Backcountry Musings

Like a bike with a flat tire or a tennis racket with a broken string, a horse with poor hooves has limited usefulness. But how to keep a horse’s hooves in their best condition is an often discussed and sometimes hotly debated topic. There are theories regarding horses’ feet that constantly keep horse owners contemplating the fact and fiction of hoof care.

Often misinformation is accepted as truth simply because it has been around a long time. In this article we address a few of the most common misconceptions about hoof care, and ask top experts to explain the truth behind the myths.

Myth: White hooves are softer and have more problems than black feet.
The color of the hoof is influenced by the color of the skin above it, so if a horse has white markings directly above the hoof, the hoof itself may carry the same pigmentation. Many people believe that hooves with black walls are stronger than hooves with white walls.  Read more

With more and more BCHA volunteers using crosscut saws to help clear wilderness trails the question comes up, how to sharpen a crosscut saw?  Unlike a chainsaw that you can sharpen in the field or change a dull chain in a few minutes, crosscut saws do require some skill, special tools and a considerable amount of time to properly sharpen.  With the idea of offering some support to BCHA volunteers I have put together a web page that should help with the issue.  The new BCHW crosscut saw sharpening page can be found on the BCHW website under the Tech Tips link.  It offers information on where or how to learn to sharpen as well as sources for some professional sharpeners.  For those without web access many of the resources listed are available in other forms.

It does take some commitment of time and tools to pickup the skill but most anyone can learn to sharpen crosscut saws.  There are formal week long training classes put on every year at the Nine Mile USFS Training Center, Lolo National Forest, Montana.  The classes are open to anyone and the cost is reasonable.   In addition the the formal hands on training  there is some very good information available.  The USFS Crosscut Saw Manual has step by step instructions and there is a new video/DVD by the Forest Service that is scheduled to be released soon.  This video is very highly rated and should prove to be a valuable learning tool.  In addition to the USFS resources there is other information and training aids linked on the BCHW Crosscut saw sharpening web page.

Another resource is an online crosscut saw forum at crosscutsawyer.com .  This is a privately ran forum that has a wealth information on sharpening as well and other things related to crosscut saws.  It is a little contradiction to have a modern internet forum for primitive tools but the knowledge of literally hundreds of years of experience from the forum members is amazing.  If you do not find needed information in past posts, you can always ask.

In addition to the formal training or do it yourself learning there is the possibility of interested folks learning from BCHW members that are experienced saw filers.   Both Gary Zink and myself have offered to help new filers pick up the skill.  This would likely involve having members watch and ask question during a sharpening job.  The timing and location of any of these sessions will depend on the interest and need.  For BCHW to hold a week long, hands on training session is beyond the scope of any proposed training but we do have the resources to help and provide direction to anyone that is interested.  No matter how a new filer picks up the skill, it will require quite an individual commitment of time and practice to become proficient.

So the main purpose of this message is to let folks know of the resources available for those that want to learn how to sharpen a saw and offer any help in the process.  Please have anyone that has any questions contact me or Gary.   Also I do know that other BCHW members do sharpen saws and if they want to help out, let us know. Comments or suggestions are always welcome.
Jim  Thode  ( Webmaster and crosscut saw user and filer )

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Subject: USFS Chainsaw and Cross cut saw certification programs

Good afternoon,  BCHA .  There is some information in this news letter about the new Chain saw and Cross cut saw program that is in the works.  BCHA and some of the states have been supplying input to the agency, USFS, about this, including bringing it to the attention of the Deputy Chief, Leslie Weldon and the Director of Wilderness, Leanne Martin at the BCHA national board meeting.  It appears there will be a document to read and comment on out pretty soon.  It will be interesting to see what they have come up with.

Michael K. McGlenn
Chairman BCHA

Don’t leave home without considering your horse’s water needs. Here’s what to plan for, plus hauling, watering, and use tips.
Let your horse drink from water sources along the trail or near the camp to conserve the water you’ve hauled in.  Your trail horse needs about 10 to 30 gallons of water per day to stay hydrated and healthy. You’re responsible for meeting his critical water needs, whether you go on day rides, horse camp, or pack into the back country. Never assume water will be provided at the trailhead/staging area, and don’t expect to find full water troughs in campgrounds.

Here, we’ll tell you how to meet your trail horse’s water needs.

Plan Ahead: Use these planning trips when you haul your horse from his trusted water source.

There are three elements of a saddle that are of primary importance: the tree, the seat and the
rigging. If all three are properly designed and constructed, the result is a good, useful saddle,
regardless of style and aesthetics. If any one of these is wrong, or poorly done, the saddle is of
little value. This series of articles begins with a look at modern handmade saddle trees, the seat and rigging.

