Yep, gotta be careful with rental horses, one year we didn't get any elk but the rental horses provided all the excitement, adventure, and timeless stories we needed for the year!

A few thoughts regarding getting good results from rental horses:

(1) We predominantly use our horses to pack NOT to ride. I grew up on a ranch but I am more than willing to walk the route leading the horse and the panniers full of spike camp or full of elk. If I got a real good feel for the horses after packing on them and there is an empty trip, then I will ride the horse. If you don't ride, then you are less likely to get hurt.

(2) We get what are called "cold blooded horses" (versus "hot bloods") these are essentially your draft horses: Belgians and Shiers (sp?). The may not look too stylin' but they are wonderfully tame level headed horses by nature versus quarter horses, arabians, etc, etc. Plus you can pack a LOT of weight on them versus your standard saddle horse.

(3) Learn how to take care of those horses! When the rental company picks them up they can tell if they have been abused. We buy the feed (both hay and grain) from the rental company. We could get it cheaper elsewhere but it is convenient for them to deliver it and then THEY KNOW the horses are going to get fed. Water them 3 times a day. Take excellent care of their backs and make sure that the panniers don't cut them. If you prove to the horse renter that you are a top notch client, then they will go out of their way to get you their best horses.

(4) Every year our camp buys the horse foreman and his family Xmas presents and thank you notes for his services. Most renters either say nothing or bitch and moan, never anything positive. We make it a point to stoke the man who decides who gets what horses. It has been many years now and the horses have been top notch for a long time --- if it is your first year, then this your opportunity to start moving up the quality list; it is never too late.

(5) If you are new then Davis Tent & Awning in Denver Colorado runs a 1 day "packing school" in May so you can learn the fundamentals of how to pack your camp in and your elk out and they sell the lashing ropes, top covers, and panniers you need to get the job done.

On a seperate note:
If you are kicking your hunting up a notch and going for a do it yourself, remote/away from home elk camp with main camp, spike camp, and lots of animals to get out, then it doesn't just happen by accident, it requires effort on the hunters part to be ready, willing, and able to "play ball." We watch a lot of amateurs each year, some that are amazingly on top of their game for first timers and others who essentially don't have a clue. Interestingly enough the non-resident folks are typically MUCH MORE prepared (time, equipment, money, and tenacity) than a huge portion of residents, probably 5 to 1 in my honest opinion. Of course this is on public land. Many of the true local residents probably have private land connections so I don't get to see most of them in the field. Of those I do see in the field, resident Colorado hunters are some of the sorriest.... $30 tag, $50 tank of gas, a box of shells, daddy's closet rifle, an unheated pup tent; show up late Friday night for just the weekend portion of the five day hujnt and then have to be back to town by Sunday night for Mondays work (and no time to pack out anything they shoot).