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Camping: Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch & High Adventure Camp
Horse Program - Weekend or Short Term Cavalcades
- Click here to download and print an informational flyer (PDF document) regarding our year-round horse programs.
- Fall 2009 Cavalcades and Horse Programs - Click here to learn more about our upcoming horse programs at BTSR.
Jump to: Personal Equipment Requirements | Fees | Horse Donation Policy | Horse Program Weekends
"Cavalcade" is a guided horse ride in and around Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch. Riders see the best of the Davis Mountains from the saddle, riding over the ridgetops, past box canyons, down narrow trails lined with alligator juniper and pinion pine, sometimes scraping stirrups on rugged rhyolite outcrops. Lead by a trained Wrangler, the weekend Cavalcade covers 20-3 5 miles on jeep roads and narrow trails. Riders can expect two very full days in the saddle, riding mountain trained horses or sure-footed mules.
Each rider must be at least 13 years old by check-in, be in good physical condition., must have a current high adventure physical, and weigh less than 250 lbs. dressed to ride. * Anyone considering riding Cavalcade should have AT LEAST the Horsemanship Merit Badge level of training and some free riding experience. The program is designed to be a unit activity for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Venture crews, but is also open to groups of registered adult Scouters.
Cavalcade is a three day, two-part program, beginning with a REQUIRED full day (8 hours min.) of safety and skiffs training, followed by individual ability testing. After the training, and before ANY RIDER leaves Headquarters, each rider must pass the following:
"Unaided, catch and correctly halter, bridle, and saddle a designated horse or mule, then mount without assistance and clearly demonstrate the ability to control that animal, to the satisfaction of the Head Wrangler. "*
Participants who do not qualify as above may not ride outside of the Headquarters area. The training can take place on the day before the actual ride, or on a separate date up to 90 days before the two days of trail riding. Even experienced old hands must qualify or requalify.
* All riders are required to wear approved helmets at all times astride a horse.
A minimum of seven riders, including at least one adult over 21 years of age, is required to initiate a Cavalcade. (Our Head Wranglers are 18 or older). Cavalcade may be coed, if adult female leadership is available. Maximum is 12 riders, plus the wrangler(s). A minimum of seven paying customers is required.
BTSR provides all mounts, wranglers, saddles, tack, food, eating gear, and safety helmets. Cavalcaders are encouraged to bring personal saddles and saddlebags, but BTSR reserves the right to disallow the use of personal tack if inappropriate to the activity or the designated riding animal. Use of privately-owned stock is not permitted.
Each rider will be responsible for care and feeding of his or her mount, and must pitch in to accomplish necessary camp chores. Self discipline is required, the Scout Oath and Law are the rules of the camp. Unruly behavior in the back country is dangerous to riders and equines. The Head Wrangler will change riders to hikers or shut down the entire ride if necessary.
Cavalcades ride point to point, single file, at a walk, and stay overnight in established camps where food, feed, water, cooking gear, disposable plates, cups, and utensils are cached. Shelter is available, latrines are primitive. Personal gear taken on the ride is limited to the few essentials listed on pages following. Cavalcaders should wear boots or shoes they can hike in when necessary.
Each rider should bring a small bedroll. They are carried on the back of the saddle wrapped in a weather and brush resistant cover, and must fit into an imaginary cylinder 8" in diameter and 24" long. Some extra blankets are available at the overnight stops. Saddlebags are provided to each rider, but food, water, and group-use items will fill up half the space. Personal gear beyond the required 2 quarts of drinking water and rain gear must fit into an area about the size of a I gallon sized zip-lock bag.
The Head Wrangler is trained in First Aid and CPR and keeps a first aid kit for human and equine needs in his saddlebags. He also keeps a camp radio or cell phone in his saddle bags to communicate with Headquarters.
Cavalcade costs $60 per rider per day: $20 per rider must be sent to the Scout ranch 60 days in advance of the training date as a NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT. After successful completion of the training, and before the ride leaves headquarters, the rest of the fees will be collected by the Head Wrangler. Make all checks payable to Buffalo Trail Council BSA.
