Metal mules are used to demonstrate packing gear and provide hands-on teaching at the packing education clinic hosted by the Redshank Riders Unit of Backcountry Horsemen Saturday, Oct. 11. Anza Valley Outlook/Stacy Kuhns photo
The Redshank Riders Unit of Backcountry Horsemen hosted a hands-on packing education clinic Saturday, Oct. 11, at Winchester Saddlery in Temecula, drawing equestrians eager to learn the finer points of backcountry packing.Expert packers Michael Lewis, Jack Peckham, Stacy Kuhns, Greg Bruce and Elle Robertson led the four-hour workshop, sharing their knowledge and passion for keeping traditional packing skills alive.Lewis discussed gear in detail, elaborating on the different types of pack saddles, pads, panniers and other necessary equipment. He displayed an assortment of pack bags, slings and boxes, showing attendees how each serves a specific purpose when traveling the trails.The clinic featured both live mules and “metal mules” - life-sized training models - allowing part
