Backcountry Musings

The first meeting, that lead to the formation of the Squaw Butte Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Idaho was held on March 9, 1992.

At that meeting a board of directors and officers were elected.  Terry MacDonald became the first President.

Click Here, To learn more about that first few meetings and some early history our chapter.

My 1999 F250 is starting to show it age.  With over 210 thousand miles the leaf springs in the back have lost some of their bounce.  Also the trailers I am towing today have a higher  weight then when I started.  Last summer I noticed that handling was getting soggy and I had to be careful not to get the trailer swaying.  I briefly considered replacing it with a newer F350, but as the truck is otherwise in good condition, choose instead to upgrade the load capacity to around what a new F350 would have.

Read how I did it.

Knowing how to tie useful knots is an important skill for horse riders. Learn how to tie the knots below to make your rides more enjoyable and perhaps even safer.  To lean how  < Click Here>

Texting while riding can’t be safe, read Bob Goddard “Last Laugh” piece on the growing trend in Horse Link Magazine Jan-Feb Issue.  In the same issue Julie Goodnight has a piece on safely backing your horse out of your trailer.

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.

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 
 

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.  

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.

Reverend Charles Edward Mixon, 74, of Emmett, Idaho, lost his struggle with Alzheimer’s and joined the Lord, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010. Ed passed away at home, attended by his wife, Diana, his main “companion”/caregiver, Angie and her family.

Ed was born in Griffin, Ga., to Rebecca P. and William s. Mixon. He was the youngest of five children. He obtained he theology degree from Emory University and was granted full clergy privileges to the North Georgia Conference of the Methodist Church in 1961. In 1963, Ed transferred to the Rock River Conference of Illinois as Director of Camps and conferences. In 1966, Ed was appointed to Arlington Hts. First Methodist Church as an Associate pastor. For the next 30 years, he faithfully served eight congregations of the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church.
In 1956, Ed married Elizabeth A. Benedict. They later divorced, but had three sons during their marriage, Mike, Alan and Kevin. Ed enjoyed being with his sons and shared special activities with each of them. Mike and Kevin loved camping, fishing and hunting. Alan loved skiing. All of them enjoyed riding their motorbikes.

In 1985, Ed married a long-time friend, Diana King Damko. In 1996, Ed retired from the ministry and they moved to Emmett. They liked to garden, cook and enjoyed several outdoor activities together. Ed really found pleasure in exploring backwoods areas on horseback, hunting and fishing. Ed was just as content to sit quietly and enjoy watching a spike yearling walk down the road or five pheasant cocks sparring in the front pasture. In the last four years, he enjoyed the simple things in his life and being at home.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Diana; his three sons, Mike, Alan and Kevin; his brother, Bill; his two sisters, Bettie and Guinn; and four grandchildren. The family would like to thank X-L Hospice for the care and compassion they offered Ed and his caregivers.
A memorial service will be held at the Emmett United Methodist Church, 1500 E. Locust St., at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association

Story about Ed  (Terry MacDonald)

Eds favorite motto was any story worth telling is worth embellishing. The first time I met Ed he was helping with a back pack trip from Red Fish to Grand Jean with the Methodist Youth group from Sweet.  Kirk Darnell and I packed food to Barron Lake and met them there, after several days of dehydrated food they were glad to See us, steak, potatoes, bacon and real eggs.  Since we were to camp with two ministers and be on our best behavior we left all adult beverage at the trail head.  After several days tending a bunch of teenagers the first thing out of their mouths was wheres the whiskey.
I don’t remember how long He was with the SBBCH only a couple of years,  He got busted up pretty good one year and I don’t remember Him riding with us after that. He had one horse that gave him a hard time.

Ed ended up buying a couple of mexican ponies that someone was bringing in to the country at that time, they were good broke horses just don’t go near them when they were eating.

I am unexpectedly home for a few days to regroup. I had 8 days of bad luck in getting to the Mid Fork. Will be launching another try very soon. The Frank Wilderness rangers told me that, the under-high-water trail that I wanted to use along the upper MF, is traditionally not only under water in spring, but also becomes washed out & impassable each year. They said with frustration in their voices, the trail crew tries to fix it each year, but their work never sticks. Rangers said, this is the only annual washout site along the entire MF trail system. It is also a major access for back packers.

