FIRST RESPONDERSHonoring those who keep ussafe on the trailsTRAIL DESTINATION GUIDECheck off your bucket list with these great trail destinationsCAMPFIRE RECIPESBe the life of the campgroundwith these recipesO N T H E T R A I L
A N O N L I N E M A G A Z I N E F O RE Q U E S T R I A N T R A I L R I D E R S6th Edition | Issue 2Cover ImageRider LaVerne FeinMount Rushmore, South DakotaPhotographerJudy Freeman WhaleyEditorialShannon SchraufnagelEditorKelli McFaddenDeputy EditorThis Months Trail ExplorersLora GoerlichShannon KingBrad HarterAdvertisingKelli McFaddenkelli@htcaa.org Subscriptions & Membershipswww.TrailJournal.org TrailJournal@htcaa.orgPhone844-744-8222www.horsetrailsofamerica.comhello@htcaa.org Published monthly by Horse Trails of America.All Rights Reserved.
ARE YOU A PREMIUM MEMBER? LOOK FOR THE FOR MEMBER DISCOUNTS!CONTENTBRAD HARTER05IN EVERY ISSUERAMBLINGS OF AN EDITOR"The Nameless First Responder"These are photos from the trails submitted fromour Facebook Community for this months theme You'll be ready to grill once you take a look at these great recipes from Otzi08COVER PHOTO CONTESTANTS31CAMPFIRE RECIPESTRAIL DESTINATION OF THE MONTHKIVA RV & HORSE PARK, NMA list of trail destinations from across America TRAIL DESTINATION GUIDEEnjoy Cowboy Poetry and Tall Tales from the trailsGATHER 'ROUND THE CAMPFIREThe first Wilderness HorsebackInstructor in the CountryEXCLUSIVEPRODUCT OF THE MONTHMYRISTIN JOINT SUPPLEMENTS29333132September 2022 | The Trail Journal | 0412TRAIL WARRIORSLora Goerlich gives us insight into those who keepour trails open
Ramblings of an EditorThe Nameless Responder September 2022 | The Trail Journal | 05 hile searching for stories and photos for our FirstResponder Issue, I came across a comment and photoof a nameless First Responder who truly saved the dayfor this trail rider and her friends. It made me thinkabout how many other nameless first responders areout there, just doing their job, and while doing so,changing lives, saving lives, never to be known by themasses. But never forgotten by the people whose livesthey touched. I asked our member if she’d be willing toshare her experience with our readers, and this washer response… It was September 2019. I do not know this man’sname. But I know it was a scary day. Three of us wereriding in Jennings Forest, Middleburg, Florida. I was 50at the time, and the other two were older. One of thegals was riding a new-to-her horse but had ridden it afew times prior to this. On the ride, we decided to pick up the pace to a trot,but her horse fell behind, and when my other friendand I noticed, we stopped and turned. She was withinsight of us, but her horse suddenly spooked andbucked. She came off and broke many bones in herbody, including her neck and back. She was tough asnails and, of course, being a horse lady, would notlisten to us to sit and be still. We called 911 and realized I couldn’t tell them howto find us. My other friend rode back to the trailhead totry and help them locate us. So, it was just my hurtfriend and me. The 911 operator kept me on the phone,so they could track my GPS and relay it to Search andRescue. It gave them a general idea of where we werebut not exactly, so I had to listen for the sound oftrucks. They finally found us. I don’t know exactly howlong it took, but it felt like forever. W
