TRAIL TALES. President s Pen October 14, Beartooth Backcountry Horsemen October 2015

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1 TRAIL TALES Beartooth Backcountry Horsemen October 2015 BBCH Directors President Dave Heinle Vice President Howard Butler Secretary Jody Seyler Treasurer Marilyn Simmons Director Keith Brighton Director Kathe Mensik Director Jim Anderson Past President Bonnie Chepulis State Directors Dave Heinle Howard Butler Alternate John Chepulis President s Pen October 14, 2015 Well Sally tells me I'm just a little bit behind this month, I've been working diligently at the lumber yard. I have a total new crew, I have a new manager, new employees so for the past few weeks I've been trying to get them trained so I can to take off the first week of November for my hunting/camping trip. As we are getting ready for our hunting trips make let s all be sure that we have a good first aid get, and a horsey first aid kit, don't forget the Dermosadan gel, I always like to carry a tube with me because you can really knock a horse for a loop and do whatever you like to them. I like to carry a suture kit because you never know what can happen to a horse, they can catch a stray bullet or gore itself on a tree or who knows what a horse will think when there's bullets flying and gunshots around them. You should always pack some Motrin for you and some Bute for your horse these two things always go together, also a splint for an arm or leg is wonderful. It doesn't always have to be you that might need it, it could be your buddy or somebody else on the trail. A few weeks ago my wife and Mr. Guckenberger and I, were in the mountains when thunderstorm came through and somebody was out bow hunting, his horse blew up and he hit

2 the ground and dislocated his shoulder. One of his buddies was leading his horse back to camp and told us about the wreck while we were still at camp so off we went. We had a first aid kit so we took wraps, ace bandages, and a hasty sling and went to meet the gentleman on the trail. By the time we showed up, his friends that were still with them made a hasty sling out of the tree branch and a belt and had propped up his arm out to the side, he didn't want any help from us, he had been walking for several miles and the Motrin had kicked in he said and he was good to go he thought. Make sure you have lots of fire starter because you never know when the snow is coming in the high country or inclement weather, we are way past due now. Make sure you always have a safety kit with you, on your person, not back at camp not on your horse on your person!! Safety kit meaning fire starter, some granola or some prepackaged meat possibly, something that you could melt water in or at least something you could drink out of, eating snow takes more energy to process than what you get out of it. I believe that at our next meeting after the potluck Kathy is going to show us a survival video and a safety video so please try and be there for that, and don't forget when you bring your delicious dish for the potluck, your president likes meat. If anybody is interested I am taking some new people on an easy ride into trout creek hopefully we will make it to the falls, this Sunday the 18th. Like I said it's an easy ride your horses do not need to be shod. It will be just a fun ride of sorts the young gentleman that is going with us isn't much of a rider, so like I said it will be an easy trip. There is one hill that is fairly steep to take off other than that it is all flat ground following the creek up. There are lots of creek crossings all are very shallow so if you want to bring a horse that doesn't like water we can work on that, by the time he makes the 4 or 5 miles up and 4 or 5 miles back he will like water a lot better than when he left. Other than that I guess I don't know much else. Bring all your friends, bring any new people who want to join to the potluck and enjoy some great safety videos after, we all might pick something up from them. One last note before I go, start thinking about who you would like to nominate for officers for next year. Start visiting with these people and putting the bug in their ears so they have all November to think about it. And like I always say keep your spurs down and your hat up. Stay well-tuned with your horse, watch his ears, that will tell you so much about what he's doing or about to do. Enjoy all the photos this month and see you at the next meeting Dave

3 October 2015 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY General Meeting & Pot Luck Dinner 6:30 Hanna Hall Program: Survival DVD Board Meeting 6 7 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROJECTS 1. Christmas Party date and location tbd 2. CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK Beartooth Back Country Horsemen of Montana --- More Pictures there!!! BBCH Fall Camp-Out #1 Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20 at Linda McMullen s Ranch in Melville, MT was fun! Fun! Fun!!!!! Scenery, lots of riding, comfortable lodging for people and horses, good food, and lots of camaraderie and laughs. Thank you Linda and Farwell for your outstanding hospitality!

