Episode Transcript
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Lindsay (00:00):
Oh hey, it's me, your
friendly neighborhood
equestrian, currently peelingdried mud off my boots with a
hoof pick because spring hasarrived and so has the mud.
Nothing says welcome to springmud season like trekking down
what you think is a solid trailJust to hear that sound as your
horse sinks into knee deep muckand then hope you can maneuver
(00:23):
your way out of it before itbecomes a big mistake.
Thanks to the questions that I'mseeing on RTR Today, we'll cover
the following topics to helpanswer some of them.
How to pick the right trails,gear and hoof cutter to help you
and your horse, how to ridesafely through slick spots.
And most importantly, how tokeep our trails in good shape so
(00:44):
we're not turning them into aswampy, rutted mess for the rest
of the season.
So grab your waterproof boots,your best balance, and let's
dive in.
Well, figuratively, notliterally, because, like, nobody
wants that kind of a trail ride.
Ah, spring.
(01:04):
The birds are chirping, the sunis shining, and the trails Yeah,
they're a slippery, hoof suckingmess, and if you have ever
watched your horse take theirfirst steps into a muddy trail
with the same level of trust asa cat being asked to take a
bath, you know exactly whatwe're talking about.
Muddy trails aren't justannoying.
They can be dangerous anddamaging to everybody involved,
(01:27):
including the trails themselves.
Have you ever tried walkingacross a freshly mopped floor
and socks?
Now imagine doing that with fourlegs at a trot.
One wrong step in the deep mudand suddenly your horse is
challenging their innerballerina in a move that is not
part of the ride plan.
Slips and stumbles can lead tomuscle strains, tendon injuries,
(01:49):
and worse.
Not to mention it's exhausting.
Deep mud equals extra exertion.
Your horse might feel fine atthe start of the ride, but after
slugging through some stickyfooting for miles, fatigue sets
in fast.
Imagine your winter barn fitself is on spring break walking
through deep beach sands.
(02:11):
That's what it's like for ahorse.
Some horses handle mud betterbarefoot while others are gonna
need some shoes for grip.
Either way, mud buildup inhooves can lead to issues like
thrush or causing soles to besoft and allowing for bruising
if you're not too careful.
Every hoof print and soft,saturated ground pushes the mud
(02:34):
around, widens the trail, leavesdeep ruts and hardens like
cement when the sun comes out.
And the result?
A bumpy, uneven trail that is nofun for anyone.
And when trails get churned upin mud season?
The next big rainstorm can washaway the topsoil, leaving
nothing but roots, rocks, and aheadache for everybody.
(02:57):
So keeping trails in good shapeis going to equal fewer repairs
for park staff and happier multiuse visitors.
We've been there.
You see a huge mud puddle in themiddle of the trail.
So you, or your horse, steer offto the side.
And so does everybody else.
And then the next thing youknow, a single track path is
suddenly six feet wide.
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And a once healthy section oftrail is now a permanent swamp.
Instead, do everything you canto actually walk through that
puddle and not around it.
It's a better idea to stick tothe drier trails during mud
season.
When you can, ride smart, ridelight, and do your part to keep
the trails in good condition forthe season ahead.
(03:44):
Spring trail selection is adelicate game.
You're gonna pick the wrong one,and you'll spend the next two
hours dodging puddles, prayingthat the ride would end with all
the shoes on, and having oneheck of a cleanup job after.
The key to keeping things safeand enjoyable is knowing where
to ride, and the moreimportantly, where NOT to ride.
(04:04):
until that ground firms up.
Greenways, rail to trails, someof your best options in the
spring thaw.
Genesee Valley Greenway, LehighValley Trail, Arratt Ontario
County Pathways, these offersome solid footing, minimal mud,
and they make a great choicewhen other trails are still
drying out.
Not to mention, they'refantastic for conditioning your
(04:27):
horse and getting them back intotrail shape for the steeper
sections.
For those that are itching toget back onto the trails
themselves, Menden Ponds Parkcan be a solid choice, but with
a caveat.
Thanks to its glacial fill, thehigher elevations tend to dry
quickly and provide relativelyfirm footing.
However, the trails closer tothe ponds and lower areas need
(04:51):
more time.
