31. May 2010 by Rob Adams.

2010 was the seventh year Squaw Butte has put on a public clinic.  The first time we held a clinic, Bill & Marybeth Conger organized a purely packing event that was well received by our members and a few guests.  Over the next couple of years the clinic was primarily a packing clinic with some added classes in Dutch oven cooking and meal planning added.  Year four we hoped to broaden the offering to draw in more guest by adding classes in first aid (human & stock), knots, and brought outside speakers in to help with the presentations.  This was the first year that Dr. David Hays spoke.  The packing aspect of the clinic became something you could do between presentation, and the clinic started to take on the feel of a multi ring circus.  Years five and six we tried to refine this approach with more presentation offering.

At the 2010 leadership meeting in January, we discussed what we had learned in seven years, what had worked, what didn’t.  A couple of things really stood out.  The first is March, the traditional month we held the clinic, weather was to unpredictable and most years it was cold, windy and often rained.  While the indoor arena provided some shelter, it still could be uncomfortable for our members and guest.  March was also before all the horse shows that BCHI has a booth at, so getting the word out was harder.  The second revelation was that the clinic had too many activates and presentations to fit into a single day.  It felt rushed and at time disorganized.  A decision was made to extend the clinic to a full weekend, to hold it in May and to divide the clinic up in to a presentation day and a hands on day.

Day one was to be a full day on interactive presentations with experts in various fields of interest to Back Country riders.  We choose the theme “Talk to the Experts” and Nancy Harper Schindele took on the responsibility of contacting presenters and organizing the days activates.  Day two we wanted to be completely hands on, with a return to our original packers clinic but we also wanted to pilot the forest services “Defensive Horsemanship” course that is very popular with chapters in the northern part of the state.  Phil Ryan contacted Dale Schrempp of the Priest River Valley BCH. Dale had been teaching the course for a number of year and was willing to help lead our pilot.  We quickly realized that the name was confusing  to our members and the public, so we modified it to “Safe Trail Riding / Defensive Horsemanship”  Rob Adams coordinated the Packing skills clinic.  We broke each clinic into two half day sessions so member and guest could attend both if they wanted, or spend more time refining skills and asking questions.

Saturday - Day 1:  Talk to the Experts (Presentations)

Camping with Stock - Marybeth and Bill Conger

Trail First Aid - When the vet is hours away - Joe Rumsey DMV

Idaho Stock Laws - That you need to know - Larry Hayhurst, Idaho State Brand Inspector

Recreation in the Boise Nation Forest -  Emmett Ranger District

The Mechanics of Movement - David Hays DMV

Healthy Hoofs - No Hoof, No Horse - Julie Mills Womack & Associates

Equine Dental Care - Justine Spencer

Saturday proved the old adage, that you can never count on Idaho spring weather, it was as cold and rainy as any March day. But, we had the indoor arena, everyone dressed warm and all who attended participated in a full day of excellent presentations that generated lively discussions and the exchange of a lot of valuable information.  The youth rodeo association of Idaho City provided an excellent lunch, and by the end of the day all who attended felt the day was a complete success.

Sunday - Day 2 ( Hands on clinics)

Sunday, the weather gods smiled on us some, the sun came out and the rain stopped.  The outdoor arena sand was so saturated with water, that it felt a bit like walking on quick sand, but that turned out to be a plus for the Safe Trail Riding clinic.  Phil and Dale had an excellent turnout for both the morning and afternoon sessions and all who participated talked about how worthwhile the clinic had been.  The packing clinic was also a complete success with thanks going to instructor / mentors Jake Lemon, Bill Conger, Ellen Knapp and Rob Adams.  We had a number of beginner and experienced packers who learned new skills or refined their technique.  We had a range of items to pack, and both horse and mules to practice on.  Lunch was provided by the 4H and was enjoyed by all.

The two day clinic format proved to be a good model for Squaw Butte.  Both days went smoothly, and didn’t have the rushed, often hectic feel of past clinics.  Attendees got the chance to talk at length to presenters and had the opportunity to practice hands on techniques until they were comfortable with them.  I am sure we will be refining the same model when we plan the 2011 Back Country Skills Days.

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31. May 2010 by Joanna Stroeder.

The Burns District BLM has a pack string that we utilize mostly on Steens Mountain to accommodate field-going groups doing agency business. The string is also known for helping pack out unneeded fence materials from the Steens Mountain Wilderness/No Livestock Grazing Area, where dozens of miles of barbed-wire fence have been dismantled and set aside for permanent removal. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HELPING WITH THIS EFFORT? Want to bring your mustang to Steens Mountain for a group ride/work party?? We could use additional packing horses and riders…. Dates have not been set; we are considering this possibility for Summer 2011…. but need to know if there’s ANY INTEREST out there…. LET ME KNOW! If you’ve never been to Steens Mountain, this would be a great opportunity to explore the area to the fullest extent!

Tara Martinak
Burns District BLM Public Affairs Specialist
Volunteer Coordinator  Tara_Martinak@blm.gov
541-573-4519

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26. May 2010 by Ellen Knapp.

