[pct-l] Fw: 5 months ride using part of the PCT

[Edward Anderson]

Hi Dorian,

My own direct experience riding alone with just one horse and that of four other 
Long Riders that I have communicated with is that horses will begin to bond with 
thier rider  when there is no other horse. YOU will become the other horse. This 
will happen gradually during the first 10 days. They want a buddy. While they 
would prefer another horse they will accept a human. They will become more and 
more confident and trusting of you and your judgment and leadership. I have 
experienced this with two horses. They will be more willing to follow when you 
lead - even through places that they might otherwise be scary to them. I sang to 
Primo and talked to him both in English and in horse. I learned several horse 
communication sounds from him.  He responded to my touch and assurance. He liked 
being scratched under his chin and along his mane just above his withers. Notice 
that horses scratch each other above the withers. The bond will develop. This 
same level of acceptance won't happen between you and your horse when he has a 
real horse companion. 

I recall a comment from Long Rider Joanne Lennox (she hiked and then rode the 
PCT - she also rode the CDT). She is an advocate of one horse, one rider.  She 
commented that (this, after the sad tragedy on the Little Giant Detour in 
Washington in 2009) of all the riders who have ridden long distances on the PCT 
with pack horses - all that she knew of had had accidents, either injuring or 
even killing their horses. So many underestimate the PCT. Even the easier parts 
sometimes  have obstacles and horse-challenging places. It is the most desirable 
Sections scenically, that are usually the most challenging. You will be 
attracted to them also. You will want to ride on them.  Even very 
experienced professional Packers sometimes lose pack horses on that trail. 


Since you mentioned that you will be stopping in Montana be sure to visit 
Outfitters Supply in Columbia Falls. They will have a good selection of horse 
equipment that you will need.

It would be less expensive to buy a used camper and trailer rig than to rent for 
six months. You could resell the rig after your trip at perhaps only a little 
loss. The camper would give you a comfortable living accommodation while 
traveling from trail-head to trail-head. It should have at least a stove, a bed, 
a sink and a portable toilet.



________________________________
From: Dorian <dorian.bannier at gmail.com>
To: Edward Anderson <mendoridered at yahoo.com>
Cc: susan bates <woodswitch at hughes.net>; pct-l at backcountry.net
Sent: Wed, May 11, 2011 1:02:03 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: 5 months ride using part of the PCT

Hello Ed, 

thank you for taking so much time to answer me. I really appreciate all these 
advices and they are helping me a lot so that I don't make some big mistakes.

I will be reading throughtfully the Stockman forum, and update you as soon as I 
know how I will plan my route. Seeing how this seem difficult, I will perhaps 
take an other way, even if the PCT seems like the most beautiful and wonderful 
trail in USA. Nevertheless, I will search strongly a way to do a part of it, 
perhaps by renting a horse trailer if needed. For now, I'm especially searching 
for a good starting point, probably in Montana or Wyoming, so that I can gather 
the horses and take some time to get to know them and train them a bit about 
some camping techniques (like pastern tying).

About the idea of taking only one horse, I'm a bit uncomfortable with it. From 
my short experience in long trail, a horse alone tend to be depressed. On the 
other hand, your horse seems to have manage that by seeing you as his herd.

Thank you also to put me in touch with Susan, I look forward to discuss with 
her. She looks like someone exceptional.

Kindest regards,

Dorian Bannier


2011/5/11 Edward Anderson <mendoridered at yahoo.com>

Hello Dorian,
>
>Unfortunately, most of the "good" parts to ride that you seek would be very 
>difficult for you to access without the assistance of someone with a horse 
>trailer. The PCT north of Seiad Valley that I have told you about immediately 
>came to mind. Not that it will necessarily be easy for the entire distance.  
>Down trees will be a reality.  When I passed through Crater Lake N.P. the trail 
>had recently been cleared.  When the Fosters went through in 2004 and when Susan 
>Bates did in 2010 they describe many, many downed trees. You will need a saw in 
>several areas. 
>
>
>Long Rider Susan Bates might be your best single source of information (she rode 
>most of the PCT in 2009 and 2010) because her way of going was very different 
>from mine. At HIS insistence, her well-meaning husband followed her and met her 
>at many locations. He often picked her up and they stayed at various horse 
>facilities. She came to realize that going alone and being more independent, as 
>I did, would be simpler and a lot less stressful since staying on schedule can 
>be very difficult on the PCT. Read about it on the Postholer forum that I have 
>told you about.
>
>Susan had originally decided to bring a pack horse.  Then, following my 
>advice, she decided that going with just one horse was a better approach - and 
>that's what she did.  Unless you are a very heavy person you will only need one 
>horse. It is simpler, safer, and less expensive. 
>
>Susan, being the intrepid rider that she is, is right now riding the New Mexico 
>part of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). Every day I, and nine others, get 
>her GPS location by SPOT satellite. This summer, assuming that the snow melts 
>enough, she wants to ride the Sierra that she has missed - as I did. 
>
>
>Susan has done a lot of research on all kinds of horse facilities near the PCT 
>that she and her husband stayed at. Some of these undoubtedly will be willing 
>to rent a horse(s) to you to ride parts of the trail. 
>
>
>Susan and I co-moderate the Stockman Forum on Postholer. She originally created 
>it. Be sure to check out her "itinerary".  She didn't follow it herself but it 
>includes the results of her extensive research and might be helpful to you. 
>
>Something else for you to consider is the need to purchase saddle (be sure to 
>buy a saddle with flexible bars so that it will fit properly on different 
>horses), tack, packs, etc that you will need on the trail. If you decide to rent 
>a car you would be able to bring them, and also your food and horse feed to 
>various places from where you could rent a horse(s) near the PCT. 
>
>
>When Susan returns from her N.M CDT adventure perhaps you can communicate and 
>benefit from the wisdom that she acquired during her PCT rides. I am sending 
>this communication to her so you will be able to connect.
>
>Kind Regards, 
>MendoRider/Ed Anderson
>
>
>----- Forwarded Message ----
>From: Dorian <dorian.bannier at gmail.com>
>To: mendoridered at yahoo.com
>Sent: Mon, May 9, 2011 3:28:06 PM
>Subject: 5 months ride using part of the PCT
>
>
>Hello,
>
>
>I'm a 26 french guy who is planning a 5 months trail with two horses in 1 month 
>and an half.
>I'm quite an experienced horse rider, and I would like to know if you would be 
>kind enough to point me what part of the PCT is managable on horse? I don't want 
>really to do the whole PCT, just use it for the good parts, and avoiding it for 
>all the two hard and dangerous parts. Your experience would be very valuable for 
>me in order to do that.
>Would you accept to take contact with me to discuss these matters?
>
>
>Thank you.