Living the Shield: Horsemanship

Background: This was the feature story, in a publication that was primarily designed for Forest Service employees across the Pacific Northwest. For this project I was editor of said publication, and in addition to providing layout I also was the source of this story idea. I planned the on-site visit, conducted the interviews and took the photos. And then I put it all together and crafted a package that was seen by over 4,000 people. All of whom came from a variety of different education levels and backgrounds.

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The cover for the July issue of Valuing You: An R6Update. In this image a man on a horseback leans while grabbing the reigns, all while another man on horseback looks away in the background.

some words from the editor: There’s no experience that compares to the great American road trip. From the wide open spaces of the Oregon Outback to the snow capped peaks of Northern Washington, our Region is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. But a good road trip is always about more than just the scenery; a good road trip is about the people. And on my road trip I met a lot of really good people. People like the Frontliners in Oregon who are eager to expand upon and improve the ways in which we provide customer service. People like the small business owners that I visited with in Washington who appreciate and see the value in telling our stories, and people like the Park Service, Forest Service and Border Patrol employees who introduced me to the finer points of packing and good horsemanship. The people and places that make up our vast Region make for the greatest of road trips, and no matter which route you take or which place you visit, I think you’ll find that all of our National Forests truly are magnificent memory machines that help create the experiences that define who we are as Americans. Cover : A National Park Service and U.S. Border Patrol employee demonstrating good horsemanship at a USDA Forest Service training on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Inside Pages: The road to Winthrop, Washington The USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender

living the shield: HORSEMANSHIP Kathryn Dawson; Editor, Pacific Northwest Region In some parts of the old west horse culture still reigns, and there’s no place where that’s more true than Washington’s Methow Valley. Traditions and skills that were once required by every Forest Service employee are today kept alive by people like Amber Deming, Lead Wilderness Ranger for the Methow Valley Ranger District and organizer of the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest’s Horsemanship and Packing training. For people like Amber, horses and mules are more than just animals or a recreational activity, they’re friends and companions that carry a lifeline of food, supplies and all of the tools needed to survive an eight day patrol in the rugged and roadless Pasayten Wilderness. Created by the same legislation that created North Cascades National Park, the 531,000 acre Pasayten Wilderness is home to hundreds of miles of trail, and because it straddles an international border of more than 50 miles with Canada it has some very unique and challenging management needs. For USDA Forest Service, U.S. Border Patrol and National Park Service employees at North Cascades, the annual Horsemanship and Packing Training outside of Winthrop, Washington is a much needed chance to get reacquainted, both with each other and their animals, before the start of the busy summer season. Born from a chance encounter between Amber and Morgan Seemann and Josh Bocook of the U.S. Border Patrol, the training combines decades of practical and hands-on experience to provide both new and returning riders a solid background in good horsemanship. “Even though our agencies have different missions, a lot of what we do is the same,” Amber said, “and the training gives us a chance to get together and learn, both about each other and our horses. Starting with horse and rider safety, students learn about the different parts of a horse and types of personalities and ways in which they can behave. They learn how horses see, about the two blindspots that every horse has (directly behind them and directly between their eyes) and how having an eye on each side can help them see almost completely around their bodies as they look out for predators. Left: Methow Valley District Ranger Mike Liu listens intently while Amber Deming gives a wilderness status report. Right: Katlyn White is all smiles as she learns what she’ll need to know before spending the summer working for the Wenatchee River Ranger District.

Students then take that knowledge out to the arena, where for the first time they learn to approach and catch their animals before proceeding to halter, lead and tie stock with various quick release knots and hitches. Before riding, the animals are thoroughly brushed and inspected, and extra care is given to remove any burrs or sharp objects that might aggravate when stuck under a saddle. To provide cushioning for both rider and horse a saddle blanket is placed on the withers, or ridge between the shoulder blades, where it is then slid backwards to rest comfortably in the middle of the back. Then it’s time to saddle up; starting in the front the latigo, or cinch strap, goes underneath the horse and once tightened helps keep the saddle snug and in place. The rear cinch strap gets buckled in the same manner, and last but not least the breast collar is attached. Before hopping into the saddle each rider learns to inspect everything diligently, making sure the saddle is comfortably attached both for themselves and their horse. The latigo is tightened one last time, and now that the saddle is secure the horse is ready to be ridden. To mount up a rider approaches on the horse’s left side and, holding the reins in their left hand grabs the horn of the saddle. The right hand holds onto the cantle, or back of the saddle, and the left foot is placed in the stirrup. The rider then stands up straight and, once balanced and standing in the stirrup, finishes the maneuver by swinging their right leg up and over and into the other stirrup. Top to bottom: 1) Jacob Regge gives his mule the side eye; 2) Max Hines, Amber Deming, Sam Getchell and Katlyn White discuss how to properly use a curry comb; 3) Jacob Regge and Mike Calvert walk by as U.S. Border Patrol Agent Josh Bocook spends time to praise one of the horses. Above: Amber Deming stands and talks to Rob Messick while Jordan Allen-Flowers rides his mule “Snoopy” in the background. Right: Rob Messick, Zach Schaarschmidt, Jordan Allen Flowers and National Park Service Horse Packer Heather Swanson smile while taking a break from riding horses in the tack room.

