn't start at HHP in Edinburgh,
and AAA wouldn't come into the park. They wanted me to ride
the horse to the main road and meet them there, and guide
them to the horse barn. I declined to do that. And may have
given them a small piece of my mind.
Or the time I put regular fuel in the diesel truck 60 miles
from home (no horse with me that time) and badgered the tow
truck driver to let me ride in the truck, which was on the
wrecker, so I could finish listening to my excellent audiobook. I
first asked nicely if I could drive the tow truck, which has
always been a goal of mine, but when he said no for the fifth
time, I asked if I could ride in my own truck. I think by that time
he was glad to get me out of HIS truck. I did have to lie down
on the seat of my truck so a passing officer couldn't see me.
Ok, so I've learned a lot since those days. I still haul alone a
LOT, but now I have a reliable cell phone, charger, and pay US
Rider to rescue me.
Cherri Cronen
Lost Trailer
The worst experience I ever had with a trailer occurred
about 50 years ago. I had an old two-horse trailer, bumper
hitch, on an equally old 1948 Ford pickup. I had just delivered
a horse for a friend of mine and was on my way home. I came
to a stop sign on a hill. As I stopped I felt a bump and as I
looked back I noticed my trailer and back bumper backing
down the hill without me. Back then we didn't know about
safety chains so the trailer went into the ditch. I retrieved the
bumper, took it to my brother-in-law's and had him re-weld it.
With the help of a log chain, I was able to pull the trailer out of
the ditch, re-hook and continue on my merry way. I am just
thankful that I had no horses in the trailer, no one was behind
me and that God was looking out for me.
As I was looking through some old issues of the Trail Mix, I
noticed a subject that I had missed because of being ill. The
subject was "Unusual Things You Found on the Trail". Back in
1993 Judy and I were riding in Brown County on Trail C. We
came to a hill and I saw something shiny stuck in a mud hole. I
got off and picked it up. It turned out to be a Westclox wind-up
pocket watch. I wound it and it started running. The only thing
I saw wrong with it was the crystal was cracked. Now 20 years
later I still have that watch, it still runs and the crystal is still
cracked. It just keeps on ticking.
Larry Gates
The Trailer Wreck
The year was 1966, it was in October and we were headed
to the All Breed show that later became the Quarter Horse
Congress. I was just 16 at the time. We were hauling 4 horses,
2 mares and 2 stallions in a 4 horse WW tandem axle trailer.
They were all half brothers and sisters. They were sired by the
good Quarter Horse stallion, Skipper Junior. The stallions were
in the front and the mares in the rear. Dad had worked all night
and drove for a while, but at the time of the wreck Mom was
driving and Dad was asleep.
We were somewhere around Dayton, Ohio, probably just
east of there. We had a slide in truck camper, which is where I
was riding. Suddenly the truck started swaying violently and I
thought it was going to turn over so I got on the floor but as
suddenly as it started, it stopped and the truck pulled over and
stopped. I opened the door and looked out and there lay the
trailer on its right side, about 50 yards behind the truck.
We all instantly went into panic mode. Dad tried to rip the
top off the trailer with a claw hammer, but of course that
wouldn’t work. He felt like he had to do something, he couldn’t
just stand there and wait. We had a lariat in the truck, so he got
that and tied it to the hind legs of one of the mares and hooked
it to a car of some teenage boys who had stopped to see what
was going on. They had skipped out of school that day. They
slowly drug the first mare out with the car but when she got out
she started kicking and struggling so much that she kicked the
lariat off and it hit one of the boys in the mouth so the boys left.
Then a couple of truck drivers stopped to help. They were
in a McLean’s semi, pulling doubles. One of the truck drivers
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had a bad arm, so he could only use one, but he sure used it to
help. They did the same thing, tied the lariat to the hind legs of
each horse and slowly eased them out, one by one, with the
semi. The stallions were banged up some, but overall looked
like they were in pretty good shape. They really didn’t struggle;
their injuries seemed to have happened as the trailer rolled
over.
