WELCOME TO THE RFVHC HOME PAGE
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Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council's Goal is the Preservation of a
Sustainable, Generational Legacy Equestrian Community.
We want to offer horse people SOLUTIONS to everyday equine needs. Become a RFVHC member and/or join our Business Directory and connect to hundreds of horsemen and women in the valley
THE MISSION of the RFVHC is to provide a unified voice for equine related interests by working to preserve access to trails, promoting charitable involvement in equine related experiences and activities, educating the public on equestrian issues, providing connections and resources for the equine community, and supporting the overall well‐being of horses and horsemanship.
Pitkin County Open Space & Trails Board members & the City of Aspen and the Town of Snowmass Village have identified the Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council (RFVHC) as the entity that they will work with, regarding horse related issues, such as Cozy Point Equestrian Center, Snowmass Rodeo and Glassier Open Space Management Plans. Let us know your wishes for future horse related issues.
The RFVHC was established as a Colorado non-profit organization in August of 2005,
with having roots originating as the Aspen Riding Club in 1953.
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EXCITING & HOT BUTTON ISSUES & HEALTH ALERTS
2024
NEW Equine Land Conservation Resource Spring Edition 2024
Spotlight on the Trails Safe Passing Plan
The Trails Safe Passing Plan (TSPP) is an educational initiative produced by Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council (RFVHC) President Karin Reid Offield and the Michigan Trails Advisory Council Equestrian Representative (MTAC) Jenny Cook in 2023 to elevate trail safety and the overall shared trail experience.
TSSP serves as a safety action plan urging trail users to stop, speak and stand back when encountering horseback riders on the trail. The initiative was developed to promote trail safety by helping all trail users understand that horses, as prey animals, can naturally be afraid of unfamiliar people and objects and can respond to potential threats with a “flight” survival instinct, preferring to move their feet towards an exit route. Responding to the dra- matic increase in outdoor recreational activity since COVID, ELCR has promoted the TSSP and other regional trail safety initiatives to promote proper trail etiquette and safety. The TSSP is a good model because it promotes a better understanding of the special needs of horses and their riders and what all trail users should do when encountering them on the trail.
Both Karin Reid Offield and Jenny Cook say they are thrilled with the response to the TSSP initiative and thank ELCR for helping them get the word out about this important trail education ini- tiative. The following quotes are just a few examples of how well TSSP has been received since the safety action plan was rolled out in the spring of 2023 in an American Trails webinar:
• “We will use the Trails Safe Passing Plan (TSPP) Stop! Speak and Stand Back on welcome info boards at the trail head parking lots throughout the 6,900-acre White River Area Pines Point Rec- reation Area.” –USFS Baldwin Ranger Station Huron and Manistee National Forests, Michigan
• “There have been increasing conflicts between horse users and other trail users on shared use trails. Your trail sign, QR codes and PowerPoint would educate trail users and raise awareness of how to respond when approaching or being approached by equestrians and horse and wagon users on trails.” –The Provence of Alberta, Canada
• “These RFVHC signs offer practical information on how to be- have around horses rather than simply stating yielding rules (tri- angle signs).” –TriCities Horsemen’s Association, Martinez, California
• “We have a new trail system being developed, and education is needed. Many of the trail users are not familiar with what ‘yield’ means. Your trail sign is GENIUS.” –Back Country Horsemen of Blue Ridge, North Carolina
For more information on the Trails Safe Passing Plan and to download signage, please go to http://rfvhorsecouncil.org/ trails-safe-passing-plan-tspp.html
- The 2021-2022 - 24 RFVHC Survey Monkey is about 12 RFV Trails For Equestrians and Hikers - YOUR OPINION MATTERS... With the release of the 2021 - 2023 RFVHC sponsored Trails Survey Monkey Questionnaire for hikers and horseback riders, we want to thank the respondents to date - a cross representation of trail users that are helping the community land managers and saving them time by giving feedback. Every single piece of advice in the written comments will be carefully considered to help make our trails, parking. safety and signage better. Trails will become more fun. A critical component is the community’s interest is keeping wildlife safe and able to thrive. What are your ideas? If a trail area doesn't interest you, skip it...go on to the next. Please take the Survey: Here is the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JL23DN3.
