[pct-l] Horse Rentals near the PCT

[dsaufley at sprynet.com (dsaufley@sprynet.com)]

Ben,

I've never heard of anyone renting horses for this type of purpose, without it being part of a pack train with the guides/wranglers along.  The liability to both horse and rider are tremendous.  The logistics of having adequate feed and water are also exponential, even for a weekend outing.  

My friends who ride in the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains typically have to plant water in advance for their groups of riders.  According to Horse Health Care Management, "An average horse will consume at least a half a gallon of water for every 100lbs of body weight. The demand increases with high temperatures and humidity, increased level of work and sweat output, less digestible feeds, and during lactation. A horse in regular, heavy exercise, particularly in hot weather, will consume as much as 16 gallons of water daily."  The NFS has turned off almost all piped water sources in the forests, so you either have to stage water in advance, or depend on natural sources.  

All that said, you might try the Big Bear CofC (as well as those for surrounding communities) to find any local stables and/or ETI corrals who might be able to further advise you.  

L-Rod


-----Original Message-----
From: Ben Holmes <beholmes2004@yahoo.com>
Sent: Sep 28, 2005 12:26 PM
To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Horse Rentals near the PCT

Hey all,

I haven't seen this one on the list.  I'm looking for someone or some
company that rents Horses and perhaps a horse trailer to go with the horse
in the San Gorgonio's - Near Big Bear area.
	
Basically I love to hike, and a female friend of mine loves to ride.  I
don't care to ride, and she really can't handle the endurance needed to take
on long hikes.  So, here is the idea.  She can ride and I can walk with her.
We both get to enjoy the PCT together in our own way.

She is an expert rider, and really knows her way around horses.  I'm doing
good if I can ID the right end of the horse.  So, I'm not really looking for
a Pack train or guided tour setup, but something where we can rent a horse
for a weekend.  

Any ideas are appreciated, or if someone wants to recoup some of their cost
of owning a horse and rent the horse out, that would be great.  I know that
"loaning" out a horse is a very personal choice for the owner, and the horse
too.  But wanted to see if this was something people might consider.

Thanks
Ben
http://crazy_old_scout.tripod.com/


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