Trail Angel Spotlight: Samantha, Nevada Horse Trails — Backcountry Hygiene from the Saddle

Every so often we hand the Kula blog over to one of our Trail Angels — the volunteers who head out onto trails to give away Kula Cloths, answer questions, and teach the basics of backcountry hygiene and Leave No Trace. Today, meet Samantha: a fulltime equestrian explorer outside Reno, Nevada, who runs Nevada Horse Trails, rides former wild mustangs named Sage and Fremont, and has spent months at a time crossing her home state on horseback. She is also our first horseback Trail Angel, which means this is the first spotlight where the Kula clips to a saddle instead of a backpack. We asked her a pile of questions. Her answers are printed here in her own words. — Anastasia

Tell us a little about yourself — where do you live, what do you do, and what role do horses play in your outdoor life?

I live outside Reno, Nevada and I am a fulltime equestrian explorer. Through my company, Nevada Horse Trails, I document trails and campgrounds throughout the state, work with state and federal land managers on trail issues, organize educational workshops, and lead multiday horseback riding expeditions. So, horses are part of my outdoor life every single day!

How did you first fall in love with horseback riding and exploring the backcountry?

I always loved riding and the backcountry, but I didn't think about combining the two until I decided to ride across Nevada! In 2013 I spent one month riding 500 miles across the state and that was that – I was hooked and it's all I've wanted to do ever since. In 2016, I spent three months riding 1,100 miles around the state and in 2021, I spent 45 days riding 550 miles across the state again. In between those long rides I am almost always out exploring a trail somewhere! It's my goal to see as much of Nevada as possible on horseback.

What do you love most about seeing wild places from horseback?

There's something really intimate about seeing the land from the back of a horse. It's slow and intentional. When you travel at 3mph, you see everything! If you pay attention, you begin to understand the nuances of the landscape as it changes from mile to mile, range to range, valley to valley. I especially love getting to see animals up close that I would never otherwise get to see. On a horse you seem to be almost undetectable, and I have had some amazing up close encounters.

What are some of your favorite trails, wilderness areas, parks, or backcountry riding destinations near where you live?

Some of my favorite places to ride in Nevada are the Tahoe Rim Trail around Lake Tahoe, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Las Vegas, and Great Basin National Park outside Ely. Those places are so unique and they really highlight the diversity of the landscape in Nevada.

Tell us a little about your horse or horses. What makes them especially good backcountry partners?

I ride mustangs! My two main trail partners are Sage and Fremont. They are former wild horses who have now covered tens of thousands of miles through Nevada and other western states. They love exploring new places as much as me; they are brave, cool under pressure, and have a natural understanding of how to navigate the backcountry. My non-equine trail partner is Juniper, a bearded collie mix who has also racked up thousands of trail miles with us.

What are you currently working on, building, creating, or involved with that you'd love more people to know about?

I've been working on a book of all the best trail stories from my years of exploring Nevada on horseback! It's kind of a love letter to Nevada interspersed with some of the highs and lows from the trail. I think people will laugh, cry, and be inspired. My goal is to finish it this year and try to get it out next year.

Are there any equestrian trail organizations, conservation groups, public-land efforts, local businesses, or causes that are especially meaningful to you?

I couldn't do what I do without public lands and wild places. There are powerful people out there who would strip the land down to nothing if it would yield a few dollars. I think it is really important to support organizations and groups that are doing the work to defend public lands. There are many, but some of my favs are Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Conservation Lands Foundation, and Outdoor Alliance.

What do you wish more people understood about maintaining and protecting trails?

If we do not use trails, we will lose them. Once they are gone, it is virtually impossible to get them back. Unfortunately, the government agencies tasked with managing trails and our wild places have been gutted. They are trying to care for millions of acres on a shoestring budget and barebones staff. People who use trails and recreate on public land must step up. That means recreating responsibly!

How did you first discover Kula Cloth, and what made you want to become a Kula Trail Angel?

I spend a lot of time thinking about how to go to the bathroom on the trail and I have some horror stories! I tried all sorts of different bathroom kits, but when I found Kula I was hooked. Kula is just so easy – it clips right to my saddle, it's hygienic, efficient, Leave No Trace friendly, and as a bonus, it looks cool. I was really excited to be the first horseback ambassador and hopefully get Kula cloths hanging from more saddles!

What's the funniest, sweetest, or most memorable interaction you've had involving a Kula cloth?

