Florida Sport Horse Club

I strolled out in the yard Sunday night to hitch up for Monday’s ride, only to discover my trailer had a flat tire.  Undeterred, I dragged out all my tools and put the spare on the flat tire’s axle.  I was lucky this time–I wasn’t in a hurry, and I was in my front yard… Continue reading Can You Change a Tire?

Crooked Lake Wildlife Management & Environmental Area 156-232 Turtle Run Trail, Fort Meade, FL 33841 https://myfwc.com/recreation/lead/crooked-lake/ Things to know: Hours of operation: Sunrise to sunset every day Unstaffed; free for users A restroom is in the parking area. Parking isn’t spacious, but there’s enough room for several rigs if all use consideration. Almost 1,150 acres… Continue reading Riding Area: Crooked Lake Wildlife & Environmental Area

Lake Louisa State Park 7305 U.S. Hwy 27 Clermont FL 34714 (352) 394-3969 https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/lake-louisa-state-park  Things to know: Hours of operation: 8am to sunset every day. 16 miles of very well-marked multi-use trails, both sunny and shaded, around 3 lakes. There is a $4 fee for single-occupant vehicles/rigs, or $5 per vehicle for up to 8… Continue reading Favorite Riding Area: Lake Louisa State Park

Lower Green Swamp Preserve 3540 East Knights Griffin Road Plant City, FL 33565 (813) 757-3713 https://hillsboroughcounty.org/en/locations/lower-green-swamp-nature-preserve  Things to know: Hours of operation: Sunrise to sunset every day The area is unstaffed on weekends A port-a-potty is located across from the office, about ½ mile from the parking area, on the Orange trail. Multiple trails are… Continue reading Favorite Riding Areas: Lower Green Swamp Preserve

Marshall Hampton Reserve 3115 Thornhill Road Winter Haven, FL 33880 Phone: (863) 534-7377 https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/marshall-hampton-reserve  Things to know: Hours of operation: Daily from 6am to 6:30 p.m. during standard time and 5:30am to 8 pm during daylight savings time. An annual free permit, available from the Polk County Natural Resources Dept., is required for equestrians. Call… Continue reading Favorite Riding Area: Marshall Hampton Reserve

Tenoroc Public Use Area 3829 Tenoroc Mine Road, Lakeland FL, 33805 Phone: (863) 499-2421 http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/wmas/lead/tenoroc/  Things to know: Hours of operation: 6am to 7pm on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. There is a $3 day-use fee, payable when you present your Coggins in the office. Parking for horse rigs is just past the office on… Continue reading Favorite Riding Area: Tenoroc

After all, all we’re doing is riding.  And when it’s just one or two people it really DOESN’T matter.  But when we get groups of 4 or more, those trail guidelines become real safety issues.  Here’s how: Stay behind the trail bosses.  Why?  Well, they know where they’re going, and are responsible for the group. … Continue reading Why Do We Need Trail Guidelines?

Feed bags these days can have a multitude of uses, from garbage to storage bags as well as made into floor mats, tote bags and more.  Here’s another way to use them–as hay nets! I’ve started dabbling in camping, usually only for one or two nights.  And the hay is always an issue.  The best… Continue reading Make a Feed Bag Into a Hay Net

I always tense up a bit when I plug my trailer lights/brakes into the truck, and say a small prayer that everything comes on as expected.  I’ve found that even though the trailer is under shelter and the plug is protected, sometimes tiny bugs get into the plug’s holes and prevent a good connection. The… Continue reading Avoid Trailer Electric Issues

A club member lamented to me today that her horse, diagnosed with laminitis, would NOT keep her feet in the buckets long enough for the ice and cold water to help her hooves.  So here’s a tip that may help others:   Find a big pair of jeans–it helps if you have a large husband… Continue reading Icing Hooves in Times of Laminitis