- Roaring Fork Valley Safe Passages - Working Group - Wildlife Bridges...we are thrilled that this initiative is progressing! Is anyone interested in this group? There are 269 members as of November 16, 2022. Here is the link on FB https://www.facebook.com/groups/552772083263711
- RFVHC Signage in National News: For more details go to this page...https://www.rfvhorsecouncil.org/trails-safe-passing-plan-tspp.html. The Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council is proud to have built a new trail sign, accessibility approved and ABA & ADA compliant. We ask for your participation here in the RFV and beyond to share the Trails Safe Passing Plan (TSPP) Stop! Speak and Stand Back to make us all better trail partners. This safety action plan will help both equestrian and other trail users better understand how the horse has evolved to use its extraordinary senses to understand the world around them and how the horses react to perceived threats in their environment. To use the copyrighted sign, please fill out this form - so we can follow where our Trails Safe Passing Plan (TSPP) is being used Here is the Link . https://www.rfvhorsecouncil.org/trailassociatelandmanagementteam-trailsignuse-form.html
NEW Equine Land Conservation Resource Spring Edition 2024
Spotlight on the Trails Safe Passing Plan
The Trails Safe Passing Plan (TSPP) is an educational initiative produced by Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council (RFVHC) President Karin Reid Offield and the Michigan Trails Advisory Council Equestrian Representative (MTAC) Jenny Cook in 2023 to elevate trail safety and the overall shared trail experience.
TSSP serves as a safety action plan urging trail users to stop, speak and stand back when encountering horseback riders on the trail. The initiative was developed to promote trail safety by helping all trail users understand that horses, as prey animals, can naturally be afraid of unfamiliar people and objects and can respond to potential threats with a “flight” survival instinct, preferring to move their feet towards an exit route. Responding to the dra- matic increase in outdoor recreational activity since COVID, ELCR has promoted the TSSP and other regional trail safety initiatives to promote proper trail etiquette and safety. The TSSP is a good model because it promotes a better understanding of the special needs of horses and their riders and what all trail users should do when encountering them on the trail.
Both Karin Reid Offield and Jenny Cook say they are thrilled with the response to the TSSP initiative and thank ELCR for helping them get the word out about this important trail education ini- tiative. The following quotes are just a few examples of how well TSSP has been received since the safety action plan was rolled out in the spring of 2023 in an American Trails webinar:
• “We will use the Trails Safe Passing Plan (TSPP) Stop! Speak and Stand Back on welcome info boards at the trail head parking lots throughout the 6,900-acre White River Area Pines Point Rec- reation Area.” –USFS Baldwin Ranger Station Huron and Manistee National Forests, Michigan
• “There have been increasing conflicts between horse users and other trail users on shared use trails. Your trail sign, QR codes and PowerPoint would educate trail users and raise awareness of how to respond when approaching or being approached by equestrians and horse and wagon users on trails.” –The Provence of Alberta, Canada
• “These RFVHC signs offer practical information on how to be- have around horses rather than simply stating yielding rules (tri- angle signs).” –TriCities Horsemen’s Association, Martinez, California
• “We have a new trail system being developed, and education is needed. Many of the trail users are not familiar with what ‘yield’ means. Your trail sign is GENIUS.” –Back Country Horsemen of Blue Ridge, North Carolina
For more information on the Trails Safe Passing Plan and to download signage, please go to http://rfvhorsecouncil.org/ trails-safe-passing-plan-tspp.html
We want to thank the Levi Strauss Company for always believing in the cowboys and cowgirls, the western heritage way of life and for the life that we see in this beautiful colored poster of the 1950's.