Riding through them too soon canleave those deepfoot craters
that take months to smooth out.
So it's best to avoid them untilthe conditions improve.
And while we're on the topic ofMenden Ponds, let's be clear.
Stay away from Devil's Bathtub.
This trail is off limits tohorses for a reason, and
unfortunately, we've already hada local rider require emergency
(05:14):
rescue after her horse got stuckin that sludge.
Don't risk it.
Stick to the designated trailsthat are safe for equestrian
use.
And on the flip side, there aresome parks that hold on to mud a
little bit longer and should beleft alone until they have a
chance to firm up.
Watka Creek, Northampton are twoareas that tend to stay wet for
(05:35):
weeks after heavy rains orsnowmelt.
Just avoid the mud and sludge,and leave these trails off your
riding list for a little whilelonger.
Similarly, New York State DECparks often have seasonal trail
closures for horses, typicallykeeping them off the trails
until May and then closing againin October.
If you're unsure, always checkwith a park manager's guidelines
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before heading out.
And as attempting as it may beto dodge those muddy sections by
going off trail, it's importantto resist.
Cutting around the muddy areaswidens paths, damages fragile
ecosystems, and accelerates theerosion, making it harder for
the trail to recover.
If a section is trulyimpassable, it's best to turn
(06:22):
back and just choose anotherroute, or another day, rather
than risk turning that singletrack path into a swampy mess.
If you're ever in doubt aboutconditions, don't be afraid to
ask.
The Rochester Trail Riders Groupis a great resource for real
time trail reports sharingupdates on which trails are
holding up and which are stilltoo muddy helps everyone make a
(06:44):
better riding choice and keepsour favorite trails in good
shape for the season ahead.
And picking the right trail inthe spring isn't about avoiding
a messy ride.
It's about keeping both you andyour horse safe while protecting
the trails we love.
Choosing wisely, and you'll berewarded with a much more
enjoyable ride and far lesscleanup after.
(07:07):
Muddy footing can be tricky forboth horse and rider, so let's
talk about it, and how tonavigate it safely and minimize
that risk while still enjoyingyour ride.
Riding in mud isn't just aboutbalance.
It's also about being preparedfor whatever spring weather
throws at you.
Footwear matters.
(07:27):
Have you ever tried walkingthrough a muddy field in slick,
sold shoes?
You know one wrong step can turninto an unpredicted slide.
Waterproof boots with good treadare a must.
If your boots don't have grip,be a little careful when
dismounting.
Unless you want to experiencethat surprise mud bath.
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Dressing layers is key forspring weather because it can't
make up its mind.
You might start the ride chilly,then sunny, suddenly feel like
it's mid summer, only to findout the wind kicked up and
remind you that Mother Nature isin charge right now.
Lightweight, moisture wickinglayers will keep you comfortable
no matter what the weatherdecides to do.
(08:09):
Plan to ride slower than usual.
Muddy trails.
Demand more careful approachesspeed, increases the risk of
slipping and sliding, but italso takes a heck of a lot more
physical effort.
This isn't the time for gallopsor sudden turns.
Take it slow and steady.
Don't forget the emergency prep.
Muddy conditions mean a higherchance of unexpected dismounts,
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and even if you ride like a pro,your horse might need a little
help.
Always carry a fully chargedphone, a basic first aid kit for
both you and your horse, andextra gear like a hoof pick and
an easy to carry lead rope.
So that way, if you do get intotrouble, you're going to be glad
you came prepared.
And mud doesn't just make ridingharder, it challenges your
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horse's stability, energy, andoverall comfort.
Knowing how to manage theirfooting and conditioning can
make all the difference inkeeping them sound and happy.
If your horse is shod, bemindful of the mud buildup
around the shoes.
This can create pressure pointsand add discomfort, and no
matter what, check their hoovesafter every ride.
(09:16):
Clear out all that debris tohelp prevent issues like thrush.
Mud is physically demanding.
So ease yourself into springriding.
Even if they're fit, plowingthrough mud takes extra effort.
Which can lead to fatigue muchfaster than normal footing.
Watch for signs that they'reworking harder than usual.
(09:36):
Shortened strides, heavybreathing, reluctance to move
forward, and just adjust yourride accordingly.
Mud is also a risk of softtissue injuries.
