Sue, Ed & our gang. Capital State Forest gravelpack 2006
"THE MOUNTAIN CANARY COMPANY PACKER'S GUIDE BOOK"
A practical and inventive workbook for horse and mule packers By Ed & Sue Haefliger
......TO PURCHASE A COPY OF OUR BOOK........
To Order by Phone: (360) 427-4297 To Order by Email: mtcanary@msn.com
$46.00 Total Includes US Shipping & Handling Shipping cost may vary on International Orders
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Our Mailing Address is 400 SE Kalium Drive, Shelton, WA., 98584
This book is written as a complete packing clinic in a book for horse or mule owners wanting to learn the skills of packing with their stock. In it we describe in text and photo detail how and why we use thepacking systems and methods that we do. There is something for everyone novice or experienced packers alike. Folks that have read it have commented not only on the great information with in but also the friendly and complete way it is presented. The reviews below pretty much say it all.
The packing methods shown in this book are the the methods that have worked very well for us. Through out this work we explain that one must decide on what system is best for them and their stock. The information with in this book will help in getting you out there along way toward this individual decision making.
The guide book is printed in black and white on high quality 24#paper with durable color card stock covers that are protected with clear plastic overlays. It is spiral bound to lay flat for durability and usefulness. There are 265 pages of instruction and information alongwith 366 photos many of which contain instructional photo art.
Special note: For some folks knot and hitch tying is a serious challenge, with this in mind we have written out instructions for the tying of all knots and hitches in a step by step process.
To get the most out of this text, read the written explaintion, follow the the instructions on each photo and study the photo carefully. With repeated practice you will be chocking rope with the best of them.
Our goal is to get you the reader out into the backcountry safely and proficiently to experience the wonders of work as apackerand travel with yourhorses and/or mules.
Ed and Sue
Our Packers Guidebook has been chosen by the "Certified Horsemanship Asssociation (CHA)" as the manual for their trail course. www.cha.ashe.org This association is a national and international training orginization that developes training programs for all horsemanship skills. It also trains and certifiies trainers to establish a uniform base of expertise in appling these programs. They have trained some of the better trainers in this country.
We are very proud of this endorsement.
>>>>>If you would wish to obtain a sampler copy of you book please e/mail us at mtcanary@msn.com and we will gladly send you a copy free. (note: this copy will be in pdf and not as clear of a print as the book plus book photos are shown in black and white not color as in the sampler!)<<<<<
THE TABLE OF CONTENTS:
PG. 1 INTRODUCTION PG. 3 TRAINING AND SAFETY PG. 20 PLANNING AND EVALUATION PG. 26 HOW TO BUILD A STEEL MULE PG. 28 PACKSADDLE PAD INFORMATION BASIC KNOTS USED: PG. 32 A HANDY QUICK RELEASE KNOT PG. 36 HOW TO TIE A BREAKAWAY KNOT PG. 44 HOW TO TIE A SLIP CLOVE HITCH PG. 46 HOW TO TIE A THROWN OR ROLLED CLOVE HITCH PG. 50 HOW TO TIE A BOWLINE PG. 56 BALANCING A LOAD ON A HORSE OR MULE PG. 60 FINDING THE PROPER LOCATION FOR YOUR PACK- SADDLE PG. 62 ADJUSTING THE FIT ON A PACKSADDLE PG. 64 UNDERSTANDING PACKSADDLE RIGGING, GIRTH POSITIONS AND TYING LATIGOS PG. 70 TYPES OF PACK SADDLES PG. 74 SETTING UP A DROP-RIGGED PACKSADDLE PG. 76 FITTING THE BREECHING, BREAST COLLAR (PLATE) AND STRAPS FOR A PACKSADDLE ASSEMBLY TO A PACK ANIMAL PG. 82 CARGO LOADING PG. 86 HOW TO TIE ON BOXES OR BAGS USING A BASKET HITCH PG. 90 HOW TO TARP A TOP LOAD PG. 96 HOW TO SECURE A LOAD WITH A DOUBLE DIAMOND HITCH PG. 112 HOW TO SECURE A LOAD WITH A SINGLE DIAMOND HITCH PG. 122 HOW TO SECURE A LOAD WITH A BOX HITCH PG. 132 HOW TO SECURE A MANTA LOAD WITH A CROWS- FOOT HITCH PG. 140 HOW TO TIE UP A MANTA LOAD ONTO A MANTA BOARD PG. 150 USING A TIMBER BUNK TO CARRY PLANKS PG. 152 USING TOOL PANNIERS TO CARRY MISCELLANEOUS CARGO PG. 156 SOME THOUGHTS ON USING PANNIER BAGS PG. 158 GRAVEL BAG SET UP AND USE PG. 168 ADDITIONAL TOOLS AND ITEMS NECESSARY AND HELPFUL TO THE PACKER PG. 172 THE USE OF A MUZZLE FOR PACK STOCK PG. 174 “TO SHOE OR NOT TO SHOE, THAT IS THE QUESTION, ET CETERA.” PG. 178 THOUGHTS ON FEEDING STOCK IN THE BACK COUNTRY PG. 180 MEETING HIKERS ON THE TRAIL PG. 186 LOSING YOUR ACCESS TO THE BACK COUNTRY PG. 188 VOLUNTEERING PG. 194 IDEAS AND INFORMATION WITHOUT A HOME PG. 210 PUBLISHED ARTICLES OF INTEREST FOR BACK COUNTRY USE PG. 246 PHOTO GALLERY PG. 258 ROGUES GALLERY PG. 260 REFERENCE MATERIAL PG. 262 CREDITS AND THANKS PG. 264 WHO IS ED AND SUE AND WHY THE “HECK” SHOULD WE LISTEN TO THEM?
