Wilderness Horsepacking
Explore Wyoming’s Red Desert on horseback. Learn the basics of wilderness travel with horses and grow your leadership skills as you work with a team of human and equine companions.
Duration
21 days
Age
16+
Overview
About this course
Explore Wyoming’s mountains on horseback
Get ready for a unique Western adventure: horsepacking in the rugged mountains and deserts of Wyoming. Learn to travel and camp with horses as you explore the glacier-carved Wind River Range, sweeping plateaus of the Absarokas, or the striking Red Desert.
Start out with several days of camping at NOLS Three Peaks Ranch. Build community with your coursemates and work on basic skills like grooming, saddling, and riding horses. Then, fill your panniers and head into the mountains, where you’ll put your new horsepacking skills into practice. Wake up early and enjoy the sunrise as you tend to your equine companions. Learn how to apply Leave No Trace principles when traveling with horses, and how to cook tasty meals on a campstove. Fall asleep under the stars, ready for the next day’s adventures.
On this expedition, you’ll discover that horsepacking is a great opportunity to grow your leadership skills. Practice effective communication—with both human and equine companions—as you find your way to the next campsite. Develop your decision-making and problem-solving skills while crossing rivers and traveling across desert plains. Return with the confidence to lead in the outdoors and beyond.
Resources
Resources & downloads
Additional Details
Schedule
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Detailed daily objectives and skills progression
Complete packing & equipment checklist
Sample student journal from Unaweep Canyon
Pre-course preparation guide
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Financial aid & Scholarships
NOLS supports a variety of outside financial aid options:
- AmeriCorps
- 529 College Savings Plans
- Veteran's Benefits (only for courses fully in the state of Wyoming)
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Ready to get certified?
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