8. May 2012 by Laurie Bryan.

Boundary Trail Project

National Trails Day

6-2-2012

Click here for pictures of the project area 

I should have been more specific when I commented to Mike Mullin, West Payette National Forest trails manager, that I would like to check out Boundary Trail before the National Trails Day project. Mike mentioned we might have to hike an extra mile or so from the trail head if the latest round of rain had made the road too muddy. Hike? As in, on foot? Isn’t that why God made horses?  I stopped hiking two years ago after I bought one. I packed a quick lunch and, leaving a perfectly good horse standing in the pasture, headed toward town.

Click here to read the entire post

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30. April 2012 by Laurie Bryan.

Trail riding does not offer the luxury of a confined arena within a controlled environment. A trial horse is expected to perform under extreme weather conditions from the searing sun to rain, snow and wind to thunder and lightning. What the wind won’t throw at you your horse to scare them to death, a thunderstorm will.
A trail horse is required to safely navigate miles of unforgiving terrain. Trail horses are asked to tread on sharp rock covered trails not much wider than a single hoof. There might be an insurmountable mountain on one side and a 60 foot vertical drop to a raging river on the other. The only thing keeping horse and rider from plummeting over the edge is a lot of trust and a little prayer.
At any given moment, a trail horse might encounter Elk crashing out of a tree-line, bushes coming alive with an explosive flight of birds, uncontained barking dogs and pissed off rattle snakes. What they can’t see can be equally as terrifying for them. A trail horse must be able to handle the scent of bears, cougars and other predators while filtering out a host of unknown and equally spooky sounds lurking in the forest.
A trail horse never knows what might be coming at them or behind them from one turn to the next.  Potential horse eating hikers with colorful backpacks piled high on their shoulders – bikers with reflective spokes flashing with every spin of the tire. Roaring ATV engines and racing dirt bikes. My personal favorite: llamas. You have not truly experienced the fear threshold of a horse unless you have happened upon a pack string of Llama’s coming at you. I don’t blame my horse because frankly, llama’s scare me too.
The trail horse doesn’t get to run down to the end of an arena, do a few impressive spins and go home for the day. A trail horse hits the trail from sunup to sundown and is expected to carry a rider and/or gear ranging from medical supplies and food to chain saws - all the while being asked to navigate obstacles from river crossings to bogs, logs and bridges.
The working trail horse has been asked to drag logs and pack cumbersome loads up and down steep, slippery terrain. He’s willing to be tied, hobbled or high-lined in the most precarious of situations. At the end of a long day of service, she will be content to drink from any available water source and graze upon sometimes scarce mountain grass.

Check out the entire post on my blog: The Sage writer

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10. April 2012 by Laurie Bryan.

Come ‘Celebrate the Horse’ - April 28, 2012

Located at the Haines Ranch, 15477  Sky Ranch Lane, Haines, OR

Since we didn’t have anything on our calendar for the 28th, I wanted to share this upcoming event. Alice has really helped me with any issues I’ve had with my horse (and myself) over the last few years. Her principles can be applied to any discipline from the arena to the trail. Alice is an awesome speaker and has the heart of a true teacher. I really think you would all enjoy this event put on at the T&T arena in Haines Oregon. It is an indoor arena, so you can enjoy the exibits, speakers and vendors regardless of the weather. Plus, it’s FREE! If anyone would like to carpool or caravan, I’m going!

Enjoy a day full of inspiration, riding tips, great food, good friends, and plain ‘ol FUN!  This will be the fifth annual ‘Celebrate the Horse’, held at the T&T arena in Haines, Oregon.  Here is just a sampling of what we have in store:

Alice Trindle from Haines - This year the theme of ‘Celebrate the Horse’ will be “Classical Dressage Principles Applied”.  Alice will be demonstrating the progression from Work in Hand to application under saddle, applying the Classical Dressage Principles to develop a light and willing partner for all types of disciplines.

Greg Gomersall from Idaho - Greg is Alice’s recommended saddlemaker, and he brings a huge amount of knowledge about the trappings of the true Vaquero.  This year Greg will talk about the use of such equipment as the rawhide bosal, rommel reins, horse hair mecates, and mohair cinches.

