"Where Are the Trails and Rails?"
Many of you have asked about learning the trails in Wine Country and we have taught you the trails through our rides over the past 3 years. Now there is a great opportunity to learn more. Rancho California Horsemen Assoc. (RCHA) is starting up a wonderful new riding program for "group leaders" (most likely someone who usually would ride with 3 or more riders) to address learning the trails!
For more information check out their FB page and website. Thanks RCHA for this effort, we appreciate it.
TEWR had a "Where to Tie Ride?" (42 riders) and pointed out the trails/hitching rails at La Cereza, South Coast and Maurice Carrie Wineries. (Close communication with the Linns and Jim Carter facilitated this effort. ) We also had a Wilson Creek Eq-Wine Loop Ride (named for our club!) this past year, Monte De Oro and a Leonesse Winery Ride. Our many Robert Renzoni and Keyways trail rides over the years have taught you the Vail Lake and the Valle De Los Caballos Trails.
We always utilize the horse crossings, gates and established trails when planning our routes on the pre-rides, it is a TEWR ride standard. We want the wineries, property owners and community to "see" riders using these amenities whenever possible. Our many parade horses sponsored by local wineries and businesses this year are a testament to our efforts! Way to go TEWR!
TEWR has helped raise money for the trails cause, we have raised awareness in the community (rides/parade/ help with Horse Boy promotion/website/Facebook...) and kept good relations with the winery owners. We always plan for a meal and wine tasting "after" our ride, we do not promote wine hopping on horseback! We keep it safe at all times. This is why we stage from wineries and have assisted greatly with making staging from a winery permissible for the owners. They have seen it done successfully many times with our larger groups.
Currently, Anne is working on our "TEWR 2010 Appreciation Award" to be presented to Bill Wilson this Fall. Bill has been instrumental in promoting the horseback riding trails efforts in Wine Country. You may remember Keyways received this award last year and it is proudly displayed in their tasting room on top of the refrigerated case.
It is the hope that through various club related rides and individual smaller rides, we can ALL raise awareness of the appointed "Trails and Rails!" Keeping it safe and fun, Always!
We won 1st place in our division at the July 4th Parade!
see our photos on Facebook
Come Watch Us Ride!
Temecula's 4th of July Parade is
Sunday July 4th at 1 PM
Volunteers are greatly appreciated, we need your help!
(still need pooper scooper, side walkers, sign holder)
Thank You!
Wine Country's Future
Go to this website to see the Wine Country Trails Plan...
You may recognize TEWR photo from the February Wine Ride!
"Ride Safely on the Trail" DVD
TEWR has acquired 3 copies of Stacy Westfall's Ride Safely on the Trail DVD!
This is an awesome resource/refresher for those of us who love to ride the trail and it is available to you on loan for FREE as a member of TEWR! There are also training techniques to get your horse across water and other obstacles on the trail. Stacy is an amazing trainer whose famous bareback, bridleless reining patterns have won her world attention. If you have never seen her 2006 championship ride, check out the you tube video at
Check us out on Facebook and Become a Friend!
The fans/friends that you invite on Facebook just add to the number of "trail riding supporters" in the community. A fan is not required to be a horse owner, just a trail riding supporter. Fans can help us in so many ways to spread the word about the causes we care about; like the Horse Boy Movie, the July 4th Parade and our fundraisers. Facebook is also a way for you to all stay connected and communicate with each other. Great photos to look at are a definite plus! We can only get 30 on the website per album, but on Facebook you can share all your album's photos with us!
Vail Lake Canyon Trail is closed until October!
Horseback Riding is Big in
The Press-Enterprise
Forget home on the range.
Many horseback riders are feeling at home in Temecula Valley Wine Country, thanks to recent amenities such as installing hitching posts, discounts and setting aside areas for horse trailers.
Robert Renzoni Vineyards even has a special stand-alone wine bar so riders don't have to leave their horses.
Story continues below
Frank Bellino / Special to The Press-Enterprise
Rancho California Horsemen's Association members gather in an upper picnic area for horseback riders at Robert Renzoni Vineyards in Temecula Wine Country. "I thought this would be a nice little pit stop for them on their trails," Robert Renzoni says.
On Friday, the Rancho California Horsemen's Association presented the winery with a plaque to honor its hospitality toward the horse-riding community.
Owner Robert Renzoni said the winery property was next to an established horse trail when he bought the land in late 2006. The area for horses above the winery building was built in the past six months, he said.