2022-2024 additions:
T Lazy 7 Fire Awareness and Action Guide (DOC) (PDF)
FYI: Fire Adapted Colorado Neighborhood Ambassador Orientation - Enrollment 2024
This course will take place at 6pm-8pm MST Wednesday evenings from February 21st to March 27th 2024. These six, two-hour sessions will be presented live in a virtual setting, so students will need access to stable internet and a computer or tablet with a camera (preferred), microphone, and speakers.
2024 - This course is an introduction to serving as a Neighborhood Ambassador for your community. Course content will include: what is a Neighborhood Ambassador, basics of fire behavior, the home ignition zone, Colorado fuels and vegetation management, household and community readiness, planning community events, and the human aspects of moving neighbors to action.
By transferring knowledge, developing resources such as the FAC Ambassador Approach Guide, offering Building Your FAC Neighborhood Ambassador Approach workshops, and providing ongoing support including quarterly professional volunteer coordinator calls, FAC Net, Fire Adapted Colorado, and Wildfire Adapted Partnership are cultivating a network of professionals dedicated to neighborhood-based wildfire resilience efforts.
Different communities have implemented variations of the ambassador approach based on their local context and resources. The National Fire Protection Association’s Firewise USA® program can provide a solid framework for building upon and supporting volunteer-led initiatives.
Any Interest ?
Just dropping a note that I have received your enrollment form and the RFVHC has successfully registered for the Wildfire Neighborhood Ambassador Orientation that meet Wednesday PM 6-8pm from Feb 21-March 27. Until then, I am your contact for any questions related to the course or communicating your planned absences for the course. The local Ambassador Coordinator you listed on your enrollment form will be your go-to contact for anything that relates to your local program or resolving technology issues ahead of the course.
I just sent out a calendar invite so that you can "save the dates" that we are planning to meet, and I am very excited to meet you virtually soon!
Thanks for all you do,
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Lara Thomas
Training & Network SPC., Fire Adapted Colorado
556 Circle Dr, Florissant CO 80816
413-522-3341
Schedule a meeting with me
www.fireadaptedco.org
IN 2024 TAKE A BUS TO THE SNOWMASS and CARBONDALE RODEO PLEASE!
Press Release - Sunday June 13, 2021 Thank you to Aspen Fire leadership and the entire RFV Horse Council membership that donated the funding and their time to making the Leslie Thomas Large Animal Training Program a success. We are continuing to accept donations for this program. We are deeply grateful how this will assist in the large animal rescue of livestock, wildlife and horse rescue.
See Projects Page #1 for more info
This photo, below, was taken from near the top of Buckskin Pass. The highest of twin peaks is Hagerman Peak. The mountain to the left is Snowmass Peak. Snowmass lake is nestled below Snowmass Peak. Below the red colored ridge is Willow Lake. Buckskin Pass winds up to the summit, which drops down into the Maroon Creek Basin. We camped in Lost Remuda Basin, a beautiful little area past Snowmass lake. Moon Run Outfitters operated in the Snowmass Maroon Wilderness for over 18 years. Photo by Holly McLain
Our High Country Wilderness awaits you!
Our High Country Wilderness awaits you!
Aspen Daily News April 17th and 20th 2020 - Pandemic Support of our local news media.
Let us not forget our partners, our equine business members and YOU !
We work to protect and restore hikers and horseback riders only trails that offer a safe, predictable and peaceful trail experience through a variety of changing landscapes, including wildflowers, cactus, sage brush, junipers, pinon pines through spruce tree woodlands with breathtaking views. In many places, this two-track trail allows riders to walk side by side for conversation and camaraderie.
Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council
P.O. Box 127, Snowmass, Colorado 81654
* 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization *
To speak with Holly McLain RFVHC Communication Chair - 970-948-2151
Contact us: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/keephorsesontrails/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rfvhc/