Dr Shauna Ault, DMV ~ We are excited to have Dr. Ault from Boise, Idaho return to Celebrate the Horse.  This year she talks about the use of laser light therapy and the healing powers for the horse.

Mike Watkins ~ Equine Massage Therapy -  Do you want to learn how to soften and lengthen your horse’s muscles for longer strides and more efficient movement with increased blood circulation and reduce fatigue before, during and after riding? Mike has conducted seminars at some of the top horse Expo’s in the Pacific Northwest. His clients include Al Dunning - World Famous Cutting / Reining Horse Champion, Deb Renger - multiple qualifier in the Canadian Rodeo Finals and Josh Lyons-World Famous Horse Clinician.

Kathy Hopkins ~ The Naked Horse - If you are like me, you probably don’t give as much attention to learning about the functions of the hoof and foot as you should!  Join Kathy as she discusses and demonstrates how Applied Equine Podiatry works to develop a healthy hoof and a happy horse. 

Nancy’s Hand-Tied Halters - Nancy will display her fine halter and leads, plus beautiful leather work Ty Sumner Horse Training ~ Ty was Alice’s apprentice in 2008 and is now offering an opportunity to have your horse trained light, soft, and thoughtfully right here in Baker valley. 

FREE Lunch!  For the first 50 people through the door, we’d like to serve you lunch from the Little Pig.  Come early and stay all day! 

Linda Smith’s Shearing Corral ~ Featuring Linda’s comfy, warm, sheepskin products.

Come visit with representatives from D&B Supply, Oregon Trail Livestock and Del’s about products and nutrition.

Call if you have questions or need directions.  See you there,  Susan & Alice T&T Horsemanship 541-856-3356; Cell Ph: 541-519-7234

 Email: tnthorse@eoni.com

Website: www.tnthorsemanship.com

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26. March 2012 by Laurie Bryan.

The Jump Creek 10

It turned out to be a beautiful day for the chapter’s fun ride in Owyhee’s Jump Creek Canyon.  Ten members of the Back Country Horseman of Idaho met at the trailhead ready to ride by 11:00 AM.

  My old, brittle pair of roping reins I won at an auction had finally given up the ghost and broke in two. Roger lent me a nice pair of marine-rope reins he had made and offered to repair my old set. I declined the repair offer – the reins were not worth fixing.

 Janine noticed I had acquired a rather annoying cough. Concerned for my health, she poured me a shot …I mean a measure of spirits she concocted; strictly for medicinal purposes, of course. Who am I to question?  Janine, after-all, is a medical professional! For fear my “cough” could be contracted by others in the group –Janine passed the bottle amongst those concerned for their health as well.

 Rob brought rides for Heather and Caius. Heather rode Willow and Caius rode Kestrel, a tough little mustang that could almost walk out from under Caius’s long legs. Rob rode his colt, Payette. Rob was NOT wearing his bright, lime-green jacket this trip. I sort of missed staring at the back of that eye-popping jacket. Roger rode a nicely put together bay gelding. Janine rode her big paint Two-Ton. The Chicks, Lorraine and Chuck, each rode flea-bitten Arabian’s. I rode my quarter-horse buckskin colt, Jack, and towed Annie, my mule. Shade followed along chasing ground squirrels and jack-rabbits.

As such, the group of 10 riders, 9 horses and 2 mules set out for a fun ride in the sun and sand. Janine and I had scouted the area a couple weekends before. Without a definite destination in mind, we turned south west on an old ATV trail we thought might lead to Sands Basin. The road traverses up and down fairly steep, rolling hills – leveling out on large, flat plains overlooking scenic rock formations, sage and sand.

  A little past mid-day, the group broke for lunch atop a ridge overlooking Jump Creek Canyon. You could scarcely make out a strip of creek winding through a narrow section of the canyon below. The four legged’s also took advantage of the well earned rest and grazed contently alongside their two legged counterparts.