"I thought this would be a nice little pit stop for them on their trails," Renzoni said. "Every time I come up here, I see fresh horse tracks. It's money well spent."
Story continues below
Wine Country is next to Valle de Los Caballos, which is home to several ranches and the Southern California Equestrian Center.
Horse ranches and vineyards are interspersed along DePortola Road where the winery is located. Wine Country is also next to Valle de Los Caballos, which is home to a number of ranches and the Southern California Equestrian Center.
Bill Wilson, owner of Wilson Creek Winery and president of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association, said the presence of horses adds to Wine Country's ambiance.
Story continues below
Margie Wolff, a member of the Rancho California Horsemen's Association, rides into a picnic area at Robert Renzoni Vineyards.
"It is an activity that can only exist in a minority of locations," he said. "And how neat is it that (Wine Country) is one of these locations that is very unique to the horseback-riding community, that you can't get anywhere else?"
Lorraine Harrington of the horsemen's association said the horse-friendly amenities are much appreciated.
"The wineries are eager to have the business and we're eager to be there," she said.
In addition, Harrington said the equestrian community and wineries are working together to preserve the regional network of horse trails as part of the Temecula Valley Wine Country Community Plan.
The plan under development by Riverside County seeks to chart a long-range course for Wine Country while balancing the interests of residents, businesses and visitors.
Reach Jeff Horseman at 951-375-3727 or jhorseman@PE.com
New 3/1/10
They're Back...Fiddleneck Weeds
There are a number of Fiddleneck weeds that are growing everywhere this spring. They are toxic to horses so be sure to keep your horses from grazing on them. Fiddleneck (tarweed)- Causes photophobia, photosensitivity, jaundice, liver failure, diarrhea, depression, aberrant behavior (head pressing, incessant licking, aimless walking), weight loss, edema of the extremities. As little as 15 mg of dried plant per kilogram of weight over 2 weeks will induce severe liver failure.
It takes aproximately 50 lbs. to kill / poison a horse over a life time. The weeds effects are cumulative and can eventually kill over multiple seasons. It is a sad death for your horse. The weed is about 24 inches tall. It grows in a bunch but you can see each tall stalk and at the tip it is curled over like the end of a fiddle. Small blooms are yellow.
See the weed on this site and in the photo.
New! 2/14/10
Some Great Tips on Trail Riding Etiquette
Do you and your horse have good manners on the trail? Check out these tips for riders from the Maryland Horse Council.
1. Make sure your horse has the temperament and training for riding on congested public trails. Busy multi-use trails are not the proper place for schooling green horses.
2. Advise other trail users of your horse's temperament, e.g. a horse with a tendency to kick should always wear a red ribbon in the tail or a stallion should wear a yellow ribbon. Assume that not everyone will know what these ribbons mean, so be prepared to explain or take the necessary precautions to avoid trouble.
3. Obey posted speed/gait limits, and use common sense in crowded areas (cantering/galloping on crowded trails endangers everyone.)
4. Move to the right to allow faster trail users to pass.
5. Announce your intention to pass other trail users, and reduce speed in order to pass safely. Pass on the left only.
6. Remove your horse from the trail if you begin experiencing behavior problems.
7. Stay on equestrian-approved trails.
8. As a courtesy to others in your group, use appropriate hand signals for turning, slowing, etc., and give verbal warnings for dangers on the trail (e.g. holes, low branches).
9. Remember that other trail users may not be familiar with horses or their reactions to new experiences. Your horse may be another trail user's introduction to horses; what you do is a reflection of the local horse community. Cheerfully answer questions about your horse. You are an ambassador for the entire equestrian community.
10. If you trailer to a location, do not clean out your trailer in the parking area.
11. On multiple-use trails, step off the trail (if possible) if your horse needs to relieve himself, or kick the droppings off the trail.
Horses still roam Wine Country
BY JEFF HORSEMAN
The Press-Enterprise
Before the first commercial winery opened, horses roamed what is now Temecula Valley Wine Country.
Horses and vineyards are now common east of Temecula. And keeping that balance is the goal of a group celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
As it did in 1969, today's Rancho California Horsemen's Association is laboring to preserve the network of horse trails in and around Wine Country.
Story continues below
Frank Bellino / Special to The Press-Enterprise
The Rancho California Horsemen Association is seeking to protect horseback riders' interests in and around Temecula Valley Wine Country.
