Photos by Heartland BCH

To perpetuate the common-sense use and enjoyment of horses in America's back country and wilderness,

To work to insure that public lands remain open to recreational stock use,

To assist the various government and private agencies in their maintenance and management of said resource,

To educate, encourage and solicit active participation in the wise and sustaining use of the back country resources by horsemen and the general public,

To foster and encourage the formation of new Backcountry Horsemen organizations.

The story of BCHI began January 22, 1978 with members of the Flathead, Missoula & Bitterroot chapters (all in Montana) coming to Salmon, Idaho to try and start another chapter. They provided posters, an informational kit, and funds for radio and newspaper advertising.

A meeting on February 14 saw 50 persons in attendance, including the Salmon National Forest Supervisor. An organization committee was formed to draft documents for the March meeting. Thus, the Salmon River BCH chapter was officially organized on March 14, 1978.

Feeling that BCH was going to grow and would need a central body to coordinate activities, these four chapters met to form an umbrella organization. Thus, BCHA (the national organization) was born in early 1979,

The first BCHA convention was held in Kalispell, MT on March 17-18, 1979 where a constitution and by-laws were adopted. BCHA has now expanded its influence to 25 states and one chapter in British Columbia.

A second Idaho chapter, the Panhandle BCH (Coeur d'Alene) was formed in early 1983. When the states of California & Washington agreed to bring their respective organizations on board with BCHA in 1985, BCHI was formed with Salmon River BCH and Panhandle BCH as charter members.

In 1986 the BCH of North Central Idaho (Grangeville) and Priest River Valley BCH groups doubled the number of chapters, joined soon after by Heartland BCH (Donnelly).

Two years later Twin River BCH (Lewiston) and Eagle Rock BCH (Idaho Falls) joined the ranks.

In 1992 there were five new chapters added, Sawtooth BCH (Wood River Valley), Squaw Butte BCH (Emmett), High Desert BCH (Twin Falls), Cache Peak BCH (Burley) & Treasure Valley BCH (Nampa/Caldwell).

Since that time, North Idaho BCH (Sandpoint), Boise BCH (Meridian), & the Selkirk Valley BCH (Bonners Ferry) were formed. North Idaho BCH dissolved in 2013.