JOIN NOW!Shannon SchraufnagelThe Trail Journal Editor-in-ChiefHorse Trails of America Foundershannon@htcaa.orgRamblings of an EditiorJoin the #1 trail ridingresource in America! Receive discountsfrom trail destination& equine productsaround the country 24/7 access to thebest trail ridingmagazine inAmerica! y friend had to be put in a truck and driven upthe way to an ambulance, which you can see in thebackground of the picture. I thought I would have tohave to walk my horse and my hurt friend’s horse outby myself, and we were still a couple of hours out. I hadnever ponied a horse before and wasn’t sure my guywould let me. But the wonderful man in the picturetold me he had ridden a few times and he would ridethe horse out with me. I couldn’t believe it. The saddle was too small forhim, and I couldn’t make the stirrups long enough to fithim. But he mounted up on a horse he didn’t know,that just acted out enough to hurt someone, and rodewith me all the way back to the trailhead. It was aboveand beyond, and I was thankful. My regret was notgetting his name. - Patsy Fos-Pfitzner Stories like this are the reason we love this issue. Welove highlighting all those special people who keep ussafe here at home, from EMTs to Park Rangers andeveryone in between. And as trail riders, we all have achance of running into a first responder at some pointout on the trails. And we are thankful for each one ofthem! We hope you enjoy this special issue – to First Responders!Blessed Trails,M
ADVENTUREO N T H E T R A I LLAVERNE FEINPHOTOGRAPHEREXPLOREMOUNT RUSMORESOUTH DAKOTANAT'L PARKRIDERJUDY FREEMAN WHALEY
COVERPHOTOCONTESTANTSAlex Hopkins Paramedic in East Tennessee. Riding Jazzy, aTWH filly, in Shawnee National Forest, IllinoisAndrea Gordon & husband Jon in VA She's a Sheriff’s Deputy in NC and he is a newlyretired police helicopter pilotJim HershkowitzWildland Dozer Operator in the western UnitedStates. Photo - Brenda Temerowski HershkowitzFIRST RESPONDERS ON THE TRAILCurtis StoneSheriff's Deputy in South Carolina.Riding his Mule, Joker TOP THREE WINNER Mandy WeltzFirst Responder, 16 years Police. Riding in Shimek State Forest, IowaWeston EnochsEngineer for Columbia, Missouri Fire, 17 years.Riding Doc at Buffalo River, TennesseePhoto - Sara Schlomann EnochsThese are the Top Trail Shots pulledfor the cover photo contest! Stay tuned to our FacebookCommunity for Octobers Trail Shots "All Things Gold" TOP THREE WINNER LaVerne FeinRetired Police Officer, 21 years. Special VictimsUnit Detective & Mounted Patrol. MountRushmore, SD. Photo - Judy Freeman WhaleyTOP THREE WINNER Bain CochranMounted Search & Rescue in NM for over 25years. Horse is Wil. Photo - Janet Reece Cochran
TRAIL SHOTSFIRST RESPONDERS ON THE TRAILVISIT OUT FACEBOOK COMMUNITY EVERY MONTH FOR OUR COVER PHOTO ROUNDUP! September 2022 | The Trail Journal | 09Heather StengleRN, 17 years. Kill-pen TWH“Buddy". Battlefields ofGettysburg, PA Erin Marie15 years trauma & flight RN.Percheron/ Morgan gelding.Big Valley Ranch Avoca, WI.Gabrielle Burke HerzbergCommercial Vehicle Officer,MO State Highway Patrol. JackFork River, Eminence, MOLt Josh LawsonKentucky State Police. DanielBoone National Forest, KY. Photo-Emily LawsonEmily Taylor SandovalMedically retired deputychief (fire). Spokane, WA andpolice officer in Idaho.Connie DiezRetired HCSO, 28 years, inTampa FL. Big South Fork, TN Diana MurphyParamedic in Pennsylvania,riding her Morgan in West Virginia Danny KistnerTexas Fire Chief. IdleNook Horse Camp, ARPhoto - Carrie KistnerMcKinney Charles MageeAdvanced EMT in SC. RidingMiss Kitty. CataloocheeValley, NC. Photo - AmberElizabeth Magee Beth HaleCareer firefighter/EMTPrinceton, IN. 23+ years.Riding TWH "Cobalt" BuffaloNational River, AR Lloyd Schrader First Responder DennisonFire Dept, IL 30+ years.Pole Canyon, Quitaque, TX.Becky Hasewinkle-SchraderAnne Vavra Full-time Toronto Fire Fighter.Riding Tucker in GanaraskaForest, Ontario, Canada.Photo - Jacquie HansfordAmber ElizabethSheriff's Deputy in SC. Riding Ruth at Uwharrie Nat'lForest in Troy, NC. Photo - Shelby Cheek.Jon Gordon is a newly retired policehelicopter pilotAndy HartzellWildfire EMTCrested Butte, CO