The first horse was beat all to pieces. Each joint was broke
open and she looked awful. She was a 2 year old and we
hadn’t had her very long and she hadn’t been handled very
much. She was the first one out and she struggled a lot. She
lived several years after the wreck, but was never usable.
The second mare didn’t have a mark on her. She had been
under the first mare and she stayed calm, didn’t seem to
struggle any. We went on to ride and show her for several
years.
The first stallion out, Skipper Skip, was the younger of the
two stallions. He wasn’t beat up much, but he died 6 months
later, from an intestinal injury that he received from the wreck.
The second stallion, Skipper Laddie, wasn’t beat up and he
didn’t struggle. That year, 1966, was the most successful show
season we had with this horse. He went on to become an
AQHA champion, the following year. He was my youth activity
horse, showing in western pleasure, horsemanship, halter,
reining and barrels. Every time I showed him in youth halter,
we won. He also went on to sire many red dun AQHA foals. He
only lived about 2 ½ years after the wreck. He became sick in
his stall one day while we were at the house having lunch and
died about an hour later.
When the wrecker got there, the truck driver with one good
arm, helped the wrecker driver get hooked on to the trailer and
set it back upright. It was pretty beat up, but usable. We loaded
the horses back in it and took them home.
The only damage to the truck or the camper, was the left
rear jack was torn off the camper as the trailer came loose and
caught on it. That was where I had been sitting.
When it was all said and done, it seemed like a semi
passed and Mom lost control, because of the swaying. One of
the rear tires on the trailer blew, somewhere along the line.
Dad said it was probably a good thing she was driving,
because she was only going about 45 mph. He had been
driving earlier and going a whole lot faster and thought the
wreck would have been much worse at a higher rate of speed.
We never really knew if the flat tire was the cause of the wreck
or a result from it. We felt like it was the cause, however. Mom
is still living and is 85 years old and never pulled a trailer again.
the way in. We closed everything up and away we went. When
we got to the meeting, the leader came running over to me
shouting for us to stop. Stormy had laid down, legs tucked up
under her and looking around, while we were driving. After that
I didn't tie her in case she felt like she had to lie down while we
were driving. Unfortunately I had to use that trailer my whole
4H years but when I got old enough to buy my own, I got a
newer Stidham 2 horse and Stormy was never happier to be
closer to the ground! She was always the quietest horse in the
trailer.
Tammy Ramsey
Next topic: Tell us about your escape artist
Send your stories to Marsha Berry 70417 C. R. 13 New Paris,
IN 46553 or email them to me at mulberry@bnin.net
Booger
By Linda Earl
The horrible story of the dead and starving animals in
Madison County brings to mind the story of my horse Booger J.
My father bred and raised Booger J. He sold him as a colt
to a man who later had to make a tour of duty to Viet Nam.
When the soldier returned from duty he found his horse in dire
straits. The man he had asked to care for Booger had
neglected him to the point of near death. After seeing Booger's
condition, the man felt he had no other option than to send
Booger to the slaughterhouse.
My Dad had just sold my pony, Blackie, and I was heartbroken. I had Blackie since I was 3 years old. I had never
ridden her in a saddle. I would just pull her up to the fence,
climb the fence and get on her. One day I came home from
school and she was gone. I believe now that my Dad must
have needed the money because his horse training business
had just begun and he had a family of 6 to feed.
But anyway, at 9 years old, I sure missed having a horse to
love!
So back to my story about Booger J.
On his way to the slaughterhouse the man stopped by to
show my father how badly malnourished Booger was. My Dad
bought him for $50 and gave him to me. Due to starvation,
Booger had started cribbing very badly. (Cribbing is when a
horse bites down on wood and sucks in air in order to fill their
stomachs with air to feel full.) His cribbing and grunting were
so loud you could hear it throughout the 60X120 pole barn my
father had just built for his horse training operation. Booger
was so thin you could see all of his ribs and his hip bones
stuck up like tent poles under a tent. I spent the whole winter
feeding Booger little handfuls of feed at a time so he would not
get sick from overeating.
