Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, Dr. Pete and Jody Smith. |
“The main objective for pleasure trail riding is to enjoy the scenery and have a good time. This is not a contest.”
― Jody Smith
The Milliron bridle trails brought joy to Pete and Jody. The family worked to keep trails clean and free of brush. For many years they enjoyed hosting a trail ride that lead riders to a potluck BBQ. Pete and Jody supplied the meat and riders brought side dishes. It was a highlight for the Smith family and the Milliron community. It was intended for Milliron Clinic clients, but more and more riders came. Jody felt it was necessary to remind riders to use common trail etiquette. Many riders considered the ride a contest to see who could reach the BBQ first - it was supposed to be an enjoyable scenic ride. Finally, after a rider had a mishap, the ride was cancelled.
Here's the printed guidelines that was given to each rider:
Milliron Clinic Fall Trail Ride
Trail Information and Hints
Check the tightness of your girth before mounting and occasionally during the ride. Do not ride up close on horses your horse does not know. A red ribbon in a tail means that horse is prone to kick. Nearly any horses may kick when threatened or frightened. A usually safe distance is one horse's length between horses or each gait of speed. Be particularly careful if horses are stopped or milling around. A kick aimed at a horse can shatter your leg. Children on ponies should be kept between two horses the pony trusts.
Horses generally pick the best spot for their feet to go. It is the rider's responsibility to watch for rider head and knee clearance. Always bend forward along the horse's neck if space is tight. If in doubt, get off and lead horse. If too close to a tree for knee clearance, have hand ready to straight-arm horse away from tree. This is possible because the rider is above the horse's center of balance. If a hill or stream crossing makes you uncomfortable, get off and lead your horse or have someone lead it for you. The main objective for pleasure trail riding is to enjoy the scenery and have a good time. This is not a contest. If you are not accustomed to riding several hours at a time, get off and walk for 15-20 minutes every hour or two. This will make tomorrow fun too. If your knees bother you, lowering your stirrups a notch may help.
Trail markers (surveyors tape) mark turns or where the trail goes straight when other paths intersect. Follow the clearest trail straight ahead until you come to the next marker of the color you are following. Watch carefully to follow your color when it turns off. You will need to pay particular attention if you come upon a group of riders who may be taking a different trail that has intersected and run along with yours. If you discover you are now following the wrong color tape, just back track to pick up the trail you want. In two places the Red Trail will go in the opposite direction from the White Trail for a short space to get to another bench (or rim) trail. They will both lead to the BBQ so do not be confused if horses are heading toward you at these spots.
The main WHITE TRAIL leaves through the gate below the upper cattle guard. It is 6.7 miles to the cabin. The shorter WHITE TRAIL leaves from the long field to the left, east (towards Amesville) of the clinic. It is five miles. The RED TRAIL is approximately 13 miles long. In several instances the Red Trail crosses paths which lead to the short White Trail. If you are running out of time or energy, follow one of these and turn right (East) on the White Trail. BLUE LOOP TRAILS leave and return to the main trails. Some are slightly longer, some shorter, but are more scenic (narrower, more rocks, steeper hills, stream crossings). On all trails be alert for holes, rocks, logs, etc. Do not canter or gallop unless you can see the trail surface clearly. Do not go fast through thickets which have been recently brush hogged as your horse may injure a foot on a sharp stick.
Please be very careful not to drop pans, gum or candy wrappers, etc. as this is a major concern to the neighbors who have graciously granted us permission to cross their land. Special thanks go to New Covenant, Schmittauers, Blockers, Michaels, Beans, Connors, Rutters, Chadwells, Bunyans and Watkins. We certainly appreciate their generosity.
Put items to go to the cabin (food, tie ropes, etc.,) in the blue truck parked by the bridge. Please be sure to retrieve these items (dishes!) after the ride.
HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU
Connect with Gina...
Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.
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