But before a student can mount a horse they have to learn their ground work. Taking the time to determine the horse’s attitude before a trip, the rider goes through a number of different motions and exercises to make sure the horse is ready before ever hopping in the saddle. For beginning riders time is spent on learning how to gain forward momentum, how to turn, circle and stop. Riders learn how to hustle by driving forward with their hips and through rhythmic kicking, and they learn how to maneuver by safely taking their animals through a cleverly designed obstacle course. After learning how to ride, students spend time learning how to pack for their horses and mules. Perfect for use in the nonmotorized Wilderness, a typical pack string can carry up to four times the weight a helicopter can carry, with each animal carrying an average of 200 pounds. In addition to hauling food, heavy tools and supplies, a Forest Service pack team can be essential for a successful search and rescue. “As an example, one time, when the sheriff’s office contacted us about helping with a search and rescue, one of our outfitter guides had a Girl Scout camped in up at Robinson Creek who sprained her ankle really bad,” said Deming. “They asked us to go in with a horse and go get her and ride her out.” Above: U.S. Border Patrol Agent Morgan Seemann teaches Mike Calvert how to tie and use a highline. Right: U.S. Border Patrol Agent Josh Bocook demonstrates the right way to properly mount a horse. Below: National Park Service Horse Packer Heather Swanson passes on to Amber Deming some of the techniques that make the Methow Style of packing unique.

To get some search and rescue practice, students conduct and exercise where they work together as a team to sweep a meadow for a hidden backpack. Then, after successfully finding it, students finish out the class by learning how to get their animals ready for transport. A stock truck or horse trailer can be used, depending on the route and destination, but hauling a live load always requires extra caution. With each horse easily weighing up to 1,000 pounds or more, students are taught to watch for special signage, to drive slower than usual and to watch out when going through a curve or driving over bridges. From beginner to advanced there’s always something to be learned, and at the end of the week everybody always gets a chance to share as the group unwinds and celebrates with a potluck barbecue. Above: Sam Getchell stands holding his bridle while U.S. Border Patrol Agent Morgan Seemann advises him how to best separate and catch his horse. Clockwise:1) National Park Service Horse Packer Heather Swanson guiding her mule “Gemma”; 2) U.S. Border Patrol Agent Josh Bocook discusses how the class is going with Amber Deming; 3) National Park Service Horse Packer Jeff Fitzwater and “Clancy” and 4) Kathryn Dawson and “Alex” pose for a picture.

We can, and do, a lot with our Forest Service horses and mules. But we couldn’t do it alone. Through grants and partnerships with organizations like the Mt. Adams Institute and the Washington Trails Association we’re able to stand side-by-side with interns and employees from our sister agencies to keep these great traditions alive. Left: Zach Saarschmidt and Kate Orlofsky look on while Ian Mallinson and National Park Service Horse Packer Heather Swanson discuss different packing methods. Below: Local Search and Rescue representative Shaila Tenorio takes the lead during a practice exercise with Kate Orlofsky and Jacob Regge as they look for a backpack in the tall grass. Clockwise: 1) U.S. Border Patrol Agent Josh Bocook; 2) National Park Service Horse Packer Heather Swanson rides her mule “Gemma”; 3) One of the horses takes a break at the fence;4) Zachary Winters, Jacob Regge, an unidentified member of the public and Mike Calvert look on with a group of Forest Service employees during yet another successful Horsemanship and Packing training.

Digger Bear Comic: What happened to you two? We just finished the last day of outdoor school! (Wildland firefighter hotshot bears dressed in yellow nomex wave as the school bus drives off into the distance.) Where IN THE REGION: previous issue Last issue’s Where in the Region photo is from one of the many tidepools at the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, a 2,700 acre showcase of ecological habitat managed by the Siuslaw National Forest. Located on the central Oregon coast, Cape Perpetua is home to 26 miles of trail, a 37 site campground, a popular visitor’s center and tidepools upon tidepools full of colorful creatures like the sea stars, sea lemons and giant green anemone like those found in the photo. Named by English explorer Captain Cook, the area has been used by the Alsea people for over 6,000 years to hunt for mussels, crabs, sea urchins and clams, and evidence of their lives can still be found in the huge piles of discarded mussel shells that lay among the shore near the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center. Looking for your stories: A picture can say a thousand words, and within every picture is a story. From the top of every mountain to the back of every office, our workdays are often filled with the types of stories that could only happen with the USDA Forest Service. We'd love to help you share those stories, so to make it easy we've simplified our submission guidelines: 1) Pictures: action shots of people, especially in uniform; use highest quality and file size available 2) People: direct quotes and permission from non-employees While we may not be able to run everything, we'd love to see what you've got, so reach out and contact us today at r6update@fs.fed.us and let us help you share the stories that define us an agency. Director of Communications and Community Engagement: Shoshona Pilip-Florea Managing Editor: Margaret Petersen Editor: Kathryn Dawson

Where in the Region: Oregon and Washington Quarterly Photo Contest A snow capped mountain peak bathes in the orange glow, while the sun either rises or sets behind it.