With about 125 members, the association organizes group rides and looks out for the interests of horse lovers.
"The rides that they put on are tremendous," said Kerrie Tuley, a member of the association. "You would not believe all the people in Temecula that have horses."
Driving along De Portola Road proves Tuley's point. Spacious horse ranches line either end, and the region is home to the Southern California Equestrian Center, where Olympic-caliber riders compete and train.
Riverside County currently considers the region separate from Wine Country, and collectively, the region is known as "Valle de Los Caballos," which is Spanish for Valley of the Horses. The area was planned for horse ranches by the developer of Rancho California, the precursor to modern-day Temecula.
The association came about as Rancho California took shape from what was a sprawling cattle ranch. Pat Ommert, one of the association's founding members, said riders helped map the trail system.
"We had already lived in areas that became city," she said. "We wanted to make sure" the trail system was preserved.
But the map was not fully incorporated into Riverside County's general plan, leaving many trail segments unconnected, according to association board member Lorraine Harrington.
Forty of the original 70 miles of trails have been lost, mainly due to development in Temecula and the city's Redhawk community, Harrington wrote in an e-mail. But progress is being made in preserving trails in unincorporated areas, she wrote.
The association is now working with county planners to identify trails and protect them from encroachment. The association also joined forces last year with bike riders, joggers and others in forming the Coalition of Trails Enthusiasts, which pushes for more multi-use trails.
Saving the trails is important to riders like Tuley.
"It's a little nerve-wracking" to have to share the road with vehicles, she said. "The cars are going by you at 60 mph (on roads like De Portola). It's very, very nice to go ride when you're not threatened by cars."
In the past couple years, the association has sponsored rides in which has many as 140 riders took part, Harrington wrote. A 40th anniversary celebration is planned for later this year.
"More important, perhaps, are the daily small rides that members take, either individually or in small groups," she wrote. "We are all grateful to be living (in) a community that has a history of horse culture and (we hope) wants to preserve it. That's why most of us moved here."
Reach Jeff Horseman at 951-375-3727 or jhorseman@PE.com
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Classifieds For Our Riders Only
If you have a horse related sale/service to offer please email a simple ad (embedded picture that will copy is OK) so that we can copy and paste easily into the monthly classifieds ad email. The ads will be sent separately from our TEWR newsletter once a month. If you benefit because of an ad you placed in this newsletter, please remember the tip boot!
Also, let me know if the item/service is no longer available so that I can take your ad off the list.
Meet Our Horses
Please send in a picture and paragraph about your horse for our Website's Section called, "Meet Our Wonderful Horses." Thank you to Sandy, Doug, Kerry, Gil, Joann, Juanita, Rod, Dave and Vicki for yours. It's so interesting to read about the herd we call the Eq-"Wine" Riders. As Kathy said at the beach, " I may not remember you...but I remember your horse!"
By Jennifer Paulson
Surprise Stingers
Situation: Attacks by ground-dwelling bees or wasps.
Avoid it: Be aware that ground-nesting bees and wasps can be an issue on trail rides. There's really no sure-fire way to anticipate where the underground nests lie, because you can't see them like you could if they were in a tree. But as a rule of thumb, these stinging insects prefer to nest in areas with plenty of pollen (meadows, for instance, or forested areas with pollen-laden trees) and a water source nearby. The lead rider may notice insects buzzing a foot or so above a spot on the trail, indicating entrance to an underground nest. If you're at the front of the pack, be alert for such a sight, and plan to detour around it, alerting those behind you to do likewise. This might be an argument for using well-frequented trails, as ground-dwelling bees and wasps generally won't nest directly beneath a highly traveled path.
Beware: These insects get very agitated when horses tread over their nest, and their sting feels like a hot electric jolt. Often, the first two or three horses in the pack step on the nest and trigger a nest-defending attack. They might be stung in the belly or the flank, causing them to rear, kick out, buck, and panic. By the time the next few horses move ahead and the riders realize what's happening, the insects can be in full-on swarm mode.
Worst-case scenario: If you see this situation develop or the lead rider yells, "BEES!" or "WASPS!", move fast--either ahead or off the trail. If you're on such a narrow trail that you can't detour, be ready to high-tail it past the nest (at a lope, if necessary), and don't hold up the riders behind you. If your horse gets stung and starts to buck, pull his head up and urge him forward to redirect his attention and lessen the chance of additional stings. The worst thing you can do is attempt to pull him to a stop, because that just gives the insects more opportunity to sting.
