Florida Forever Back Country Horsemen

06/12/2026

Florida Forever Back Country Horsemen (FFB*H) is one of 5 regional local chapters of the parent organization Back Country Horsemen of America (B*HA). B*HA operates with 31 state-level organizations and over 200 local chapters across the country.

Since 2007, FFB*H members have been dedicated to maintaining equestrian trails keeping them safe and accessible. Sharing knowledge and encouraging responsible use to ensure they remain open for riders today and future generations.
Ride. Respect. Preserve.

FFB*H’s primary focus is on the horseback riding trails located in the Citrus Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest in central Florida. FFB*H works closely with the Florida Forestry Service (FFS) land managers and rangers to maintain equestrian trails keeping them safe and accessible. FFB*H also works in concert with FFS staff to maintain the excellent horse camping facilities of the Tillis Hill Equestrian Trail Camp located in the Tillis Hill Recreation area in this forest.

Horse camping amenities include a 36 stall horse barn, a day use parking area for horse trailers (daily fee but no advance reservations required), 3 large horse turnout paddocks, and a horse wash rack. The campground located there serves both equine and non-equine users and boasts 28 campsites with full hookups of water and electricity, a convenient RV sewer dump station, and separate stand alone bath houses and restrooms. Two large pavilions, one indoor and one outdoor, and a big outside barbeque grill are available for rental for group meetings and gatherings.

Campground and horse stall reservations can be made through Reserve America, the official booking platform and reservation service for Florida State Parks and Florida State Forests.

The Citrus Tract of the Withlacoochee Forest contains approximately 50,000 acres and approximately 103 miles of marked horse trails which include 57 miles in loops, 24 field trial trails, and 22 neighborhood access trails.

Maps of this equine trail system are available from the Florida Forest Service and the Avenza mobile map named Withlacoochee State Forest-Citrus Tract Horse Trails. Dispersed throughout this trail system and located along horse trails are a number of picnic tables and mounting blocks . These make for a nice rest stop.

Visit the FFB*H page to learn more about FFB*H and find a membership form.

https://www.facebook.com/FloridaForeverB*H

06/09/2026

06/07/2026

Where are Steve and Karen clearing heavy algae overgrowth out of a horse watering tank?
A. between FR 13 and FR 14 on Pine Valley horse trail
B. on the east side of Thunder Road horse trail west of FR 15
C. on the northern side of El Dorado horse trail between FR 13 and
Fr 15

06/04/2026

Recent message from B*H Of America:

Need To Know:
Executive Orders Impacting Our Trails
The current administration rescinded Executive Orders 11644 and 11989. Below is the link to the White House statement:

Removing Unnecessary and Counterproductive Restrictions on Access to Federal Lands – The White House

Presidents Nixon and Carter issued Executive Orders 11644 and 11989 in 1972 and 1977, respectively, in response to the growing use of dirt bikes, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and other off-road vehicles (ORVs) and corresponding environmental damage and conflicts with non-motorized recreationists. These executive orders require federal land managers to plan for ORV use to protect resources and other recreational uses.

This may cause:
Environmental risks and habitat disruption – Federal agencies would no longer be mandated to assess ORV impacts.
Negative impact on Access and Conflicts – Public Lands will become more chaotic with competing Trail Users. Ever had a bicycle run into your horse? This could soon allow a dirt bike on the same trail.
Federal agencies now are in a wait and see for further guidance. There will be an extended period of unknowns of how and what to enforce or how trail access will be allowed.
Fire Management difficulties – Access restrictions have allowed for better fire management. This will hinder rapid response and increased potential for human caused fires.
Economic Impact - Degrading trails and biodiversity and the damage caused to outdoor recreation economies may be irreversible. No beauty, no animals, no reason to go.
Watershed and riparian health – Soil erosion, sedimentation, and damage to streambanks is vital for the health of our public lands. Limiting vehicle use in sensitive areas helps maintain water quality, preserves vegetation that stabilizes banks and filters runoff, and protects critical habitat for fish and wildlife that depend on healthy aquatic ecosystems.

In summary, while rescinding the Executive Orders may give the appearance of more flexible access, the negative consequences include the increased risk to natural habitats, increased recreational conflicts, trail use mismanagement, and the risk of local economic impact.

This is a dynamic situation, and the real world impact of this Executive Order has yet to be seen. It will take time for all the information to be distributed to impacted parties, so please be aware that your local forest/blm/public lands contact may not be aware of actions they can take at this point, and there will be a process they must follow to make any changes. As an action, you should start the conversation with your local public lands office and let them know how this is a concern and B*HA is opposed to this. Work with them directly and ascertain how this impacts local trail use.

Back Country Horsemen of America | PO Box 1182 | Columbia Falls, MT 59912-1182 US

06/02/2026

Where is Steve checking on this horse watering tank in the Citrus Tract of the Withlacochee State Forest?
A. Just off the Dixie Land Trail
B. Near Holder Mine
C. corner of FR 18 and FR 15

06/02/2026

Just checked out the renovated unisex restroom at Mutual Mine. WOW VERY NICE!
The large restroom building on the left in the attached pics are for paying campers only at Mutual Mine and you must have a code to enter them. The smaller one on the right can be used by horseback riders anytime, no code needed.
As usual, the horse watering tank was clean and filled with crystal clear water. Please help the campground staff keep it clean.
Thank you again Ranger Dave.

06/02/2026

The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) is a valuable resource for horse owners; it provides information about current disease outbreaks. You can sort by state, disease and set date parameters. At the bottom of the page is a place that you can sign up for email alerts.



Updates on current disease outbreaks are listed here as they occur and will include the date listed, disease name, location and current status. Specific premises will not be named but the general location by town, county and state will be listed. When locations, events or horses are at risk they wil...

06/01/2026

Thank you Florida Forest Service Ranger David Donahue!
Ranger Dave has updated and renovated the original men's restroom at Mutual Mine into a unisex restroom and made it assessable to all horse riders that stop there to water their horses and take a rest stop. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by Florida Forever Back County Horsemen!
Thank you for going the extra mile for us.

05/24/2026

Thank you friends of Florida Forever Back Country Horsemen. The Trash Trail crossing over both sides of County Road 491 north of W. Noble Street has been repaired making it safer for all horseback riders and they appreciate it!

05/23/2026

https://forms.gle/R6H1mSc3RLT4rdMJ8