I was on my horse giving a speech at a semi-serious event at the Nevada state capitol building last month and someone in the crowd yelled out "I like your pee cloth!"

Bathroom logistics can get especially interesting when you're miles into the backcountry with a horse. What's your approach to staying comfortable, clean, and Leave No Trace while riding? What's a horseback riding trip hygiene kit look like?

I think my approach is probably pretty similar to a backpacker. My current bathroom kit for the saddle bag is my Kula cloth, toilet paper, an ultralight trowel, and one of those reusable odor-proof bags you get from the dispensary. I also carry baby wipes. Used toilet paper and baby wipes go into the dispensary bag to be packed out!

What advice would you give someone who is interested in getting into backcountry riding but feels intimidated or doesn't know where to begin?

I got into long distance trail riding because I read an article about a woman in her 70s who was doing it solo! She was so inspiring and I thought I want to be like her! No one should feel too intimidated to explore the backcountry - with or without a horse. Just take the time to learn wilderness safety skills, get good gear, and practice. There are also many adventurers out there who are willing to be a mentor; you just have to ask!

Tell us about one ride or horse-related backcountry adventure that has really stayed with you. What made it special?

On one of my long rides I saw a coyote and a badger sharing a meal! Maybe that doesn't sound too exciting, but I felt like a field biologist getting to witness this rare moment. Scientists know that coyotes and badgers sometimes team up to hunt, but it is not often documented. And apparently sharing food is even less common. But I got to ride by and watch them together out in the desert, on a beautiful day, with no one else around. It was such a special thing to see and I don't think I would have gotten to if I had not been on a horse.

Where can people find you, follow you, support your work, or otherwise connect with what you're doing?

Nevadadiscoveryride.com and nevadahorsetrails.com are my websites. And I'm on all the socials under those names as well! I always love to connect with fellow adventurers, horse people, or anyone who just loves the outdoors!

What Is the Kula Cloth Trail Angel Program?

If you've never crossed paths with one of our Trail Angels, here's the short story: Trail Angels are volunteer Kula Cloth ambassadors who we send out onto the trails to give away Kula Cloths and teach folks about outdoor hygiene and Leave No Trace.

You might meet one at a trailhead handing a free Kula Cloth to a curious hiker. You might catch one mid-hike, cheerfully explaining what a pee cloth is. Or — and this is new — you might be at a semi-serious event at your state capitol building, look up at the woman giving a speech from the back of a mustang, and notice what's clipped to her saddle.

There's no gatekeeping and no script. We ask our Trail Angels to be authentically themselves, because the person who teaches you something new on the trail should feel like a friend, not a billboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Kula Cloth Trail Angel do?

Trail Angels head out onto trails to give away Kula Cloth® pee cloths and teach fellow hikers and riders about outdoor hygiene and Leave No Trace principles — all in their own authentic voice, in their own communities.

Is Kula Cloth accepting new Trail Angels?

Not at the moment — the Trail Angel program isn't currently accepting new applications. Follow the Kula blog and our social channels for any future program updates.

What is a Kula Cloth?

A Kula Cloth® is a reusable pee cloth for anyone who squats when they pee. The fabric has an antimicrobial finish that helps keep it fresher between washes. You pat dry, snap it closed, and clip it to your pack — or, in Samantha's case, your saddle. New to the idea? Read how to use a pee cloth and how to clean a pee cloth.

What goes in a horseback riding hygiene kit?

Samantha's saddle-bag bathroom kit is a Kula Cloth, toilet paper, an ultralight trowel, a reusable odor-proof bag, and baby wipes — with used toilet paper and wipes going into the odor-proof bag to be packed out. As she puts it, it's not that different from what a backpacker carries.

Where can I follow Samantha?

You can find Samantha at nevadahorsetrails.com and nevadadiscoveryride.com, where she documents trails and campgrounds across Nevada, runs educational workshops, and leads multiday horseback expeditions.

About the Author

Samantha

Samantha is a fulltime equestrian explorer based outside Reno, Nevada, and a Kula Cloth® Trail Angel — our first on horseback. Through her company Nevada Horse Trails she documents trails and campgrounds across the state, works with state and federal land managers on trail issues, runs educational workshops, and leads multiday horseback expeditions. She rides former wild mustangs named Sage and Fremont, travels with a bearded collie mix named Juniper, and is writing a book of trail stories from her years of riding Nevada. Find her at nevadahorsetrails.com and nevadadiscoveryride.com.