Promoting the enjoyment of horses in North & South Carolina
Educational Seminars 2020
Show Dates
FOR MORE DETAILS & ENTRY FORMS CLICK ON SHOWS PAGE
MAY 2nd show is POSTPONED due to COVID-19
We will hopefully reschedule the May 2 show once it is safe!
JULY 18
SEPTEMBER 5
OCTOBER 31
HELD AT FENCE (House), 3381 Hunting Country Rd, Tryon, NC,
seminars start at 6:30pm for light refreshments and presentations begin at 7:00 Free for FRC Members,
$5 suggested donation for Non-Members.
MARCH 18 All About Hay
APRIL 15 Equestrian Trail Systems in our area
MAY 20 On the Right Track: Paddock track system.
Foothills Riding Club
remember to go to EVENTS PAGE for details.
2020
2020
News
Barn & Home Fire Safety.....
Membership Renewal Time!
Be the first on your block to renew your FRC Membership for the year 2020!
Click here for a downloadable membership form to mail in or bring to your favorite board member ! You can always go to our Membership page and join online!
Bobby Arledge, Polk County Emergency Management Director and the Emergency Management Director for the World Equestrian Games, Tryon, 2018, spoke at the FRC May Educational Seminar at FENCE. Bobby highlighted actions that horse owners could take to minimize the risk of fire on their property and ways they could assist first responders, should an emergency occur.
1. Have a no-smoking policy and post notices about the no-smoking policy prominently around your buildings and property.
2. Have and install smoke alarms – fire alarms – smoke detectors – whichever device you feel will detect smoke or a fire effectively. Ensure these can be heard wherever you are – house, workshop, stable. There are many “smart” devices, which will notify you of any issues directly to your phone or computer. Additionally, a local security company can also provide you with a smoke/fire alarm system that is versatile and reliable. Ensure the smoke alarms are clean of dust!
3. Keep aisles and main areas clean of loose hay and stray shavings. A clean stable is a safer stable. This includes cobwebs – which are highly flammable and can spread flames quickly and far! Make sure exits and aisles are clear and can be navigated by emergency personnel. Ensure your electrical panel has 3’ of clearance around it so it can be located and accessed by emergency personnel in full fire gear.
4. Keep a 50-foot firebreak around the structures on your property – this includes any leaves or mulch that are blown/accumulate around the structures. Decorative shrubs should be okay if they’re healthy (not dry) ad not too overgrown.
5. Store the following in a separate building which is at least 50 ft. from your stable and home: gas powered equipment, gas cans, flammable liquids, hay, bedding/shavings.
6. Extension cords must be UL approved, of high quality and of amperage at least, if not more than, the device that will be plugged into it. Ensure the plug is grounded and that the cord is not damaged or able to be damaged. Use extension cords ONLY as a temporary connection – they are not “wiring.” Check them for damage often – monthly if possible. Keep these cords away from animals and unplug them after each use.
7. The number one cause of fires is electrical faults. Ensure that your electrical wiring is protected in conduit and all work is done by a licensed electrician “to code.” Using covered, waterproof outlet covers can be an easy, cost effective step to reducing electrical faults. Unplug any appliance when not in use.
8. Fans: Vacuum or clean your fans as often as you change your clocks. Do not use box fans – ever – highly dangerous. If buying fans, look for a fan rated for outdoor or potentially “weather exposed” use and for a sealed fan motor.
9. Space Heaters: only use UL approved space heaters, which have a 3-prong (grounded) plug and “tip over” protection fail/safe. Never use a heater with an exposed element. Always unplug or turn off the heater when you are not around it and able to monitor its operation. Do not plug space heaters into extension cords. Heat Lamps are equally discouraged – but can be used under supervision and for short-term only.
10. Minimize dust and sparks by using child –proof outlet covers on seldom used electrical outlets. This also protects the outlet from weather or moisture.
11. Lightning Rods are recommended for all structures on the property and can minimize risk from lightning strikes tremendously.
12. Fire Extinguishers: structures such as livestock facilities should have a 10lb fire extinguisher ever 50’. If you are unsure how to use your fire extinguisher, Polk County (NC) and many other counties offer fire extinguisher training courses. There are many local companies who will inspect and recharge your fire extinguisher on a schedule – or you can take it to them. Those companies are: Pye-Barker (Hendersonville), Asheville Fire Protection, Tyco-SimplexGrinnell (Asheville), Simplex Grinnell (Spartanburg). Fire extinguishers should be examined for hose condition, nozzles in good shape/clear and the fire extinguisher are still fully charged. Disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguishers lose efficacy ~5 years, rechargeable will last approx. 10 years.
