Recently I received an email with information about UC Davis Extension’s summer horsepacking trips. They look like fun…the good, horsey, dirty kind. There are two adventures to choose from and I’ve provided info about them below.
Adventure #1 – Mustangs: A Living Legacy
Track wild horses in the Pizona area of Inyo National Forest. From a central meadow camp, riders will track mustangs in their natural pinyon forest habitat; observe and photograph mustang herds; learn the social behavior of the horses; and better understant their current struggle. This program combines outdoor adventure and a unique educational experience in exploring the biology, ecology and behavior of the North American wild horse.
Details
Date: Sat June 11 – Tues June 14
Time: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: Bishop, Calif.: Benton Hot Springs Bed and Breakfast, 55137 Hwy 120.
Cost: $750. Includes horse, saddle, meals and instruction.
Enrollment: Section 104OTH800 – Enroll Here
Adventure #2 – Mountain Horsemanship: Veterinary Care and Horsepacking in the Wilderness
This deluxe pack trip covers the essentials of horsepacking in the wild with the Golden Trout Wilderness of the high Sierra as your laboratory. The instructor will discuss equipment, emergency veterinary care, as well as feeding and managing livestock in the backcountry.
Lecture and laboratory topics include: wilderness conduct of people; trail riding safety and horse equipment; methods of feeding livestock in the backcountry; management of livestock; preventative medicine; evaluating the normal horse; treating a hurt or sick horse in the wilderness; packing equipment, fitting saddles, making loads, hitches and leading strings of mules; veterinary skills including physical examination, floating teeth, IM IV injections, applying wraps, animal restraint and aging horses; and shoeing.
Details
Date: Sun. July 10 – Sat. July 16th
Time: 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Location: Lone Pine, Calif.: Horseshoe Meadows
Cost: $1,400. Includes horse, saddle, meals and instruction.
Enrollment: Section 111OTH800 – Enroll Here
Meet The Instructors
Craig London, D.V.M. – Co-owner of Rock Creek Pack Stationand Mt. Whitney Pack Trains.
Janet Roser, Ph.D. – Professor with the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis.
Horsepacking Open House
Join fellow horse enthusiasts for dinner and learn more about UC Davis Extension’s horsepacking adventure courses. Instructor Craig London will present slides and photos showcasing horsepacking excursions of years past.
This three-hour open house is for anyone interested in attending one of the two summer courses.
Details
When: Feb. 5: Sat., 6–9 p.m.
Where: UC Davis: 1st Floor, Rec Pool Lodge, LaRue Rd, Davis, CA.
Cost: $25. Includes dinner.
For More Information
You can download their PDF brochure (698 KB) which includes all of their 2011 horse programs to learn more. For general questions contact UC Davis Extension at (800) 752-0881 or email extension@ucdavis.edu.
Yipe! That’s pricey!
(But it is fair.)
Are the horses pictured above kiger horses from Oregon?