All for the sake of a horse (snow)shoe...

The Long Rider's Guild, a wonderful organization that has dedicated itself to the preservation of the history of the horse, has just founded The Long Riders Guild Academic Foundation. This foundation is the first of its kind, and will be attempting to assemble and publish every major work known to man dealing with equestrian wisdom and history. This will hopefully create an open, useful forum for scholars, students and equine enthusiasts all over the world to combine resources and further their knowledge of the horse.

One of the first articles published was originally printed in the British Horse, written by Tom Moates. In his study of Captain Scott and his famous Antarctic tragedy, Moates concluded that Scott and Oates made one fatal error that probably caused their death. Oates did not approve of the use of horse snowshoes, and Scott listened to him, although he disagreed with Oates.

They took one set of horse snow shoes when they set out, and found that they travel twice as quickly with the snowshoes on. By this time, however, the ice had receded and they they were unable to return to camp to outfit the remaining horses. On their return, the 5 explorers perished only 11 miles away from the safety of their camp.

The Long Rider's Guild Press has just published "The South Pole Ponies", a wonderful book detailing the use Manchurian and Siberian ponies by Shackleton, Scott, Oates, etc. in two Antarctic expeditions. It's an eye-opening, interesting read, but not for the faint hearted. Best of all, "The South Pole Ponies" is available for purchase on our website. You can read the complete British Horse article on the Long Rider's Guild Academic Foundation website.

Montana Mule Days

If it can be done on a mule, it seems like it was happening at the Montana Mule Days in Drummond. My wife, Maxine, and I made it down to watch last weekend, and definitely got our gas money back in entertainment value (even if it rained most of the time). If you have a mule days event within a couple of days drive, I highly recommend you take the time to go. Here is a partial list of some of the country's Mule Days Celebrations; let me know if you know of any more that I should add.

Competitive classes ranged from formal halter and Western/English equitation classes to driving classes to reining, roping and cattle events. There were events for the kids to compete in, such as breakaway roping, barrel crawl through, the balloon bust and "Lead your donkey/mule to water". Of course, it was Mule Days, so there were a lot of fun events you won't find at a traditional horse show or o-mak-see. Traditional classes are the log pull and the 4-up hitches. My favorites (because I wasn't competing in them) were the Flapjack race and the Packer's Scramble.

The Flapjack Race is really what it sounds like. The show supplies wood and matches. The contestants supply everything necessary to make a flapjack - the batter may be made ahead of time. No paper, charcoal lighter, starter fluid or flammable materials are allowed. All contestants line up beside their animals and at a whistle, lead a pack animal to the opposite fence. At the fence, they each unpack the animal, build a fire and cook an edible flapjack at least 4" in diameter, all the while keeping your UNTIED animal within 15 feet of the fire. The unfortunate judges have to determine if the pancake is edible.

The Packer's Scramble is also a timed event, with a pretty hefty cash pot and trophy buckles. Each team consists of 2 packers and 4 head of stock, of which at least two must be mules and must be packed. The contestants must supply the following: axe, bucket, shovel, 4 or 5 manty tarps, ropes, and normal saddle gear. The teams enter the arena, unpack their loads, turn all animals loose, and crawl into their "sleeping bags" (manties). At the signal, the contestants have to get up, catch and saddle their riding horses and pack the mules with all of the gear - plus a live chicken. They run an obstacle course with one packer leading the 2 mules pigtailed together. The other rider must be mounted as an outrider. The fastest time wins - if you arrive with all of your packs intact. I did manage to take a few pictures of this event - enjoy!

Leave No Trace Practices

I've had quite a few questions over the years about what to do with waste while in the backcountry. There are a lot of different answers out there, but here are the recommendations that have been set by the "Leave No Trace" Center for Outdoor Ethics. Most of these principles are easy to follow and use common sense. Following these simple practices will allow us and many more future generations to enjoy a beautiful, pristine backcountry.

• Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
• Deposit solid human waste in "cat holes" dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the "cat holes"when finished. (see below for more detailed information)
  
• Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
• To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

Here is more detailed information about dealing with human waste. (I know, no one really wants to talk about it... But, we all have to deal with it, and it should be dealt with properly). Proper disposal of human waste is important to avoid pollution of water sources, avoid the negative implications of someone else finding it, minimize the possibility of spreading disease, and maximize the rate of decomposition.