  After lunch, riders took to the trail on rested mounts. We met up with a couple of hikers who were also enjoying a day in the sun. The hikers pointed to their truck perched atop a high bluff overlooking the canyon, a half mile away. The road leading to the truck dead-ended for motor traffic, but Janine and I knew from our previous visit that a foot trail veered off to the left and led back to our trailers. We opted not to continue on the road believed to be the route to Sands Basin. This was the first real ride for many of the horses since last fall and we did not want to over-stress them.

  Along the way, we picked up what little trash was found on the ride back to the trailers. I have an unwritten rule I have lived by since I was old enough to venture into the wilds alone, this I learned from my dad: “Always leave the area cleaner than you found it.” This usually means packing out more trash than I carry in.

  Back at the trailers, Janine discovered a broken taillight on her trailer. Chick, aka Mr. Boy Scout – carry everything but the kitchen sink in his front pockets, just happened to have a spare tail light that fit. He assured us he carried the spare part in his tack room- not in his front pocket.

I reluctantly returned the borrowed reins with promise that Roger would make me a set. The group quickly un-tacked and funneled their way out of the large, graveled Jump Creek parking lot toward home. That is, all except Janine and I. Our weekend adventure was just getting started.

 As I bade farewell to the others, I could not help reflect on the day and notice how not one person let out so much as a single cough the entire ride.

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5. March 2012 by Laurie Bryan.

Hello Again Shutter Bugs …

We are rounding the bend on the final submissions date for the 2013 calendar pictures. The deadline is March 10. If you haven’t submitted, I am requesting that you Please do. Here is a pdf attachment of all the info.

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28. February 2012 by Laurie Bryan.

The Celebration Park fun ride was cancelled over the weekend due to pending storms and high winds. Janine, being retired from the US Postal service, was not about to let a little rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of ominous winds stop her.  As for me, well, I guess I’m just stubborn. I’ve been called the “Hell or high water girl.” Once my mind is set on something, I’m going to do it come hell or high water. Janine and I loaded our animals, campers and a healthy dose of stubbornness, and headed to Jump Creek to try and get a ride in before the storm hit.

The plan was to meet at Jump Creek at noon on Friday. We would check out the area for the upcoming fun ride in March. Later, we would head for Celebration Park and camp for the night. If the weatherman happened to be wrong, we would ride Celebration Park on Saturday. Ride or not, it would give us both a chance to get the wrinkles ironed out of our campers before the upcoming projects season.

We parked in the large graveled area next to the trailhead designated for horseback riding. We chose a trail that looked like it might wind around toward scenic Jump Creek Falls. The trail was faint and almost non-existent in many spots, in others, it disappeared altogether. At times, neither Janine nor I could tell if we were actually on a trail. We opted to follow along a creek bottom that wound its way up a narrow gorge. The further we rode the more convinced we became that this might not be the best route for our group’s fun ride in March.  We turned around in search of a different route. We chose an ATV/jeep road that starts at the bottom of the sage covered hills just west from where we parked. The route looked more rider- friendly. Pointing our horses due west – we set out to explore this new course.

The road follows the lay of rolling hills that peak out at scenic vista’s and overlooks of ornate rock formations. The road splits off in several different directions. We split off left in hopes the trail would lead toward Jump Creek Falls. The route we took did indeed intersect a hiking trail that looped back to the falls. One particular spot in the trail did not look entirely kosher for horse traffic. We weren’t even sure if horses were allowed on this part of the trail. Deciding against the risk, we cut down the side of the mountain to avoid breaking any park rules or equine ankles.

Janine waited at the bottom while I continued to descend. Three-fourths of the way down my saddle had slipped enough forward that I was sitting entirely on my horse’s neck. I slid off and led the rest of the way down. Mental note to self: invest in crupper.

 We rode the horses to water at a spot accessible from within the camping area. On the way out, we noticed we were being filmed. The gentleman filmographer was quite taken by Janine’s paint horse, One Shot. I believe he was also quite taken by Janine as he made several efforts at small talk directed toward her as we made our way back to the trailers. As we began to un-tack, Janine’s personal paparazzi made his way over in a large, extended cab diesel.

 It turns out the retired DEA agent is an avid Everytrail.com subscriber and was putting together a U-tube film for the site. Whether it was Janine’s paint horse, or Janine herself that caught his eye – he did provide invaluable input into the surrounding area for our fun ride in March. Had we continued straight instead of forking off to the left, we would have ended up in an area called Sands Basin, an area inhabited by a small band of mustangs.

