Losing our access to public grounds

[foggybok]

I used to live on the coast south of San Francisco. I boarded at one of the many horse facilities in the area. Because San Mateo county had a strong ag tradition, there were a number of boarding places and great places to ride. Most of the stables operated on what was then POST land (Peninsula Open Space Trust). The land was eventually acquired by the national park service. This came with a lot of new restrictions on dogs and horses. Now they want to go even further and basically eliminate horses from the coast. This would be tragic for coastal horse owners. It’s sad to see. I loved living in the area, but now I’m glad I don’t

Supervisor Mueller and Coastside Horse Council Quiz GGNRA Staff at the Midcoast Community Council About Motivation for Removing Horses - Coastside Buzz

Pics from some of my rides

[clanter]

Federal Bill Would Protect Trail Access For Horseback Riders

The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act passed the House Natural Resources Committee on January 17 (2024) by unanimous consent.

“The American Horse Counsel (AHC) supports the EXPLORE Act because it protects access for horses and packers on public lands,” says Julie Broadway, President of the American Horse Council. “Maintaining and expanding trail access on public lands ensures the next generation of horseback riders can explore and recreate safely alongside other users. The inclusion of language to identify and adopt policies to promote conflict avoidance on multiple use trails is extremely important for the welfare of all users, and especially those who are riding or packing.

https://paulickreport.com/horse-care-category/federal-bill-would-protect-trail-access-for-horseback-riders

[moonlitoaksranch]

I think I only rode there once. Were you in Daly City or Half Moon Bay? Is part of the reason because of the horse rental places? I have some stories about them from when I worked for AC.

We had to trailer out there. Do you remember Ralston Ranch in Belmont? That’s where I boarded. Moved to the SF water department property near Skyline later. Both of those places are long gone.

[foggybok]

@moonlitoaksranch

I think I only rode there once. Were you in Daly City or Half Moon Bay?

We lived in Montara, north of HMB and south of Daly City. There were a bunch of boarding stables on the POST land. 6 different facilities with access to all the open space. It was great!

From what I gather, the main complaint is runoff from the stables. But that can be fixed with different manure management.

[moonlitoaksranch]

Were you there today in the early 1990s? The main horse investigator for Peninsula HS (where I worked for AC part time) was trying to catch a loose horse on Devil’s Slide and she fell. She died, but the horse was caught by someone else. It was really sad.

I heard it’s a tunnel now. Smart move.

I used to pick up bales of hay from the feed store in HMB in my little hatchback and drive back over 92 puttering along, lol. I had just got my license so it was a bit daunting.

[foggybok]

@moonlitoaksranch

Were you there today in the early 1990s? The main horse investigator for Peninsula HS (where I worked for AC part time) was trying to catch a loose horse on Devil’s Slide and she fell. She died, but the horse was caught by someone else. It was really sad.

I heard it’s a tunnel now. Smart move.

I used to pick up bales of hay in my little hatchback and drive back over 92 putting along, lol. I just got my license so it was as a bit daunting.

Moved out there in 2005, Devils slide fell into the ocean while we were there and I had to drive around through HMB and up 92 to get to work. That was a pain. They started the tunnel while I was there, but we left before it was finished.

[moonlitoaksranch]

That was after my time. I lived there as a kid and teen and then moved away.

[Bristol_Bay]

Some good news, though:

An old rail track in Northern California could become a 300-mile hiking trail

The Great Redwood Trail Agency