TRAIL SHOTSFIRST RESPONDERS ON THE TRAILVISIT OUT FACEBOOK COMMUNITY EVERY MONTH FOR OUR COVER PHOTO ROUNDUP! September 2022 | The Trail Journal | 10Jarious JohnsonMe and my horse Hollywoodat yell in PetersburgLewisburg TNJess Leigh15 year dispatcher riding inEminence, MO Jillian Hintz HusbandER and ICU travel nurse andhis side kick Loki.June LozanoTrail Ride First Responder.We are trained in first aid forboth people and horse.LaVerne Fein Retired from Hillsboroughcounty Sheriffs Office, FL. 30yrs. Court Deputy 5 yrs. HerAppaloosa, police horse, for10 yrs. Photo -Judy Freeman WhaleyDave Firefighter on his RockyMountain Horse Joe. Shawnee National Forest, IL.Photo - Lisa RettkeKimberly McManusNurse since 2010. Riding at Badlands HorseCamp in TN. Lisa White's HusbandCareer Firefighter/ Paramedic,22 years, Indianapolis, IN. Myhusband and sister are bothCareer Firefighters/ EMT! Michael P AllenderErick WheelerParamedicSouthern, IL Pat Schwindel-StallmanMy husband and PatchesEminence, MO. Firefighter/First Responder 20+ yrs. 30yrs in DOC & K9. Santa ClausVolunteer Fire Dept. & Dept.of Corrections in IN.Rene MatthewsBowie County Texas SARriding Sammie Walkin' Tall Sammi JoMe and my husband inMedora, ND. We’re both citypolice officers in MN. RJ ScalaEMS, picture taken inWisconsin. Taylor DashiellCorrectional OfficerRiding in the ShawneeNational Forest, IL. Tracy Underwood-EMSMy best friend Cindy Luchow tookthe photo on a stress-reducingride in Versailles State Park, INafter a really bad shift at thestation. I've cried many tears on Bee Tardy Two.
isconceptions combined with mis-information often expose Equestrian TrailWarriors to unyielding scrutiny and criticismat their workplace, from opposing usergroups and sadly, the very groups theyadvocate for. In spite of it all, they work tirelessly tomaintain their presence. Uncelebrated, silentvictories may include maintaining currentaccess to equestrian trails, successfulinclusion in new trail opportunities,implementing trail safety realignments,creating safe access points for parkneighbors/boarding stables, integration ofvolunteers, educating staff and the publicwhile dispelling common myths; successfulelimination of proposals for user-specificentry fees; ensuring appropriate facilities,adequate trail signage (rules, educational,directional, maps) and timely facility/trailmaintenance such as mowing, trail trimming,tread repair or deadfall removal. Law Enforcement personnel have theadded responsibility of enforcing rules thatprotect both natural resources and visitors.Trail violations such as, treading offdesignated paths, consuming alcohol/drugs,littering, dogs off leash (where leash lawshave been established), habituating wildlife(stopping in the roadway/getting too close towildlife), poaching (flora or fauna) andreckless behavior are typically treated withzero tolerance. When misuse is deliberate and recurrent,citations are necessary. Vigilant adherenceto rules is what keeps trails open, whereascareless behavior on trails jeopardizes trailaccess opportunities.TRAIL WARRIORSTRAIL WARRIORS The long-standing park employeeswho quietly and painstakinglyadvocate for inclusion. Their position within a park agencymight be a park ranger, naturalist,maintenance or non-field personnel. Trail Warriors have extensiveknowledge about the nuances ofselect user groups. Their ability to masterfully balanceuser needs, maintenance/safety,education, law enforcement,communication and conservation isa core trait, impossible to write intoa job description.by Lora GoerlichMSeptember 2022 | The Trail Journal | 12
