MICHIGAN – August 11 – 18 The Michigan Trail Riders Association (MTRA) had their August Family Ride. MTRA has a membership of 7000 horse riders and enthusiast that enjoy trail riding in Michigan. This group is credited with creating and maintaining horse trails across the state from Empire to Oscoda and Mackinaw to Cadillac. The Trail group has six different rides offered throughout the year; The Blossom Ride in May, First and Second June Rides (Shore To Shore), August Family Ride, September Criss-Cross Ride (riding from East to West and from North to South) and the October Ride.
This year the August Family Ride had 60 riders and began at the Scheck’s Trail Camp (Ranch Rudolf in Traverse City). Families had the opportunity to participate trail rides and activities for three days. The kid made bear bell necklaces, rope halters, went tubing and had a scavenger hunt.
Tuesday evening before the ride all campers must attend the Trail Boss meeting where they learn about the trail and where they need to go. On Wednesday the trail riders broke camp to ride their horses 19.6 miles to Kalkaska.
Here’s how it works….
From home, you would trailer your horse to the first camp and picket the horse outside. After your horse is safe on the picket line, you set up your camping area and plan for the next day’s ride. Early in the morning before riding you take out your horse tack, food and gear for the ride and set it on the ground. Tie your horse to a tree and take down your picket. Then you leave your horse; most people have a friend to watch the horses and gear while you drive the truck and camper to the next campsite. That same morning, MTRA has a bus that brings you back to the first campsite where your horse is waiting. Then you saddle and ride the trails to the new campsite where you parked your rig.
Once into camp they take care of their horses and rest for the next day where that following morning they leave for the next camp. From Kalkaska to Goose Creek in Fredric MI it is 25 miles. It is optional to ride the long trail or just move the horses to the next camp and circle ride.
During the MTRA Family Ride the kids were enjoying canoeing, kayaking, playing Cheetos Warriors and making crafts. Goose Creek Trail Camp offers many opportunities in trail riding and is open to the public to camp. With a canoe livery nearby, fly fishing, swimming and a seven mile trail ride into Fredric, you can ride your horse into town, grab something to eat or shop and ride back to camp. They even have a small corral to park your horse.
A Horse Health clinic was available on the last day to everyone presented by Chris Rayner of Hale. Chris talked about general care information and provided stethoscopes to listen to the horse’s heartbeat. Kids had the opportunity to decorate Health Care bags.
MTRA is supportive of other groups such as the Michigan Fox Trotter Association (MFTA) who joined MTRA had their MFTA Missouri Fox Trotter Horse Breed Association National Trail Ride Celebration. The MFTA is a fun loving group that supports education of the Missouri Fox Trotting Breed. They offer information on horse breeding, sales, proper gait, clinics and trail riding.