13. When there’s fire: call 911 immediately, if you attempt to put out the fire yourself, with two fire extinguishers and it is still not out, let the fire department handle it. Put your own safety above the safety of animals. Do not risk your life and be prepared to act in an emergency. Have a leather halter and a cotton lead rope by each stall. Have a plan for an emergency and PRACTICE it. Practice evacuations.
14. Make sure the property and driveway are clearly marked. If you have a gate – you can use 1018 as the universal emergency services gate code (proposed for NC). However, if those gates are locked or do not open, the emergency personnel will ram the gate open to get into the property – or will use bolt cutters to cut the lock. They will not waste time trying other codes or trying to get someone to unlock the gate. If there are two separate routes to the barn and the house, mark with direction is for the house and the stable. Have a mailbox or other fireproof receptacle outside the structure that has emergency contact and animal information easily spotted and opened.
Emergency Plan for Horse owners: this is a canary yellow document to be posted and clearly visible which outlines what you want done or what you will allow in an emergency situation. This should be completed for each animal (including household pets) on the property.
1. Have a no-smoking policy and post notices about the no-smoking policy prominently around your buildings and property.
2. Have and install smoke alarms – fire alarms – smoke detectors – whichever device you feel will detect smoke or a fire effectively. Ensure these can be heard wherever you are – house, workshop, stable. There are many “smart” devices, which will notify you of any issues directly to your phone or computer. Additionally, a local security company can also provide you with a smoke/fire alarm system that is versatile and reliable. Ensure the smoke alarms are clean of dust!
3. Keep aisles and main areas clean of loose hay and stray shavings. A clean stable is a safer stable. This includes cobwebs – which are highly flammable and can spread flames quickly and far! Make sure exits and aisles are clear and can be navigated by emergency personnel. Ensure your electrical panel has 3’ of clearance around it so it can be located and accessed by emergency personnel in full fire gear.
4. Keep a 50-foot firebreak around the structures on your property – this includes any leaves or mulch that are blown/accumulate around the structures. Decorative shrubs should be okay if they’re healthy (not dry) ad not too overgrown.
5. Store the following in a separate building which is at least 50 ft. from your stable and home: gas powered equipment, gas cans, flammable liquids, hay, bedding/shavings.
6. Extension cords must be UL approved, of high quality and of amperage at least, if not more than, the device that will be plugged into it. Ensure the plug is grounded and that the cord is not damaged or able to be damaged. Use extension cords ONLY as a temporary connection – they are not “wiring.” Check them for damage often – monthly if possible. Keep these cords away from animals and unplug them after each use.
7. The number one cause of fires is electrical faults. Ensure that your electrical wiring is protected in conduit and all work is done by a licensed electrician “to code.” Using covered, waterproof outlet covers can be an easy, cost effective step to reducing electrical faults. Unplug any appliance when not in use.
8. Fans: Vacuum or clean your fans as often as you change your clocks. Do not use box fans – ever – highly dangerous. If buying fans, look for a fan rated for outdoor or potentially “weather exposed” use and for a sealed fan motor.
9. Space Heaters: only use UL approved space heaters, which have a 3-prong (grounded) plug and “tip over” protection fail/safe. Never use a heater with an exposed element. Always unplug or turn off the heater when you are not around it and able to monitor its operation. Do not plug space heaters into extension cords. Heat Lamps are equally discouraged – but can be used under supervision and for short-term only.
10. Minimize dust and sparks by using child –proof outlet covers on seldom used electrical outlets. This also protects the outlet from weather or moisture.
11. Lightning Rods are recommended for all structures on the property and can minimize risk from lightning strikes tremendously.
12. Fire Extinguishers: structures such as livestock facilities should have a 10lb fire extinguisher ever 50’. If you are unsure how to use your fire extinguisher, Polk County (NC) and many other counties offer fire extinguisher training courses. There are many local companies who will inspect and recharge your fire extinguisher on a schedule – or you can take it to them. Those companies are: Pye-Barker (Hendersonville), Asheville Fire Protection, Tyco-SimplexGrinnell (Asheville), Simplex Grinnell (Spartanburg). Fire extinguishers should be examined for hose condition, nozzles in good shape/clear and the fire extinguisher are still fully charged. Disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguishers lose efficacy ~5 years, rechargeable will last approx. 10 years.
