Category: Misc

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Fall Riding Safety: Hunting Season, Trail Updates, and Exciting News for Riders

Hi everyone—Lindsay here with Rochester Trail Riders. I’ve got some exciting updates to share and some important reminders as we head into one of the busiest times of year on our trails.

A New Role for Our Region

I’m honored to announce that I’ve stepped into a new role as Regional Vice President for the Finger Lakes with the New York State Horse Council (NYSHC).

What does this mean for you as riders? Simply put: our equestrian community now has another voice advocating for safe trails, fair access, and equine-friendly policies in Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Livingston, Seneca, Yates, and Steuben counties. My role is to represent your interests—whether that’s raising awareness, promoting safe trail use, or speaking up when decisions are being made that impact horses and riders in our region.

Hunting Season is Here

One of the most important things to be aware of right now is that hunting season begins October 1st and runs in various forms all the way through New Year’s Day in the Southern Zone (which covers our counties).

Here are the key dates for 2025–26:

    • Bow season: Oct. 1 – Nov. 14; Dec. 8–16; Dec. 26–Jan. 1
    • Youth firearms weekend: Oct. 11–13
    • Regular firearms season: Nov. 15 – Dec. 7
    • Muzzleloader: Dec. 8–16; Dec. 26–Jan. 1

That means hunters will be active in the woods throughout the fall and early winter.

Where It’s Safe to Ride

    • ✅ Monroe County Parks are hunting-free zones, making them safe trail-riding options this season.
    • ⚠️ State and regional trails, such as the Genesee Valley Greenway, cross private lands where hunting is allowed. Riders should take extra precautions in these areas.

Safety Tips for Riders During Hunting Season

To help keep you and your horse safe, here are a few best practices:

    • Be Visible: Wear blaze orange or pink so you stand out.
    • Make Noise: Clip a bell to your tack so hunters hear you coming.
    • Time Your Rides: Avoid riding at dawn and dusk when visibility is lowest.
    • Stick to Trails: Don’t wander off into dense brush or unmarked areas.
    • Ride in Groups: Visibility and awareness increase when more riders are together.

Call for a Regional Director

As part of my new role with the NYSHC, I’m also looking for a Regional Director to join me in supporting riders across the Finger Lakes.

This is a volunteer position, and the duties are straightforward but important:

    • Track local issues affecting horse owners
    • Attend occasional DEC or town meetings
    • Share updates with the Regional VP and the community
    • Make sure equestrian needs are represented

If you—or someone you know—are passionate about horses and want to help strengthen our equestrian voice, please reach out!

Resources

Stay safe, enjoy the fall colors, and let’s continue working together to keep our trails open, safe, and horse-friendly.

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Ten Ways To Get In Shape To Own A Horse

  1. Drop a heavy steel object on your foot.  Do not pick it up right away.  Instead shout “Get off, stupid. Get off!”
  2. Leap out of a moving vehicle and practice “relaxing into the fall.”  Roll lithely into a ball, and spring to your feet!
  3. Learn to grab your checkbook out of your purse and write out $100 without looking down.
  4. Jog long distances carrying a halter and lead in one hand and an arm stretched out with a carrot in the other.  Encourage your non horsey neighbors to join in.
  5. Affix a pair of reins to a moving freight train and practice pulling it to a halt.  Be sure to smile as if you’re really having fun.
  6. Hone your fibbing skills.  “See hon, moving hay bales is fun” and “I’m really glad your performance and multi-million dollar horse won you 1st place – I’m just thankful that my hard work and actual ability placed me 2nd.”
  7. Practice dialing your chiropractor’s number with both arms paralyzed to the shoulder and one foot anchored on the lead rope to a frisky horse.
  8. Borrow the old Army slogan “Be all you can be……(bitten, thrown, kicked, slammed, trampled….)
  9. Lie face down in the mud in your most expensive riding clothes and repeat….”This is a learning experience, this is a learning experience,…”
  10. Marry into Money!

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Mendon Ponds Winterfest 2011

Lots of fresh snow should make the Mendon Ponds Winterfest a great place to be this weekend.

I will be at the Cobblestone house from 11-4pm doing carding and spinning demostrations.  Outside the Cobblestone house will be horse drawn sleighs! 

Other things to see there are dog sled races, a snowshoe race, skiing, and more!

For full event details check out Mendon Ponds Winterfest

Dog Sledding

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2011 Horse Show Calendar for Rochester, NY

Hello everyone,

2010 is coming to a close and 2011 is right around the corner.  I’m working on updating our “Events and Shows” page with new dates and links.

If you have a show/event/trail ride/clinic/etc added to this page please comment on this post and copy/paste the following information into it.

Date:
Title:
URL: http://

Thank you and as always, to help keep this site free, please click on one of our sponsers!