rail enthusiasts can support parks and Trail Warriors by following established rules setforth in each park; making choices that support sustainable trails; behaving politely topark staff and other park visitors, including those traveling in different modes; offeringconstructive feedback rather than making demands when expressing ideas; and adheringto volunteer guidelines during work projects. If you don’t understand a recent change,change that seems slow, or lack of change, ask for clarification from the person whoknows; most of the time it will be the Trail Warrior. Use the correct line of communicationby speaking with the liaison (TW) first. This demonstrates respect for the liaison and for theprocess.Do you know who your park Trail Warriors are? How have you acknowledged them? Is your acknowledgment positive, negative or absent? September 2022 | The Trail Journal | 12T
Lora GoerlichLora’s parks and recreation career spans thirty-twoyears; twenty-five years, she served as a dedicatedlaw-enforcement/maintenance ranger at Metroparksof Toledo. Add to that her formal schooling in twodistinct areas – environmental studies/resourcemanagement and equestrian studies. Work, education, and personal experience havewoven together seamlessly to create a uniquelyqualified, neutral horse trail expert/consultant andauthor with a profound knowledge andunderstanding of recreational equestrian needs;sustainable trail planning and maintenance innatural areas; law enforcement issues, andstrategies; community involvement; best practicehorse keeping; equine behavior; customer service;volunteerism; natural resource management;mounted patrol operations and multi-use-trailconflict resolution.In 2011 she began sharing her expertise at parkconferences, including The National Parks andRecreation Congress, Ohio Parks and RecreationConference, American Trails Symposium, and ThePark Ranger Institute. Lora has been a trail rider andhorse owner since 1986 and has ridden, started, andre-schooled a variety of horses in various disciplines.Current trail mounts include a Tennessee Walkergelding and a Warmblood cross gelding. You mightalso find her hiking, cycling, kayaking, or campingwith and without horses. For more information visit www.equinetrails.org
August 2022 | The Trail Journal | 5by Shannon King y time on a horse has been shortcompared to some. Before COVID, I alwaysrode with a group, surrounded by thecomradery of equestrians who knew morethan me. A community willing to assist ifneeded, and they did. Many of my first ridestook place within this safety net. They helpedme learn and know horses, which in turnhelped me learn about myself. My fellow riders were there when I took myfirst fall on an old asphalt road from the backof a borrowed mare. They helped when I tookmy first horse to Bandera, only 2 ½ years old, THE COSMOS OF USRiding Palo Pinto Mountains State Parknosing him up against the back of a wagon sohe couldn’t run from what was surelymonsters at every turn. When I didn’t knowhow to slow my second horse down, theyhelped again, and we rode backward throughmuch of that trail ride. It seemed to fix theproblem. But in 2020, COVID reared its ugly head,and for a minute, my equine community wasscared to be together, even in those wide-open spaces. State parks closed their doors,trail rides were canceled, and businesses shutdown. Many horses and trailers sat idle.M
s a self-proclaimed expert “Googler,” in the springof 2020, I came across an invitation to ride the up-and-coming Palo Pinto Mountains State Park – a rideadvertised by “Partners of the Park” across whatwould eventually be the newest Texas state park inover a decade. I couldn’t have salivated more if I wasPavlov’s dog. For two years, I carried a Texas State Park brochure,tucked snugly in the dashboard of my truck like a goodluck charm, highlighting all the parks that allowedhorses. And I kept dreaming about my adventure. Amonth on the road, chasing my goal of riding all theTexas State Parks I could. Excitement built as Imapped our route. In September 2020, I finally went.In one month, horse, dog, and I rode and camped atfourteen different locations across Texas, as well asNew Mexico and southern Colorado. You get used to being alone. After that month on theroad, I was