Learning to Load a Pack Horse

 Yesterday was the last day of Winter Camp for our therapeutic horseback riding program.  The five year old will start actual riding lessons in a couple weeks.  But yesterday, they learned to pack horses for a camping trip.  We had friends from the Forest Service come to explain the procedure.

 They talked about all of the things they would need to take.

She showed them nifty gadgets like a water purifying pump and a collapsible cook stove.

Then the kids go to pack the bear-proof panniers with food and cooking supplies.

 They loaded everything in, then weighed them to make sure they were equal.

 Heavy stuff on the bottom!

Eggs on the top.  Eggs!  I would never have thought to try packing in eggs.

Then they showed how to load the horse.  This one's name is Trigger.

 These were the soft-sided panniers loaded with tent and camping gear.  The food panniers would go on a different horse.

 The kids got to help tighten the ropes holding everything in place.

Watch yer step!

The two year old got to tag along for this adventure because Dad was off work and could go with us.  It wore him out completely.  See all the loot in his lap? That was fun stuff the Forest Service people handed out - lots of Smokey Bear stuff - puzzles, magnets, patches, stickers, and such.  Fun day!