Least Resistance Training Concepts

In the Virginia Range a great deal of the water for springs comes from the Sierra Nevadas, the alpine mountains that separate Nevada from California. In early 2008 the winter snows suddenly subsided and the snow pack disappeared. Even in a bountiful snowfall year the eastern most springs will slowly decline and eventually stop running in mid or late summer. The horses and other wildlife tend to wander to the west where water is still available.

This year many of the springs declined suddenly and a large number of very thirsty horses were stranded at the east end of the range. Many tried to crash into a cattle corral for water, getting injured. A few horses actually broke their legs.

The landowner, cattle rancher, Range Manager and LRTC collectively determined that we had to deliver water to reduce the chaos. The rancher removed about half his cattle and allowed LRTC to water the horses using his large troughs. We started the season hauling water in our 400 gallon trailer tank.