Dates to Remember

  • April 17th Dawson Forest ride out at 11:00
  • April 22-25 Camping trip Back Country Horsemen East Fork Contact Sharon Wood
  • May 22th Day ride Jake Mtn. ride out at 11:00
  • May 28-31 Camping at Deep Creek Contact Rosemary Vogel
  • June 11-13 Camping at Saul to Paul Contact Kay Stringfellow 404-242-2584
  • June 26th Day ride Scull Shoals ride out at 10:00
  • July 10th Day ride at Clemson ride out at 10:00
  • July 15th-17th Southeastern Equestrian Trail Conference  Contact Linda 706-769-6395
  • July 23-25 Camping at Willis Knob Contact Sharon Wood
  • August 13-15 Timber Ridge camping contact Sharon Wood
  • August 22nd Day ride at Monticello ride out at 10:00
  • September 8-10 Camp Dupont Forest Contact Rosemary Vogel or Michele Cavanagh 941-0928-3215
  • September 25th Day ride at Grove River ride out 10:00
  • October 8-10 Camping at Croft State Park Contact Debbie Kinard 706-543-1175
  • October 30  Watson Mill ride at 10:00
  • November 5-7 Camping at Hard Labor Creek Contact Barbara at 706-342-3740
  • November 16th Kel-Mac Meeting at Ryan’s...7pm
  • November 20th Day ride at Heritage Park ride out at 11:00
  • December 11th Day ride Watson Mill ride out 11:00
  • December 28- January 1 Camp ride at Suwannee Music Park Contact Sharon Wood

These tips were compiled in order to make all trail rides and camping rides safe and fun for everyone. They're very helpful if you are new to trail riding!

1. For safety reasons - no dogs on the trail. A lot of state parks (Watson Mill) and camping areas (Silver Spur) do not permit dogs on the trail.

2. On a trail ride, don't leave the group and go out on your own unless you inform the group.

3. Tie horses properly when you take a break on the trail.  If you have a horse that chews on trees, put up a picket line. This is becoming a major issue on some private, State, and Federal lands.

4. Stay on the trails - several State and Federal trail riding areas get complaints about folks not staying on the trails.

5. If everyone is walking their horses and you are in front, don't let your horse run up or down the hills (see item 6).

6. If you would like to speed up - gait, trot, canter or gallop - let folks know that you are about to "change gears"!

7. When overtaking other horses on the trail, ask to pass. Don't gallop around them - walk by them.  If being passed, stop and allow the horse and rider to go safely around you.

8. When coming towards another group of horses on the trail, the smaller group should yield to the larger group and get off to the side of the trail or if possible get off the trail completely.

9. At watering holes, if your horse "fouls the stream" or likes to walk in the water, try to go last or go downstream.  Wait your turn and don't let your horse push its way into the watering hole.

10. Don't allow your horse to "bump" into other riders or their horses.  Keep your horse a safe distance from the horse in front of you. This is especially important if you are gaiting, trotting, or cantering.  If your horse kicks, put a red ribbon in its tail.

11. If a ride is scheduled for a specific time - "We will ride out at 10 AM" - be prepared to ride out at 10 AM.

12. Don't litter!  If you carry it in, carry it out!

13. Veteran Kel-Mac trail riders should be patient and helpful to new trail riders.

14. Be safe and courteous to all riders on the trail!

Camping Etiquette

1. Don't let dogs run loose in camp.

2. On camping rides do not ride out before the person or persons that have prepared the meal (breakfast) have had a chance to clean up and tack their horses. Again, if several groups are riding out (fast group or slow group, etc) then the group that the cook(s) is/are riding with should wait.

3. If you sign up late for a camping ride, offer to help out with one of the meals and pay for an appropriate portion of one of the meals.

4. If you joined Kel-Mac as an Individual Member but bring your family on trail rides, update your membership to a Family Membership - or, if your children are over 21 years of age, have them join the club. (This also includes all Kel-Mac functions.)

5. If you are a trail ride coordinator, be sure to distribute the meals evenly to all that signed up (also see number 3 above).

6. If you have a concern or a problem, let it be known! If you would rather not confront individuals during the camping ride, notify a Kel-Mac officer and voice your concern.

7. During the meals, do not take a second serving until everyone has been served.

8. If you sign up for a meal on a camping ride and cancel less than one week before the ride, please send the food or pay someone to buy the food for the meal you said you would contribute to or prepare.