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President's Message

By Tif Rodriguez

What an amazingly successful couple of months! A BIG thank you to Nihla for facilitating the Poker Ride in May and Cindy for facilitating the tack sale in June. Another BIG thank you to all of the volunteers that showed up to both events to help, show support, donate and put out the good word. We have a great opportunity coming up to get some training and work done on one of our adopted trails Fish Creek on June 18th. Horses will not be needed for this day. An email and agenda went out to all members, so if you have questions, please let us know. It would be great to have as many of you there as possible, that way when you're out doing some trail work, we are all on the same page with our agency. We'll also be doing some recon/work days on our other adopted trails Mavreeso and Goble on June 25th. More information to come for those trails. As announced at our June meeting, Jan is the winner for the 1st quarter drawing for bringing in new members to MVBCH. Thank you, Jan. The 2nd quarter is not over, so recruit and increase your chances of taking home free stuff! Talking up our chapter and the great work we do with our agencies, with other groups and with each other is so important. Any time you're out riding and you see something dangerous on the trail and you can't fix it, please let myself or our trail bosses know. Also, doing pruning and limbing as you're riding is a great way to keep our trails cleared, it's great experience for your horses and it's promoting good stewardship of our lands. A saw, pruner and scabbard set can easily be carried on your saddle for quick use when needed. If you'd like one, let us know, we can point you in the right direction to get one purchased for yourself. Some members thought it might be a good idea to remind everyone of good trail etiquette when trail riding with others. Everyone should be cognizant of their horse's ability and the ability of those they're riding with. Please see those tips in this month's newsletter. See you on the trail.

Tif

2016 MVBCH Officers

President

Latifia (Tif) Rodriguez

Vice President

Cindy Clare

Secretary

Open

Treasurer

Lyn Rowley

Board of Directors

Keith Bean (1Yr)

Sandi Simmons (2 Yr)

State Board Reps.

Tif Rodriguez

Keith Bean

Alternate: Cindy Clare

Committee

Chairpersons

Education: Judith

Franklin

Social:

Trail Work: Al Gram

Wayne Schaff

Public Service

Announcement: Tif

Rodriguez

Volunteer Hours

Coordinator: Jan Gilbert

Recon Committee: Ted

Saunders, Jan Gilbert

Newsletter Editor

Lyn Rowley

(submission deadline is

the 10th of the month)

Web Site Support

Latifia Rodriguez –

Interim

Mesa Verde Back Country

Horsemen

P.O. Box 812

Cortez, CO 81321

www.mesaverdehorsemen.com

mvbchorsemen@yahoo.com

July 5th – monthly

meeting – Elks, Hwy

145, Cortez. Topic –

Discussion on

Poisonous Plants.

Dinner 6:15 Meeting

7:00

June 2016

M V B C H

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Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen Chapter Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Meeting Called To Order: 7:00 p.m. Tif welcomed everyone and introductions around the table were made. 25 members and guests were in attendance. Tif introduced the Education Coordinator, Judith. Judith talked about her reasons for horses going barefoot and the benefits of it, as well as her experience. Judith offered some materials on the benefits of going barefoot to the members present. If you’d like to borrow her “Dan Craig Hoof Care” CD, please contact her. She also passed around a handout for members present on the benefits of barefoot horses. Judith then introduced tonight’s guest speaker, Kathy Sherer, EasyCare rep. Kathy discussed the many different boots available; riding, therapeutic, miniature, flip flops and shoes. She discussed the benefits of each, the recommended miles for each. Kathy discussed how important proper fit is. She had brochures available for interested persons and gave the price of each boots. You can get the boots at a 15% discount if you go through an authorized dealer. Call Easy Care any time to discuss needs, ask questions and get their recommendations. They also offer specials for farriers. The May 3, 2016, minutes were posted in the May 2016 newsletter– MSP the minutes as written Treasurer's Report – Lyn gave the report, including profits from the poker ride and estimated profits from the tack sale – MSP the treasurer’s report as presented Committee Reports (5 minutes each, further discussion if needed):

1. Education – Judith – Judith let everyone know

her cell phone is not accepting incoming calls.

