Welcome to Back Country Horsemen of Missouri (BCHMO)

Back Country Horsemen of Missouri (BCHMO) is part of the Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHA). As such, BCHMO coordinates activities throughout Missouri to protect and keep Missouri’s public trails open to equestrians.

Need to find a trail, horse camp or arena? Click here for the Trails page.

Purposes of Back Country Horsemen of Missouri

  • To insure that public lands remain open for equestrian use.
  • To further the common sense use and enjoyment of equines on Missouri’s trails.
  • To educate, encourage, and gain active participation in the care and use of equestrian resources.
  • To assist the federal, state and county agencies with maintenance and management of land resources for equestrian uses.
  • To foster and encourage the formation of new state chapters.

Service

Keeping trails open for all to enjoy.

Back Country Horsemen of Missouri is first and foremost a service organization.  We volunteer our time and energies to keep equestrian trails open and enjoyable to horsemen. We clear deadfall, prune low hanging branches, clear brush, pick up trash, improve trail heads and work on erosion control projects on Missouri’s public lands.

Education

Sharing knowledge with future generations.

One of the missions of the Back Country Horsemen of Missouri is to provide sound science based educational material and resources to those interested in trail riding and trail issues associated with horses and the environment.  Other goals include educating riders and non riders to promote and follow the Leave No Trace Principles, basic trail courtesy and ethics, and best methods in trail building and maintenance.

Advocacy

Working with land managers.

Advocacy, as the third spoke of Back Country Horsemen of Missouri’s  philosophy is inherent in all of the stated purposes.  “To speak in favor of, to recommend” is a simple definition but, its accomplishment is multi-faceted. It involves partnering with state and local agencies, attending meetings, commenting on public land management proposals and much more.

Back Country Horsemen of Missouri believes that the first step is a strong  statewide organization addressing trailrider issues. The second step for equestrians is adherence to trail ethics; every responsible equestrian by their actions and courtesy is a trail advocate.