Badlands: Back in the Saddle

     Before this summer started I never thought I would be riding a horse for this job. I was pleasantly wrong, and found myself recently riding a horse through the backcountry of the Badlands, which is an awesome way to enjoy the wilderness areas. A local group was applying for a permit to run a backcountry horse program and offered to show us what they would be doing and how their operation would work to make sure they followed the laws and regulations in the park. The main concern was over the depth of the latrines, and if they would disrupt the resources.

     After starting out and getting on the horse for the first time ever, it came pretty easy as the horse was well trained and pretty much did everything without any commands, so I got to sit and enjoy the nice ride through this beautiful land. On the way out the group leader applying for the permit discussed how he had been doing these excursions in Yellowstone for years and had previously done them in the Badlands years ago. A wealth of knowledge he clearly knew what he was doing and was well prepared for this endeavor.

     Halfway through we broke for camp as they set up tents, an electric fence to keep in the horses, and put up the latrine. Not only were all the supplies brought in for us the group also supplied us with a free lunch to see what those who partake in their program would be getting on their rides out. A free lunch is definitely a tactical move I could not turn down. After eating and breaking down camp everything seemed to be set to go leaving the rest of the permit process to be done through paperwork, and getting everything signed off.