She can still text. She may have a poisonous

plants handout for July. We may also show

the PowerPoint put together for the tack sale,

so members can see it, have it running at the

July meeting.

2. Fundraising/Membership - Cindy, tack sale

recap and scheduling of debrief meeting –

The tack sale was a success. A debrief

meeting will be scheduled to discuss the

successes and how to improve. After

discussion, the debrief meeting is set for

Saturday, June 11, 2016, 4:00 p.m.,

hospital cafeteria.

3. Trail Work – Al/Wayne – Anything to report?

June 18 Trail Work Training Fish Creek –

More information will be sent out when we

hear from Chris on his planned schedule for

the date, it is a FS coordinated event. Al

would like to get the adopted trials reconned

and cleared. June 25 is set for reconning

Goble and Mavreeso. Tif will head up

Mavreeso; Ted to do Goble. Jan will be out of

town. If people can get up sooner, please do.

They will most likely need chainsaw work.

4. Social - Dutch Oven, Sue – Sue reported

sending out an e-mail asking for feedback on

location. She got a rough show of hands of

people planning to come and camp or just

ride. She is also looking for entertainment.

Sue will check with John Moore; Jan will

check with Perry Lewis.

Sue also presented “Cinch ‘Em Up” a device she’s been using, enabling her to tighten her cinch from the saddle. She’s gotten good use out of it and recommends it for others. There is a YouTube video on it. If you have questions, contact Sue for more information. Sue will give information and picture to Lyn for the newsletter

5. Recon – Jan/Ted – Ted reported Sage Hen is

canceled, snakes and weather. He hopes to

do House Creek area. He was asked to do

Goble on June 25th, with Tif and Al doing

Mavreeso the same day. More information

will go out. Please get preferences for trails

to Ted. We will plan to put up our wood

adopted trail signs when we get to those

trails.

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Discussion ensued on MVBCH getting stickers to put on trail signs, like the bike club has, “Maintained by MVBCH.” We’ll talk to the agencies about it and get an estimate on sticker costs.

Old Business:

- Trail tools/first aid kits? – We have our

tool grant money. Al suggested having

first aid or saws for trail bosses.

Discussion ensued on what the

membership feels is important. It was

also discussed we can build the tool

cache and someone needs to be in

charge of maintaining and taking care of

the saws so we get lasting use out of

them.

After discussion, a motion was

made to purchase two first aid kits

and two saw/pruner/scabbard sets

for trail bosses to add to our tool

cache. These will be purchased by

the June 21 board meeting. - MSP

- Don’t forget Rico/WD comment period

– Tif reminded everyone of this comment

period going on. She gave a recap on

being asked to collaborate with the

Southwest Trails Alliance, a group that

would like to ensure roads and two tracks

stay open. There was discussion on non-

motorized staying non-motorized and

wilderness remaining wilderness, both

something BCH as an organization is in

favor of. Tif asked for feedback on

specific trails for Rico/West Dolores,

providing a map of trails and roads in the

area. Nobody provided specific trail input,

but some would like to see the roads and

two-tracks currently open, remain open,

non-motorized remain non-motorized.

Any further feedback, please feel free to

contact Tif.

New Business:

- Youth programs – Cindy read a

request from Circle K Ranch for

volunteers for a wounded warrior program

and a youth program. All present felt it

was important to get volunteers to help

with these projects and support this

partnership. Tif will send an email with the

information to the entire membership, and

ask them to get to Cindy by tomorrow

(June 8th). Sorry for the short notice.

- Woods Canyon – Tif reported being

asked to submit a proposal to BLM on a

horse preferential area in Woods Canyon.

The thought is to propose two trailheads,

a new gate and looped trails. A very basic

proposal will be submitted and the

process will take a while. BLM has been

asking us to do this for awhile, so we need

to follow through. As things progress, the

membership will be kept up to speed.

- Winner of 1st quarter new member

drawing – JAN GILBERT!!

CONGRATULATIONS! The second

quarter is not over, so please bring in new

people for free stuff!

