CLOSURES PROLONGED! SCHOOLS are now closed for the academic year, Gov. Jay Inslee has extended the state’s stay-home order because of the coronavirus until May 4, and now the USDA Forest Service has closed down recreational public use until Sept. 30.
I can’t help but think since we’re only in April, closing the national forest through the end of September sounds like the officials are jumping the gun a bit. My first thought was it’s because they want to wait until tourist season is over so they won’t have to pay for summer help — and I don’t think I’m too far off the mark.
Like everyone and every business around us, the U.S. Forest Service is dealing with rising costs and less funding, thus forcing it to find new ways to maintain facilities the public enjoys. U.S. Forest Service relies on discretionary appropriations from Congress and currently the agency has a more than $5 billion backlog in infrastructure needs in the form of roads and buildings that are deteriorating.
Perhaps I’m too much of a cynic, though, and the decision was truly made for the public’s health and safety. A letter documenting the rationale behind Forest Order No. 06-00-00-20-01 to prohibit public recreational use states the decision was based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as state and local health authorities … due to travelers potentially spreading the coronavirus into new areas with every stop for gas, food or restroom break.
Currently, the Department of Natural Resources’ land is closed to the public until May 4 and Olympic National Parks until May 15, although it wouldn’t surprise me to read they, too, will follow suit with the National Forest Service by extending the closures until the end of September.
I’m with Jen Coyle Bond, as she commented on a Facebook page listing the new National Forest closure date, that “Hopefully our public officials are willing to listen and respond to the public when it comes to access issues. The majority of folks are trying to do the right thing and minimize chances for virus transmission.”
Uplifting
The good news is people can still participate in activities such as bike rides, gardening and dog walking — and even horse riding — as long as they follow social distancing rules. I wondered how the closures were affecting local stables that board horses. After all, it is essential for owners to be able to see and care for their own horse. So I made a call to Freedom Farm owner Mary Gallagher. This large equestrian training center is normally bustling with people year-round.
“Things are pretty quiet around here,” Gallagher said. Until the ban of social gatherings is lifted, there’s no group lessons, clinic or Hoof Beats afterschool club going on.
People are, however, still allowed to see their horses and spend time with them.
“The opportunity we have right now to spend some nice, quiet time with our horses and improve our relationships through activities we might not have had the time for before.”
She’s devoted a little extra time each day to spend with a young horse called Einstein. In addition to his general training, she’s been taking him for outings around the farm.
“These are not necessarily riding excursions, but I do put a saddle on him in case I come across something that I would like to do while riding,” she said. “Mostly I begin with a walk — he will follow me just about anywhere. We begin with places he has seen, and then I add in a little ground work, connecting to the feet over and around obstacles.”
She’ll then take him exploring to areas new to Einstein, such as a safe walk through a paddock or field where other horses are he’s not familiar with. That gives her a chance to show Einstein she’s the alpha leader who will keep him safe.
“This works great, because he is super curious about the other horses, but doesn’t have to worry about being bit, kicked or chased. This kind of outing will come in handy when we travel to new places and he will need to be sure of my leadership in more unfamiliar environment,” she said.
She has specific items she likes to work on during their daily jaunts to help the horse learn about manners, including how to go in and out of gates, in all different ways; not grabbing grass; walking next to her, behind her, to the right or left side of her and at her pace — fast, slow or back up.
She notes what seems like lots of down time from our usual equestrian schedule is actually a real resource for a wise horseman. For Einstein, it’s a time to grow in self-confidence — while learning about the world. For us, it’s a chance to grow and improve the relationship.
“For people who have horses at home it’s a opportunity to get to know their horse better and do things they want to do with their horses but haven’t had time for. People are allowed to go for walks, and certainly you can take your horse for a walk. Get the horse out and walk around the neighborhood. Just do something new with your horse,” she urges. “Relationships can always use a little boost.”
You’ll both feel better for it.
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Karen Griffiths’ column, Peninsula Horseplay, appears the second and fourth Sunday of each month.
If you have a horse event, clinic or seminar you would like listed, please email Griffiths at kbg@olympus.net at least two weeks in advance. You can also call her at 360-460-6299.
