Hells Canyon, ID (CBS2) — The U.S. Forest Service uses horses and mules during the spring, summer, and fall months to help haul tools, equipment, and supplies into the backcountry where vehicles otherwise would not be able to reach. But what do they do with the equine during the winter months?
The mules and horses get to go on vacation.
The animals from the south zone of Nez Perce- Clearwater National Forest get to spend their winter months on a 2,800-acre pasture in Hels Canyon.
Sean Santolin who has worked with the horses and mules for 14 years says that the animals get a break for the winter after they get a little check-up.
Santolin says “We will deworm them one last time before we turn them out. They get a haircut with mechanical clippers to keep burrs and seed heads out of their manes. We’ll pull their shoes and trim their feet and roll the edges on their hooves to prevent them from chipping."
The animals then get to roam largely unsupervised. "They get to be back in their natural environment doing what they would do without our intervention. And they don’t have any responsibilities besides grazing and enjoying their pasture.” Santolin said.
The herd animals divide the duties with some of the animals watching for predators while others know where the best water and grass are.
Santolin says “I think they really enjoy being turned out on the Snake. They’re always really excited when you take them out. You’re always holding them back from a full-out run. They want to go, they know it’s their winter break and they’re not going to work for a while and they enjoy it.”
At the end of the winter when it is time for the mules and horse to head back to work the animals are ready. After spending the winter on the rugged range of Hells Canyon they are in peak condition and ready to head back to the Nez-Perce Clearwater National Forest until next winter.
ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifK%2Bx1qxmpaeTlrlwss6rnKysXaiys8LInJxmoJ%2BnwKa%2FjK2YpJ1dlnq4tc2tnKtlkqeyoreMoqVmoJWhubR5wpqlsqeeYsGzrc2soK2hn6O2r7OMn6mopV2svLO3jK2mZq%2BZobE%3D