When Booger was healthy enough I spent many hours
riding him. Finally I even got to use a saddle! He still wasn't
very pretty. He was an Appaloosa. His confirmation wasn't the
greatest. He was kind of a red roan with leopard spots and a
lot of mottling around his muzzle and eyes. But I sure loved
him!
I decided I wanted to put him in the county 4-H program. My
Dad said that if that was what I was going to do, I would have
to be the one to care for him and do all the riding to get him
prepared. I was more than happy to do it!
The following summer Booger repaid me by winning the
Montgomery County Horsemanship.
At that time you had to show the judge that you could mount
and dismount your horse. I had learned how to reach up on the
Stan Estes
The Old Trailer
My worst trailering experience was actually my first for me
and my horse. I was 12 years old and my mare, Stormy, was 2.
My dad had an older, homemade trailer that had one axle and
the floor of it sat 4 feet off the ground. It had a very long ramp
that the horse had to go up to get in and once in I could feel
the trailer sway with every move while I was in it tying her up.
She walked in the trailer with no question and everything
seemed to be going smoothly. I closed the ramp behind her,
climbed in the truck and off we went. Unfortunately, the very
first curve we came to was a half-mile from the house and the
tire blew on the trailer. The whole trailer went nearly on its side.
We immediately stopped, pulled Stormy out, thankfully without
a scratch, and my dad put a new tire on. I was ready to go
back home but he was determined to get me to my 4H
meeting. She loaded but with more resistance this time,
stopping several times on the ramp before getting the rest of
8
Basic understanding of a GPS
GPS stands for Global Positioning System and is a form of
navigation that uses a network of satellites and ground
coordinates to determine a precise location anywhere on earth.
Mapping and coordinate systems are based on a mathematical
surface, called a Datum, that best fits the shape of the Earth.
The coordinates are latitude and longitudinal lines drawn on
the earths’ surface, using a map. Latitude indicates how far
north or south of the equator a location is and longitude
indicates how far east or west of the prime meridian a location
is. The meridian line is similar to the equator line….it means
center of the earth running north and south; wear the equator
line is the center of the earth running east and west.
From there, the earth is divided up into various lines and
given numbers called coordinates to define an exact location
on the earth’s surface. For example, Midwest Trail Rides
exact coordinates where taken just off the front porch of the
store; N 38.983032 W 86.369035. When inputting these
coordinates into the system, you are asking the GPS to read
the exact location of the “waypoint” you are trying to find.
Waypoints are what locations are called in your GPS. You set
certain waypoints that you want your GPS to remember and
save in its memory.
Once you have entered your address or your coordinates,
your work does not end there. You need to program your GPS
unit for how you want to get there. You can set it for “walk
mode” or shortest route, or the routes that will keep you on
main roads and highways.
saddle as high as I could and wiggle my way up the side until I
could finally reach the saddle horn and pull myself into the
saddle. All along Booger would stand there patiently waiting for
me to get into the saddle!
Afterwards my parents were contacted by the leaders of the
4-H program saying that some of the parents believed I had an
unfair advantage against their children because of my father
being a professional horse trainer. They believed I should not
be allowed to show against their children in the future. So that
was the last time Booger and I were in the ring together.
My father sold him afterwards to a girl who continued to win
with him.
Even though I wish I could have had many more years of
memories with Booger I know that because of my love for him
(and my Dad's $50) Booger had many more years of quality life
and HE TAUGHT ME SO MUCH!