different. My horse was different. He andthe dog were my herd now, and I theirs. For me, COVID was simplyanother nail in my otherwisecrumbling life so when theState Parks started toreopen, I jumped. Slowly replacing the family, I knew before. A familynow in transition. In a lot of ways, I found it easier tobe with my animals during that time. Riding alone,there is no one to catch you if you fall, but there isalso no one to drop you; No one to tell you how topark and where, but no one to fall back on, and no oneto blame except yourself when things go wrong. The Palo Pinto ride was delayed twice that year, butI stayed in touch, and eventually, it took. Still naturaland raw, the only excursions allowed were thoseorchestrated by the Partners of Palo Pinto Mountains.I joined immediately. You can’t throw a quarter northwest of Dallas,Texas, without hitting a well-groomed lake or park butdrive seventy-five miles west, and you’ll see nature atits finest. The unopened State Park sits just south ofPossum Kingdom Lake and includes close to nearly5,000 acres of plateaus, vistas, canyons, and creeks.An undeveloped sanctuary is an easy a day-trip fromthe Metroplex. ASeptember 2022 | The Trail Journal | 16
ut riding with others now felt new to me, althoughI’d done it a million times in my prior life. True totypical fashion, I pulled in and found parking inrelative isolation. Enough to require a stroll throughthe prairie grass to check in and socialize, allowingmyself a place of retreat, if needed, back to my herd. A low, cuesta-like range of hills, the ridge of PaloPinto Mountains extends fifteen miles across northTexas. This is Cross Timbers region, an area of Texasknown as a barrier to travel back in the day. The liveoak, honey mesquite, and juniper are dense here.Difficult to penetrate and easy to go astray, even forthose who’ve been here before. Keeping to myself that first night, I set up campagainst an orange sky fading into dark. We woke to anicy blanket of frost coating the field. Grass crunchingunderfoot, only rays of light penetrating its crispdemeanor. Our group was mostly women that weekend, quietat first, but even so, I was welcomed. Only one manamong us, an old cowboy ponying a new ride. Down adappled trail we rode that day, a railroad in thedistance, part of the long-standing Texas and PacificRails, no doubt. A view reminiscent of the old west aswe traveled horseback beside it. Our lead rider had covered ground here many timesand confidently guided us along an unmarked trail tothe perfect lookout. I sat in awe of these ladies, manyof whom lived and breathed horses their entire life.Me, a newbie, riding only these last 20 years. I wasflattered to be asked how I tied my wild rag or where Ifound my hat. As the conversation around mecontinued, my shoulders slowly dropped, and mysmile surfaced. In quiet, I rode, tucking my scarf andlifting my face, breathing in the smell of cedar. We had one rodeo on the trail that day, but it was arepeater. Twice, the cowboy’s pony fell behind andended up with a lead rope under his tail. As the horsescircled desperately and confused, those nearbyjumped in and did what riders do – they helped.Resulting in only one unplanned dismount that day.I have always felt more at peace withnature than people. In commune with hervoice, feeling her beauty even with myeyes shut, surprisingly, I find, byacknowledging this truth, my communityhas grown. And me with it.BAround the campfire, as dusk settled, the parkSuperintendent arrived with a guitar and a voice. And as the milky way spread her wings above, he sang. His wife accompanied in perfect tune, soothing the babies in her lap. Bonded together over their love for this land, it was clear. Wisps of smoke floated into the stars, the fire burned, and I melted with it. I admit I had trouble walking away that night.