In most locations, burying human feces in the correct manner is the most effective method to meet these criteria. Solid human waste must be packed out from some places, such as narrow river canyons. Land management agencies can advise you of specific rules for the area you plan to visit.

Contrary to popular opinion, research indicates that burial of feces actually slows decomposition (at least in the Rocky Mountains). Pathogens have been discovered to survive for a year or more when buried. However, in light of the other problems associated with feces, it is still generally best to bury it. The slow decomposition rate causes the need to choose the correct location, far from water, campsites, and other frequently used places.

Cat holes: Cat holes are the most widely accepted method of waste disposal. Locate catholes at least 200 feet (about 70 adult steps) from water, trails and camp. Select an inconspicuous site where other people will be unlikely to walk or camp. With a small garden trowel, dig a hole 6-8 inches deep and 4-6 inches in diameter. The cat hole should be covered and disguised with natural materials when finished. If camping in the area for more than one night, or if camping with a large group, cat hole sites should be widely dispersed.

Perhaps the most widely accepted method of backcountry human waste disposal is the cathole. The advantages are:

1. they are easy to dig in most areas.
2. they are easy to disguise after use.
3. they are private.
4. they disperse the waste rather than concentrate it (which enhances decomposition).
5. it is usually easy to select an out of the way location where you can be certain no one is going to casually encounter the cathole.

Selecting a Cat hole Site:

1. Select a cathole site far from water sources, 200 feet (approximately 70 adult paces) is the recommended range.
2. Select an inconspicuous site untraveled by people. Examples of cathole sites include thick undergrowth, near downed timber, or on gentle hillsides.
3. If camping with a group or if camping in the same place for more than one night, disperse the catholes over a wide area; don t go to the same place twice.
4. Try to find a site with deep organic soil. This organic ma al contains organisms which will help de pose the feces. (Organic soil is usually dark and rich in color.) Refer to the jars used to demonstrate decomposition. The desert does not have as much organic soil as a forested area. (See number 2 under Digging a Cathole below.)
5. If possible, locate your cathole where it will receive maximum sunlight. The heat from the sun will aid decomposition.
6. Choose an elevated site where water would not normally during runoff or rain storms. The idea here is to keep the feces out of water. Over time, the decomposing feces will percolate into the soil before reaching water sources.

Digging a Cathole:

1. A small garden trowel is the perfect tool for digging a cathole.
2. Dig the hole 6-8 inches deep (about the length of the trowel blade) and 4-6 inches in diameter. In a hot desert, human waste does not biodegrade easily because there is little organic soil to help break it down. In the desert, the cathole should be only 4-6 inches deep. This will allow the heat and sun to hasten the decay process.
3. When finished, the cathole should be filled with the original dirt and disguised with native materials.

Catholes in Arid Lands: A cathole is the most widely accepted means of waste disposal in arid lands. Locate catholes at least 200 feet (about 70 adult steps) from water, trails, and camp. Avoid areas where water visibly flows, such as sandy washes, even if they are dry at the moment. Select a site that will maximize exposure to the sun in order to aid decomposition. Because the sun s heat will penetrate desert soils several inches, it can eventually kill pathogens if the feces are buried properly. South-facing slopes and ridge tops will have more exposure to sun and heat than other areas.

Latrines: Though catholes are recommended for most situations, there are times when latrines may be more applicable, such as when camping with young children or if staying in one camp for longer than a few nights. Use similar criteria for selecting a latrine location as those used to locate a cathole. Since this higher concentration of feces will decompose very slowly, location is especially important. A good way to speed decomposition and diminish odors is to toss in a handful of soil after each use. Ask your land manager about latrine-building techniques.

Toilet Paper: Use toilet paper sparingly and use only plain, white, non-perfumed brands. Toilet paper must be disposed of properly! It should either be thoroughly buried in a cathole or placed in plastic bags and packed out. Natural toilet paper has been used by many campers for years. When done correctly, this method is as sanitary as regular toilet paper, but without the impact problems. Popular types of natural toilet paper include stones, vegetation and snow. Obviously, some experimentation is necessary to make this practice work for you, but it is worth a try! Burning toilet paper in a cathole is not generally recommended.

