The Club Equestre Les Forestiers has about thirty experienced riders who volunteer their time on a regular basis and patrol the trails on horseback. Their mission is to make sure that all riders are members in good standing of the Club, that they respect the regulations and municipal and private properties, and to offer assistance to riders. Our equestrian patrollers are easily identified by a blue vest with bright yellow reflective stripes. There are also 2 officers from the Surete du Quebec that have been assigned to patrol horse, ATV and skidoo trails. If you are lost, have a horse problem or need help, these people can offer you plenty of assistance. If you'd like to become a patroller, please contact us.

We ask that you please respect the trails and remain on the horse trails at all times. If you notice a rider who inadvertently wanders onto another club's trail, please take a moment to let them know. Persons who ride wherever they wish are jeopardizing our right of way and could cause their fellow riders to have their access to trails blocked.

According to by-law 637, passed by the City of St-Lazare and the municipality of St-Clet, every rider who uses the equestrian trails in the La Pinière conservation area must be a member of the Club Équestre Les Forestiers. . Snowmobile and ATV users must also be members of their respective clubs, and pay much higher yearly fees than the Club Équestre charges. It is important to know that pedestrians are allowed to use the equestrian trails.

In addition, the Club has signed rights-of-way with more than 60 landowners, who allow club members to use private trails on their properties. As part of our agreement with the municipalities and landowners, we are required to ensure that trail users are members of the club, and that regulations and property are respected.

Some patrollers have been sworn-in by the town and are authorized to issue tickets for infractions. Statements of offense are issued by the Municipal Court. The fine is fixed at $100, with an administrative fee of $42 per infraction. You can get a copy of By-law 637 at www.ville.saint-lazare.qc.ca. In short, it is forbidden to:

• Enter with, park or drive a car in La Pinière;
• Ride outside of official trails (horses, ATV & snowmobiles);
• Smoke in La Pinière;
• Carry or drink alcoholic beverages;
• Throw out garbage;
• Light a fire;
• Damage or destroy any municipal property.

By law, it is forbidden to walk a dog without a leash (RMH 600), so riders or pedestrians may not take unleashed dogs on the trails. It's the law in Quebec. A dog must be kept on a leash as soon as he leaves his owner's property. Also, private landowners are not interested in having dogs all over their property.

All members of the Club Equestre have a plastic identification tag (updated annually) which easily attaches to their equipment. Members must always wear their ID tag whenever they are on the trails. The ID tag needs to be attached to the equipment, preferably on the left side, and highly visible so that the club's volunteer patrollers can readily see it. We encourage our members to write their name and phone number on the back. It could help us identify riderless horses running loose on the trails, and to direct our search for the missing riders. ID tags are numbered in order to identify each member. All members need to make sure nobody else uses their tag or their identity.

If you find a loose horse, please contact the Surete du Quebec at 310-4141 or *4141 from a cell phone. Also contact the Club Equestre with the tag number found on the horse so we can identify the missing owner. For medical emergencies, contact 911.