diamond hitch
Well-known member
For those that have wanted to try horses here are a few tips. Elk hunting is a poor place to hold a rodeo. I've been in a few horse wrecks and try to keep those to a minimum. I like to start with a seasoned pony 8 - 10 years old if possible. I had to replace a horse this year from old age and had to settle for a 6 year old. I tend to hunt with one of my cheaper rifles until I'm sure we are past the surprise stage.
I ride a western saddle and outfit it with britchen and chest collar to keep the saddle aligned in steep terrain. A lot of cowboys use cruppers but I pack with my stock and the pack saddles come with britchen so they just as well get use to it. We usually hunt in pairs but I spend a lot of time alone doing recon since I have the time. All of the lodgepoles are falling so I carry an arber saw for cutting trees and a dandy saw for cutting elk. sometimes its the only way to get out of the woods. I have modified my gun scabbard for maximum protection from snow with a custom cover. I carry a larriet in case I kill one on a closed road with snow and have towed them out. They are also handy when hunting in pairs to pull one of the horses out if you lose one in the bogs. I also carry 25 ft of 1/2 inch hemp with braided ends to facilitat packing quarters. I have saddle bags for various items but try to avoid a lot of weight on the horses kidneys.
I wear elkhide chaps because they are warm and keep the snow off my pants. I maintain a heavy riding coat ( usually orange) to keep fromgetting cold when I'm sweaty from a long hike or when the temperature gets below zero. I use military arctic mitts keep my hands warm and whatever warm headgear meets the day. Sometimes a couple choices.
I try to avoid the areas the foot hunters are in and focus on the remote back country. Last year I had my left hip replaced and started hunting season at 10 weeks after surgery. I rode 30 days and averaged 10 miles a day on horsesback and 4 miles a day on foot. Retirement is not to be wasted. Hope this gives you some thought provoking material.
I ride a western saddle and outfit it with britchen and chest collar to keep the saddle aligned in steep terrain. A lot of cowboys use cruppers but I pack with my stock and the pack saddles come with britchen so they just as well get use to it. We usually hunt in pairs but I spend a lot of time alone doing recon since I have the time. All of the lodgepoles are falling so I carry an arber saw for cutting trees and a dandy saw for cutting elk. sometimes its the only way to get out of the woods. I have modified my gun scabbard for maximum protection from snow with a custom cover. I carry a larriet in case I kill one on a closed road with snow and have towed them out. They are also handy when hunting in pairs to pull one of the horses out if you lose one in the bogs. I also carry 25 ft of 1/2 inch hemp with braided ends to facilitat packing quarters. I have saddle bags for various items but try to avoid a lot of weight on the horses kidneys.
I wear elkhide chaps because they are warm and keep the snow off my pants. I maintain a heavy riding coat ( usually orange) to keep fromgetting cold when I'm sweaty from a long hike or when the temperature gets below zero. I use military arctic mitts keep my hands warm and whatever warm headgear meets the day. Sometimes a couple choices.
I try to avoid the areas the foot hunters are in and focus on the remote back country. Last year I had my left hip replaced and started hunting season at 10 weeks after surgery. I rode 30 days and averaged 10 miles a day on horsesback and 4 miles a day on foot. Retirement is not to be wasted. Hope this gives you some thought provoking material.