U S Forest Service

Techniques and Equipment for Wilderness Horse Travel U S Forest Service

Increasing numbers of visitors to wilderness have caused resource managers to seek information on good horse-handling techniques and innovative equipment to insure that "the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness" are preserved. This booklet is for those who travel into wilderness by horseback and who are concerned with minimizing man's impact there. Proper stock-handling, lightweight equipment, and good camp etiquette can do much to protect and preserve wilderness. This booklet illustrates how light, compact gear can be used in the horse camp and emphasizes innovative horse equipment for more comfortable, convenient travel with pack stock. It contains equipment ideas and techniques for "minimum impact" wilderness travel developed over many years by outfitters, packers, horse groups, Forest Service personnel, and other horsemen. The appendixes give detailed information on equipment mentioned in the text.