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7 Riding on Linda s Ranch

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11 The The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears. ~Arabian Proverb Saw a view of heaven between my horse s ears on a spectacular day in late September

12 When I joined Robin Morris, Ron Nusbaum, and John Simmons for my first ride on the Ernie Strum Trail. Superlatives escape me when attempting to describe the beauty of a Fall day in the mountains. The colors were so vibrant as to be unimagined. The sounds of the day were symphonic squeaking saddles (am I the only one who likes the sound of a squeaking saddle?), steel shoes on granite rocks, an annoyed raven circling above surveying his territory, the splash of feeding fish in the lakes, and best of all the sound of silence as we rode lost in our own thoughts. We had many conversations with the old-timers, Ron and John, with story after story of the history of the area and the years of dedicated effort to create the Strum Trail. I won t repeat or attempt to tell the story of the creation of the trail.

13 Allow me to tell personal stories. Our thoughts, of course, were of Ernie, particularly for me as we gazed down upon Crater Lake. I told everyone I had something with me which once belonged to Ernie. ElleGant was wearing a bridle with a curb strap that came from him. While I can t remember why I was in possession of the curb strap, I would testify in court that this piece of tack once belonged to Ernie Strum. Then Robin shared a story about her lucky penny which came from my late husband. The Morrises and Walter and I often visited the Atlas Bar in Columbus on a Thursday afternoon and Robin and Walter would place change in the tip slots of the old gambling tables. After Walter passed away, Robin found the 2006 penny (the year of Beau s birth), that Walter placed there on our last visit. Frank has attached it to Robin s saddle so she will always ride with a good luck penny. The stories brought tears to my eyes, but I felt those departed souls were with us all day. The Back Country Horsemen of Montana mission statement,...work to ensure that public lands remain open to stock use... was accomplished with the opening of this trail. I know we all have a sense of pride for BBCH s part in the creation of a trail that gives access for the public to experience the beauty of the area. If you have not ridden or hiked the Ernie Strum Trail, I urge you to do so. Carolyn Eucker

14 Fall Campout #2 It was good fortune to have not one fall campout, but two this year. Reward for hard work I guess. Riders enjoyed the beauty of the Senia and the Red Lodge Creek Trail. Then the festivities continued at the home of Keith and Susie Brighton in Red Lodge. Thank you Brightons for a really nice party!

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19 BBCH license plate for your office or home for sale You can now own a BBCH sample license plate--same size and material as a real license plate--for $25 including postage and handling. Please send your check to Beartooth Backcountry Horsemen, PO Box 614, Absarokee MT Include your name and address with your check. The following businesses support Beartooth Back Country Horsemen Stop by and express your thanks! Absaroka Tennessee Walking Horses and Gaited Mules Dan & Emily Aadland 2906 Highway 78 Absarokee, MT Stillwater Veterinary Clinic 557 N. Montana Avenue Absarokee, MT LORASH HORSEMANSHIP FISHTAIL

20 Dave Heinle Absarokee Mt Fax Back country horsemen of Montana Mission Statement To perpetuate the common sense use and enjoyment of horses in America s backcountry and wilderness To work to ensure that public lands remain open to recreational stock use To assist various agencies responsible for the maintenance and management of public lands To educate, encourage, and solicit active participation in the wise and sustained use of the back country resource by horsemen and the general public, commensurate with our heritage To foster and encourage formation of new Back Country Horsemen organizations: Beartooth Back Country Horsemen, Proud Members of Stillwater County Chamber of Commerce Red Lodge Area Community Foundation Mailing Address: Beartooth Backcountry Horsemen P.O. Box 614 Absarokee, MT When I bestride him, I soar, I am a hawk: He trots the air; the earth sings when he touches it; The basest horn of his hoof is more musical than the pipe of Hermes. William Shakespeare, Henry V Editor: Sally Carter 33 DeRudder Rd Bridger, MT charles_sally@tctwest.net