Extra caveat: You're just as likely to be stung as your horse is. If you're allergic to bee and/or wasp stings, always carry an EpiPen®, and be sure that another rider knows where you keep it and how to administer it.
What's Going On With TEWR You Ask?
April's Wildflower rides were with RCHA (Rancho Ca Horsemen Asso.) to beautiful Vail Lake, then Keyways Winery for lunch. (see the photos on RCHA and TEWR Facebook pages!)
We also supported the Warner Springs FFA with their fund raiser, a weekend camp out trail ride and tack sale. Gil and Joann assisted with trail support for this.
We teamed up with RCHA to promote The Horse Boy movie which was a huge success on 4/17. The funds raised for the Autistic children's riding program at Green Acres Ranch (GAIT) and our local trails cause are greatly appreciated.
We had our first overnight camping trip to the Lost Valley Boys Scout Camp in early May. This was a fundraiser for the FFA and we raised about $1300!! May's ride was 5/15 from Renzoni Winery and called the "Chink-O" De Mayo Ride! Be sure to check out our photo page for beautiful pictures taken by Sharon Fibelkorn Photography.
In June some of our members helped out at a clean up day at the Santa Margarita Creek. Father's Day found 14 of us riding at Wildwood Canyon State Park, another fundraiser for equestrian trails by TEWR! Later in the month we will have a practice parade to ready our horses for July 4th, complete with a fire engine visit and the Old Town gunfighters.
Vehicle Code for Horse Crossing
21759. The driver of any vehicle approaching any horse drawn
vehicle, any ridden animal, or any livestock shall exercise proper
control of his vehicle and shall reduce speed or stop as may appear necessary or as may be signalled or otherwise requested by any person driving, riding or in charge of the animal or livestock in order to avoid frightening and to safeguard the animal or livestock and insure the safety of any person driving or riding the animal or in
charge of the livestock
If you have a good time on the ride please look for the Tip boot Jar afterward and leave a donation to help cover some of the costs of maintaining this group of riders. Tips cover the costs of the website, awards, merchandising,...we have no dues of any kind.
Thank you for your support!
Used Halter and Lead Ropes Needed
TEWR would like to collect good/quality used halters and leads from our friends, to donate to the wineries for safe tie up. We realize that sometimes these items get left at home, and it's nice to have back up. In the past we have kept Keyways stocked although many were taken, but we will gladly maintain 2-3 per winery hitching rail for our trail riding friends!
Please contact us thru website's contact form to arrange for pick up. We thank you!!!!
Temecula Eq-"Wine" Riders
County Getting input from Equestrians on Future of Wine and Horse Country
At the request of area horse lovers, Supervisor Jeff Stone has added multiple members to his Wine Country 2020 Task Force.
There are now 15 members, including Edith Atwood, Lorraine Harrington, Robert Kellerhouse, Lynn Mattocks, and Margaret Rich. Others are: Bill Wilson (Chair), Phil Baily, Jim Carter (South Coast), Mike Rennie (Leonesse), Dan Stephenson (Europa Village), Kimberley Adams (Temecula Visitors Bureau), Jane Block, Andy Domenigoni, Rusty Manning, and John Maramarco. There are 3 Subcommittees so far; Equestrian (Atwood, Harrington, Kellerhouse, Rich); Vintners (the 5 Winery owners); and Trails (the 4 Equestrian plus Lynn Mattocks, Riv Co Trails Commission).
This broad group will beproviding recommendations on everything from land use to design guidelines to infrastructure as a new Community Plan develops over the next 12 months. We'll circulate link to a website and contact info and will provide updates on issues (probably thru RCHA newsletter for now - good reason to renew your memberships!). Please be energetic in providing these equestrian representatives your input so we can collectively carve a horse-friendly future for our beautiful Temecula Valley! Lorraine H. RCHA
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! RCHA and TEWR made another issue of the Keyways newsletter.
click on the news clipping below
Our Mailing address:
The Temecula Eq-"Wine" Riders
P.O. Box 890065
Temecula, CA 92589-0065
If you would like to write up a description of a trail ride, complete with directions and any specific details, please submit here for posting in the Great Rides section! Those of you looking for a fun ride can access this information here, print it out and go ride a fun new trail whenever you want!
