Equestrian Trails: Sustainable Design and Access. Presenters: Jan Hancock Hancock Resources LLC, Phoenix, AZ

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2 Equestrian Trails: Sustainable Design and Access Presenters: Jan Hancock Hancock Resources LLC, Phoenix, AZ Clay Nelson Sustainable Stables, Durham, NC Michele Adams - State of New Jersey Trails Council

3 Part 1: Equestrian Campground Design & Management Clay Nelson

4 Go to to download a pdf version of this presentation

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9 Typical well-designed horse campground

10 Well-designed campground space

11 Site selection is critical

12 1. Manure 2. Mud/erosion 3. Water Equestrian campground challenges & solutions

13 1. Manure 2. Mud/erosion 3. Water Equestrian campground challenges & solutions

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16 Collect and spread manure

17 Actively-managed compost

18 Aerated compost system Picture courtesy of Prince William Soil & Water Conservation District, VA

19 Emerging technology: Convert manure into energy (electricity, heat, and hot water)

20 5 horses can power one average U.S. home Anaerobic Digester Picture courtesy of SEaB Energy Ltd.

21 1 horse can heat ~ 675 sq. ft. of indoor air Picture courtesy of Swebo Bioenergy Incinerator

22 1 horse can heat ~ 400 sq. ft. of indoor air Heat Extractor Picture courtesy of AgriLab Technologies Inc.

23 1. Manure 2. Mud/erosion 3. Water Equestrian campground challenges & solutions

24 Typical heavy use area Picture courtesy of TerraFirm Enterprises

25 Typical heavy use area at horse campgrounds high line

26 Typical heavy use area at horse campgrounds hitching post

27 Typical heavy use area at horse campgrounds corral

28 Plastic pavers can reduce mud and erosion Picture courtesy of TerraFirm Enterprises

29 Typical heavy use area Picture courtesy of TerraFirm Enterprises

30 Heavy use area with EcoGrid pavers installed Picture courtesy of TerraFirm Enterprises

31 Typical heavy use paddock design Diagram courtesy of Maryland Horse Outreach Workgroup

32 More about high lines

33 Use hobbles to prevent pawing

34 1. Manure 2. Mud/erosion 3. Water Equestrian campground challenges & solutions

35 A heavily eroded watering hole

36 Minimize opportunities for defecation near streams

37 Provide an alternate water supply

38 Examples of sustainable design & management

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40 Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Center in Queen Creek, AZ

41 New model in sustainable landscape design

42 SITES: Pilot Program

43 What would an equestrian campground designed following SITES criteria look like?

44 Environmentally-sensitive site planning

45 Use rain gardens to control runoff Picture courtesy of Dr. Carey Williams, Rutgers Equine Science Center, NJ

46 Harvest rainwater to reduce potable water use & runoff

47 Use native landscaping to create wildlife habitat

48 Use local, sustainable building materials

49 Use recycled materials

50 Use solar lighting & minimize light pollution

51 Facility Basic Often Optional Green Trail access X Water sources X Toilet building X Shower building Wash rack Mounting ramp Loading ramp X X X X Mounting block Manure disposal Highline or corral X X X Hitch rail X Arena or round pen X Stormwater control Native vegetation Green building materials Composting Renewable energy Reduced light pollution Soil restoration Stream rehabilitation The Challenge X X X X X X X X

52 1. Manage the big three Manage manure as a resource Compost Energy Design heavy use areas to prevent mud and erosion and protect vegetation Provide an alternate water supply 2. Create a new model that goes beyond the big three to create a truly green equestrian campground. Take Home Messages

53 Part 2: Sustainable and Environmentally Sensitive Equestrian Trail Design Jan Hancock

54 Typical equestrian trail corridor

55 Loop trail systems are environmentally efficient

56 Approx ft between hooves and wheels a similar trail turning radius

57 5-foot minimum turning radius Plan space for climbing turns and switchbacks on slopes

58 A tight turning radius and steep incline cause environmental impacts

59 New and improved switchback design

60 Objects placed in the apex of the turn prevent cutting corners

61 Water bars on horse trails are ineffective horses go around them

62 Grade reversals are better trail designs than water bars on slopes

63 Knicks at bottom of grade reversals channel water off the trail

64 Typical rock swale to help prevent erosion

65 Typical vegetative bioswale

66 A trenched, eroded, and braided trail

67 Large groups of riders can create environmental impacts

68 Plan rocky areas for stream crossings

69 Reinforce stream edges with geosynthetics

70 Two layers of geocell Use geocells to prevent erosion

71 Free copy available from FHWA and also online