When you are out riding a trail or camping at one of the facilities that dot BC, do you think about who might have built the campsite and be keeping access and the trails open? It might just be Backcountry Horsemen of BC (BCHBC) members.
Linda and Scott trail clearing with hand tools at Skimikin Recreation site.
BCHBC is a not-for-profit society compiled of volunteers that direct their efforts to ensure recreational riders have camps and trails to ride now and in the future.
The name ‘Backcountry’ may mislead some people to think we are only concerned with trails in the far reaches of wilderness areas. Truth is, we work on both front and backcountry trails. Another myth is that we only consider horse trails. A good number of the trails we deal with are historic, built for horses and by horse power, but almost all of these trails are now used for other forms of recreation as well. Almost all horse trails are shared-use trails and if you keep on reading you will find out the importance of that statement.
A quick history of the Society is interesting. The idea of starting a BCHBC Society was planted in 1988, when one of the founding members, Jim McCrae was riding solo from Mexico back to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail. Backcountry Horsemen of America were there whenever he needed a hand. From that seed the idea grew; BC could use a Backcountry Horsemen’s group to preserve, protect and maintain horse trails now and for the future. Around a campfire eight people decided to unofficially form the first Chapter and on June 11, 1991 BCHBC was incorporated under the Societies Act. In 2025, BCHBC had 19 Chapters around the Province and a membership of approximately 1000, ages 8 to 80!!
When you need a wheelbarrow in the backcountry to fix a washed out section of trail.
There was a time we could have depended on Government employees to keep the trails open and maintained but with all the cutbacks that is no longer true. While the Ministries support our initiatives, they can no longer provide the manpower and supplies like they once did. If the trails are to stay open and rideable it requires the volunteer efforts of individuals and organized user groups. Mother Nature also tries to take the trails back relentlessly.
The projects, accomplishments, and activities of all the Chapters are too many to list. Our members do much more than just trail work. The Society has a Four Level Education Program to promote safety in trail riding and packing. Each Chapter holds regular general meetings that may include an educational speaker or demo. They organize fun events and campouts. There are group rides or if you are new to trail riding you will most likely find a mentor in BCBHC to help you safely learn the ropes.
Work bee at Cultus Lake Prov. park. Brushing equestrian/hiker trails in spring.
Equestrians need to show their concern when trail access is threatened or lose it. “Use it or lose it” as the old saying goes. Chapter members get involved in local issues and BCHBC has a strong voice in both Horse Council BC and the Outdoor Recreation Council BC, where we share our concerns as well as collaborate with other stakeholder user groups.
By becoming a BCHBC member you can help provide a unified voice for all recreational riders. You can see that your time, money and efforts are put towards trail works while participating in Chapter functions. Why not join BCHBC members as they quietly go about doing great things with horse trails across BC so that the recreational use of horses and mules on public lands will remain a part of our heritage.
And when we finish….. we go riding!
More information can be found at our website: www.bchorsemen.org
Photos and story submitted by Rose Schroeder, Shuswap Chapter
BCHBC is privileged to have Saddle Up Magazine as ‘the official voice’ of our province-wide organization. We value this partnership and encourage you to check out Saddle Up magazine online and consider supporting this BC-based publication by purchasing a subscription. You may also pick up printed copies of Saddle Up in 156 cities/towns with 340 outlets, mainly in BC and Alberta, as well as other parts of Canada and the US. It’s free!
Read the June Saddle Up online, including the BCHBC story. Or enjoy our feature story right here.