Announcements: - Gary made the announcement of an annual Navajo Taco Fundraiser for the Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church, which will benefit many programs. Tif will scan in the flyer and email it to members. - Nihla made a “Hell Hat” and offered her assistance to anyone interested. We should have a “Hell Hat” party! Lookin’ pretty good while wearing a helmet. - MVBCH Board Meeting June 21, 2016, SW Memorial Hospital Meeting Room, 6:30 p.m. All members are welcome; please see the rough agenda in the newsletter for anything that you’d like to weigh in on.

Meeting Adjourned (Time): 9:20 p.m.

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RECON RIDES

Goodman Point Well it was 10:30 am Saturday morning when Kathy and the three boys rode out on the trail. The sun was already

shining and the day was starting to warm up. The wild flowers and cactus were in bloom and greeting everyone with their bright colors. The horses were on what appeared to be best behavior - What a Great day to be out and about! Our quest was to ride Moccasin Canyon and locate a long lost cabin that had been alluding people for some time. To get there we had to go through four gates which were assigned to the riders, as it worked out only Larry’s gate was closed, which he had to open while the rest of us supervised and commented on his technique. Kathy had been on a ride with an earlier search party that had spent a large portion of the day without finding the cabin. She kept saying she felt we were getting close, never mind that had just left the trailers minutes earlier. We rode the two track for about two thirds of the way then took the twisting cow trail for the rest of the way. We came around a hill and the riders noticed and commented on the old dirt stock tank that had washed out just in front of us when it was called to their attention that up the hill and to the left quietly sat the old cabin and corrals.

What a find! Picture Courtesy of Larry Dozier

We looked around the cabin and corrals for quite some time and then had lunch while enjoying the panoramic views before us. We returned to the trailers satisfied that we had accomplished what we set out to do and had a Great time with horses, trails, and friends.

Woods Canyon The five of us arrived at the trail head parking to find that a large

part of the parking area had been seeded and fenced off. There remained sufficient parking for the four day trailers if we parked in an odd fashion and you know “odd fashion” presented nooooo problem for us.

The day had a light overcast with some cloud cover. It was apparent that the trail had not been used in some time and in need of work. Everyone was discussing how they would like to come back and work on it, so it sounds like the Trail Committee has some work cut out for it.

This is a short, in-and-out ride of about six and a half miles but it is one of my favorites. The trail is sandy with rock present in just a couple of very short areas. It is tree lined with a small brook running in the very bottom

(Picture courtesy of Kathe Hayes) of the canyon alongside the length of the trail. The ruin high up on the rock cliff was an exciting focal point. One of the riders, Jan, had actually monitored the condition of the ruin in the past and had physically been at and peered into the ruin. She was able to provide a great deal of interesting information on the site as we rode by. We got to the end of the trail around noon and searched for the possibility of finding a route to extend the ride further to no avail. As we finished our lunch it started to rain or was it snow? We quickly hit the return trail as Sharon dug out and put on her full length slicker - the rest of us were preparing to tuff it out. We are so glad she went the extra mile and trouble because the rain stopped when she finally got it in place and started down the trail! All along the trail Kathy was pointing out the flowers, of which she knew most, but there seemed to remain a lot of “loco weed”, “little yellow flowers”, and “I bet Judith would know” flowers. Around 10:30 am we left the trail head with five riders and around 1:30 pm we returned with five riders – it was a great, fun ride with friends. We all agreed we would do it again. Next time hope to see you there.

Ted Saunders

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MVBCH BOARD MEETING AGENDA

Date: June 21, 2016

Time: 6:30 p.m. meeting

Location: Southwest Memorial Hospital Meeting

Room

Attendance:

Meeting Called To Order:

Reading of Minutes Approval as

presented/Changes:

Treasurer's Report Approval as

presented/Changes:

Committee Reports (5 minutes each, further

discussion if needed):

6. Education - Judith

7. Fundraising - Cindy – Tack Sale debrief meeting

recap (if necessary)

Sandie – Ranch Race

8. Recon – Ted/Jan

9. Dutch Oven

Old Business:

- Rico/West Dolores

- Fish Creek work day recap

- Mavreeso/Goble Recon/Work day

New Business:

