October 2025 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN 39 October 2025 Pennsylvania Equine Council Newsletter • OCTOBER 2025 Power TRAIL ETIQUETTE Submitted by Aleta Seifert P art of good trail riding etiquette is ensuring that you are respectful of trails and land areas. This begins with your arrival at the trailhead. It is best to heed the following: • Park only in designated areas. • Keep your muck in the trailer and dispose of it at home or in a designated manure pit. • Tie only to your trailer, designated tie areas, using a safe high tie or cross-tying to trees (do not tie directly to trees). • Take out everything that you bring in. Pack it in, pack it out. • Stay on the trail if possible except to avoid downed trees or other hazards such as bees, etc. • Try to enter waterways at designated crossings only. • Avoid muddy trails. If you have to pass through mud, try not to inadvertently widen the trail. • Pay attention to signage and do not enter areas where horses are not allowed. • Clean up your tie site before you load up for home. Many trails are multi-use and open to a variety of users – hikers, mountain bikers, dog walkers, etc. It is important that horseback riders communicate with other trail users. When you see other users on the trail, remember that horses have the right of way. • Talking to the hikers or bikers serves two purposes. It helps to convince your horse that the hikers, etc. are not horse-eating monsters. It is also good will among users. • Ask them politely to step off the downhill side of the trail while you pass. • Wait for gate openers/closers. • Wait for all horses to drink before leaving a watering area. This is a pet peeve of mine. Most horses will stop drinking if others move away whether they are very thirsty or not. Make room if you can to allow other horses to drink. • Wait for riders who might be having a hard time crossing water with their horses. • Wait for riders who have dismounted or are off for any reason unless you are instructed by the trail boss to continue moving in case they are in need of a doctor or horseshoer or other qualified person. • Do not run up behind or alongside other riders. Ask permission to pass and then pass slowly at a safe place. If your horse exhibits behaviors that could be dangerous, you should tell all members of the riding party about those issues and place a ribbon in your horse’s tail. The following are common ribbon colors to be used for this purpose: • Red = Kicker • Green = Novice • Blue = Stallion SHARING THE WOODS Submitted by Capri Stiles P ennsylvania is an amazing place to explore the outdoors. No matter what type of recreation you enjoy, it’s always important to recognize everyone’s right to use public lands. Across most of the Commonwealth, Sunday hunting is now permitted on 13 specific Sundays during the 2025-26 hunting season, following the passage of House Bill 1431, which eliminates the previous Sunday hunting ban. This means that there are no longer any days in the fall or winter where trail riding can occur without the possibility of encountering a hunter or a group hunt. The new regulations set by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, effective September 7, 2025, allow hunting on 13 Sundays throughout the fall, including the specified Sundays in the 2025-26 deer and bear seasons. Here are some tips for horseback riders on how to recreate with others safely and respectfully. While sharing the woods, be prepared, always have a plan, and share it with someone. Let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return. If your plan changes, notify them. Riding plans should always include the horse you are riding, your vehicle type, where you plan to ride, what time you plan to return, and any other important details. If you’re going for a ride or exploring the woods, make sure to include which trail(s) you plan to visit and where you are parking. Your plan should be written down or told to someone who would notice if you don’t return on time. Another tip is to wear bright colors. For hunters, wearing blaze orange is required. Horseback riders should also consider wearing blaze orange or blaze pink. This safety practice is highly recommended during all hunting seasons. Riders should also consider adding bright colors to their horse’s tack when riding in the woods during hunting season. This practice can make you and your horse easier to spot. Since hunters and horseback riders will be sharing the woods, if you run into someone else say, “Hi”, let that person know you’re there. If you see hunters in the parking area, let them know which way you are headed. Remember that you may encounter hunters with firearms, bows or crossbows. Giving each other a heads-up about your plan could help you both enjoy your day in the woods. Hunting seasons in Pennsylvania run from September all the way through February so it’s always important to know what game is in season before heading into the woods. Hunting seasons vary by Pennsylvania wildlife management unit (WMU) regions. You can check the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Hunting and Trapping Digest as a guide for all dates and locations where hunting is allowed. The guide can be easily accessed through the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) website, as an app, or you can find printed copies available where hunting licenses are sold. According to the Animal Legal & Historical Center, Pennsylvania does have a hunter harassment law that states, “It is unlawful for another person at the location where the activity is taking place to intentionally obstruct or interfere with the lawful taking of wildlife or other activities permitted by this title”. The conduct declared unlawful in this section does not include any activities arising from lawful activity by other land uses, including farming, mining, forestry practices, recreation or any other activities when it is evident that such activities are not intended to violate the hunter’s rights. Pennsylvania has an abundance of public lands, which are managed for multiple use recreation. Different property types may allow more than one form of recreation. Be sure to check the rules for individual state parks, state forest areas, preserves, wildlife management areas or other state land you plan to visit. Horseback