Christmas In The Desert - My Christmas Letter

22. December 2011 by Laurie Bryan.

Several ideas drifted through my mind for a Christmas letter this year, but nothing stood out as all that compelling. I considered outlining various events and achievements that have occurred throughout the year, interjected with humor and self-proclaimed wit. I thought about bragging on my kids and grandkids with sufficient sugary sweetness to leave the reader with tooth decay. A few themed ideas popped into my head from time to time, but nothing powerful enough to wrench free the confining grip of writers block; until today.

The department in which I work is putting on a “winter season holiday” party – God forbid they call it what it is – a CHRISTmas party – which, by the way, was one of the themes I considered, “A politically correct celebration of all things non-spiritual and otherwise meaningless.” I will digress a bit here and say that on my DOC provided work schedule, one of the designated paid holidays actually say’s Christmas. Personally, I feel all those who are offended by calling a duck a duck – should have to work on Christmas and be paid straight time like any other ordinary day. I also think they should have to dress up as Ebenezer Scrooge.

As part of the celebration activities, our department manager asked that we each send her an email describing our favorite winter season activity.  I thought about this request (more likely over-thought,  as I am inclined) and sent her mine as follows:

I suppose my unique Christmas tradition has changed since the kids have grown and moved away from home. On those far too many Christmas’s that I am unable to spend with the kids – I load up my dog, Shade, my horse, Jack,  and my mule Annie, and make winter camp at a favorite spot in the Owyhee’s. I ride on Christmas Eve and if I’m lucky – it snows those big fluffy snowflakes that muffle the sounds of the desert. Christmas morning the critters are presented with stockings filled with apple/oat horse treats and an extra-large dog biscuit for Shade. I saddle Jack and head for a high spot where I can usually get cell reception and call the kids. Depending on the weather, I may or may not head home later Christmas evening, all the while secretly hoping I get snowed in until New Years.

After sending this write up to my boss – I wondered what she would think of it. Would it seem sad to her? I hoped not. Sure, I would rather spend Christmas surrounded by family, who wouldn’t? Unfortunately, we cannot always have things via Norman Rockwell. The most we can do is make the best of any situation and hope we live to tell of the adventures.

The small assignment seemed to be the leverage I needed to pry loose the strangling hold of writers block. I decided instead of the typical Christmas letter, I would write a story. A story I could share with my grandkids for many years to come. This story is based in truth. Its inspiration derived from a very special Christmas spent in the desert not so long ago.

Read the story

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Wilderness First Aid

21. December 2011 by Rob Adams.

Handling, riding, and driving horses have a number of risks.

Riding has some inherent risks, as when mounted, the rider’s head may be up to 4 m (13 ft) from the ground, and the horse may travel at a speed of up to 65 km/h (40 mph).

 The injuries observed range from very minor injuries to fatalities. A recent study in Germany reported that the relative risk of injury from riding a horse, compared to riding a bicycle, was 9 times higher for adolescents and 5.6 times higher for younger children, but that riding a horse was less risky than riding a moped.

 

In Victoria, Australia, a search of state records found that equestrian sports had the third highest incidence of serious injury, after motor sports and power boating. In Greece, an analysis of a national registry estimated the incidence of equestrian injury to be 21 per 100,000 person-years for farming and equestrian sports combined. Other findings were that use of spurs may contribute to ankle fractures and dislocations, and helmets likely prevent traumatic brain injuries.

 

In the United States each year an estimated 30 million people ride horses, resulting in 50,000 emergency room visits (1 visit per 600 riders per year). A survey of 679 equestrians in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho estimated that at some time in their equestrian career one in five will be seriously injured, resulting in hospitalization, surgery, or long-term disability.

 

Among survey respondents, novice equestrians had an incidence of any injury that was threefold over intermediates, fivefold over advanced equestrians, and nearly eightfold over professionals. Approximately 100 hours of experience are required to achieve a substantial decline in the risk of injury.

