Dr. Rob Atwill of the University of California-Davis was a fantastic guest speaker during BCHA’s recent National Board Meeting held in Sacramento. He summarized the latest science that demonstrates native mammals, including squirrels and marmot, are far more likely to be the source of water-borne pathogens than either livestock or pack stock. In one study at Yosemite National Park, a … Read More

Back Country Horsemen of America highly values our wild lands and our right to enjoy them by horseback. Protecting the wilderness from unnecessary damage is imperative to keeping it pristine. But that creates unique challenges that can prevent proper maintenance of trails, bridges, shelters, and other amenities that allow us to recreate there. US Forest Service wilderness regulations prohibit the … Read More

Backcountry Horsemen of America Life Time Achievement Award Whereas… he joined Back Country Horsemen in 1989; and Whereas … he has held leadership roles in local unit as well as national  organizations of Back Country Horsemen, including president of Shasta Trinity (S/T) Unit (2003-2006 & 2014-present), State Director to BCHA  (1996-99), BCHA Chairman (1999-2001), BCHA Public Liaison Chair 2001,  Non-Director … Read More

Back Country Horsemen of America Life Time Achievement Award Whereas… Ann first sat on mule when 3 months old and was raised on Rankin Ranch where she worked with cows, and horses. Whereas … Ann started with High Sierra Stock Users before BCH was in California, and then in 1986 CA with several other states joined BCH to give a “unified voice” to … Read More

Inside This Issue Next Gen BCHA 2 From the Chairman’s Saddle 3 National Reports 3,9 From the Secretary’s Desk 5 The Catch Pen 5, 6-7, 12 Tails of the Trails 10-11 Click here to Open the Spring 2015 Newsletter

The winner of the 2014 Double Diamond Award is the Beartooth Back Country Horsemen (BBCH)  of Montana. The Beartooth Back Country Horsemen of Montana (BBCH) members  won the the award for their efforts by spearheading the largest coalition of volunteers and government ever to open the Ernie Strum Trail––a trail to Lily Pad and Crater Lakes in Montana. Here is the full paper presented at the … Read More

Jeanne Newman and Gordon Hirschi re-establishing Home Mountain Trail for BLM Vernal Office in Brown’s Park Back Country Horsemen of America protects our right to ride horses on public lands in a wide variety of ways across the country. They believe in putting a priority on the things that really matter, such as making our beautiful landscape accessible to all … Read More

The folks at Back Country Horsemen of America feel very fortunate to live in such a beautiful country, and are dedicated to protecting our right to travel this stunning landscape by horseback, as our ancestors did. An important part of that goal is the down and dirty labor required to re-open trails and access roads after storms of rain, snow, … Read More

The United States Forest Service manages 158,000 miles of trails that provide a wide array of recreational opportunities and access to America’s National Forests. These trails provide world class opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, camping, hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation. National Forest trails provide opportunities for all Americans to enjoy the peace and quiet of the great outdoors. Further, … Read More

Last week, the National Forest “trails bill” we supported last year was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Cynthia Lummis  (R-WY)  and Tim Walz (D-MN). The bill, the National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act (H.R. 845), continues to spur high-level dialogue and a search for solutions to the growing trail maintenance crisis on our national forests. BCHA strongly … Read More

New legislation calls for improved investments in National Forest Trail System Contacts: Paul Spitler, The Wilderness Society (202) 360-1912 Jim McGarvey, Chairman of Back Country Horsemen of America (706) 669-1015 Ben Pendergrass, American Horse Council (202) 296-4031 WASHINGTON (February 10, 2015) – Outdoor recreation and conservation groups including the Backcountry Horsemen of America, The Wilderness Society, the American Horse Council, … Read More

Inside This Issue Reintroducing a U.S. Army Unit to Mules and Horses 2 From the Chairman’s Saddle 3 Back Country Horsemen Say Farewell 6,7 National Reports 9 The Catch Pen 10, 11 NextGen BCHA 12 Click here to Open the Winter 2015 Newsletter