Toilet Paper in Arid Lands: Placing toilet paper in plastic bags and packing it out as trash is the best way to Leave No Trace in a desert environment. Toilet paper should not be burned. This practice can result in wild fires.

Tampons: Proper disposal of tampons requires that they be placed in plastic bags and packed out. Do not bury them because they don t decompose readily and animals may dig them up. It will take a very hot, intense fire to burn them completely.

Urine: Urine has little direct effect on vegetation or soil. In some instances urine may draw wildlife which are attracted to the salts. They can defoliate plants and dig up soil. Urinating on rocks, pine needles, and gravel is less likely to attract wildlife. Diluting urine with water from a water bottle can help minimize negative effects.

Special Considerations for River Canyons: River canyons often present unique Leave No Trace problems. The most common practice is to urinate directly in the river and pack out feces in sealed boxes for later disposal. Check with your land manager for details about specific areas.

Leave No Trace camping

Some areas of the country are warm enough for camping, and with Memorial Weekend coming up, a lot of you might head out regardless of the weather. I really want to stress how important it is to preserve our great outdoor areas, and thought I'd pass along a few tips for Leave No Trace practices over the next few days.

First, please respect the wildlife.

• Keep your distance. Going close for a "better look" will only serve to scare the animal, which will then be forced to flee, or in some cases, defend itself. Also, try to keep your group size small; if you are traveling in a large group, divide up.
• Quick movements and loud noises are stressful to animals. Travel quietly! (One exception is in bear country where it is good to make a little noise so as not to startle the bears)
  
• Do not touch, get close to, feed or pick up wild animals for any reason. It is stressful to the animal, and it is possible that the animal may harbor rabies or other diseases. Sick or wounded animals can bite, peck or scratch and send you to the hospital. Young animals removed or touched by well-meaning people may cause the animals parents to abandon them. If you find sick animals or animal in trouble, notify a game warden.
• Store food securely, and keep garbage and food scraps away from animals. Remember that you are a visitor to their home.
• Allow animals free access to water sources by giving them the buffer space they need to feel secure. Ideally, camps should be located 200 feet or more from existing water sources. This will minimize disturbance to wildlife and ensure that animals have access to their precious drinking water.
• Washing and human waste disposal must be done carefully so the environment is not polluted, and animals and aquatic life are not injured. (More on disposing of waste tomorrow) Swimming in lakes or streams is okay in most instances but in desert areas, leave scarce water holes undisturbed and unpolluted so animals may drink from them.

Dan is heading home!

The English Long Rider, Daniel Robinson, has finally been released from the Indian jail where he has been held captive for almost eight months. He is sure to receive a warm, tearful welcome from family, friends and hundreds of others when he arrives at the Heathrow airport in London later this evening.

There is still no sign of his two missing horses, but the Long Rider's Guild will continue to search. I'll post any further information as it arrives.

Thank you to all who helped Daniel's cause, whether it was signing his freedom petition, donating funds to the cause, or just helping to spread the word. A huge thank you also to the members of The Long Rider's Guild, who did so much and expected nothing in return; the release of a fellow Long Rider was thanks enough.

Nominated for best animal blog!

We've been nominated for best animal blog - how about that? I've been to a couple of trade shows, and on the road promoting OutfittersSupply.com, so I've been a little backed up and haven't blogged like I would like. However, I'm back online, and have a couple of book and DVD reviews and a couple of informational articles that will appear soon. If you like what you've seen so far, please vote for us here:

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If not, then please send me an email with your questions or comments or trail tips, and I'll do my best to get back to you.

Daniel Robinson will spend two more months in jail

English Long Rider Daniel Robinson has spent the last 6 months imprisoned near the India-China border. Finally, after many rescheduled attempts, his appeal was finally heard by a judge on March 20th. According to Justina, his daughter, the lawyers argued the case very successfully in front of a packed courthouse while the prosecution asked for a 10-year sentence.

The appeal reconvened on March 24th, with the judge ruling that Daniel will spend another 2 months in jail before being released. Hopefully, he will be able to take back custody of his two horses at that time. I've also pulled an email from the freedan website regarding these horses:

22nd March: email received from India about Dan's Horses

Dear Sir,

This is in reference to the news item published in TOI, New Delhi edition titled Journey to China ends in Indian jail dated:March 21,2007.