Cowgirl (Cowboy) Adventures in Big
South Fork, TN
By Sara and Duane Davis
We (Duane & Sara Davis) had a wonderful adventure over
Memorial Weekend at Big South Fork, TN. Pam Weston’s
private camp is centrally located at Big South Fork. Pam’s
facility is designed for women to come and stay in the Bed &
Breakfast or has electric hook-up for your trailer. She will
guide you on many different trails or give you really good
directions. The trails have a variety of hills, rocks or flat riding
along the river or through the woods and fields. There are
many lookouts and rock formations. The trails can be for
experienced or new riders; Pam will tailor the ride for you. At
the end of the day your horse has its own private stall and
paddock to roll in the grass. Pam is also a registered nurse
and on the police horse patrol and she has experience with
horses and safety. We highly recommend the ride for small
groups of women who want to feel safe and secure on their
ride.
We enjoyed the riding and the hospitality of Pam Weston.
Check out her website at: CowgirlAdventures.com or e-mail
Pam at WomenRideBSF@gmail.com or text/call 269-9983495.
Why Does My GPS Get Me Lost ?!
By Kim Humphries
As a campground owner/manager I can’t tell you how many
times people get lost coming to our place, Midwest Trail Ride.
It is very easy to find us, we are right off a state highway with
large signs directing travelers where to turn. However, too
often times folks want to punch in our address into their GPS
and wonder why they get lost. Let’s take a minute to examine
how a GPS system works, what it is designed to do and how
we horse traveling folks can best put it to use.
Most of the time, when folks get lost using their GPS it can
be attributed to “operator error.” Most folks don’t take the time
to read all the material that comes with their GPS so they can
understand how it works before they head out. They just take
it out of the package, prop it up on the dashboard of the
vehicle, type in an address and assume it will just take them
there like magic! GPS’s are just like your computer, they are
only as accurate as the information you give them to do their
job.
How they work and Common Problems
GPS systems operate off several satellites, in space,
orbiting the earth. A GPS needs to make contact with at least
four satellites for a more accurate position. If your GPS is
setting on the dash of your truck, it may receive something
called “multipath interference.” It has to do with reflections off
the windshield, the metal roof of your truck or car, tall buildings,
mountains, large bodies of water are just some of the things
9
that cause multipath; thus you will receive inaccurate
directions. To avoid multipath, you should put an external
antenna on the roof of your vehicle for a more accurate
satellite reading.
Many of these GPS units go by the National Geographic
maps that are only updated every ten years or so. Many old
logging roads and abandoned roads in our state parks and
national forests will show up as a “road” on your GPS, but
might not be anything but a cow path. A person needs to be
very careful and plot your course against a real map of the
area or region before blindly following turn by turn directions.
There are settings within the GPS for “Turn by Turn”
directions or a “map view”. Map view is probably the best use
of your GPS when you are traveling long distances pulling a
big trailer. You can look at the map view and then look at a
road atlas and make sure that the GPS is plotting your course
over state roads and highways….not leading down cow paths
and non-existent old road beds through the forest!
What a GPS is designed to do
GPS are designed to help you get where you are going in
this fast paced, high tech world. Since we travel by different
modes of transportation, there are many different GPS units. It
is important to select the right type of GPS for your mode of
travel.
There are marine GPS that are specialized for fishing boats
and large marine vessels preloaded with the latest US Coastal
Marine maps, Blue chart technology and fish finders. There
are GPS units for hikers, trail riders and geo-cachers that have
all the trails, topographical maps, and trailhead amenities.
Then there are automotive GPS units and Truck and RV GPS
units that will give you all the streets and roadways across the
country. Most of them have traffic reports, exit amenities, lane
assist and lifetime downloadable maps.
The automotive vs the RV GPS
For those of us traveling with our horses, it is important to
have an RV GPS system and not an automotive unit. The
difference is the RV unit will be pre programmed to keep you
on state roads and highways designed for large vehicles. The
Truck and RV GPS systems are set up with campground
information, exit services that RVers will need, like dump
stations, gas and propane refueling, truck and trailer
breakdown directories, etc. Many of these units have external
video input for back up cameras and are programmable for
your specific length and height to keep you out of tight places
in large cities and off narrow roads.