- House Creek Corrals

- New board member discussion

- Executive Session

Announcements: - MVBCH July 5 Meeting – General meeting with possible handouts and PowerPoint show Meeting Adjourned (Time):

MEETING GUIDELINES:

Respect others

Quiet ALL Cell Phones

Be a good listener

Minimize side conversations

Wait to be recognized

Limit personal stories

Allow everyone to participate

Please Honor Everyone’s Time

VOLUNTEER HOURS

Don’t forget to get your volunteer hours reported to Jan Gilbert. There is a form below to fill out and email or you can log onto our website at

www.mesaverdehorsemen.com and access the form on line. If you have questions, you can email Jan at janssgilbert@gmail.com

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TACK SALE PICS

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Benefits of Owning a Horse

Submitted by Sharon Venne

Samir Becic, 4 times Number 1 Fitness Trainer in the world and Health Fitness Revolution's Top 10 Health Benefits of Owning a Horse

Keeps you physically active: Riding and other activities that require you to be outdoors in all kinds of weather will certainly keep you moving. Cleaning stalls, grooming, feeding, raking hay, pushing wheelbarrows-all of these barn chores actively burn calories and build muscle.

It build self-confidence: While horse riding is an independent sport, it's actually a partnership in which the owner is a teacher and leader who works with the horse. Nothing builds self-confidence better than "leadership training". When you tell a 1000 pound animal to move a certain direction and then to follow you, it's a feeling of accomplishment that you successfully taught it to do that. And when the horse does not comply, you are responsible for administering the proper discipline. That's a form of empowerment that's only found working with large animals. Reduces stress: Recent studies have shown that even limited interaction with animals may provide a decrease in blood pressure and in the hormones associated with stress reaction. Physical exercise is a scientifically recognized mediator of stress and it is clear that equine activities may provide exercise, again highlighting the potential for equine activities to reduce stress. Keeps you socially active: Taking riding lessons helps you meet many friends with similar interests. Most horse people will attest to meeting their best, life-ling friends at the barn. These peers will have the same passion and devotion to horses. That connection creates a stronger bond just in itself. Helps disabled individuals stay active: When supervised by certified instructors, riders with disabilities may have the chance to safely perform physical activities with the horse as a tool. Early research is showing that riding a horse may provide physical benefits for people with disabilities. At the same time, interacting with horses may provide mental benefits. as well. Engages the creative side of your brain: Training a horse brings up daily challenges that will force you to think creatively about how to train it and how to solve a particular problem. If something worked in the last lesson, but it's not working now, how else can you solve a particular problem. If something worked in the last lesson but it's not working now. how else can you solve this issue? Being faced with such situations helps you engage your creativity to solve problems and find what works best. Builds character: Character building is a natural part of horse ownership, teaching responsibility punctuality, sportsmanship, frugality, patience, commitment, confidence and self-esteem. It promotes a union with nature: Being outside and enjoying the fresh air can do wonders for your mental and physical health. Plus, the does of vitamin D you get from being in the sunshine is essential for your body. Maintains bone mass: All of the weight -bearing exercise that you do, including hauling barn equipment and carrying saddles, helps maintain bone mass, which is important a you age. Improves digestion: Riding a horse at a walking pace stimulates the internal organs just a walking on foot does. This aids in liver function and digestion.

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Trail etiquette tips

STAGING AREA

Be on time and park considerately.

Tack up, bring halter with lead rope, water, lunch, jacket, or whatever else you need.

Clean up manure, hay or litter in staging or camping area.

Use ribbons to denote special situations: red ribbon if your stock tends to kick, green ribbon to signify a novice stock or rider, and a blue ribbon should be used to denote a stallion (when allowed). WHILE ON A TRAIL

Trail leaders should ride to the lowest experienced rider/horse.

If you are having problems call out for a stop.

When mounting to ride, keep your horse still until everyone is mounted.

Most group rides are walk only, an exception would be bees, etc… but as needed, rides will be divided into the ‘Slow Group’ which walks only and the ‘Fast Group’ which includes gaited and endurance type horses. Ride in the group that fits your horse’s type and conditioning.