"REVIEW #1!"
Review written by: Editor & Publisher, Joe Mischka, Rural Heritage Magazine, Volume 34, Spring 2009, Number 3
“The Reader’s Bookshelf”
The Mountain Canary Company Packer’s Guidebook attempts to provide the reader with a comprehensive set of instructions on packing with mules and horses in backcountry. When you consider what is involved in achieving that goal – the entire range of complex topics that may be covered – it would be easy to dismiss the writers’ intentions as well-intentioned, but ultimately impossible to achieve.
That’s what I did and boy, was I surprised. Ed and Sue Haefliger have put together a guidebook that does for packing with horses and mules what all guidebooks should aspire to accomplish for their respective fields.
To say that it is complete, comprehensive and detailed is only part of the story. This book is so well thought out, intelligently designed and organized, and expertly illustrated with useful photographs that it is simply a joy to examine. The text is well written, precise and easy to understand. Illustrations are plentiful, well-labeled and generously enlarged. It is no surprise, then, that the book was selected by the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) as the official manual for their trail course.
Topics include training and trail safety, pre-trip planning and post-trip evaluation, building a steel mule for practice, basic and advanced knot-tying instructions, balancing a load on your horse or mule, loading cargo, putting on and taking off tarps, specialized panniers for timber, tools or gravel, feeding your stock in the backcountry, dealing with hikers and other visitors, whether to shoe your packing stock, and much more.
Mingled among the abundant instructions, precise diagrams, and explanatory photographs, Ed and Sue offer some advice and philosophy to make your packing trips more enjoyable, safe and successful. The book is well made on heavy paper with a sturdy medal spiral binding so it can lay flat on your table and has a protective plastic cover.
REVIEW #2!
"Ed Haefliger has created a treatise on the subject of packingthat reflects his experience as a Fire officer on structure fires. The elements of danger on a fire are dramatic and constant. His experience has taught him that the best way to avoid the horrible consequences of a situation is to plan for the situation before it occurs and do whatever is in your power to avoid it. A large structure fire always has many unknowns that may affect your tactics, but it is a given that the danger inherent in the fire is such that a mistake may cost property and lives. Ed approaches the subject of packing with the correct belief that many lives both Equine and Human will be affected by the way he instructs and how well his readers master the instruction.
I have packed in the mountains of Washington, British Columbia and South America and have seen some of the best at work in the field. I have had many great trips and some that were not so great. The difference in the good and bad ones are a result of small neglected actions that would have made a bad trip into a good one if I had properly acted in the right manner and at the appropriate time. In this book Ed and Sue eliminate a lot of the guess work about the proper actions and if followed their advice will provide the tools to avoid the bad trips and perhaps loss of health and limb.
Mt. Canary packing is a resource for both the novice and advancedpacker. A novice has here all they need to begin their education in the field of packing and riding in the mountains. An advanced packerand rider will find much in this book to compliment their experience and remind them of the little things they may have forgotten or never knew. With their emphasis on Tread Lightly and conservation, Ed and Sue transition from the old packers who were extremely competent in their profession yet a little careless with nature to the modern wilderness user who must be ever conscious of the sensitivities of the other user groups. All of us as users must tailor our actions to avoid infringing on the experiences of others. To that end this book is a great primer for us all and reminds us users of Equine that an offense to another user may develop a life long hatred toward our method of transportation.
I cannot recommend this book too highly to anyone who wants to indulge in the pursuit of packing and riding in the mountains. If followed the advice and experience of Ed and Sue will make for more pleasant trips through the rest of our riding and packing lives." ..............Tom F., Kapowsin,Washington , USA
"REVIEW #3!"
The packers guide book is very informative. I would suggest that people buying this book read it thoroughly. The author has also suggested reference books that you can also read. I have done some packing through the years. The illustrations in the book are very good. The knot tying is excellent. The photos in the book are quite clear on how theypack their animals. Glenn G.three-g-brand, Shelton, Washington, USA.
At the time of this writing Glenn is 85 years young. He is one of those fellows who has been there, done it all, lived through it and got the "tee" shirt. Glenn is shown in the top photo on page 22 of this book. He is pictured coming across the Olympic National Parks Home-Sweet-Home meadow in July of 1999. It is a great honor to get this approval.
"REVIEW #4!"
Being a well-seasoned equestrian, equine packer, and packing instructor, I am always delighted to share conversations, theories of techniques, methods, application, as well as shared packing experiences. This manual provides a solid basis of instruction for the horse-person to build on with an emphasis on safety for both the equine and the handler, it is a solid fundamental instruction on the concepts, methodology, and the practical application of the art of packing. The more learns the more we will realize that it is a never-ending journey to learn more.
Ronald D., Puyallup Washington :Ron is quite an interesting gent, he is the owner of RJD Equine Services a stock training, breeding and farrier service, a CTA Certified Trainer of America, and a CFMA Certified Master Farrier of America, a CEIA Certified Equestrian Instructor of America, and an equine packing instructor for the U.S. Forest Service and the BackCountry Horsemen of Washington. In addition, he has been a U.S.F.S.packer, U.S.F.S. smoke jumper, instructor for the US Ski team, rodeo competitor, and producer of thousands of volunteer hours of trail work with the BCHW. Ron is a getter done kind of guy. We are very pleased with this endorsement.
