TrailMeister's May 2012 Newsletter
Your "Go To" source for horse and mule riding and camping information.
Here's to May, Mothers Day, and great horse and mule riding across the country. We hope that you have many wonderful trips and rides planned for the year.
I'm writing this from the back of a Boeing 737 that is bouncing worse than the rankest horse I've ever ridden as I return from a whirlwind tour of Staying Found Seminars for Mounted Search and Rescue teams. My hat's off to these hard working groups that give their time and effort to helping the rest of us stay safe. Thank you.
With summer upon us TrailMeister has a full schedule. The TrailMeister Trail Bosses have trips planned throughout the summer to bring you even more validated trail and trailhead information about wonderful places to ride. I'll also be visiting many areas for our regular print columns in leading equine magazines, as well as wrapping up our upcoming book on horse and mule camping without pack stock. You'll also be seeing the start of our video series of trail reviews and riding tips.
Speaking of the magazines where you'll find TrailMeister columns, we've just added another! Honest Horses, a publication serving California horse and mule riders has asked us to contribute to their publication. The inaugural issue should be out in just a few days. Of course we'll still be writing for Trail Blazer, Western Mule Magazine, The Northwest Horse Source, The TrailHead News, and others. You can visit our Articles page for reprints about everything from trail reviews to trail riding how to's, to tips on Leave No Trace, camping, and backcountry navigation.
|
|
|
Trail of the Month
Tsali Recreation Area, Robbinsville - North Carolina:
With over 40 miles of trails surrounded by blooming stands of mountain laurel, rhododendron, and azalea, riders from across North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia will love this scenic Smoky Mountain destination within the Nantahala National Forest. Read more...
|
|
Article of the Month
Lightweight Horse Camping
(Camping without Pack Stock) :
So you want to camp with your horse in the backcountry, far from the trailhead where the only sound is the wind gently rustling
through
the
trees; where the stars and moon shine brightly over the meadow
that's home for the night;
How to make it happen?
Read more...
|
|
|
|
A
HUGE
Thank
You
to
everyone
who
has
attended
our
acclaimed "Staying Found" Map and Compass seminars.
Since
the
first
of
the
year
we've
shared
our
passion
for
the
backcountry
with
nearly
two
thousand
riders
across
five
states
in over
twenty
events
for
horse
and
mule
riding
groups,
and
professional
Search
and
Rescue
teams.
In
just
a
few
weeks
we'll
be
wrapping
up
our
spring
events
and
embarking
on a
a
well
earned
summer
break
to
recharge
and
revamp
the
presentation
before
we
resume
in
October.
June 2nd - Spanaway, WA - Hosted by K&S Saddlery - OPEN TO ALL
Given
from a trail rider's point of view, these fun and informative seminars will help you learn to properly use the map and compass stashed in the bottom of your saddle bags.
Ride confident with the knowledge you need to safely tackle the trail.
|
|
|
Tip of the Month
Emergency Repairs on the Trail:
It’s a fundamental law of nature. “Tack won’t break until you’re far from any easy repair". Check out this quick and easy bit on repairing tack that fails on the trail. Read more...
|
|
Knot of the Month
Alpine Butterfly:
The Alpine Butterfly is an excellent knot for attaching stock to a highline at the trailhead as well as in the backcountry.
This fixed loop knot can be created in the middle of a line, is extremely strong, handles a load from any direction and best of all it comes apart
easily when it's time to break camp.
Learn more...
|
|
Review of the Month
Wyoming Traders Rain Slicker:
Keep summer showers at bay with this
lightweight and easily packable rain slicker.
The Wyoming Trader Slicker is not only our must have for the worst of winter's rains and winds it's also our standby for a summer shower that
might otherwise spoil a perfect ride.
Read more...
|
|
|