riders should share the woods respectfully, know your rights and expect the same from other recreational users. Pennsylvania Equine Council Newsletter • OCTOBER 2025 TRAIL ETIQUETTE Submitted by Aleta Seifert P art of good trail riding etiquette is ensuring that you are respectful of trails and land areas. This begins with your arrival at the trailhead. It is best to heed the following: • Park only in designated areas. • Keep your muck in the trailer and dispose of it at home or in a designated manure pit. • Tie only to your trailer, designated tie areas, using a safe high tie or cross-tying to trees (do not tie directly to trees). • Take out everything that you bring in. Pack it in, pack it out. • Stay on the trail if possible except to avoid downed trees or other hazards such as bees, etc. • Try to enter waterways at designated crossings only. • Avoid muddy trails. If you have to pass through mud, try not to inadvertently widen the trail. • Pay attention to signage and do not enter areas where horses are not allowed. • Clean up your tie site before you load up for home. Many trails are multi-use and open to a variety of users – hikers, mountain bikers, dog walkers, etc. It is important that horseback riders communicate with other trail users. When you see other users on the trail, remember that horses have the right of way. • Talking to the hikers or bikers serves two purposes. It helps to convince your horse that the hikers, etc. are not horse-eating monsters. It is also good will among users. • Ask them politely to step off the downhill side of the trail while you pass. • Wait for gate openers/closers. • Wait for all horses to drink before leaving a watering area. This is a pet peeve of mine. Most horses will stop drinking if others move away whether they are very thirsty or not. Make room if you can to allow other horses to drink. • Wait for riders who might be having a hard time crossing water with their horses. • Wait for riders who have dismounted or are off for any reason unless you are instructed by the trail boss to continue moving in case they are in need of a doctor or horseshoer or other qualified person. • Do not run up behind or alongside other riders. Ask permission to pass and then pass slowly at a safe place. If your horse exhibits behaviors that could be dangerous, you should tell all members of the riding party about those issues and place a ribbon in your horse’s tail. The following are common ribbon colors to be used for this purpose: • Red = Kicker • Green = Novice • Blue = Stallion SHARING THE WOODS Submitted by Capri Stiles P ennsylvania is an amazing place to explore the outdoors. No matter what type of recreation you enjoy, it’s always important to recognize everyone’s right to use public lands. Across most of the Commonwealth, Sunday hunting is now permitted on 13 specific Sundays during the 2025-26 hunting season, following the passage of House Bill 1431, which eliminates the previous Sunday hunting ban. This means that there are no longer any days in the fall or winter where trail riding can occur without the possibility of encountering a hunter or a group hunt. The new regulations set by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, effective September 7, 2025, allow hunting on 13 Sundays throughout the fall, including the specified Sundays in the 2025-26 deer and bear seasons. Here are some tips for horseback riders on how to recreate with others safely and respectfully. While sharing the woods, be prepared, always have a plan, and share it with someone. Let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return. If your plan changes, notify them. Riding plans should always include the horse you are riding, your vehicle type, where you plan to ride, what time you plan to return, and any other important details. If you’re going for a ride or exploring the woods, make sure to include which trail(s) you plan to visit and where you are parking. Your plan should be written down or told to someone who would notice if you don’t return on time. Another tip is to wear bright colors. For hunters, wearing blaze orange is required. Horseback riders should also consider wearing blaze orange or blaze pink. This safety practice is highly recommended during all hunting seasons. Riders should also consider adding bright colors to their horse’s tack when riding in the woods during hunting season. This practice can make you and your horse easier to spot. Since hunters and horseback riders will be sharing the woods, if you run into someone else say, “Hi”, let that person know you’re there. If you see hunters in the parking area, let them know which way you are headed. Remember that you may encounter hunters with firearms, bows or crossbows. Giving each other a heads-up about your plan could help you both enjoy your day in the woods. Hunting seasons in Pennsylvania run from September all the way through February so it’s always important to know what game is in season before heading into the woods. Hunting seasons vary by Pennsylvania wildlife management unit (WMU) regions. You can check the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Hunting and Trapping Digest as a guide for all dates and locations where hunting is allowed. The guide can be easily accessed through the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) website, as an app, or you can find printed copies available where hunting licenses are sold. According to the Animal Legal & Historical Center, Pennsylvania does have a hunter harassment law that states, “It is unlawful for another person at the location where the activity is taking place to intentionally obstruct or interfere with the lawful taking of wildlife or other activities permitted by this title”. The conduct declared unlawful in this section does not include any activities arising from lawful activity by other land uses, including farming, mining, forestry practices, recreation or any other activities when it is evident that such activities are not intended to violate the hunter’s rights. Pennsylvania has an abundance of public lands, which are managed for multiple use recreation. Different property types may allow more than one form of recreation. Be sure to check the rules for individual state parks, state forest areas, preserves, wildlife management areas or other state land you plan to