Meet the Back Country Horsemen
The Back Country Horsemen of Oregon, (BCHO) is a group of local men and women dedicated to the preservation of our right to the common sense use and enjoyment of pack and saddle stock in Oregon’s wilderness and backcountry.
We actively work with all city, state and federal government agencies to maintain equestrian access to public
lands. Back Country Horsemen accomplishes this by attending and speaking at public meetings, writing letters, and working with our government agencies to maintain many wilderness and non-wilderness trails in the state of Oregon. Our local chapters work, with the blessing and support of the public agencies, all over the state. We provide training in LNT principals and techniques to minimize our equestrian impact on the backcountry. Each year Back Country Horsemen of Oregon does volunteer work in the state of Oregon valued at $500,000.00.
“If once in a while, a man has the opportunity to flee the city, throw a diamond hitch upon a mule, and disappear into the wilderness of the covered wagon days, he is just that much more civilized than he would be without the opportunity.” – Aldo Leopold
Through our work we foster opportunities for every equestrian, we build credible relationships with local, regional and national federal state and city forest partners and provide lasting bonds with family, friends and our public lands.
Our Chapters
The BCHO chapters are key, through their efforts with our limited resources of time and people. Each chapter strives to keep their actions and activities relating directly to the original Back Country Horsemen (BCH) purposes, at the same time offering family-oriented events, rides and equestrian education throughout Oregon. Through work parties and meetings with federal and state public land managers and agencies, members of each chapter work to keep Oregon public trails open and safe for equestrians to ride and use today and for future generations. Join us by becoming a member, making a donation or coming to work alongside us.
- Columbia Gorge BCH Hood River area, contact columbiagorge@bcho.org
- Emerald Empire BCH Eugene area, contact emeraldempire@bcho.org
- East Cascades BCH Central Oregon area, contact eastcascades@bcho.org
- High Desert Trail Riders BCH Klamath Falls area, contact hdtr@bcho.org
- Back Country Wilderness Packers BCH Latest BCHO Chapter, contact bcwp@bcho.org
- Sourdough BCH Rogue Valley area, contact sourdough@bcho.org
- Steens BCH Burns area, contact steens@bcho.org
- West Cascade BCH Salem area, contact westcascade-pres@bcho.org
- Territorial Riders BCH Oregon City & greater Clackamas County, contact territorialriders@bcho.org
BCHO Education
The improper use of stock on public lands can have a lasting effect on our fragile backcountry; through education, we encourage the wise use of these resources. 
The Back Country Horsemen LNT training program provides guidelines for protecting the backcountry while still taking in all its natural beauty. Leave No Trace is about preserving our privilege to use stock on public lands by learning to minimize our impacts as much as possible. Training includes: how to plan and prepare for traveling and camping with horses and mules with the least impact, how to select a durable campsite while respecting wildlife and other users. For more information about horse-oriented LNT presentations, contact our master training coordinator, education@bcho.org.
Come see the Back Country Horsemen of Oregon LNT traveling training display at one of our next events, our display demonstrates proper techniques for riding and camping in the backcountry.
The BCHO Leave No Trace traveling training display demonstrates proper techniques for riding and camping in the backcountry.
How you can help
Become a member today, the voice of one person standing alone is not often heard. As a State and National organization, we are 16,000 members strong, working with land managers, lawmakers and other user groups we can help preserve the horsemen’s rights to the recreational use of stock on public lands. Back Country Horsemen of Oregon invites you to become actively involved in preserving your backcountry stock use by joining the BCHO Chapter nearest you.