Mr Robinson, a British citizen wandered into Indian territory at Lapthal checkpost of ITBP with two equids in October, 2006.Both equids were immediatly taken into the custody a veterinarian Dr TAKE CHAN, posted at Joshimath and jointly examined by Dr N S Negi, Civil Veterinary Officer, Joshimath. As per the provisions of the livestock importation act,1898 were not allowed to mixed up with local equids.

The equids are healthy and still in the custody of ITBP.Mr Robinson was equally worried for wellbeing of his animals and during trail of the case inquired where about of his animals.

Mr Robinson is true animal lover and diserve mercy during trail.

(Dr Prem Shanker Yadav)

Chief Veterinary Officer,

Gopeswar, Chamoli(Uttarakhand)

If you haven't been following Dan's case, you can see more information at the Outfitters Supply website.

Long Rider Updates

Well, it's Friday - hooray! Of course, now that the weekend is arriving, the sunny days are gone and the snow started falling again. I'm sure it'll be beautiful again by Monday.

I've just finished posting a letter sent by Bernice Ende, along with a couple of pictures that she sent. She's still doing very well, and last we heard Bernice, Honor and Claire were preparing to enter the desert region on their way to Barstow, CA. Make sure you check out Bernice's newest Thoughts from the Trail.

On a more somber note, Daniel Robinson is still imprisoned in India, and his appeal hearing has once again been postponed. The new hearing is scheduled for March 20th - hopefully we'll have more news then. If you haven't been following the English Long Rider's story, please do. If after reading the story of his plight you could kindly sign the petition for his freedom, Daniel and his family would greatly appreciate it. There is a link to the petition at the above link. Please note that you do not need to donate any money when you sign the petition. It is optional, and the money goes to the petition website, not to Daniel.

Happy Birthday Dan!

For those of you that have been following the plight of the English Long Rider, Daniel Robinson, please keep him in your prayers and keep sending words of support to help him stay strong throughout this ordeal. His birthday is March 10th; with any luck he will be able to celebrate it with friends and loved ones soon. His appeal has been postponed again; check back on March 20th, and we'll hopefully have good news. The support he has received world-wide is impressive and heart-warming - hopefully it will be enough to earn him his freedom.

English Long Rider, Daniel Robinson, imprisoned in India

I'd like to thank all of you for your words of encouragement to Bernice Ende during her 5,000 long ride. The outpouring of support has been tremendous, and is greatly appreciated by Bernice, Honor and Claire. They are nearing Barstow, California on the final long push back to Trego, Montana. All is well, and I've posted some images taken in Bagdad, Arizona sent by some of her many fans.

Less fortunate is the English Equestrian Long Rider, Daniel Robinson, who has been imprisoned in the remote Pursari Jail in India. Daniel was attempting to retrace the ancient Tea Horse Trail, a bone-breaking track stretching thousands of miles from western China, up and over Tibet and down into the distant plains of India. Daniel left England for this magnificent journey over a year ago. His journey began in the company of a group of Tibetans, along the ancient Tea Caravan Trail from China to Lhasa, Tibet. He left Lhasa alone, on foot, with two horses, and covered over 3,000 kilometers through the Himalayas.

Suffering from exhaustion, malnutrition, and near hypothermia, Daniel stopped at the top of the Himalayas so that he and the horses could rest. Realizing that he could go no further without food and help for his horses, one of which was in foal, Daniel headed down toward the Indio-Tibetan border. He turned himself in to a military encampment just above Josimoth at the end of October.

Almost immediately he was arrested and his horses taken into military custody. He was transported to Pursari Jail, outside Gopeshwar. There he sat for over two months, enduring intensive interrogation from four different security services, treated like a common criminal while he awaited the long and arduous process of his case being brought to trial. His health was, and is, broken. He suffered a bout of pneumonia and a kidney infection and, since he is also asthmatic, prison conditions are inevitably and inexorably effecting his health.

At first, Dan was told he may spend up to a year in prison. Now, he may face up to 10 years. The fate of the horses is not yet known, although Dan has been told that he may petition the Indian government for them once he is released.

Please visit the Free Dan website to read more about Dan's plight and sign the petition requesting his release. His next appeal has been moved to March 10th. CuChullaine and Basha O'Reilly of the Long Rider's Guild have also been releasing updates and petitioning for his release.