Next stop: Celebration Park. An easy 35 mile drive from Jump Creek put us at Celebration Park. We circled our trailers around an existing fire-ring in an attempt to create a wind block. With two horses and a mule high-lined between us, we called it a night. Mother Nature, however, was just getting started.

Fierce winds blew away any hope of riding the next morning. Over a quick cup of coffee for Janine and tea for me, we discussed the best route to take the group on the March fun ride. It makes the most sense to stay on the road toward Sands Basin. The road is well marked and looks to be safe regardless of the weather. I also like the rolling terrain for spring fresh horses that might need something else to think about besides acting like they haven’t been ridden since last summer.

I bade farewell to Janine and headed for home. Other than trying to keep from being blown off the freeway, it was a great weekend. I think the group will enjoy the area.

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26. February 2012 by Laurie Bryan.

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14. February 2012 by Laurie Bryan.

 ~ Mini-Pack Clinic ~

For the complete story, click here.

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8. February 2012 by Laurie Bryan.

You only have 2 weeks (February 21st, 2012) left to reserve your room at the Convention Special Rate of $79.00 + tax.

After that, room rates are $119.99 - 149.99 +tax.

You can make go ahead and make your reservations now and if you need to cancel, do so 24hrs before your arrival date and there will be no charge.

Reserve your room NOW!    (800) 251-7829

Convention details - Everything you want to know

Click here for registration form

Deborah Samovar

BCHI Convention Committee

9176 E Soaring Hawk Lane

St Maries, ID 83861 

208-245-3041

dsamovar@gmail.com

www.BCHI.org

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30. January 2012 by Laurie Bryan.

1-17-1915 to 1-15-2012

BCHA loses one of its founding fathers with the passing of Charles Dulane Fulton, Jan 15, 2012, two days short of his 97th birthday. “Dulane was one of the four who sat around the campfire and formed the first club of BCH in Montana,” said Rod Parks, BCHI National Director.

There is a brief article on all the founding fathers on the BCHA Website at: http://www.backcountryhorse.com/Founders_Page.html .

Dulane will be missed by all who appreciate the mission and dedication of an organization he helped to form. For Dulane’s complete obituary, click here.

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19. January 2012 by Laurie Bryan.

Rob and Linda Adams have been active members of the SBBCHI chapter since January of 2000. Rob was first introduced to the Back Country Horsemen during a horse show at the Nampa Center. “I talked to Dale Forester and liked the mission of the organization.  This horse show was in the fall, as I went to a couple of meetings before I joined.” Mentions Rob.

With a passionate belief in the organizations mission, Rob and Linda have dedicate countless hours towards the operation and success of the Squaw Butte Chapter. Rob has been an active member of the chapter and is currently the chapters Vice President, Project trails coordinator and manages the chapters web presence. Click here for Rob and Linda’s complete bio.

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16. January 2012 by Laurie Bryan.

It is time to start thinking about getting your photo submissions in for the 2013 calendar.  Jake Lemon will be heading up the photo submissions for this year’s Squaw Butte entries. Please email your submissions to pictures@sbbchidaho.org.

Jake has put together an informative  .PDF guide of basic criteria and tips for your photo submissions. Click here to access more information on the 2013 photo submissions, requirements and criteria.

The overall intent for this year’s submissions is to focus on image quality and content, effectively cutting down on the number of filler photo’s being submitted for review.

Good luck!

Posted in Around the Campfire | Print | No Comments »

9. January 2012 by Laurie Bryan.

A typical equestrian ride on a not-so-typical winter day turns into an unexpected adventure for two members of the Squaw Butte chapter. A day that started out rather benign and somewhat boring, quickly turned into something a bit more wild and western. Read on for an account from each rider, in their own perspective of the events to unfold.

The Winter Wreck, by Rob Adams

Many movies get the audience hooked by zooming in on the lead character in some dangerous situation and then flash back to a scene 24 hours earlier.   Here is such a scene, starring Rob Adams.

