Welcome to Fort Howes!

UPDATE!!!!

Trails are marked, basecamp is mowed, paperwork is being filed, ALL is a go for the 11th and 12th of June for the 14th Annual Fort Howes Endurance Rides! Saturday we are offering a 35 , 50 and 75 mile ride. Sunday riders will enjoy either a 55 or a 100 mile ride. Those interested in FEI rides can cross-enter in 50, 55, 75 and/or the 100. The ride is also sanctioned with AHA - the 50 miler on Saturday will serve as the Region 6 Championship with the Sunday 55 and 100 serving as "local rides".

We are WAIVING the late fee...come one, come all! Please use our on-line entry form if possible as this helps a great deal with the paperwork aspect of things.

Concerning the huge amounts of rain that we've received in the last month - yes we did, however, the footing is FANTASTIC!!!! Tons of water out on trail which means we won't have to haul out as much as we usually do. Tons of grass for ponies to graze while traveling down the trails. Like we mentioned, the basecamp has been totally mowed - but there is plenty left for hand grazing all around.

Roads closed??? Well, yes there is a section of HWY 212 between Lame Deer, MT and Ashland, MT that is closed, however, there is a route available (all paved) that goes from Lame Deer to Birney to Ashland that adds about 20-30 minutes more to the usual travel time for those coming from the west. Please see the DIRECTIONS page for more specific instructions.

EHV-1??? Currently Montana has not identified any positive cases of the virus. Our plan is to keep it that way. As always, Montana does require Health Certificates (which includes an Entry Permit Number requested by the Veterinarian who is doing the Health Certificate - (406) 444-2976) within 30 days of entry into the state. We will be checking all equines for Heath Certificates prior to allowing them to park. We are also planning on having everyone check their horses temperatures twice a day while they are here - so please bring your thermometers. The AERC Veterinary Committee is suggesting that if your horse has a temp of 102 or higher that you should stay home - we would appreciate that as well. As many of you know we have a huge basecamp - we plan to spread everyone out more than normal so that horses aren't right next to each other. We also intend on 'fencing off' our water tanks in basecamp and allow only dipping - utilizing our buckets to fill your buckets. Our Control Judges will also be implementing safety precautions when handling your horses at the holds by utilizing gloves and/or hand sanitizer between horses - they also may ask the handler of the horse to show the mucus membranes to the judge.

Homesteaded in 1883 by Captain Calvin Howes (a former sea Captain from Massachusetts), the Circle Bar Ranch is the home of the Fort Howes Endurance Rides. Started in 1997, the Fort Howes rides have grown from a one-day ride offering a 25 mile Limited Distance ride and a 50 mile Endurance Ride to currently offering a two-day ride with a 35 mile Limited Distance ride, both a 50 and 55 mile Endurance Rides, 75 mile Endurance Ride and a 100 mile Endurance Ride. Included with these distances are five FEI rides (which also include five Young Rider Rides) and the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) Region 6 Championship and three AHA Local Rides.

Trails consist of Open Meadows, Cow Trails, and unimproved Jeep Trails. Riders can expect to have at least one 1000' elevation change in each loop they ride out on. Water is available out on trail every 3-5 miles. Vet Checks for the Limited Distance, 50, 55 and 75 mile rides will all be in basecamp, with the 100 mile possibly having one vet check out of camp (we'll make arrangements to haul your crewing supplies out if necessary).

Basecamp is a huge open field with lots of room and plenty of horse water available. Lone Dog Catering will also be here during the ride with their usual assortment of food for purchase - hamburgers, hot dogs, Indian Tacos, etc.

We will again be offering our Rancher's dinner on Friday night including steak and all the trimmings. Saturday night will include a BBQ with hamburgers and hotdogs.

Temperatures in the early part of June range in the 40's overnight and up into the 80's during the days. Though one should always plan for anything - this is Montana after all and we subscribe to the saying "Don't like the weather, wait five minutes, it will change".