The traditional use of stock in the Forest Service and in so many ways of life
required a lot of different skills that are quickly disappearing due to changes in modern
technology. Horses and mules, for many years, provided our primary mode of
transportation. They still play a very vital role in our management of wild areas across
the national forest system. They allow us to re-supply fire lookouts, trail crews to get
equipment into distant locations that are otherwise off limits to motorized vehicles.
Horses and mules are a vital part of our management of wild areas.