High on a ridge in the 4 Mile wild horse area lays a young horse on his side in a gully, feet pointing up slope.  Rob’s left leg is trapped under the horse by the saddle and saddle bags.  Flash ahead to two hours ago…

With the total lack of snow below 5500 feet, winter riding ranges have been expanded this year.  I have been riding my colt, Payette, most weekends and Sunday. January 8th looked to be another nice day, so I put out the word to a couple riding buddies that I was thinking about riding 4 Mile Creek.  Two passed, but Laurie Bryan was game. We would meet at 11:00 at the bridge, just before the Y.  After tacking up, we started on the loop route we often ride.  The ground, for the most part, was frozen or dry and the stock had no problem with footing.  There were a few cows still in the area, but we were looking for the mustang bands. We watched for fresh hoof prints, stud piles and other signs that might indicate wild horses in the area. Read the rest of Rob’s tale here

Wrecks and Wild Horses, by Laurie Bryan

As usual, Jack and I followed a good 30 yards behind the last rider on the trail. On this particular cool day in January, the only other rider on the trial besides me was fellow Squaw Butte member, Rob Adams. I don’t mind picking up the rear most of the time. Doing so gives me a pretty good perspective from which to take pictures and keep an eye on things just in case, you know…we are attacked by cougars or serial killers.
Rob chose the Wild Horse Management area, just north of Emmett on 4 mile road, hoping that we would get a glimpse of a band of mustangs that roam this part of the desert. Rob was familiar with the area; however, this was to be my first trip. I was excited to finally have the chance to see Mustangs in the wild.
Rob rode his bay Mustang, Payette. The four year old was doing well for a green broke colt. He plodded along, picking his way through dense lava fields that covered 90% of the area, with familiarity born of a desert horse.  Jack, on the other hand, was not born of the desert. I purchased Jack from a breeder as a young colt.  Until I started him two years ago, he was pasture bred and born.  Jack carefully picked his way through the rocky terrain with ease.  His hard, black hooves held up as well as any horse of the high desert.
The day was unusually warm for the first week of January, topping out at thirty nine degrees. Although there was no snow on the ground, spots of white frost covered areas made slick and hard with nightly freeze.  Overcast sky’s provided little lighting opportunity for an interesting photo of the surrounding area. Once you’ve seen one sage brush…you’ve pretty much seen them all.  Staring at the back of Rob’s reflective lime green jacket, I sighed at the high-probability that we might not get much of anything of interest in the way of photographs. So far, we had not come across any wild horses either. The most eye-catching thing about the day thus far was that blinding, neon-lime-green jacket. Could the day get any more uneventful? I resolved to enjoy the ride regardless. After all, not every ride can be filled with adventure and photo ops. Read the rest of Laurie’s tale here:

Posted in Around the Campfire | Print | 4 Comments »

2. January 2012 by Laurie Bryan.

       The Life and Times of a Chapter President

The joyous occasion occurred in Nampa Idaho, one fall evening.  The sire was from good Owyhee County/Silver City stock; the dam was out of a Scottish immigrant that settled near Peck Idaho. Home was to be a 28-acre farm just south of Homedale.  It was a perfect place to raise a herd of young’uns; lots of pastures and fields and outdoor activities to grow ‘em up robust and healthy.

After the wars, Dad came home and got hired on as a Rural Mail Carrier, a job he held for the next thirty-something years.  Mom graduated from the U of I and came down here to teach Home Ec.  She ended up being a stay-at-home mom, which was the norm back then, and besides carrying mail, Dad also farmed, through rain, sleet, snow and dark of night.  He raised hay, corn, wheat, and beef cows.  Twenty eight acres was just big enough to keep the kids in chores and teach them a work ethic, and to have horses.

Horses were my life.  I can’t remember when I fell in love with them, but I got it from my mom, and I  know I was pretty little—about knee-high to a grasshopper, I think.  Every summer when we’d go up to Granddad’s I’d hound my older cousin to take me horseback riding.  She hated me, I’m sure.  Then Granddad gave me his old hunting mare, which was too old to be too dangerous for a little tyke, but I learned a lot from that horse.

The rest of the story

2012 President Corner:  January  February  March  April  May   June  July  August  September  October  November  December

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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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