Education

One of BCHA’s missions is to educate, encourage and solicit active participation in the wise use of the American backcountry resources by horsemen and the general public commensurate with our heritage and “Leave No Trace” principles.

Announcing our NEW Education Pages

Our New BCHA Education web pages offer easy access to educational materials for Members or Leaders, old or new. Everyone will now be able to quickly find out more details on BCHA, the BCHA mission, “Light On The Land”, materials on stock use, and much more. You don’t need to be given access anymore!

Samples of what can be found on the Educational page: 

  • “Introduction to BCHA” and “Advance BCHA“
  • State and Chapter Officer Training materials
  • State and Chapter Resources
  • Sawyer Resources
  • Important Forms and Documents.  

  Don’t worry, for those who don’t like change, the original educational curriculum matrix is still accessible but all the info in the matrix is available on the new pages.

Click here to check out all the new pages have to offer!!

Introducing BCHA’s NEW “Light on the Land” Stock Users Education Program

We fully support the Leave No Trace (LNT) program that was created by the US Forest Service in the 1960’s, when recreation on public lands increased significantly, with a corresponding level of damage to those wild places.  Then in the early 1990s, the Forest Service worked with the National Outdoor Leadership School to develop hands-on, science-based minimum impact education for non-motorized recreational activities. To educate, encourage, and solicit active participation in the wise and sustaining use of the back country resources by horsemen and the general public.

NEW “Light on the Land” Principles

The focus of our future trainings and education activities will follow the same seven LNT Principles:

  1. Plan and prepare
  2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of waste properly
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impacts
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Click here for the “Light on the Land”

Click here for a printable flyer

US Forest Service Trail Fundamentals

As a BCHA member who communicates to the Forest Service on public trail issues should be familiar with the trail fundamentals that include five key concepts that are cornerstones of Forest Service trail maintenance and management, Trail Type, Trail Class, Managed Use, Designed Use, and Trail Design Parameters.

The US Forest Service provides a website with training material and documents on Trail Classification, or as it is referred to on the site is Trail Fundamentals.

This training was given to BCH members at a previous national convention, it is available for download.

Introduction to Trail Classifications, Download – PDF, and PDF1
Part 1 –Why we need to be Concerned, Download – PDF, or PPT Presentation
Part 2 – Understanding Trail Fundamentals, Download – PDF, or PPT Presentation
Part 3 – Approaches for Obtaining and Validating Data, Download – PDF, or PPT Presentation
Part 4 – Example Responses, Download – PDF, or PPT Presentation
Planning Process, Download – PPT Presentation

Trail Fundamentals and Trail Management Objectives

USFS Nine-mile Wildlands Training Center

Ninemile Wildlands Training Center (NWTC) is gearing up for another year of providing quality hands on traditional skills training. Each year classes are available on Teamster Driving, Basic and Advanced Packing techniques, Horsemanship, Horse Handling & Training, Defensive Horsemanship, and Firearms Handling for Packers, for more information on this years classes go to the Ninemile web site,

Ninemile Wildlands Training Center Web Site

call 406-626-5201 or write to the address:

Ninemile Wildlands Training Center
Ninemile Ranger Station
20325 Remount Road
Huson MT 59846

The NWTC was started in 1988 to provide traditional skills training to government employees. In 1998, Congress passed legislation allowing us to open our classes to the public through a program called Heritage Expeditions. The Ninemile Wildlands Training Center is located at the historic Ninemile Ranger Station on the Lolo National Forest in western Montana. Ninemile Ranger Station is located approximately 25 miles west of Missoula, MT. Our facility, the Ninemile Remount Depot, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Packing Videos

We have made available to you some packing training videos by Casey Hufstader and Mack Long. The videos featuring Casey Hufstader will teach you mule packing basics, how to fit a pack saddle and tieing a Walker Hitch. There is also a 8 videos featuring Mack Long covering all aspects of packing from basics to advance packing technics.

Play Videos
Casey Hufstader – Mack Long

Equestrian Educational Videos

Here are some Equestrian related educational and other videos that are important to watch. They cover defensive horsemanship, how to approach users on multi use trails and other Equestrian related Forest Service videos we recommend members watch.

Play Videos
Recommended Equestrian Educational Videos

Recommended Educational Reference Documents and Articles

Four-Legged Friends and Your Estate

What if You Cross the Rainbow Bridge First? What would happen to your animals if you suddenly died?  An accident or sudden illness can take us when we think we still have plenty of time to “get our affairs in order”.  While our spouses and children are able to eventually re-adjust their lives without us, our pets and livestock cannot…….without … Read More

Untrammeled – Youth first time in Wilderness

Untrammeled, a film produced in 2014, celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act and examines the transformative power of wilderness on youth and the importance of getting young people into the backcountry. The focus of the film is youth speaking to youth about wilderness – and the passing of the baton to the next generation. High school youth from … Read More

Trail Building & Maintenance Resources

Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) Packing with LivestockEquestrian Design Guidebook for trails, trailheads, and campgrounds BCHC Manure Bunker Manure Bunker Roof Manure Bunker Slab Pipe Hitch Rail Accessible Gates for Trails and Roads Drawings for Trail Construction & Design Bridge Design & Drawings Information and links on this page provided by BCH of California

Educational Pamphlets, Flyers, books from BCH Groups

From BCH of California Note: These are formatted to print one page front and back and some will print to be used in a tri-fold format Who We Are and What We Do!A great overview of each one of the Gentle Use Concepts! How to Have a Safe and Enjoyable Trail RideHere are some tips for a day out riding with … Read More

The Trail Rider Checklist

Pre-trip Planning Acquire trail map(s), and talk to other riders that know the area Select trail appropriate for the expectations of your group Select trail difficulty and length that is safest for the least experienced horse and rider Select trails that avoid high mountain areas during afternoon lightning storm seasons Contact trail owner or manager for current trail conditions and … Read More