Equestrian Vacations in the Wilderness
If you are interested in exploring wild country for extended periods and don’t want to have to carry all your equipment with you on your own back, equestrian vacations are definitely the way to go. You could just pack your stuff on a goat and lead it into the wilderness, but it is easier for most of us to ride a horse over those remote mountain passes at 11,500 ft. or so than to walk on our own two legs. People have to be in near Olympic shape to keep up with a horse carrying a rider on a climb from a valley at 8,500 ft. to a pass at about 11,500. Aside from their tremendous strength, horses have the advantage of four legs rather than two which means that they are much less likely to fall since if they stumble, they can catch themselves on 3 legs rather than two for a person. Another thing about horses is that they do not seem to suffer at all from acrophobia and can negotiate a narrow trail beside a thousand foot sheer drop without a qualm as the eagles soar past on the up currents of gusty winds.
A convenient aspect about horses is that one doesn’t have to feed them huge quantities of oats every day or carry other food for them. These fantastic animals, weighing over a half a ton, can nourish themselves on the grass they find in Alpine clearings high in the mountains. Equestrian vacations are by far the best way to explore the wilderness.
