About Us

 

Back Country Horsemen of Missoula is a chapter of the Back Country Horsemen of America. In fact, Missoula was the second chapter ever founded in the nation!  We share a firm belief that the purpose of this organization is vital for the continued use of our roadless and wilderness areas by future generations of horse people.

Annual functions sponsored by the club include the Spring Tune-up Clinic, Log & Water Crossing Clinic, Horse Safety Clinic, National Trails Day participation, recreational day rides, cabin restoration, and trail clearing projects, Annual Educational Pack Trip, Annual Equestrian and Packing Skills Expo, Summer Potluck, and the Holiday Party. 

Our Projects, Education, and Issues Committees are the heart of our organization. The Projects Committee is responsible for working with other agencies such as the U. S. Forest Service, to set up work or service projects that the club members can carry out, such as trail clearing, campground horse facility maintenance, and construction, signing, etc. The Education Committee helps organize service projects, clinics, and programs for our meetings. The Issues Committee frequently and primarily is a politically active watchdog for any environmental or agency issues that might affect horse use in the backcountry or wilderness.

 

RIDE SAFETY POLICY

    • A trail leader will be appointed for each ride. The trail leader will be responsible for planning the route and time of departure.
    • Riders shall stay with the trail leader and not leave the main group without notifying the trip leader.
    • All riders are expected to travel at the same rate of speed. A BCH day ride is not the place for a horse race.
    • When it is necessary to dismount, as when opening a gate, all riders will wait until the person who dismounted has closed the gate and is mounted again.
    • When a rest stop is made, or the destination reached, the trip leader will be responsible for seeing that all riders are present and accounted for before resuming the trip. Under no circumstances will anyone be left while the group rides on.
    • Horses known to be kickers should be marked with an orange or red flag in the tail.
    • Stallions, foals, and dogs are not allowed on trail rides, even though some are well-trained, and/or well-mannered. It is impossible to predict how other animals will react to their presence and therefore they must be excluded from this activity. In camp, dogs are to be kept out of the food area and should either be restrained or closely watched by their owner.
    • Maintain adequate distance from the livestock in front of you while on the trail to avoid injury-provoking reactions from the stock.
    • Alcohol, drugs, or smoking on the trails will not be allowed.
    • Know the location of both human and equine first aid equipment while participating in this or any other horse activity.
    • Report any unsafe conditions to the ride leader.
    • When meeting on the trail, generally pack stock has preference over saddle stock; pack strings containing the greater number of livestock have right of way for passage, and pack strings going uphill have right of way over downhill strings.
    • If it is necessary for you to turn around on a narrow trail, always turn the back end of the horse to the uphill side. If the back end is turned downward, it may result in a dangerous situation as the horse scrambles to maintain footing on the trail.

Following these guidelines will help to ensure a pleasant ride for everyone.

Happy Trails!