Rules for the Trail

April 21st to 28th, 2007

Our objective on this ride is to have fun and be safe.  Like most things we enjoy doing there are some risks involved, but if we all follow a few simple guidelines we can lessen the risk for all the people and animals involved.  

1.   Be sure your horses are well shod. Every year horses not well shod come to the trail head and they loose their shoes before the ride is finished. Some of the trails are rocky and steep. Horses will not fair well without fresh shoes. Also, sliding plates can get you in a wreck. We will have shoeing tools and supplies at the camps for emergency repair. The costs of those emergency repairs will be $20 per shoe to encourage you to have your horse fresh shod before you come to the first camp. :-)
 

2. NO STUDS/STALLIONS WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE TRAIL. 

    3. Riders are responsible for caring for their horses and tack during the ride.

  1. You should have a plan for your horse when you are not riding him.  Hobbles, stake ropes and picket lines are all viable options. These methods require a certain amount of training that you should do at home before the ride begins.

 

  1. We will furnish alfalfa hay, Omolene 200, and oats for you to feed. If you require something else please make arrangements with Rex Buchman. If you will switch your horse to a ration using some combination of these ingredients a week before you get here it will help your horses. Added stress and new rations are not good partners. There will be water tubs along the way to deep your horse watered. You should bring a moral 9nose feed bag) for grain. We suggest you acclimate your horse to eating from a moral at home.

     

  2. We will be in mountainous terrain and the weather changes without notice.  You should dress in layers and make sure your horse is used to your adding or removing layers while riding.  A canteen of water and some sunscreen will make the ride more comfortable. Food will be provided by chuck wagon or ranch each night and morning with a sack lunch on the trail. Feel free to bring snacks for your saddlebags. Remember that excessive weight on the back of your saddle is hard on your horse. Weight on the front of the saddle is easier for the horse to balance. It is also in your horse’s best interest for everything to be balanced from side to side.

 

  1. Bedrolls will be hauled from camp to camp.  Be sure yours is clearly marked.

 

  1. This is not an endurance race, but we are going a long way.  Be sure your horse is legged up (good enough physical condition that will enable him to travel for 7 days) before you arrive in Lincoln.  In addition it is a good idea to have you horse recently dewormed.  Most colic problems are associated with internal parasites.  It is very important for your tack to fit both you and the horse. Proper padding and cinching is crucial to your horses comfort and ability to carry you the entire distance. If one of the wranglers sees something that needs to be changed for the health and well being of horse or rider, you will be expected to comply. We promise not to be hard to get along with, and will not ask things that are unreasonable.

 

  1. There will be no smoking allowed on the trail, campsite only.

 

  1. There will be no dogs allowed on the trail or at the campsite.

 

  1. There will be no alcohol allowed on the trail ride, unless furnished with evening meal by camp host.

 

  1. Disruptive or inappropriate behavior will be just cause for termination of ride privileges.  You will be asked to leave under your own steam, (your own expense).

 

Final fact to remember – There are elements of endurance on this ride!


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