Why not graze the Upper Pear Orchard?
We have 10 horses willing to do this for 2011.We grazed this for over 20 years.Topographically, it is no more steep than the Upper Sullivan and we graze it when it’s dry so they are not slipping around on the mud.EBMUD does not like that we use goats as they cause more erosion and are not “selective eaters”.We pay $3500 a year for goats.We raised our dues to pay for this. Some members need money or work hours.We now split the herd for other reasons like dieting.If we give an incentive to those who want to graze it, it allows others not to graze so is a free choice situation.Members do need the incentive as hike can be hotter and longer and poison oak risk is higher.The argument that others give lots of work hours is not relevant. They give of their time freely and actually take hours from others. We could have a donate money back to OHA option so that it can work like work hours. If people want to give money freely, they can. Or, they can give it to another charity. Or, pay their bills.
Wed, 02/15/2012 – 17:45 — ereiter
Not so steep?
It was surprising to me how easy it is to get from the Lower Pear Orchard to the Saddle area. There are many trails up though open woods. Not steep.
And the Saddle area itself is flat and gorgeous.
The steep areas are pretty much all above the Saddle. Up above there, it is densely wooded, rocky, and steep — although it is possible to ride all the way to the very top.
Wed, 02/15/2012 – 17:41 — ereiter
Parking for Pear (from David Lehrer)
Speaking for myself only, and as an associate member, nobody cares what I think, these are my observations of the pear orchard. You have to park across the street or risk a ticket. You have to carry saddle and tack across Camino Pablo to get ready. And from my last experience leading horses to and from the orchard, the herd was swarmed by yellow jackets, I was repeatedly stung (and I
was one of the lucky ones) and nearly trampled by horses behind me in the pack.
Nobody can control a horse that is being stung by yellowjackets. I value my health and wellbeing too much to attempt an organized herd move either to or from the pear orchard again.
Tue, 05/03/2011 – 05:32 — erica braun
question of incentives
Several of these arguments make sense. I follow the argument up to:
Splitting the herd – we have a limited number of weeks that this works well within our lease parameters, but maybe such a rotation could be incorporated. I agree with Liz that the Saddle Meadow is really fine, for instance, and that it would be great to get it back in the mix. Biggest obstacle to an Upper Pear rotation is that several of the regular spring dieters would not opt for this rotation.
The argument that additional work hours is irrelevant is where I really disagree – several of us put in many additional work hours, not because we have extra time or money, but because the task needs to be completed in the interests of the horses and pasture on a timeline, whether or not others volunteer. Where do folks who are long on volunteer hours, but short on both time and money fit in your argument?
Incentives for additional work should also be considered.