visit. Horseback riders should share the woods respectfully, know your rights and expect the same from other recreational users. Pennsylvani Equine Council sle ter • OCTOBER 2025 Po TRAIL ET ETTE Submit ed leta Seifert P art of good trail riding etiquette is ensuring tha you are respectful of trails and land areas. Thi begins with your ar ival at the trailhead. It is best to heed th following: • Park only in designated areas. • Keep your muck in the trailer and dispose f it at home or in a designate ma ure pit. • Tie only to your trailer, designated tie areas, using a s fe high tie or cross-tying to trees (do not tie directly to trees). • Take out everything that you bring in. Pack it in, pack it out. • Stay on the trail if possible except to avoid downed trees or other hazards such as bees, etc. • Try to enter wat rways at designated crossing only. • Avoid muddy trails. If you have to pass through mud, try not o inadvertently widen the trail. • Pay attention to signage and do ot e ter ar as where horses are not allowed. • Clean up your tie site befor you load up for h me. Many trails are mu ti-use and ope to a variety of user – hikers, mountain bikers, dog walkers, etc. It is important tha horseback riders communicate with other trail users. When you see other users on the trail, remember that horses hav t e right of way. • Talking to the hikers or bikers serve two purposes. It helps to convince y ur horse that the hikers, etc. are not horse- ating monsters. It i al o good will among users. • Ask them po itely to step off the downhill side of t e trail while you pass. • Wait for gate openers/closers. • Wait for all horses to drink before leaving a watering area. This is a pet pe ve of mine. Mo t horses will stop drinking if others move away whet r th y are ver thirs y or not. Make room if you can to all w ot er horses to drink. • Wait for riders who mig t be h ving a hard time crossing water with their horses. • Wait for riders who have dismounted or are off for any reason unless you are ins ructed by the trail boss to conti ue moving in case they are in need f a d ct or ho sesho r or other qualified person. • Do not run up behind or alongside other riders. A k permission to pass and then pass slowly at a safe place. If your horse exhibits behaviors that could be dangerous, you should te l all members of the riding party about tho e issues and place a ibbon in your horse’s tail. The following are common ribbon colors t be used for this urpose: • Red = Kicker • Gr en = Novice • Blue = Stallion SHARING TH OODS Submit e pri Stiles P ennsylvania is an amazing place to explore the outdo rs. No matter wha type of recreation y u enjoy, it’s always important to recognize everyon ’s right to use public lands. Across most of the Commonwealth, Sunday hunti g is now permitted on 13 specific Sundays uring the 2025-26 hunting season, followi g the passage of House Bill 1431, whic eliminates the previous Sunday h ting ban. This means that there are no longer any days in the fall or winter wh e trail riding can occur without the possibility of encountering a hunter or a group hunt. The new regulations set by th Pennsylvania Game Com ission, effective September 7, 2025, allow hunting o 13 Sundays throughou the fall, including the specified Sundays in the 20 5-26 deer and bear seasons. Here are som tips for h seback riders on how to recreate with o hers safely and respectfully. While sharing the woods, be prepared, lways have plan, and share it with someone. Let someone kn w where you’re going and when you plan to retur . If your plan changes, notify them. Riding plans should always inc ude the horse you are riding, your vehicle type, where you plan t ride, what time you plan to retu n, and any other important details. If you’re g ing for a ride or xploring the wo ds, make sure to include which trail(s) you plan to visit and wher you are parking. Your plan should be writt n down or t ld to s meone who would n tice if y u don’t return on time. Another tip is to wear bright colors. For hunters, wearing blaze orange is required. Horseback iders should also consider wearing blaze orange or bl ze pink. This safety practice is highly recom ended during all h nting seasons. Riders should also consider adding bright colors to their horse’s tack when riding n the woods uring hunting season. This practice can make you and your ho se easier to spot. Since hunters and horseback riders will be sharing the woods, if you run into someone els say, “Hi”, let that person know you’re there. If you s e hunters in the parking area, let them kno which way ou are hea ed. R ember that you may encounter hunters with rearms, bows or crossbows. Giving each other a heads-up about ur plan could help y u both enjoy your day in the woods. unting seaso s in Pennsylva ia run fro S ptember all the way t rough February so it’s always important to know what game is i season before heading into the woods. Hunti g seasons vary by ennsylvania w ldlife manage ent unit (WMU) regions. You can eck the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Hunting a d Trapping igest as a guide for ll d tes and locations where hunting is lowed. The guide can be e sily accessed through the Pennsylvania a e Co m ssion (PGC) w b ite, as an app, or you ca find printed pies av ilable where hunting licenses are sold. cording o the Animal Legal & Historical Center, Pennsylvania oes have a hunte harassment law that s ates, “It is unlawful for other person at the l cation w re the ac iv ty is taking place to i tentionally obstruct or int rfere with the lawful taking of wildlife r other activities permitted by his title”. The conduct declared nlawful in this secti n does not include any act vities arising fro lawful ac ivity by other land uses, includ farming, mining, f restry pra tices, recreatio or any o her activities when it is viden that such activiti s are not intended to violate the hunter’s ights. e nsylvani h s n abundance of public lands, which are managed for multiple use ecreation. Diffe ent pro rty t pes may allow more t an one form of creation. Be sur to check the rules for individual tate park , state forest area , pr serves, wildlif man gement areas r other s ate land you plan to visit. Horseback riders should share t e w ods respectfully, kn w your rights and expect the same from the recreational users.