After all these years, as well as this year, it never dawned on me to provide a price list for items we talk about at the Back Country Skills Clinic and that Spirit Horse Enterprises sells. Here is a list of some of the items we talk about and OUR Spirit Horse Enterprises prices. Our goal is to provide these items at a very reasonable cost.

Spirithorse Enterprises - Ranch Wear and Supplies
www.SpiritHorseEnterprises.com // info@ccsutlery.com>  

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9. May 2010 by Rob Adams.

 At the November State Board meeting of Back Country Horsemen of Idaho, the idea of a week long Wilderness Skills and Packing clinic sponsored by the State organization and open to Forest service and members of Back Country Horsemen of America was presented.  All fifteen chapters approved the proposal with the Squaw Butte Chapter, Emmett Idaho taking the lead.  The proposed clinic will have a student population of around twenty five and we anticipate a staff of fifteen, for a total of forty people.  The clinic is planned to have students arrive on a Sunday, with classes starting Monday through the following Saturday.  We will be following a curriculum developed by Back Country Horsemen of Idaho which has been presented a number of times to Forest Service personnel in Idaho and a joining state.  The instructors are retired forest service employees and BCHI members,  who have many years of back country and packing experience.  We believe that the unimproved area of the Grandjean campground Sawtooth Ranger District would make a perfect venue for this course.  The nearby trails, generally easy access for people attending and the scenic nature of the area are likely to increase interest in this clinic.

Proposal

 The Squaw Butte Chapter of Backcountry Horseman of Idaho presents the following proposal to the state board of directors.
 
WHEREAS:  One of the prime mandates of Backcountry Horseman is providing educational opportunities for our members.
 
WHEREAS:  Opportunities for attending comprehensive multiday packing skills clinics are limited and can be expensive.
 
WHEREAS:  Backcountry Horseman of Idaho has a number of members with extensive packing experience and a developed curriculum for such a clinic.
 
BE IT PROPOSED:  That Backcountry Horseman of Idaho sponsor and hold a five day Wilderness Packing Clinic open to members of Backcountry Horseman of America. The first Wilderness Packing clinic will be held adjacent to the Sawtooth Wilderness at the Grandjean trail head and campground in August 2011.
 
Submitted to BCHI, Board of Directors
By the Squaw Butte Chapter, BCHI
Details of the Proposal:  Backcountry Horseman of Idaho Wilderness Packing Clinic BCHI host a five day wilderness packing clinic open to members of Backcountry Horseman of America. Attendees will at the end of the clinic be able to safely and confidently pack and transport a variety of loads from a trail head to a destination.  They will be able to travel and camp in the backcountry with minimum impact using LNT techniques, produce hearty meals and maintain healthy stock.
 
The BCHI mentors will guide the attendees through a curriculum that is both fun and comprehensive.  Some of the items covered will be:
 
            • The function and fitting of the pack saddle and its’ uses
            • How to make up loads that will ride
            • How and why to tie different hitches
            • How to safely lead a string of mules or horses
            • How to deal with hard to handle pack stock
            • “Leave no trace” methods of livestock camping
            • Basic back country first aid for livestock and humans
            • Backcountry meal planning and preparation
            • Traditions and history of packing in the in backcountry
 
Location:  This inaugural clinic will be held at the western gateway to the Sawtooth Wilderness at the Grandjean trail head and camp ground. This facility located in Boise National forest next to the head waters of the South Fork of the Payette River provides outstanding stock camping facilities, and is a perfect venue to learn the skills needed to pack into the Sawtooth Wilderness.
 
Time:  The clinic is planned for August of 2011
 
Costs:  There will be small fee for active members of Backcountry Horseman of America to attend this clinic required at registration, and certified weed free hay will be available for purchase.
 
What will be provided by BCHI: Training material, mentors, a variety of loads to train with and a rich history of packing experience to draw from: Community Meals will be provided. A very limited number of training pack stock will be available.
 
What Attendees need to provide: Camping gear for both trail head and a back country over night. Riding stock, pack stock if they have it and all required tack and stock containment for use at the trail head, and a high line for the over night.
—–

Squaw Butte has been working with the Stanley and Lowman Rangers on getting permits and permissions to hold this event.   We have been working with Liese Dean (Sawtooth) and David Erwin (Lowman) , and they has been guiding us through the process.  We also discussed the best time to hold this event, taking into account weather and visitor loading in the area.

Dates for Clinic (proposed)

Staff Arrival & Departure             Saturday Aug 13, 2011 (Arrival) - Sunday Aug 21, 2011 (Departure)

Students Arrival & Departure      Sunday Aug 14, 2011 (Arrival) - Saturday Aug 20, 2011 (Departure)

Primary Clinic Location -  Grandjean Campground and Trail Head, Overflow area  (Sawtooth Wilderness)

Secondary Location (fire or what ever)  Bear Valley, Elk Meadows, Trail Head (Frank Church)

Both of these locations are in the Stanley area, and are about 40 miles apart.

We are starting to work on the logistical planning, and will have details at the next State Board Meeting.

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