Safety on the Pct

preparing for horse packing the Pacific Crest Trail.
Safety concerns for riders on the PCT
  • Hikers - not all hikers know how to handle encounters with horses safety. Horses are often frightened of people with large packs on their backs. Talk to hikers to let them know you are approaching. It also helps the horse realize it is a person they are seeing and not a scary monster with a huge back. Often hikers step to the high side of the trail to let horses pass, but horses tend to spook at hikers with big packs looming over them. You may have to encourage them to step to the lower side. It also helps if a group of hikers all go to the same side rather than dividing. 
  • Keep Essential Survival Gear On You - Always keep essential survival gear on your person, never on your horse. When most emergencies happen, your horse becomes separated from you. Consider carrying 1 nights worth of essential survival supplies on your own person when mounted. I speak from experience when I say that the times when you finally need that emergency gear you have carried on every ride for years, you will probably be off your horse and on your own.
  • Helmets - Always a good idea, though they aren't as good at shading your face as a cowboy hat.
  • Llamas - Many horses are very disturbed by llamas (I mean, who isn't?). Be aware that you may encounter some on the PCT and your horse may freak out about it. Think about exposing him/her to llamas before your trip.
  • Bear - In many parts of the PCT bear canisters are required.
  • Horse Training - Horse should be able to be mounted on both sides.

Safety concerns for horses on the PCT
  • Water - dehydration is a serious problem for horses on long distance hikes. Offer water whenever possible. Always offer water before hobbling him to let him graze. 
  • Vet Check - Before starting out have your vet do a full exam on your horse. Have his/her teeth checked and floated. Talk to your vet about caring specialized medications such as Bute, Betadine and Banamine. Carry a basic horse first aid kit. 
  • Knife - Always have a knife on your person. Horses get tangled in lines and a quick cut of a rope can save their lives and your trip.
  • Toxic Plants - Some plants are toxic to horses. Avoid lupine, as hungry horses are prone to eating it and it is poisonous to them. Also watch out for clover - a lot of clover at one time can cause colic. Pay attention to what your horse is eating and know what is in the area you are passing through.
  • Colic - Colic is unfortunately common on the PCT, and it is life-threatening. Ask your vet about what meds to cary incase colic occurs when out of reach of a vet. Be careful about transitions from grass to supplemental feed. Feed supplemental feed every day even when grass is plentiful to keep your horse's system use to it. Don't let your horse gorge on large amounts of alfalfa or grain after mostly eating grass. When your horse is overheated or exhausted, don't let it drink large amounts of cold water. Small sips over time are best. (Better yet, don't let your horse get exhausted or overheated). Don't save drinking for only once or twice per day - try to provide opportunities regularly throughout the day. Make sure your horse is on a routine worming regime, as parasites are a common cause of colic. Start your trip slowly and work up to longer days when your horse is more use to the trail. (Signs of colic: horse may become sluggish, appear dull and in pain, begin kicking at stomach or reaching to bite his flank. He may want to roll constantly. May give uncharacteristic bucks. His stool may be dry, hard or non-existent. Pulse may be 80-100bpm though 40 is normal (this indicates a serious colic). Capillary refill may be bad. 
  • Azoturia - This is a serious risk to your horse which can be treated if you know how to identify it and what to do. A common cause of Azoturia is to stress your horse too much when s/he is use to little or no exercise, especially if you then also feed rich grain or grass.

Though Shalt Not Pass!
It is important to know when a trail obstacle should be worked around and when it is too dangerous to push through. Obstacles blocking the trail are common. These may include
  • a fallen tree
  • a large boulder
  • a scree field
  • a questionable snow crossing
  • a difficult ford
  • a washout
  • a part of the trail closed for fire

Any of these obstacles may make the trail impassable to horses. When this happens, you may have to detour a few minutes or a few hours or a few days. 

What do you do in the face of common obstacles?
  • a fallen tree - You will come across fallen logs blocking your trail which are impossible or impractical to go around. These may be too low to go under and too big to go over with a horse. You always need to carry a saw, but you also need to know when a log is too dangerous or too big to saw. Be prepared to turn around, have maps available with alternative paths you can take and make sure to carry extra food in case you have to detour a few days out of your way. Learn ahead of time how to turn a horse around on a narrow or steep trail.
  • a large boulder
  • a scree field
  • a questionable snow crossing - Snow may make you loose the trail, be too crusty and deep for your horse to safely walk through, be too slick for safety, or mask unknown dangers underneath it which you can't see. Trail crews don't clear trail hazards until the snows melt, so snow can hide dangerous obstacles. If you come to a section which is still snow covered, you may have to skip it altogether and come back and ride it later once the snow has melted.
  • a difficult ford
  • a washout
  • a part of the trail closed for fire
USEFUL RESOURCES:
Click here to see my YouTube page of videos on how this trip is going every step of the way, including my preparations at home and my days on the trail.
Want to know more about who is on this trip? Me, my dog, my horses and any friends who happen to join me along the way...