Horsenhike
Very Active Member
If you send me the info on the panniers I will give it a look.I agree with gypsumreaper on his advice about renting horses. Three of us rented horses several years ago from Sombraro Ranch. They rent over much of the north half of Colorado, and you can pick up at one of the ranches or they will deliver and pick up at the trailhead. I have experience with horses, but my partners didn't, and we were lucky that someone didn't get seriously injured or even killed. We had two horses, and had bought canvas saddle panniers for hauling gear. We had to walk in with our camp gear, rode out, then made a 2nd trip hauling feed for the horses. We did use the horses to haul out an elk, but I would never do it again without having a non-hunter in camp to do the chores. I believe that it cost us around $900 for two horses for a week (2008). Sombraro delivered exactly as advertised, and I can recommend them if you decide to go that way. I still have the saddle panniers, and if someone has an interest I will sell them.
Love the horses. Starting to wonder if using them to hunt is worth it. On the plus side for us we have to care for them every day whether we are hunting or not.