From the vision and insight of four mountain men was born Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHA), a leading organization in the fight to preserve the right to ride horses on public lands. The organization now has more than 13,000 members from more than 185 chapters and affiliates in 26 states.

Humble Beginnings

The BCHA’s seeds were planted in the late ’60s and early ’70s. As hiking, mountain biking, and other trail uses rapidly grew, the general sentiment toward horses on public lands soured. Pack and saddle stock were quickly restricted to a few particular trails or prohibited altogether.

Roland Cheek, Ken Ausk, Dennis Swift, and Dulane Fulton knew they needed an organization of horsemen to represent the interests of back country horse users on matters regarding public lands. The group brainstormed and developed a vision for a new organization and a course of action for it to follow