 

Mechanisms of injury

 The most common mechanism of injury is falling from the horse, followed by being kicked, trampled, and bitten. About 3 out of 4 injuries are due to falling, broadly defined. A broad definition of falling often includes being crushed and being thrown from the horse, but when reported separately each of these mechanisms may be more common than being kicked.

 Types and severity of injury

 In Canada, a 10-year study of trauma center patients injured while riding reported that although 48% had suffered head injuries, only 9% of these riders had been wearing helmets at the time of their accident. Other injuries involved the chest (54%), abdomen (22%), and extremities (17%).

 A German study reported that injuries in horse riding are rare compared to other sports, but when they occur they are severe. Specifically, they found that 40% of horses riding injuries were fractures, and only 15% were sprains.

Furthermore the study noted that in Germany, one quarter of all sport related fatalities are caused by horse riding. Most horse related injuries are a result of falling from a horse, which is the cause of 60–80% of all such reported injuries.

Another common cause of injury is being kicked by a horse, which may cause skull fractures or severe trauma to the internal organs.

 

 Some possible injuries resulting from horse riding, with the percent indicating the amounts in relation to all injuries as reported by a New Zealand study, include:

 Arm fracture or dislocation (31%)

Head injury (21%)

Leg fracture or dislocation (15%)

Chest injury (8%)

 Riding in the Back Country

 

With the possibility of being injured very real, and the likely hood of being able to call 911 and have an EMT team arrive quickly very low, it is important that back country riders have training in First aid. 

The typical first aid course available is for urban environments.  All action plans start with “Is the accident scene safe?”, “Call 911″, “check for breathing”, etc. 

When riding in the back country, a different type of training is necessary.  It starts with the premises that help is 6 to 12 hours away and calling 911 is not the first step.

 Squaw Butte is fortunate to have as a member Dan Murphy, who has been a professional EMT and emergency responder and teacher.  Dan became certified to teach Wilderness First Aid for the “American Safety & Health Institute” in 2011 and in December lead a course for twelve of our members. 

 

 

 This sixteen hour course covered:

·                    Initial Assessment

·                    Physical Exam

·                    Vital Signs

·                    Shock Management

·                    Control of Bleeding

·                    Burn Care

·                    Assessing and Splinting Fractures

·                    Assessing and Treating Head & Spinal Injuries

·                    Environmental Hazards

·                    Biological hazards

·                    Wilderness first aid kits

 The course combined class room lectures and hands on training, with a heavy emphasis on what to do in typical situations that back country riders are likely to encounter in Idaho. 

While we strive to make our rides and events as safe as possible, it is nice to know that a number of our members have taken the time to be trained so if an injury does occur they know what to do, to help have a positive outcome.

 

 

 

 

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The Fog of Nobility

19. December 2011 by Linda Paul.

A droplet of thin mucous hovers at the tip my nose. I swab it with the cuff of my sleeve—thirty seconds of respite from annoying dampness. Another droplet forms. I flex stiff fingers inside bulky leather gloves, willing the blood to circulate. Flexing does little to waken sluggish veins. I bang my free hand against my thigh till a small tingle teases the knuckles. I move the reins over to that hand and repeat the process with the newly freed hand. It’s hopeless. I jam the free hand under my opposite armpit and clamp my wings shut to stymie the wind.

The horse plods, his feet dragging, providing a measure of support to offset the high-heeled teeter of snow-packed hooves. Our pace is slow, unusual for this fireball of horsehair and arrogance. Looking over his shaggy shoulder, I see frosted whiskers and eyelids. With an occasional horse sneeze, he clears the sticky hairs inside his nostrils.

Read More!