Please don't crowd the horse in front of you. Try to leave a horse length of open space between horses, even at stops. Be sure to ask riders in front and back of you about their animal’s comfort level.

Call back trail obstacles and/or low branches to riders behind you.

Leave gates as you find them. When a rider dismounts to open a gate, at least a portion of the other riders wait until he/she has remounted before leaving.

Crossing water, the first horses are allowed to drink, then move up the trail, stop! Allow more horses to drink. The group does not leave until all have watered.

In difficult or steep terrain, allow more space and keep moving. If you need to stop for any reason, wait until the trail leader finds a suitable place where all can safely stop.

Be courteous and friendly to other trail users. While passing - safety for all parties is the priority. Greet other users to initiate a conversation so the animals can identify a nonthreatening situation. If possible, a hiker should step to the downhill side. This provides a safer passing for both hiker and stock.

Stay on the trail; obey agency rules; respect private property.

When riding along a road, ride with the traffic. When crossing roads, cross abreast rather than single file, post riders in front and post riders behind the group to alert traffic.

Riding side by side is permissible when passing in the same or opposite direction, if the trail is wide enough, and all trail rules are observed.

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Sell! Sell! Sell! You can have your business card placed in our newsletter. $15.00 for members and $25.00 for non-

members per year. Tell your friends and associates.

Have anything of a personal nature – tack, horse, saddles – to sell or find a home for? Members

can have your personal ad in our newsletter for free.

Contact Lyn, Lynr1217@msn.com with your ad or business card.

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Mockingbird Mesa April 13, 2016 MVBCH MONTHLY CALENDAR

Area Calendar August 6th – Escalante Days – Dolores CO August 13 – MVBCH Dutch Oven Camp/Cook-out October 1 – MVBCH Color Ride

Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen

Mission Statement

1. To perpetuate the common sense use and enjoyment of horses in America’s back country and wilderness.

2. To work to insure that public lands remain open to recreational stock use.

3. To assist the various government and private agencies in their maintenance and management of said

resource.

4. To educate, encourage and solicit active participation in the wise use of the back country resource by

horsemen and the general public commensurate with our heritage

5. To foster and encourage individuals to join and participate in their local, State, and National Back

Country Horsemen organization

June 2016

18th – Trail Work Day – Fish Creek

21st – Board Meeting – SW

Memorial Hospital Board Room,

6:30 pm

July 2016

5th – Monthly Meeting – Elk’s Hwy

145, Cortez 7:00 pm Poisonous

plants.

16th -Trail Work Day

19th – Board Meeting – SW Memorial

Hospital Board Room, 6:30 pm

August 2016

2nd – Monthly Meeting – Elk’s Hwy

145, Cortez 7:00 pm

13th – MVBCH Dutch Oven

16th – Board Meeting – SW Memorial

Hospital Board Room, 6:30 pm

20th – Trail Work Day

September 2016

6th – Monthly Meeting – Elk’s Hwy

145, Cortez 7:00 pm

17th – Trail Work Day

20th – Board Meeting – SW

Memorial Hospital Board Room,

6:30 pm

October 2016

4th– Monthly Meeting – Elk’s Hwy

145, Cortez 7:00 pm

15th – Trail Work Day

18th – Board Meeting – SW

Memorial Hospital Board Room,

6:30 pm

November 2016

1st– Monthly Meeting – Elk’s Hwy

145, Cortez 7:00 pm

15th – Board Meeting – SW Memorial

Hospital Board Room, 6:30 pm

19th – Trail Work Day

KEEP AN EYE ON

THE WEB SITE! www.mesaverdehorsemen.c

om

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Names(s)________________________________________Occupation:______________________________ ___ Name(s)_________________________________________Occupation__________________________________ Mailing Address:____________________________________________________________________________________ Phone:___________________ Other:___________________ *E-mail:___________________________________ Referred By: ______________________________________ (Please list how you heard of us!)

*INCLUDING YOUR EMAIL HERE, GIVES YOUR CONSENT TO RECEIVE MVBCH EMAIL BLASTS, AS WELL AS YOUR CONSENT TO SEND IT TO OUR NATIONAL BCHA ORGANIZATION FOR THEIR MAILING LIST.