I would like to propose to SBBCH, that we file a proposal with the FS to do a permanent fix to the wash-out site. It would require hauling in some bags of mortar, post mix cement & rebar. Of course, there is plenty of rock available at the site to do the envisioned rock work.

To get to the site, drive past Banner Summit a few miles, turn left at sign for Seafoam Area. Go 1.5 miles to Marsh Creek TH. Go down Marsh Cr. trail about 6 miles to confluence with MF & establish camp. Go another 1/2 mile down the MF to work site. The work would take about 4 guys about 1 day to complete. I have all the tools & experience required. I would volunteer to be project leader. I would need the help of some guys with reasonably healthy backs. I see this happening early summer of 2011.

Jake

Commentary from the lady who actually lives in the “White House” with black shutters of course, by Marybeth Conger, President

Can you believe its June already? I just returned from a nice ride with the entire string. We have a pack trip into the Frank Church Wilderness end of July, so its time to start getting in shape.

Looking at our 2nd quarter Chapter activities list, it’s been a busy year with many different opportunities for SBBCH members to learn and have fun. The SBBCH chapter continues to do an outstanding job offering a variety of activities such as Rides, Public Outreach programs, Educational clinics, Highway cleanup, Trail Projects, Back County 4-H demonstration, and yes, even a Yard sale to help with fund raising. We are educating not only ourselves on the importance of safety, but the public about the BCH organization and our historical right to use stock on public lands.

In April there was Wilderness First Responder training and the BCHI Horse Expo. In May there was even more such as Forrest Service Sawyer Safety, Talk to the Experts, Defensive Horsemanship, and Hands on Packing. In June, July and August there are many Trail Projects scheduled where we can ride together and discover some beautiful country in Idaho. Please check out our activity page and participate. We like to have fun on these projects and of course eat well.

Big thanks to the SBBCH members, for all your time and positive energy spent to make this chapter something to be proud of. Please continue to log your volunteer hours, including mileage and if you can’t remember if you did, check out the summary screen.  I can’t wait to see you on the trail for some fun times this summer, especially our new members. If the SBBCH website doesn’t answer your questions, or you would like to speak with a live body, you can always call me direct.

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>  

Well the 1/4 of 2010 is behind us and Spring seems to coming, so lets find some time to ride, have fun, and meet new friends. Please check out your chapter’s calendar at www.sbbchidaho.org and participant as you can. We have several Educational clinics coming up and nine Trail projects scheduled over the summer months. Also some fun Rides, outstanding Eating Adventures, Road clean up, Horse Expo and yes even a Yard sale, which is one of our four fund raisers to name a few events. 2010 is going to be a great year and Shannon and I look forward to sharing a trail with you.

The two day Backcountry Skills clinic on May 22 and 23 at the Circle G River Ranch is an opportunity to learn to be a safer and more confident horseman. Saturday’s clinic is Talk to the Experts while Sunday has both Defensive Horsemanship and Packing Skills, a totally hands-on day with several sessions so you can participate in both. What a plum to have retired USFS Dale Schrempp coming all the way from Northern Idaho to instruct  us on Defensive Horsemanship.

Also, check out the photos for the 2011 BCHI Calendar by visiting www.sbbchidaho.org Click on the Photo tab to the left. Look for the 56 Calendar photos and vote for your favorites. Please email your 20 selections to President@sbbchidaho by the stop date of April 20th. For you new members, you can get a good sense of what your chapter is all about- Riding in some beautiful places, keeping trails open for all, having fun with our animals, and eating. Looks like fun, huh?

If you have any questions or comments for me I am only an email or phone call away, unless I’m out riding Fred, toting Babe and Sis. Hope to see you on the trail.

MB Conger

Ponderings from The Prez’s Saddle 

Well, 2009 is closed and in the process of being archived. 

As I reflect back on the year I wonder – Where to begin? We had so many successes this year.  

We presented yet another well attended Back Country Skills clinic in the spring and hosted another fabulous Fun Day in October. We could not have provided either event if not for the dedicated work of the committees and excellent support by the volunteers. 