If your horse suddenly sinksinto a sticky patch, it puts
extra strain on their tendonsand ligaments.
One bad step can lead to apulled muscle or strained
(09:58):
suspensory.
So avoid forcing them throughthe deep or uneven footing.
Save that good ride for anotherday.
Once the ride is over, take acouple extra minutes for post
ride care.
Mud sticks to everything, and ifit's left unchecked, it can lead
to skin irritation, scratches,mud fever.
Rinse off your horse's legs,check for small cuts or scrapes,
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dry them well, especially thefetlock and pastern areas.
That's where moisture can buildup and cause bacterial
infections.
A little post ride attentiongoes a long way for keeping your
horse comfortable.
Mud season doesn't mean avoidingriding altogether.
It just means making smarterchoices.
(10:42):
With the right gear, pace, andawareness, you and your horse
can get out there and enjoy thetrails while minimizing the
risk.
Ride smart, keep your footing,and most importantly, stay out
of the deep stuff.
And if there's one thing we alllove, it's having access to
great trails.
You know what can ruin them forthe season?
(11:04):
Riding when they are too wet andfragile.
Trail systems don't maintainthemselves.
A little awareness and respectgo a long way into keeping them
safe, accessible, and enjoyablefor all users.
First and foremost, Respecttrail closures.
If a park or land manager hasmarked a trail as closed,
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especially if it's due to mud,it's not because they're trying
to ruin your fun.
They're just trying to make itso that there's no long term
damage that could take months oreven years to fix.
Ignoring closures doesn't justcreate a mess.
It can get equestrian accesspermanently restricted in some
areas.
And nobody wants that.
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If you're going out on opentrails, stick to the middle of
the path.
It can be tempting to ride alongthe edge to avoid the muddy
section, especially your horse,who might not like mud, but
doing this is going to widenthat trail, and it's going to
accelerate the erosion.
Even if it means getting alittle dirty, stay centered, and
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minimize that impact, even inyour horse's protest.
If you come across damagedtrails, downed trees, or washed
out paths, Don't just ride pastthem and hope that somebody else
deals with it.
Report that trail damage to theappropriate land manager, park
office, or local trail club.
Many of our riding trails aremaintained by volunteers, and
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knowing where the help is neededmakes it easier for them to get
in good shape.
And speaking of volunteers,consider getting involved in
trail maintenance.
Most trails rely on a small butdedicated group of people who
clear debris, improve drainage,and repair damage so we all can
keep riding.
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If you enjoy the trails, giveback.
Even if it's just for a couplehours.
This can help ensure that theystay open and accessible.
It's a great way to meet otherriders, support your local horse
community, and keep yourfavorite trails open and in top
condition.
If you're looking for a perfectway to give back, here are two
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great opportunities coming up.
New York State I Love My ParkDay is on April 4th.
This is a statewide event andit's an opportunity to help out
at places like Letchworth StatePark or the Genesee Valley
Greenway.
I'll add a link in the shownotes so you can sign up.
The other day is Monroe County'sPick Up the Park days.
This is April 12th, and I wouldlove to see Rochester Trail
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Rider members at all of the bigparks we ride in.
Let's show our community thatequestrians do care, and you can
sign up today at the link in theshow notes.
At the end of the day,preserving trails is a shared
responsibility.
Rider's choices add up, soremember, spring riding is all
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about finding the balancebetween getting back in the
saddle and keeping our trails ingood shape.
Mud season can be tricky, butwith the right trail choices,
safety precautions, and respectfor the land, we can enjoy the
season without causing damage orrisking injury.
Remember, our trails don't takecare of themselves.
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The more we ride, the more weshould give back.
Whether it's by volunteering ata trail work day, picking up
trash on your ride, Or simplymaking smarter choices to
protect the land.
Events like I Love My Park Dayand Pick Up the Parks Day are
perfect opportunities to showthat equestrians care about the
spaces we ride in.
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And I would love to see RTRmembers out there making a
difference.
If you found today's episodehelpful, make sure to like,
share, and leave a 5 starreview.
It helps more trail riders findus.
And the more we grow, the morewe can do to support our local
equestrian community.
As always, respect the trail,wear a helmet, and show up for
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your trails the way they show upfor you.
Happy trails!