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SQUAW BUTTE Chapter of BCHI 2011 HEROS

9. December 2011 by Bill & Marybeth.

Marybeth Conger  - President  
Shannon Schantz, MD  - Vice-President  
Ellen Knapp - Co- Secretary  
Chris Holt - Co- Secretary   
Kay Ryan -  Treasurer   
Nancy Schindele - Alt State Director  
Robbin Schindele - State Director   
Phil Ryan - State Director    
Charles Chick  - Education Team  
Lorraine Chick -  Education Team  
Bill Holt - Foundation Director  
Rob Adams - Alt Foundation Dir.  
Robbin Schindele - Public Lands Team  
Bill and Chris Holt - Public Lands Team  
Laurie Bryan - 2012 Public Lands Team   
Phil Ryan - Public Lands Team
Rob Adams - Activity/Events
Dan Murphy -  First Aide/ Wilderness First Responder Instructor 
Rob Adams - Website 
Charles Lox - Website Advertisement  
Ellen Knapp - Life Flight   
Janine Townsend - 2011 Volunteer Hours   
Bill Conger  - Calling Committee  
Charles Lox -  Calling Committee  
Tess McKenzie  - Calling Committee  
Phil Ryan  - Roving Reporter
Ellen Knapp  - Chapter Agent of record 
Terry & Gail McDonald - 2011 Yard Sale    
Charles Lox - 2011 Yard Sale   
Ellen Knapp -  2011 Yard Sale   
Linda Hays - Newsletter Editor   
Jake Lemon - 2011 Calendar Photos  
Shannon Schantz, MD - Calendar sales    
Robbin Schindele - Trail Classification   
Phil Ryan  - 2011 Sportsman Show  
Shannon Schantz, MD - 2011 Horse Expo Show   
Linda Hayes  - SBBCH Shutterbug  
Gail McDonald  - 2011 Christmas/Holiday/ End of Year Party
Nancy Schindele - 2011 Christmas/Holiday/ End of Year Party
Chris Holt - 2011 Christmas/Holiday/ End of Year Party   
Marybeth Conger - Membership Growth & Development   
Shannon Schantz, MD - Membership Growth & Development   
Marybeth Conger - Inventory   
Shannon Schantz, MD - Inventory    
Janine Townsend - 2011 AQHA/ BCH Ride   
Robbin Schindele - 2011 AQHA/ BCH Ride   
Margaret Berggren - 2011 AQHA/ BCH Ride   
Shannon Schantz, MD - 2011 AQHA BCH Ride   
Linda Hays - Face book Page SBBCH  
Terry McDonald - Nomination Committee   
Lou Ann Gaskell  - Nomination Committee   
Bill Brasfield - Nomination Committee    
Heather Holloway - Ballot Counting   
Jake Lemon - Ballot Counting   
Charles Lox - Highway Cleanup  
Rob Adams - 2011 Wilderness Pack Clinic  
Janine Townsend - Audit Committee 
Shannon Schantz, MD - Audit Committee   
Lou Ann Gaskell - Audit Committee 
 

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Commentary by outgoing President, Marybeth Conger

9. December 2011 by Bill & Marybeth.

It Official Folks…. The SQUAW BUTTE CHAPTER of Back Country Horseman of Idaho had another FUN and SUCCESSFUL year in 2011 by increasing Membership Participation and Development. 

How did the chapter increase Membership Participation and Growth? First, the Monthly Meetings were dramatically shortened with a call for agenda items for all members, including committee heads. This resulted in speakers organizing their thoughts beforehand, rather than “droning on” which saved time and showed respect to the rest of us.  Tickets were given to all members and guests for some Fabulous and Fun Door Prizes. Items came from our annual Yard sale but by the end of the year, members were bringing in donations; everything from Duck eggs, Slippers from a Princess Cruise, to gently used Tack.  Educational Fun topics were scheduled after the Monthly Meeting was adjourned, so members could choose to leave or attend. The net result, we had an average Attendance increase of 25% at our Monthly meetings.

Second, check out the attached SBBCH Committee list which documents a 45% Membership Participation rate. How cool is that. Bottom line these folks are the 2011 Hero’s for the Squaw Butte Chapter.   All Chapter Committees were put in place by mid-February, rather than waiting to ask for volunteers at the monthly meetings. Committee members were chosen for both their skills set and a willingness to volunteer.  Mentoring was accomplished by paring a new member with a more seasoned one.   Plus, members weren’t afraid to attend the Monthly Meeting for fear of being “roped” into another project.All new members in 2011 received a hand written Thank you for joining Card with a Backcountry Packing photo that was separate from the highly important and voluminous membership packet.  Several seasoned members reached out to these new folks and invited them to one of our events. New members were welcomed and introduced at the meetings and they never sat alone or in the back corner. Our calling committee communicated with them to determine interests and the best contact method. Seasoned Members reached out at meetings and sat with them vs. staying in their in the pre-established sitting areas.  