s I made my way from Palo Pinto to FortRichardson and then Lake Arrowhead the next day, itoccurred to me, from the first whisper of solitude inmy ear, I had been searching for this. Having takencare of my mind and well-being, I was now ready to bepart of the whole - the interconnectedness of others. On this ride, I showed up as a new self, one I slowlytempted from the nest, and my solitary journeyturned into laid-back comradery. And really, maybe Iwas never alone after all. Find out more about the upcoming Palo Pinto Mountains State Park and donate towards its developmentShannon King Born and raised in Texas, Shannon has lived in theAustin area for 31 years. In 2014, she discovered thewest and our beautiful Chihuahuan desert and knewimmediately that this was where she was meant to be.Finally, as of March 2021, she is at home. The Sul Ross Desk, Alpine, TexasOriginally from Houston, Shannon holds a Bachelor ofMarketing from the University of Texas at Austin andworks full time in the technology industry – nowremotely from her home near Alpine, Texas, and theElephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area. A horse lover, Shannon has slowly built a following byriding and camping all over Texas and southern NewMexico while telling her stories as a woman travelingalone.She hopes to inspire other women to pursue theirdreams and feel confident. Shannon also serves on theBoard of Directors for the Chihuahua Desert EducationCoalition and acts as website editor.A
By Brad Harter you are one of those people who enjoy trailriding and have ridden on horse trails on public lands,be that state or federal land, there are three groups ofpeople you need to thank if you found those trails tobe safe to travel on. The first group would be the employees of thoseorganizations that are in charge of those particularpieces of land. On wilderness areas, mostly in ourwestern states, that would be the U. S. Forest Serviceand their employees. Some of those employees arefull time, and others are often just seasonal. The samething would be true on both state, National ParkService lands and those areas managed by BLM or theBureau of Land Management. The second group doing trail work would belicensed outfitters. This is especially true on ParkService and Forest Service land, where outfitters aremaking a living taking guests on trial rides or packtrips. In many cases, a part of their contract involvestrail maintenance, especially where they travel usingthose trails. The third group may be the one that very fewpeople ever know about. These groups are thevolunteer groups that donate time, expertise, andoften equipment to help maintain those riding andhiking trails that we all enjoy so much! This article is about one of those volunteergroups, a group that I was a part of for nearly 30 years.I was part of a team that was teaching Wilderness/Backcountry Horsemanship at a small college inSoutheast Ohio. We realized that many of our graduates would beworking in the western states, and we felt that takingthose students that had an interest in extended packtrips in western wilderness areas would be a goodelective class to offer. Since students were paying for this class, thatpresented a problem. We were not licensed to dothose kinds of trips, and outfitters that did this forincome might not look favorably on us bringing ingroups of students on weeklong trips and not beinglicensed as they were required to be. The simple solution seemed to be to make ourgroups work for volunteer trail crews! When licensedoutfitters came across our groups and witnessed usperforming much-needed trail work that might onlybenefit them and their clients, then maybe we wouldnot be seen as competition. This became especiallytrue when outfitters observed our students working onprojects, often projects that they might have had littleinterest in tackling.September 2022 | The Trail Journal | 20If
We have always carried the tools needed toremove obstacles blocking the trails, and we neverpassed those obstacles without taking them out ofthe way. In a few cases, where high elevationstraight line winds completely blocked trails, oftenover long distances, that clearing became a majortask. One year in Colorado, we spent five days justreopening a section of trail that was just a littleover a quarter of a mile long. Looking back on thatproject, it would have been easier and safer tohave re-routed that trail. Because of the manyrestrictions in wilderness areas, that type of trailwork involves the use of cross-cut saws and axes.That also gave us an opportunity to teach studentsnot only how to safely use those tools but how tosharpen them and transport them into thebackcountry. All of this became a pricelesslearning opportunity for our students! In the early ’90s, the great majority of our workprojects involved clearing trails of blowdowns orre-routing trails. As the Forest Service becamemore comfortable with our skill level and afterhiring