The Painted Warriors Horseback Riding Backcountry Boot Camp is all about building skills and independence in riders of all levels. The five-day camp is one of a variety of horse- and nature-based programs offered at Painted Warriors Ranch, located in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies about an hour-and-a-half northwest of Calgary, Alberta. Painted Warriors creates authentic outdoor experiences from an Indigenous perspective, based on co-owner Tracey Klettl’s Cree and Mohawk heritage and on the Ojibway heritage of her partner and business co-owner, Tim Mearns.

As a photojournalist specializing in horseback riding vacations, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing incredible opportunities that I will always cherish. Through my work, I've had the chance to explore hidden corners of the world that most tourists never see and connect with fascinating people from across the globe who share a passion for horses. In my view, there’s no better way to immerse yourself in a new culture than from the saddle of a native horse, taking in the sights, sounds, and scents of a place.

Out the plane window the sun casts a golden glow on the mountains below as the clouds of pink and purple fade to black. My dream of experiencing the wilderness of Canada’s Yukon on horseback is finally coming true. Landing in Whitehorse, capital of the Yukon since 1953, I drag my bags across the street to the hotel to settle in for the night.

Rider Down! It’s a trail rider’s worst nightmare: getting hurt and requiring evacuation from a remote area. Whether out on the trails for a few hours or on an overnight trip, the reality that every recreational rider must face is that emergencies can occur. Preparation is key and the success of emergency evacuations has a lot to do with planning for their possibility. It can also determine whether a rider survives.