Coalition of Trails Enthusiasts
To broaden the support for trails, and increase our political clout, RCHA formed the Coalition of Trails Enthusiasts (CTE) to link bicycle groups, hiking groups, joggers and any other individual trails supporters. So far we have had 4 groups indicate willingness to join:
- Back Country Horsemen, Redshank Unit
- Temecula Eq-Wine riders have joined
- La Cresta Riders have indicated willingness
- Sierra Club Temecula group is considering joining.
We encourage our Eq-Wine members to join the Rancho California Horsemen Association (RCHA) at http://www.rchatemecula.org/Membership.html. The Eq-"Wine" Riders support their efforts to quote," Help preserve our horse world in the Temecula Valley." Easy Eq-"Wine" Riders Chili Beans
To pair with Keyways "Barbera!"
30 oz. can pork & beans
15 oz. can butter beans – drain
15 oz. can kidney beans – drain
¼ cup brown sugar
1 cup ketchup
2 tbsp liquid smoke
1 ½ -2 lbs ground beef
½ lbs bacon
1 onion
Cook bacon crisp, Brown ground beef & drain fat
Mix top ingredients in a large bowl & then add cooked ground beef, onion,
cooked bacon. Put all ingredients in crock pot and cook until done.
Usually at least 4 – 6 hours in the crock pot
Enjoy with corn bread!!!!
New! 1/18/10
Ride Cancellation Policy
When we have a ride with an associated donation (examples: to a state park, school or lunch fee) it is non-refundable, unless another rider can be found to take the reserved spot. We will do everything we can to make this happen, nobody wants to pay a donation for a ride they did not go on. We feel this is the fair thing to do, as the rides get closed when we meet our approved number of website RSVP's each month. At this point, others are told the ride is full. We realize it's "just a horseback ride" and people get sick and things like work and family are more important, but others are usually "in line" for our rides at one point. Please do not RSVP if you are in doubt you can make the ride.
We just want people to understand why cancellations are an issue for some (not all) of the rides.
Thank You, TEWR Leadership Team
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RCHA recognized Silver and Juanita for their "Outstanding Contribution to Rancho California Horseman's Association," at their Holiday Brunch today. What a pleasant surprise, thank you RCHA for the lovely framed certificates!
This meeting was a forum for RCHA members to express ideas for improving efforts to save our wine country trails. The cost to join RCHA is $25 and strongly supported by TEWR, as they are working at the county/city level to secure our trails.
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Rancho California Horsemens Association (RCHA)"40th" was a big success!
RCHA put on 3 gorgeous wine country trail rides yesterday morning with about 80+ riders, everyone had a blast! The party and dinner last night was a gathering of many friends, both old and new, enjoying each other's company. Raffle prizes and an art show helped to raise funds. TEWR leadership got up at one point and expressed our thanks for all the efforts many RCHA members have put forth to save our trails.
Thank you again RCHA board members for a great evening. Your hard work planning and organizing the rides, dinner and party surely paid off. Bravo!!
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*New riders (only 2 per ride) must be sponsored by an existing TEWR member in good standing and turn in your TEWR waiver before the ride. Please indicate in the "message to the ride planner" box on the RSVP form who your sponsor is. This is for everyone's (horse and human) safety. TEWR waiver and rules can be downloaded from the homepage. Your sponsor is your resource for any questions you may have. Sponsors you are responsible for the "new rider" you invite! If they have any questions about the rides, TEWR practices or issues that may arise they need to go to you. Please make sure the person and horse that you invite is able to function at the riding, communication and responsibility level we require. It is too much for the ride planner to receive numerous calls and emails regarding simple questions that are easily answered by a TEWR sponsor, actually reading the detailed ride email communications or checking on the website. If you, as the sponsor, still need an answer please contact one of these leadership members: Dave , Vicki, Gil, Anne, Silver or Juanita. Thank you for your cooperation. We have grown so much and become so active in the horse community on many levels. The incredible amount of time and effort that goes into the ride planning, website, facebook, trails/winery PR, "Coalition of Trails Enthusiasts" issues and emails is demanding. Please remember there are only 5 new rider spots per ride and be considerate of others when taking these spots. Sponsors are also expected to ride with their new rider on the TEWR ride and assist/mentor them.
You may sponsor up to 2 new riders per year, we ask that you spread this out, so as to not sponsor more than 1-2 riders every 6 months. We are not looking to get so big that our rides exceed 30 riders, as this is the number we feel we can manage safely.
Thanks Again, The Leadership Group *********************************************************************************
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