some of our graduates, these work projectsbecame more challenging. Erosion control andplacing water bars on trails were just a few of thesemore challenging trail projects. We have always carried the tools needed toremove obstacles blocking the trails and neverpassed those obstacles without taking them out ofthe way. In a few cases, where high elevationstraight line winds completely blocked trails, oftenover long distances, that clearing became a majortask. One year in Colorado, we spent five days justreopening a section of trail that was just a littleover a quarter of a mile long. Looking back on thatproject, it would have been easier and safer tohave re-routed that trail. Because of the manyrestrictions in wilderness areas, that type of trailwork involves the use of cross-cut saws and axes.That also gave us an opportunity to teach studentsnot only how to safely use those tools but how tosharpen them and transport them into thebackcountry. All of this became a pricelesslearning opportunity for our students! In the early ’90s, the great majority of our workprojects involved clearing trails of blowdowns orre-routing trails. As the Forest Service becamemore comfortable with our skill level and afterhiring some of our graduates, these work projectsbecame more challenging. Erosion control andplacing water bars on trails were just a few of thesemore challenging trail projects. While trail work was the major focus for most ofthe 30 years we were working as a volunteer trailcrew on more than ten different wilderness areasin both Colorado and Wyoming, we did perform afew very different projects. In next month’s issue, I will share the story ofthese more unusual projects along with somepictures to give readers an idea of what theWilderness/ Backcountry crews from HockingCollege completed over the many years we spenttraveling in the backcountry!September 2022 | The Trail Journal | 22
Brad Hartertraining first responders in the backcountryBy Shannon Schraufnagel rad Harter has lived quite an interesting life. He’sridden thousands of miles in the backcountry andridden thousands of miles filming bird dog trials fromthe back of a horse. He’s taken millions of amazingphotos, written countless articles, and sold hundredsof videos, sharing his knowledge and insight with therest of the world. He has a fascination for learning and, in turn, is anincredible teacher. A teacher of many differentsubjects. One of which has been the instructor ofmany students who have gone on to be Park Rangers,Forest Service workers, and First Responders. In 1968 Brad was hired as a forestry and wildlifeinstructor by Hocking College in Ohio when thecollege first opened. By 1987 Brad was asked to develop a wildernesshorse program in the natural resource program at thecollege. Because of his experience and lifelonginvolvement with horses, as well as his forestryknowledge, Brad, through good fortune, was able toassemble a team of great people to create the firstwilderness/ backcountry horsemanship program of itskind anywhere in the country. The original program was designed to meet thegrowing needs of federal and state agencies to employpeople with natural resource training and backgroundto safely use horses and mules in wilderness settings. From an original core program of just five certificateclasses, the equine program grew to more than fiftyunique equine classes, along with three distinctdegree programs.BSeptember 2022 | The Trail Journal | 24
uring Brad's last 25 years at Hocking, Brad taughtseveral equine classes that he developed as requestedby the industry. These classes included not only riding classes butalso colt training, draft horse driving, and advancedpacking in the wilderness into remote regions of thewestern states. Over those 30 years, Brad took morethan fifty groups of students into remote wildernessareas in Wyoming and Colorado, working on variouswork projects for the United States Forest Service. During that same period, Brad also began his ownvideo business spending thousands of hours filmingpack trips as well as bird dog events all over NorthAmerica from horseback. This was a uniqueopportunity to combine his skills and his passion toproduce unique programs which are viewed and soldall over the world. After 45 years at Hocking College, Brad retired topursue his activities with horses and bird dogs. Theadded time and flexibility of his retirement allow formore opportunities to do clinics for the public and toshare the experiences he has been so fortunate tohave had in his life with horses and nature. Many of Brad’s students are now all over the world,using the skills they learned from Hocking College. Some went on to work for the government, such asforest rangers, border patrol, etc. and others startedup organizations that use equine therapy withveterans. One even started up an exciting new discipline in thehorse world - Chasing the New Zealand Rabbit (gianthares), which is like fox hunting, yet very different,according to Brad. Brad will tell you he has learned so much from takinghundreds of students and hundreds of horses into thewilderness over the years. He has an incrediblepassion for learning and sharing. So, the knowledge hehas to share with the rest of the horse world isinvaluable. Brad has probably forgotten more tricks of the trailriding trade over the years than many of us couldremember. From tricks for horses that are tying up inthe trailer, to the best way to fit a bit, to incredibleinsight into the sight of a horse. He knows a lot andloves to share with anyone who will listen.D
