January 27, 2007 by Capuce.

My favorite spot! So much so I got married on horseback there! This is the perfect spot to ride with multiple friends. FREE entrance, large gravel parking lots, shade trees and picnic tables make the perfect setting to spend with your equine friends. My favorite time is the fall with the old woods bursting into color and views of the gorge. WARNING: the trail is wide but has very steep drop off on 1 or both sides at times.

How to get there from Rochester:
- 390 South
- Exit 7 - Mt Morris
- Left on to 408
- Stay on 408 through Mt Morris to Nunda
- Right at light in Nunda on to 436
- Parade Grounds on Right - before RR Bridge
- Closed in winter - but good parking at enterence to still gain acess.

Either ride on the roads themselves or you can pick up the Finger Lakes trail down the road from the parking area. If you stay on the road it will turn to dirt and has many views of the gorge. Going left on the FLT is only a mile but will have views of the falls before it ends at the landslide. If you go right the trail is wide and very colorful with long views into the woods.

The roads are quiet and would make a great spot to go out with a cart. Assuming my mare recovers from destroying her knee a few weeks ago I hope to drive her around Big Bend. Sadly, it may be 6 months to a year of stall rest and therapy before she can go out and play again.

Posted in Driving, Parks | No Comments »

January 20, 2007 by Capuce.

The Chautauqua Institution’s 27th annual sleigh rally has been cancled due to lack of early snow which caused low turnout.   This sleigh rally is one of the oldest and longest running in the country. 

Click Here for more information about the CCHA Sleigh Rally

Posted in Driving | No Comments »

January 20, 2007 by Capuce.

Mendon Pond Map

Tomorrow is Mendon Ponds Winterfest!  What’s going on at the park that’s horse related?

11am - 4pm:  Mounted Patrol
11:30am - 3:30pm: Horse drawn sled - Photo Op Glad Acres Farm
11:30am - 3:30pm: Horse drawn wagon - Glad Acres Farm
11:30am - 4pm: Blacksmith Demonstration
11am - 4pm: Granger Homestead Photo Op with sled

Posted in Driving, Parks | No Comments »

January 2, 2007 by Capuce.

Black Creek Map

Black Creek Park has nice wide trails some with hills good footing and the bugs aren’t bad. I recommend parking at the Green Rd parking lot, click on the PDF above for a detailed map. It’s large, graveled with not to many visitors unlike the “main” entrance. If you dare there’s a bathroom but it’s not in the best condition. Horses are allowed on most trails accept those with boardwalks. There are signs posted so you don’t get confused.

This is a nice park for a picnic. There are nice open grassy areas for grazing or trees to tie a picket line. I’ve enjoyed many sunny afternoons lazing around in the warm grass watching my boy Goliath gorge himself.

This park is much like Northampton. The trails are wide enough to a horse cart though I have yet to have brought mine up for a drive. Let me know if you have driven in this park before.

Posted in Driving, Parks | 1 Comment »

January 2, 2007 by Capuce.

Great Trailer parking! For those of you who hate backing up this is the parking lot for you. Large gravel area with plenty of space for several trailers. Follow a wood chipped trail to pickup the Greenway.

Go north and you’ll run into Ballantyne Rd in about a Mile. The trail currently gives up at this point and you’ll see a sign showing a detour. From experience don’t take it! 3 of us ended up trying it one day and ended up in the middle of road construction. What a sight it must have been to city drivers watching 3 ladies mounted in the left hand turning lane waiting for the green arrow. We safely made it through and trotted down the road over the railroad crossing making almost to Paul Rd before we gave up and came back. Made for an interesting ride!

I recommend going South on the Greenway. It’s nicely wooded and has road crossings every few miles. If you’re adventurous enough to make it about 4 miles down you’ll cross under the NYS Thruway in an old stone tunnel. Great ride in the fall!

Posted in Greenway | 1 Comment »

January 2, 2007 by Capuce.

A small nature filled park between Brockport and Spencerpor, NY off of Rt 31

Northampton Park Map

Open the above PDF and you’ll find a detailed map of the trails, horse trailer parking and area’s of interest. Trails are grassy and wide to accommodate a buggy or cart. Trails are best when the weather is dry as some area’s do get wet. Park rangers keep the area groomed very well and the bugs are at a minimum. The park has inspired a local driving society and a small driving show the 1st Sunday of every June. More information can be found at Northampton Driving Society.

Posted in Driving, Parks | No Comments »

January 2, 2007 by Capuce.

Genesee Valley Greenway access off of Rt 20. This is where you can find me riding the most often because it’s so close to home. There is ample parking for trailers available off of Rt 20 on the North side of the road. Make sure you keep a lane open because the parking area is also a driveway.

Tack up and ride south across the road. This trail starts at mile marker 18 and ends at Fowler Road at Mile 21. Round trip is 6 miles. Wonderful footing good for the barefoot horse like mine. This trek is perfect for legging up with markers posted at every mile to time your speed. The trail is level with views of the Genesee River, open farmland and wooded areas. Mostly shielded by brush and trees this is a good place to ride on windy days. Benches placed every 1/2 mile or so make good resting/picnic area’s or objects to spook at if you’re on my horse.

Should you decided to ride north of the parking area you will need to cross Rt 5 in about a mile. I’ve currently only gone as far as mile 16 to the north after mosquitoes got the best of me and I was forced to turn around. I will try again at a better time of year.

Posted in Greenway | No Comments »

January 2, 2007 by Capuce.

Welcome to a new blog for horse lovers in the Greater Rochester area. I will be posting my experience with the horse friendly trails available for public use. I’ll be uncovering the best places to park your rig, times of day to ride, along with difficulty level of the trail. I urge people to respond with new trails or their trail experiences on horseback.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »