Ol’ Clapsaddle would be most pleased to share his horsepacking and trail experience with anyone genuinely interested in getting started on a recreational basis.  He has dozens of maps, descriptions of trail heads, photos of camp sites, etc. and would be happy to demonstrate the equipment he utilizes and where to purchase it.  Ring him at 303-981-6677, we’ll meet at the farm and talk.

The connection with horses began in 1968 for Wilbur Flachman (aka Bufford T. Clapsaddle) when he was invited by friends from Woodland Park to join in a horse pack trip to Island Lakes in the Flattops Wilderness Area.

A Colorado newspaper and magazine publisher since 1961, Flachman was immediately “hooked” by the Wilderness and the animals.  He purchased his first two horses soon thereafter and put together a pack and riding string within three years.

For the past 40 years, “Clapsaddle” has spent a good portion of each Summer and Fall non-commercially sharing the back country with hundreds of friends, mid-west relatives and business associates.  (One cohesive contingent of fellow Wartburg College alums from across the United States known as the “Knight Riders” re-united for their 23rd pack trip in 2008).

During those 40 years, “Clapsaddle” has logged an estimated 7700 trail miles on horseback, mostly in Colorado Wilderness areas, but also in Arizona, Utah and Wyoming.

In semi-retirement, Flachman purchased the land near Hudson, Colorado that became Clapsaddle Farms, and upon completion of the infra-structure began the breeding line that Kim Elsner is training at present.

Importantly, a new crop of sturdy, gentle trail mounts is needed because “Clapsaddle’s” daughter Angie and husband Paul enjoy the horsepacking experience as much as the ol’ guy, and are furthering the back country tradition.