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Back country horsemen

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Group admin:: JonSchindehette
Created:: May 22, 2008
: 3 Members

Group Tags:

horse, horse riding, back country, horsemen, backcountry, horse owner

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Introductions

Posted: May 22, 08 4:26pm

Hi all!

Yep, it's not a common statement to hear nowadays, but I'm a horseman. To be exact, I'm one of those odd types that prefer to ride his horse outside of the arena....way outside. I prefer to ride in the back country - day trips mostly, but I want to do more overnighters. I have a 14 year old American Paint that is my "four wheel drive vehicle" of choice. We only have a few years of experience on the trails, and still have lots to learn, but am open-minded and eager to learn...

so throw down some thoughts, ideas, your favorite places to ride, etc. and meet some other folks like yourself...

See ys on the trails,

Jon

Lilly playing in the snow

Tags:

horse, horseman, back country, riding

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3 Comments // 2 Members

Angharad

Posted: Jun 5, 08 11:30pm

JonSchindehette wrote:

I'm one of those odd types that prefer to ride his horse outside of the arena....way outside.

Hi Jon!

Looks like we're alone on the trail so far, but alone is so peaceful :>) !

My favorite ride outside the arena was a horsepacking trip I took in the John Marshall Wilderness area in Montana. It was a hoot and a challenge! A week of riding through some of the most varied and spectacular terrain in the US, although there were some spots that looked more like the face of the moon.

We were constantly on the watch for danger--bears, snakes , rock slides. Had to have a watch at night for the horses. Our equipment had to include all the "necessaries" for any packing trip away from civilization--tack, of course, and extras; first aid supplies for us and the horses; hobbles, although we didn't use them; blankets; maps; compasses; then all the camping and cooking stuff. We had 2 pack horses to carry what we couldn't fit in our saddlebags. What a blast!

I'm with you. Although most of my experience has been with dressage and eventing, and most of my time has been spent in the arena or on the course, I prefer the feeling of being one with the horse with a common purpose: simply to get from here to there. Nothing like it.

The first time I rode with a purpose was when I rode from one side of Guemes Island (in Washington State) to the other to get from my mom's house to a friend's house and back. I rode along beaches, in flower-filled fields, and through groves of trees. What an amazing feeling it was--just me and Poteet in perfect union. It was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. I'll never forget it.

Lilly's a real beauty! What has been your favorite ride so far?

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Angharad

Posted: Jun 5, 08 11:38pm

Serendipity in action! I just looked at your profile and you live in Seattle (or Everett)--so of course you know Guemes. It's right across from Anacortes.

Another coincidence--my mom (whose maiden name was Everett) grew up in Everett! Twilight Zone theme playing... .

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JonSchindehette

Posted: Jun 12, 08 12:57pm

Awesome write up! Good to have you on the trail. I'm in the middle of the chaos of getting my youngest through graduation ( and all the family flying in from around the country) right now...but once I get past that I want to post a few rides myself. Please feel free to start a new thread and tell everyone about a specific ride.

Jon

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