Mail to:
Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch
attn: Ranger Dan Damon
P.O.Box 21
Toyahvale, TX 79786
Cavalcades are offered on selected weekends during the fall and spring. Additional days of riding may be possible for additional fees. Weekend merit badge training is also available to Boy and Girl Scouts from age 11 up, for $40.00 per participant. Contact Ranger Dan Damon for scheduling information at BUFFALO TRAIL SCOUT RANCH, (432) 426-3709.
HORSE PROGRAM WEEKENDS
Updated 8/14/09
Here is a calendar of the available horse program weekends during the year. These dates are available for reservation to take part in merit badge weekends, cavalcades, trail rides etc. Also, please note the “In Council Discount” dates. On these weekends, units from the Buffalo Trail Council will enjoy a half price discount for all of our horse programs!
Make plans now to attend and enjoy a weekend that your unit will not soon forget. Contact Ranger Dan Damon at 432-426-3709 or at rangerdan7@hotmail.com to make reservations and for more information.
- 10/2 - 10/4
- 10/9 - 10/11
- 10/16 - 10/18
- 10/23-10/25 – In Council ONLY @ Half Price!!!
- 10/30 - 11/1
- 11/13—11/15
- 11/20 - 11/22
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT FOR CAVALCADE:
ON YOU:
- Long pants
- Long sleeved shirt
- Leather gloves
- Ball Cap (when not astride a horse)
- Bandana
- Folding pocket knife (Leatherman's ok, no sheath knives)
- Boots or shoes you can hike in
ON THE HORSE:
- 2- 1 qt. water bottles
- bedroll (must fit into imaginary 8" X 24" cylinder) with brush proof, waterproof wrap or bag , separate from your rain gear rain gear jacket
- personal meds in watertight container (make sure head wrangler has additional supply)
- 1 @ extra sox, underwear
- small flashlight (MiniMag size) with new batteries
- toothbrush
- camera (recommend disposable type)
Carried by one rider, shared by the group:
- toothpaste hand soap sunscreen bug repellent
Wrangler carries:
LEAVE AT HEADQUARTERS:
- A CURRENT, COMPLETED HIGH-ADVENTURE MED FORM, money, billfold (see Ranger for lockable storage) changes of clothes, Scout uniform, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, etc. towels, extra blankets, or big sleeping bag, extra shoes
- Don't bring to BTSR: privately owned horses (unless you intend to donate them to BTSR), pets, sheath knives, radios, noise-making electronic devices.
HORSE PROGRAM FEES
Updated 8/14/09
Horse programs are not always available. All riders must weigh less than 250 lbs. dressed to ride and must wear provided safety helmet at all times astride a horse. See age limitations listed under programs below. All riders who ride the trails of the Scout ranch outside the HQ area must successfully complete Cavalcade pre-training. Fees include qualified BTSR wranglers who supervise all equine activities at all times.
In-Camp Short Ride $10.00 per participant
Riders younger than 11 years old must be lead by adult or trained wrangler on foot.
Horsemanship Merit Badge Training: $40.00 per participant
Girl Scout Horse Lover/Horse Rider Training $40.00 per participant
Cavalcade Pre-Training. $40.00 per participant
Participants must be at least 11 years old, anyone who sits astride a horse pays fee. Meals and accommodations NOT included in fee. All training programs take 8-10 hours, mostly in corrals.
Weekend Cavalcade $180.00 per participant
All cavalcaders must be at least 13 years old, in good health, provide a completed, current Class III BSA medical form and have previous horseback experience. Fee includes all meals and accommodations for the weekend. Weekend cavalcades are currently offered only on designated weekends in the fall and spring.
Non-Buffalo Trail Council, BSA riders must bring to BTSR properly completed Equine Activity Hold-Harmless form (PDF format for each rider, with parental consent for each minor child.
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