The first Decker Pack Saddle tree of its kind (with wooden bars and steel bows) was first used by an Arapajo packer named S.C. MacDaniels in central Idaho during the mining boom of 1898-1900. Several brothers named Decker saw the practicality of the idea, adopted it and made improvements to the Arapajo cover, or “half-breed” as it is know today. They applied for a patent on the tree and rigging, which apparently was never granted, and the name Decker Pack Saddle stuck. In the early 1900s, the Decker brothers established themselves as some of the finest packers in Idaho and Montana, packing thousands of pounds of equipment and supplies into the unroaded, trail-less terrain of the Selway and Lochsa Rivers, over Lolo Pass and into the Bitterroot Valley of Montana. All the while they were demonstrating the durability and versatility, as well as humane nature, of the Decker Pack Saddle.

The modern Decker Pack Saddle tree was perfected by blacksmith/saddle maker, Oliver P. Robinette of Kooskia, Idaho shortly after 1906. Robinette is credited with developing and manufacturing hundreds of the Decker trees and pack saddles for the Decker brothers as well as for local sheepmen and other outfitters and packers of the era. The Decker brothers could foresee a rapid increase in the use of this unique and clearly superior pack saddle and they made a deal with Robinette to market the saddle. It was advertised and sold as the Decker Pack Saddle. In later years, O.P. Robinette built many trees for the Forest Service (the “OPR” style Decker Pack Saddle tree) until his death in 1945.

At that time – the twilight of the old west – a generation of packers skilled in the use of the sawbuck and the traditional diamond hitch were passing into history, while a rapidly growing Forest Service needed transport for heavy, often bulky equipment through the vast roadless back-country. The Decker Pack Saddle, a rugged versatile saddle that could be easily packed to capacity by Forest Service personnel, filled this need. It caught on quickly throughout Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, while in Wyoming, Colorado and California packers continued to use the sawbuck. In 1930, a “Remount Depot” was established in the Ninemile Valley west of Missoula, Montana, as a place to raise and train horses and mules, as well as train packers for the Forest Service. Horses and mules in sufficient quantity to supply fire fighters duing critical fire seasons had become difficult, if not impossible, to obtain from private sources. The Decker Pack Saddle was adopted as the official saddle and packing style in Region One (all of Montana, Northern Idaho, North Dakota and a bit of South Dakota). Part of the mission of the newly established Ninemile Remount Depot was to “develop improved methods of packing and standardize packing practices.” In 1937, a standard specification for the Decker Pack Saddle was prepared and that specification, with only minor modification, is still used today as the basic design of most Decker Pack Saddles.

The above information was taken from “Packin’ In on Horses and Mules”, Elser and Brown, 1980, “The Packer’s Field Manual”, Hoverson, 2005 and “Horses, Hitches and Rocky Trails”, Back, 1959.

Ray Holes Decker pack saddle are prized by Pacific North West packers.

June 17, 2012 – Glenn Ryan

Attached is the outline or framework developed by the Equine Safety Management Team, for developing consistent national policy regarding equestrian safety.  I have also attached my own opinions regarding the gaps and issues in the Equine Management Strategy Framework.

Also, forward this to any appropriate personnel or group that would have valid comments on this issue.
Glenn Ryan, Lead Packer
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGIONAL SPECIALTY PACK STRING

Send comments to:

Steve Beverlin
Regional Rangeland Program Manger
sbeverlin@fs.fed.us

In our modern world, horses make their name in the realms of equestrian sports and thoroughbred racing. In the nineteenth century, they were vital means of transportation, agriculture, warfare, and power generation. However, early horses were nothing like Barbaro or those of little girls’ dreams. These truly wild horses were much more aggressive than modern Przewalski horses (the closest modern examples of prehistoric horses), which are already difficult to manage and nearly impossible to train as mounts. Instead, early horses were seen as a food item: large game to be hunted. Why did humans first decide to domesticate these wild creatures? When and where did this happen? How did the process of equine domestication develop?

In the 1860s and 70s, photographer Timothy O’Sullivan created some of the best-known images in American History. After covering the U.S. Civil War, (many of his photos appear in this earlier series), O’Sullivan joined a number of expeditions organized by the federal government to help document the new frontiers in the American West. The teams were composed of soldiers, scientists, artists, and photographers, and tasked with discovering the best ways to take advantage of the region’s untapped natural resources. O’Sullivan brought an amazing eye and work ethic, composing photographs that evoked the vastness of the West. He also documented the Native American population as well as the pioneers who were already altering the landscape. Above all, O’Sullivan captured — for the first time on film — the natural beauty of the American West in a way that would later influence Ansel Adams and thousands more photographers to come.

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.