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Horses, Hitches and Rocky Trails
Chicago: Sage Books / Swallow Press, 1959. Hardbound, 8vo (about 8.5 inches tall), 117 pages. Appendix.
From the forward:
Interest, enjoyment and enthusiasm come naturally when we listen to, or watch, a true craftsman in his field. Joe Back lets us do both in this book, and he does it in the language of the trail. His clear word pictures could come only from the man who has thrown every hitch, and in the dark, at that.
From the forward:
Interest, enjoyment and enthusiasm come naturally when we listen to, or watch, a true craftsman in his field. Joe Back lets us do both in this book, and he does it in the language of the trail. His clear word pictures could come only from the man who has thrown every hitch, and in the dark, at that.
- GenresTravel
117 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1959
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57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 21, 2023
This little book has more wisdom about getting along with horses and ropes than you’ll find pretty much anywhere else. It’s worth a read even if you don’t hassle around with our four-legged friends! There’s a lot to be learned in here about interacting with the land, even if you don’t venture much further than the city park. The illustrations are masterful, and quite frankly worth picking it up in their own right. Give it a look, you’ll be glad you did!
May 31, 2025
p. 22 “Atomic Age or not, there is a lot of ancient skills and tools that will always be needed. Survival even in this modern age many times will depend on just a few essentials and very simple ones at that. I reckon the moral for this tale could be that no matter how modern you are, just take a few Stone Age precautions.”
p. 82 “If you have learned to tie those pretty bows in your shoestrings—and they are intricate—you can sure as manila learn to throw a diamond hitch on a packed animal, and throw it right. It’s no more complicated. You can tie or untie your shoes in the dark. When you tie and untie the diamond hitch as often as you do your shoestrings, you’ll have to agree with me.”
p.112 “Well, we humans have got a corner, mebbe, on ambition: drive, if you want to call it that. Competition and rivalry makes for progress, so it is said—keeping up with the Joneses mebbe is a byproduct. Say and think what you will, atomic or plastic, this fact still remains: when you die, you are dead and no mistake!”
p. 82 “If you have learned to tie those pretty bows in your shoestrings—and they are intricate—you can sure as manila learn to throw a diamond hitch on a packed animal, and throw it right. It’s no more complicated. You can tie or untie your shoes in the dark. When you tie and untie the diamond hitch as often as you do your shoestrings, you’ll have to agree with me.”
p.112 “Well, we humans have got a corner, mebbe, on ambition: drive, if you want to call it that. Competition and rivalry makes for progress, so it is said—keeping up with the Joneses mebbe is a byproduct. Say and think what you will, atomic or plastic, this fact still remains: when you die, you are dead and no mistake!”
December 30, 2020
The Packers Bible....says it all. It's a how-to guide to putting things on horses, with some western world view philosophy thrown in. There are much more modern takes on this book, but this is the original. The language can pose a challenge, but there's a lot of information and some great illustrations.
June 18, 2018
Its entertaining, informative and funny - a good read.
May 2, 2012
Read and reread. Good book, good art, good advice. If you are planing to do some horse packing buy this book and keep in your saddlebag.
May 1, 2019
The packer’s bible
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews