Please email Sharon Wood at bullet2525@aol.com for an updated trail ride schedule! There have been many changes to the schedule due to overbookings, weather, etc.

Some trail ride pictures from Barbara:

Here are some pics from the Deep Creek trail ride, courtesy of CJ Farmer:

Kim and Jasper (above)

Cecil at the bridge (above)

   Cecil, Kim, and Rosemary at the tunnel

        Inside the tunnel

Kel-Mac Saddle Club Recommended Trail Riding and Camping Etiquette (approved June 21, 2006).

Click on the link if you want to download and print the Word document. 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. If you would rather use your stove or supplies, then do so! You do not have to use Kel-Mac's stove or supplies. Kel-Mac has a container with paper plates, plastic utensils, etc. that is available for all trail rides.

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

9. 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.