Come on you know what I am talking about. We also had a $50.00 Gas card drawing at our Grand Jean July event to encourage participation. Consequently 70% of new members attended meetings and/or activities during the year.  This number would be even higher as 3 new members live in California or North Dakota which would be quite the commute. Fostering new member involvement is important as they bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the Chapter.  

A Continuing Goal of the SBBCH chapter is having many Diverse Activities throughout the year, so members can choose to participate in what interests them.  Keep in mind members are not expected to attend all events but those that they can. Horse carpooling is encouraged too. Activities focused on Education, Public Outreach, Trail Projects, Fun Rides, Packing Adventures, and as always Great Food.   SBBCH believes it is important to work with neighboring chapters vs. being competitive which helps BCHI to grow.   Check out our website sbbchidaho.org which is getting a lot of attention.

Some of the 2011 activities include:

·        Four Arena nights focused on Safety and Defensive Horsemanship

·        Six Fun Rides  to get Ourselves and Stock in shape while sharing good trail times

·        Manning the BCHI Information Booth with neighboring BCHI chapters at the Horse Expo and Idaho Sportsman show

·        Co- Sponsored a AQHA and BCHI Ride to Promote our Organization while having Fun & good Food

·        USFS Sawyer ( A & B) Certification Class to promote partnerships while doing Trail projects

·        CPR & First Aid Classes along with First Responder Training Classes to be Prepared

·        Four Trail Projects putting our mighty muscles to work clearing trails

·        USFS Large Saw Training for trail work in wilderness areas

·        Two pack in/out Trail crews in the Frank Church Wilderness promoting a partnership with the Selway Bitterroot Foundation

 ·        A record breaking Yard sale that will help fund chapter expenditures

·        Highway cleanup  and an 

End of year Christmas/Holiday party that raised several hundred dollars for the local  Idaho food back demonstrating our sense of communityNow if we can just remember to report all of our Volunteer hours for these and other activities that qualify. I suspect reporting hours will be a 2012 emphasis area for the Chapter along with celebrating our 20^th Birthday. 2011 was a solid year for SBBCH and 2012 will be even better. See you on the trail and please feel free to stop by and see me as I start a new job opportunity in Emmett. Look for the Cherry Red Mustang on Washington Street, starting January 2^nd.  

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Summer Pack Trips

8. December 2011 by Rob Adams.

While as a general rule,  Squaw Butte doesn’t schedule chapter pack trip as part of their yearly schedule,  members do get together and plan “private” trip into the various national forest and wilderness area throughout Idaho and nearby states.  The 2011 summer was no exception.  A number of trips were planned and taken.  Some of the members shared their adventures with the group while other kept their experiences as private memories. Two trips that were shared were a six day saunter into the south eastern portion of the Sawtooth Wilderness.  This trip started at the Grandjean trail head and followed the South Fork of the Payette river to it’s headwaters.  The group camped at two excellent horse camps located by Elk and Ardeth lakes.   A slide show video of this trip was posted on the  chapter page on Youtube.

A number of the female members of the chapter banded together in September for a long weekend trip into the Frank Church Wilderness.  Their experience, ranged from first timers to old hands.  They choose the Elk Meadows area just north of Bear Valley.  This area is known for its lush meadows, easy access to camp sites and a very pretty mountain lake.  Their adventures are shared in “Equines & Estrogen” and “Girls Gone Wilderness” and in a Youtube video slide show.

Next labor day the chapter is hosting a long weekend mini-pack trip in to the Big Basin area south east of Sun Valley.  More information about this upcoming trip will be posted in this blog in the future.

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