While June was essentially rained out, we had a very busy July and August. We had excellent turnout for the projects. I’d like to think it was due to the commitment to the BCH mission, but I know it was, in fact, due to the fabulous FOOD – the potlucks and breakfasts, some with fresh huckleberries. As Rob says, “We are an eating chapter that just happens to ride.” 

Once again the 2010 BCHI calendar sale had great participation from SBBCH. SBBCH committed to 300 of the 2000 total calendars printed. SBBCH was one of the few chapters committing to such a high number. And very few, if any, of those 300 remain unsold. Most were sold by the November BCHI meeting. Great job everyone! 

Our second year of the Memorial Weekend Saturday yard sale simply continued the success of its first year. We had many more items since we were more prepared. We plan to continue this sale in 2010. So as you put away the decorations and winter articles and bring out the summer wear, make sure to put the donations aside for this year’s yard sale. 

SBBCH would not be so very successful and energetic if it weren’t for the continued efforts, commitment, and support of the membership. It is you, the members, that make SBBCH a great chapter. You bring the energy, the ideas, the humor, the experience, and the commitment to the chapter. I heartily Thank You for all that you bring to and do for SBBCH. 

I thank the 2009 Leadership Team for their work in making SBBCH ‘hum’ like the well oiled machine it is in 2009. Without the fantastic leadership team, our chapter would not function in the superior manner in which it does. The President does not make the chapter work; it is the leadership team and the membership that makes the chapter the premier chapter that it is. 

Thank you Vice President Tami Buthman. I greatly appreciate all your work organizing the outreach events and graciously handling everything else I delegated to you. You were my rock and right hand gal. 

Thank you Treasurer Kay Ryan. You enabled me to focus on other things knowing our SBBCH bills and monies were in your very capable hands with your easy to read Treasurer’s report format. I greatly appreciate your knowledge and your fabulous attention to detail. 

Thank you Secretary Team Linda Hays and Linda Phillips. Without you, SBBCH could not function. I relied greatly upon both of you for the innumerable aspects of the running of the Chapter. You both proved that a team can not only share the vast Secretarial duties but that a team can enhance the capability and efficiency of the Secretary Position responsibilities. The Secretary position is a wide ranging position involving many diverse aspects. In many cases, things fall to the “Secretary’ by default. You gave SBBCH the ‘going forward’ model for the Secretarial team.  

Thank you to Project Coordinators Rob Adams and Tony Buthman. You have established critical relationships with the USFS folks. Your knowledge of our capabilities as well as your knowledge of the area needs’ resulted in an unprecedented tactical plan for the year. Our SBBCH volunteer hours in equivalent monies success is due, in big part, to the wonderful, long term relationships that you have built with the managing agencies.  

Thank you to the chapter’s various committees: the Education and Foundation committee representatives Bill Conger and Bill Holt; the Public Liaison committee members Tony Buthman, Bill Holt, Chris Holt, and Robbin Schindele; our State Directors Rob Adams, Mary Beth Conger, and Phil Ryan; the Calling Committee; the 2009 audit committee; the Chapter Display committee who created the winning display; the 2009 nominating committee; and last, but certainly not least, our Christmas Party Committee co-chairs Nancy Harper and Chris  Holt. Our annual party, once again, was a wonderful feast full of great fun. We would not have had such a party without your dedicated effort. 

The end of 2009 also brings the end of my term as President. I have been President for the last three years – the maximum term per our Constitution. Term limits are great because they force a change in leadership. This enables fresh vision and new ideas to be infused within the chapter. 

Welcome to the 2010 SBBCH Leadership Team. Thank to those folks that ran for the positions. All were unopposed and all were unanimously elected. Welcome to our new President Mary Beth Conger. She brings years of BCH knowledge and BCHI leadership experience to the office. Welcome to our new VP Shannon Schantz. Shannon has been a member of SBBCH since nearly its inception. Welcome to our returning Treasurer Kay Ryan. Welcome to our Secretary team: returning member Linda Hays and new member Chris Holt. Welcome to our new State Director Robbin Schindele. Thank you all for joining the 2010 SBBCH Leadership Team. I will continue to serve this year as the Past President. 

2009 was yet another fabulous year in the SBBCH history. 2010 will only be better! 

See ya in the saddle in 2010 –  Ellen