Back Country Horsemen hold pack training class

On a chilly Saturday morning, members of the Wild Horse Plains Back Country Horsemen gathered at Kristy Sheehan’s indoor arena in Plains for a comprehensive Horse and Mule Packing Clinic.

The full-day event was designed for individuals already familiar with basic equine care, including stock handling, haltering, saddling, grooming and equine safety.

Five experienced instructors were on hand to share their knowledge with the 10 students in attendance, who traveled from as far as Bozeman and Sheridan. The youngest student was Una Stowers.

The instructors included Jean Nenmeth from Camas Prairie, Dan Mathis from Trout Creek, Cheryl Bert from Paradise, John Errecart from Plains, and Dave Crawford from Ronan.

Errecart, a local resident and seasoned recreational packer, kicked off the clinic by discussing the various packing accessories typically used on mules. His teaching style was a mix of valuable insights from his past experiences, along with humorous stories of packing mishaps along the way. 

Throughout the day, each instructor provided hands-on demonstrations, emphasizing the well-being and comfort of the animals. A key point discussed was the weight limit a typical animal can carry, with Errecart recommending approximately one-fifth of an animal's weight as a general guideline. For a mule, which weighs around 1,000 pounds, this translates to a maximum of 150 pounds of cargo. 

The importance of safely attaching cargo to packing saddles was also highlighted, with an emphasis on using specialized rope techniques, rather than traditional knots, to allow for quick unloading in case of an emergency.

The morning lectures also covered the proper technique for attaching harnesses, preparing and weighing packs, and ensuring a balanced load for the mule’s safety while on the trail. Two students were each assigned a mule to inspect, fit with a harness and pack saddle, and load with cargo. Topics, such as saddling, adjusting a Decker pack saddle, building, and unloading a mantie load, and caring for sling ropes and packing tools were all thoroughly covered.

The Wild Horse Plains BCH focuses much of its efforts on the trails of the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District of the Lolo National Forest. The group is actively involved in maintaining local trails and currently works on a Challenge Cost Share Agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to maintain about eight miles of trail, as well as provide four days of packing support throughout the summer.

One standout alumna of the Wild Horse Plains BCH is Patricia Petrina, who has taken her passion for packing to the next level. In March, she embarked on a 3,000-mile journey from Mexico to Canada with her three 5-year-old mustangs, a quarter horse, and her dog. Her trek, which will take her through the Rocky Mountains and along historic trails, is expected to take about six months.

    Packing class members come in all sizes and ages. 6-month-old Callon Stowers with Mom Una Stowers. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
  

    Packing student Marie Errecart tries on the first of two packs on to Lady the Mule. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)