Brad has already written afew great articles that we’veshared in The Trail Journal,and we’re happy to say he willbe writing a lot more for us. We want to learn as much aswe can from his lifelongexperiences of riding in thebackcountry. And we want toshare that knowledge with asmany trail riders across thecountry as we can!September 2022 | The Trail Journal | 26
Up in the saddleAnd reins in my handDry desert heatTrue western landThe trail begins A scenic open rangeOn worn sandstone sculptedBy rain and winds of changeRugged terrain framedBy majestic red cliffsTowering mesasColored mosaic riffsLayers of color Created by timeNooks and cranniesAscending—we climbThe snort of my mountAs his iron scrapes rockA desert breeze touslesHis mane and forelockHe lifts his hoovesOver twisted dead woodWe’re saluted by saguaroThat for centuries have stoodThe desert floorA biome of brushAnd reptileFlowering cactusPrickly, hostileAn afternoon storm in the distanceBlackens the skyIt’s contrasting backdropLends drama as nighthawks flyDown in the canyonSoft sounds of the creekOur horses lower their headsFor the refreshment they seekA herd of mule deer scatterAs the coyote cryA bobcat spies themFrom on highMy old leather saddleCreeks and complainsAs I shift my weightTo relieve aches and painsThe long desert trail rideNow is completeMy heart is fullMy soul replete Barb GlydaDo you have Cowboy Poetry or Tall Tales from the Trails to share?TrailJournal@htcaa.orgThe Long Desert Trail Ride
CAMPFIRECOOKINGCut bread into 1-inch cubes. Set aside.In a medium bowl, mix eggs, buttermilk, salt,and vanilla extract together.Slice bananas into 1/2 thick slices. Dip breadin egg mixture and layer sliced bananas andbread on skewers.Coat heated grill or griddle top with butter.Place skewers on grill or griddle (on a grillplate the bread will get crispier, on a griddleplate the bread will be gooey in the middle).Cook until bread is browned on all sides.Remove from grill and take bread & bananaoff skewers. Add blueberries, maple syrupand whipped cream. Enjoy!French Toast SkewersFt. Otzi Spark in Stainless SteelMakes 6-8 skewers1/2 loaf artisan bread (the denser the better)4 eggs1/3 cup buttermilkPinch of salt1/4 tsp vanilla extract2 Tbsp unsalted butter2 bananas1/2 cup blueberries Maple syrup Whipped cream10% OFF OTZI for Horse Trails of AmericaMembers! Contact us today!! Visit otzigear.comto learn more about our flat pack grills, perfectfor bringing out on the trail! Also, find us onInstagram or Facebook @otzigear
TRAIL PRODUCTOf The Month
TRAIL DESTINATIONIf you are looking for a top-reviewed, quiet, clean, RVpark near Los Lunas, Bosque & Socorro, New Mexico,with amazing trails - Kiva RV Park & Horse Motel isthe place for you!Enjoy stunning vistas from atop cliffs, wind your wayalong the narrow paths between towering rock walls,and shimmy up the petrified sand dunes, that seem topop up out of nowhere, just 15 minutes from Kiva RVPark and Horse Motel. We have Full Moon Trail ridesthat are also provided by Acacia Riding Adventures.As well as rides through the river!We love to be able to let anyone and everyone knowthat exploring the New Mexico High desert is anadventure you and your family will remember for life.With our RV Park and Horse Motel like oasis in desertand Horses have room to stretch their legs and playand access to Horses for folks that don’t have Horsethen your family (with or with out horse) can havegreat time. Of The MonthKIVA RV PARK & HORSE MOTEL August 2022 | The Trail Journal | 35
TRAIL DESTINATIONARKANSASCOLORADOFLORIDAILLINOIS ILLINOISKENTUCKYMISSOURI MISSOURICOLORADOARE YOU A PREMIUM MEMBER? LOOK FOR THE FOR MEMBER DISCOUNTS!GuideSeptember 2022 | The Trail Journal | 32
TRAIL DESTINATIONMONTANANEW MEXICONEW MEXICOOHIOOREGONSOUTH DAKOTA SOUTH DAKOTA SOUTH DAKOTAMINNESOTAGuideSeptember 2022 | The Trail Journal | 33
TRAIL DESTINATIONUTAH UTAHVIRGINIAVIRGINIA WYOMINGWYOMINGTEXASJoin the #1 trail ridingresource in America! Receive discounts from traildestination & equineproducts around the country 24/7 access to the best trailriding magazine in America!JOIN NOW!Guide
JOIN NOW!Join the #1 trail riding resourcein America! Receive discounts from traildestination & equine productsaround the country 24/7 access to the best trailriding magazine in America!Questions? Contact us at hello@htcaa.org or 844.744.8222