Horses, Hitches and Rocky Trails

Horses, Hitches and Rocky Trails has been called the Packer's Bible. Joe's humor and insight make this an entertaining read. His cowboy vernacular fits the subject and keeps the prose lively. This is especially true in the early chapters when he covers the development of packing through the ages; from Genghis Khan to the Spanish invaders of the New World. This is mostly a how too book though, covering everything from selection of gear and livestock, to packing it all up on the back of a critter and heading off into the hills. There is a wealth of information here, along with Joe's art work depicting what he is talking about, whether tying a hitch or training your pony. You might want two copies, one clean copy for your library and another-that you don't mind getting dirty-for your saddle bag. You might want to be careful with some of his advice though, especially if you care about your old mountain pony. For instance, in the book he demonstrates how to picket a horse to an old log. I have no doubt that this method will work as far as keeping your charge from leaving the country, but you will also lose a certain percentage of animals to injury this way (some would claim those are the animals you don't want anyway!). In Joe's defense, he lived in the first half of the 20th century when horses were cheap. Just remember there are many ways to skin a cat, and the country you are traveling through will dictate the best methods. One aside, Joe did not like mules which he readily admits in the book; in my opinion though the average horse does not measure up to even a fair mule when it comes to traveling through the mountains. If you want to read an account of packing in the second half of the 20th Century do check out my book "Across the High Lonesome!"Across the High Lonesome

This is a repurchase of an old friend. Years ago my career and life took me to Wyoming. Like many, I fell in love with the high country and soon realized that the only way to get to the best of it was with horses. As a relative greenhorn, however, I had a lot to learn about getting to and living in the high country, with or without horses. A friend gave me Joe Back's book Horses, Hitches and Rocky Trails. Somewhere along the way, I misplaced it. I'm glad to have it back.This book is more than informative. It delivers all its name suggests, telling all I needed to know about the tack, rigging and techniques of handling horses in a pack string. By simply following his advice, I found myself not only able to do it, but do it without embarassing myself in the company of real mountain men.Beyond that, Joe's earthy narrative and humorous, but informative, illustrations make the book a joy to read. Even after you read it cover to cover, you'll want to spend some time looking at the illustrations and re-reading the tidbits of wisdom. If you have an interest or plan to go into the primitive areas of the mountain West, I encourage you to read this even if you never intend to pack a horse yourself.

This is probably the single best work I've ever seen on the "science" of packing. Joe Back lived and worked in N.W. Wyoming, and was a legend in the area. His humorous annecdotes, and extremely accurate hand drawn diagrams, combined with his obvious knowledge of the subject, make this a "must have" for anyone seriously interested in learning how to pack horses or mules, and survive. This little work deserves a place in any packer's library.

I have had a copy of Horses, Hitches, & Rocky Trails for eighteen years. It has been taken to the field many times and read in total and in part many times. For the past eighteen years I have been alert for books that would provide new information or expend on Joe's presentation. If there are better ideas out there they need a literate, artistic, and humorous champion like Joe Back.

This is a great book for anyone interested in packing horses into the mountains. Weather you are a experienced or inexperienced packer. The writing and illustrations are one of a kind,and with a style of the west.When reading the book you feel like your there packing your own string into the mountains. I would recomend it to any packers past present or future.