Automotive GPS can work with horse trailers and large
RV’s if you have a setting that will only route you on main
highways and state approved roads. Many automotive units
are defaulted to the “shortest route available” and that is not
always the wisest choice when pulling around a 35’ horse
trailer.
Traveling in rural America
When you get out in the country where you are going to trail
ride, go to a horse show or even pick up a new horse, your
GPS unit will not understand many of the country addresses.
Some addresses out in the rural parts of America might not
make sense or be exact to the GPS. That is where knowing
your coordinates can be helpful. By putting in the GPS
coordinates of the exact location of where you are going it will
take all the guess work out for the GPS unit.
For example, Midwest Trail Ride is in Lawrence County, but
our street address is located in Jackson County, Indiana. The
GPS will either take folks to the fire tower in the middle of the
National Forest or it will take them to the post office in Norman.
We are neither place! We try to advise people to call us for
directions before they come or if using a GPS we ask that they
input the coordinates instead of the address.
Even if you are using the coordinates, you will still need to
make sure your setting is on best and safest route not shortest
route. We have many frustrated and frightened women who
get out on the old gravel roads in the national forest and run
out of gas or have to spend the night alongside a dirt road in
the wilderness. Remember, once you get back in these areas,
the forest canopy is thick and will block your GPS signal as
well as your cell phone signal!
It is important to use a real map to plot your course ahead
of time, make sure you have the correct GPS unit for the job
and make sure you understand how to program your GPS unit
to keep you on the state approved highways for large vehicles.
High Gas Prices
All right folks, step right up! You don't want to pay $4.69 for
gas, no problem; I have the perfect vehicle for you.
Needs no gas, no oil, or even a battery, just a little grass
and water will do these animals fine. Now everyone has
different needs, so choose from the following models:
1. Trail Horse - Your average run around town animal. Has the
energy to get where you are going, the brain to find the best
way to go, big enough to carry the normal sized American.
2. The Arabian - perfect for those who travel long distances in
a day and try to multi task while driving. Although the Arabian
may not go to your home or office without specific instruction, it
WILL go somewhere.
3. The Draft - Calling all soccer moms. This big guy can carry
the whole team, their gear and snacks. Just like the big
machines, this guy will require more fuel, and his shoes will be
more expensive than the compact model.
4. The Western Pleasure - The right car for the high end white
collar workers. This animal works harder and requires more
special knowledge so only the best can figure this one out. Be
sure to take your cell phone. You wont be stuck in traffic, you
just wont be getting anywhere fast.
5. The Parelli - Salesmen, stay at home moms, and high
school kids will all enjoy this dream. You can load him down
with flapping Wal-Mart bags, ask him to walk in places a horse
wont fit, and you can dance with him as you listen to the latest
tunes.
6. The Ranch - The most dependable animal available. He will
go wherever you ask him to, at whatever speed is appropriate.
You can tie him to the stop sign and he will be there when you
get back. Best of all, this model has been specially engineered
to be able to go without water for days and stay fat and slick by
eating sagebrush and dead prairie grass.
Of course all models are available in base colors (sorrel,
bay, black). Special order colors are available (dun, gray,
palomino) and for an additional fee, custom paint jobs are also
available (overo, tobiano, blanket, leopard).
No horse is sold with a warranty, however maintenance
plans are available in the event brakes, steering, or accelerator
fail.
Help us increase our membership. Sign
up the most new members and you could
win a free membership for 2014. Be sure
to include your name as the referring
member on their membership form.
10
ST RD 15
SILVER LAKE, IN
260.352.2162
www.kerlintrailers.com
3298 US 30 EAST
WARSAW, IN
574.268.9400
www.kerlinwesternworld.com