13. When there’s fire: call 911 immediately, if you attempt to put out the fire yourself, with two fire extinguishers and it is still not out, let the fire department handle it. Put your own safety above the safety of animals. Do not risk your life and be prepared to act in an emergency. Have a leather halter and a cotton lead rope by each stall. Have a plan for an emergency and PRACTICE it. Practice evacuations.
14. Make sure the property and driveway are clearly marked. If you have a gate – you can use 1018 as the universal emergency services gate code (proposed for NC). However, if those gates are locked or do not open, the emergency personnel will ram the gate open to get into the property – or will use bolt cutters to cut the lock. They will not waste time trying other codes or trying to get someone to unlock the gate. If there are two separate routes to the barn and the house, mark with direction is for the house and the stable. Have a mailbox or other fireproof receptacle outside the structure that has emergency contact and animal information easily spotted and opened.
Emergency Plan for Horse owners: this is a canary yellow document to be posted and clearly visible which outlines what you want done or what you will allow in an emergency situation. This should be completed for each animal (including household pets) on the property.
This will help emergency responders to know what you would like them to do in various emergency situations.
Additionally, this is a great comprehensive guide to preparing your farm or property for emergencies. http://www.cepec.us/Articles/Ranch%20Equine%20Emergency%20Evacuation%20Plan.pdf
All About Hay .... To Be Rescheduled in the fall
Spring
SEPTEMBER 16 Topic to be announced
OCTOBER 21 Topic to be announced
NOVEMBER 18 FRC Annual Meeting AND Seminar: topic to be announced
For many years, the Foothills Riding Club has been contributing $100 to the ELCR and 2020 is no different.
From their website (www.elcr.org):
The Equine Land Conservation Resource leads in the protection and conservation of lands for the horse and horse-related activities.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the US is losing 6,000 acres of open land every day. Large open spaces and contiguous tracts of land are critical to providing the space we need to support our nation’s equestrian heritage and economy. With the current rate of loss we may not have enough land to support our horses and equestrian-related activities in as little as 15 years.
Since 2007, ELCR has assisted in the protection of more than 200,000 acres of land and more than 1,200 miles of trails. American Horse Publications and Pfizer selected ELCR as the 2012 Equine Industry Vision Award recipient.
The Equine Land Conservation Resource leads in the protection and conservation of lands for the horse and horse-related activities.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the US is losing 6,000 acres of open land every day. Large open spaces and contiguous tracts of land are critical to providing the space we need to support our nation’s equestrian heritage and economy. With the current rate of loss we may not have enough land to support our horses and equestrian-related activities in as little as 15 years.
Since 2007, ELCR has assisted in the protection of more than 200,000 acres of land and more than 1,200 miles of trails. American Horse Publications and Pfizer selected ELCR as the 2012 Equine Industry Vision Award recipient.
Equine Land Conservation Resource
Polk County Area Livestock Extension Agent, Noah Henson, will present “All About Hay.” Noah will discuss the various types of hay and their nutrition, sugar levels, forage analysis and sampling - including core analysis and determining moisture levels, and the impact of best cutting practices. Noah graduated from N.C. State with a degree in Agriculture Science and is working towards his Master’s Degree in Reproductive Physiology. Noah lives on a working farm in Haywood County where he runs cattle, sheep, goats, and makes hay. Foothills Riding Club educational seminars take place from 7-8 PM in the FENCE great room. Seminars are free to all but a $5 suggested donation is encouraged of non-members. Evening donations will benefit the Buncombe County 4H Livestock Judging Team.
Adopt-A-Road Program - All Dates Subject to Change
Foothills Riding Club has adopted Moore Road in the Green Creek area as another way for the club to give back to the community.
Details of times and where to meet will be posted here as well as our FaceBook page!
Clean-up Date Rain Date
May 16, 2020 May 30
September 19, 2020 September 26
November 7, 2020 November 14
ALL CANCELLED or POSTPONED for NOW
We have moved forward with cancelling April’s seminar, as well as May 2nd show at FENCE, and we are going to hold off on scheduling any other FRC events until we see how this all unfolds.
Everyone stay safe and spend lots of time with your ponies!!