Type of Membership (check): New Renewal

Individual $33 Family $38 Associate/Business $38

Youth $9 (under 18 accompanied by guardian/sponsor)

(Memberships paid October-December include the rest of the current year & all of the next year)

Please indicate the Committee/s you'd like to serve on: Education Fundraising Membership

Social Trail Work Public Affairs Would you be willing to be the COMMITTEE CHAIR? ____Yes Please make checks payable to: MVBCH or Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen Mail to: MVBCH, P.O. Box 812, Cortez, CO 81321

LIABILITY RELEASE: As per Colorado Revised Statute 13-21-119, an equine activity sponsor shall not be liable for an injury to or the death of a participant resulting from the inherent risks of equine activities. No participant or participant's representative shall make any claim against, maintain an action against, or recover from an equine activity sponsor or any other person for injury, loss, damage, or death of the participant resulting from any of the inherent risks of equine activities. I (We) release the Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen, its officers, directors, members and agents of any and all liability which may arise as a result of injury to my (our) person or property that may be sustained in connection with the Chapter's activities.

PHOTO RELEASE: I (We) agree to the use of my (our) images taken at Chapter activities and events to be published in the monthly newsletter, on the web site, in Chapter scrapbooks and/or at any Chapter function.

Yes No How do you prefer to receive your monthly newsletter (it’s more cost effective to use email!):

E-mail Postal ****If you prefer U.S. Mail, there is an extra $5.00 charge to help with the cost of printing and postage**** Signed:__________________________________________________________ Date:_______________________ Signed:___________________________________________________________Date:______________________

Signed:___________________________________________________________Date:______________________

(All persons 18 years and older included in this membership form must sign this release)

Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen

2016 Membership Form

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Volunteer Hours reporting Please see below for what constitutes volunteer hours and remember to report them to our

Volunteer Hours Coordinator Jan Gilbert, janssgilbert@gmail.com or on our web site

www.mesaverdehorsemen.com

MVBCH Volunteer Hours Reporting Card (Updated 2015)

Project Name _________________________________________________________________________

Your Name ___________________________________________________________________________

Date of Project ________________________________________________________________________

Number of People Involved w/Names ______________________________________________________

Project Description/BLM/FS/Wilderness ___________________________________________________

Trail Work Hours: Basic __________; Skilled ___________; Recon__________

If Recon, what did you find? What needs to be worked on? Please report this to the Trail Committee Chairs:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Areas of high weed infestation; what kind of weeds; location ___________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Trail Miles - Wilderness ______________; Non-wilderness ______________

Education/LNT Hours __________; Public Meeting Hours __________; Admin Service Hours _________

Travel Time _____________________

Personal POV Miles (No Stock); ________; Stock Hauling Miles ___________

Power Equipment Hours ___________; Heavy Equipment Hours _________________

Quantity of Stock ____________; Number Pack/Saddle Stock Days ____________

Donated Materials Value (Specify) _________________________________________________________

Other Contributions (Specify) ____________________________________________________________

Guidelines:

Skilled Labor: Packing, carpentry, welding, bridge construction, teamster, surveying, blasting, operating heavy

equipment, chainsaw work, crosscut saw work, etc.

Trail Work: Maintenance and construction not requiring skilled labor like brushing, cleaning, trash pickup, grubbing,

water bars, shovel work.

Education: Hours spent for teaching Leave No Trace, or teaching packing, and travel time.

Public Meetings: Includes preparation and presentation time, in addition to travel time and mileage to and from the event.

Trail Miles: Miles ridden.

Travel Time: Actual time from home to project or event and return.

Pack/Saddle Stock Example: Include all days that animals are involved, even if they are not used - animals may be tied up

in camp. (If they were leased, you would pay for them whether you were using them or not.)

Mileage: Do not claim personal mileage in addition to stock hauling mileage for the same project.

Donated Materials: Food, posts and poles, nails, pipe, educational materials, trash bags.

When you are on a ride and pick up litter, do trail work and/or interact with other trail users, this counts. Any type of

volunteer effort will make a difference and help us.

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Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen

P.O. Box 812

Cortez, CO 81321

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED