There are few things in life that are more enjoyable than camping on horseback. To get away from work, the city, noise and traffic, to escape into a world of big blue skies, wide open spaces, tall trees and mountains, fresh air and endless trails… spending hours with your favorite horse (and friends). and family, as long as they are also good company!). Life just doesn’t get much better than this.
On the other hand, a weekend camping trip with your favorite equine friend can also be a recipe for disaster if you’re unprepared or unsure how to handle a wilderness adventure. Camping with horses is fun, but it requires advance preparation and planning.
There are different options for the mountain biker who wants to camp. In some parts of the country, you can find fancy stables that rent out overnight stalls where your horse can sleep safely, contained in a stable while you “rough it” at the local hotel or bed and breakfast. There are equestrian camps in some state parks that have corrals and railings for the horses, water, showers and toilets for the people, and even electricity for the campers. But the most common camping areas for trail bikers are pretty basic: a place to park your gear, pitch a tent, maybe put up a tie-down line for your horse.
This article will discuss camping, starting with just the basics.
Preparation: your horse
The most important item for a pleasant camping trip is your horse. Your horse must be well-trained enough for you to handle it in new and different environments. You should know how to be tied down without complaining.
Before heading out on a long weekend on a trail, if you plan to spend many hours in the saddle riding many miles, make sure you have sufficiently ridden and conditioned your horse. You must be sound, sound, have proper hoof protection (shod, if appropriate for the terrain you are riding on), and have tack that fits well and does not cause discomfort. This part of the preparation is done in the weeks leading up to your first campout.
It is a good idea to feed your horse some hay regularly before camp if you are normally grazing but will be fed hay while camping. Cut back on the number of hours on the pasture a bit, and feed a flake of hay every day for a couple of weeks before your campout. It is important that you do not change the horse’s normal diet abruptly to avoid the possibility of colic when you are away from home.
It’s also a good idea to get your horse used to drinking from a bucket of water if he normally drinks only from a large water tank or stream.
Horse items to pack for camping (in order of importance, from the horse’s point of view!):
Feed: Hay and grain (if normally grain fed). Keep the diet as close as possible to what you eat at home, and pack enough for your camping trip. Hay bags or hay nets are useful for feeding hay when camping or traveling. Don’t forget the grain bucket.
Water: Find out in advance if you need to bring water for your horse. If water is not available where you are camping, drink plenty. A cheap and easy way to drink water is to get a big plastic trash barrel, put a big trash bag inside, place it in the back of your truck, fill it almost to the top with water, tie the trash bag tight. and close the lid securely. You can carry a fair amount of water this way, with little spillage (if you drive carefully!). You can also transport water in five gallon plastic containers, but you will need several of these. It’s always a good idea to bring extra water from home, even if there is water at camp, because sometimes horses just don’t like the taste of strange water and won’t drink it as easily as they would their own water.
Harness and equipment: Pack your equipment carefully, being careful to look for worn or defective equipment that could cause problems on the trail. Replace worn webbing or straps. Take an extra saddle blanket, extra halter, extra rope, and don’t forget the bridle! If you don’t have a grooming box, get a plastic box and bring it with brushes, hoof guard, comb, sweat scraper, sponge, and fly repellent. If it’s going to be cold at night, pack a blanket or sheet for your horse. Even if he’s not normally covered, it’s a good idea to have a sheet, and also a rain sheet, to put on him at night. When camping, the horse will be tied up or confined to a small area and is more likely to get cold after a long day on the trails, compared to when you are at home where you can move freely.
Preparation: Rider
This is where a checklist really comes in handy. It is important to bring clothing for all weather conditions, including waterproof or waterproof. Bring all the toiletries you need: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, sunscreen. Take enough food to last you. Eating on the trail and at camp is a wonderfully fun experience in itself. You’ll soon learn all about the joys of food cooked over a fire and drinks chilled in an icy stream. Food always tastes better when you work up an appetite outdoors. Be sure to bring plenty of water for both drinking and washing.
Pack your favorite magazines, a good book or two, music to listen to, and your guitar or flute if you wish. Take trail maps if possible. Find out about the area in which you will be riding and camping. Knowing the history of an area and being able to recognize and identify birds, flowers, and wildlife makes the walk more interesting. Be aware of potential hazards and how to avoid them (snakes, bears, etc.). Have respect for native wildlife and Mother Nature. Take precautions and use common sense, but don’t get hung up on “what ifs.”
Other essentials include flashlights and a warm sleeping bag, tent, or other shelter. Gooseneck trailers with a comfortable bed in the front are wonderful, but many people enjoy sleeping under the stars, or giving their horse trailer a good clean when they arrive at camp and sleeping inside.
Set up camp:
Safety is the main concern when camping with horses. When you arrive at your destination, choose a level parking spot, with plenty of room to tie up your horse and move around. The shade is great. When tying your horse to the trailer, to a tree or to a post, the ideal height of the tie-down point should be at least at the level of the horse’s withers or higher. Be sure to tie your horse to something sturdy, using a quick release knot. The length of the mooring rope must not reach the ground when released from the halter. This length allows the horse to move around a bit and lie down, but it’s not long enough for a foot to climb over. If you are tethering two or more horses in one area, tie them far enough apart that they cannot fight each other.
Hang the hay bag or hay net high enough that the horse cannot put its foot on it, at least at the height of the horse’s shoulder. Hay nets tend to sink lower and lower to the ground as the hay is eaten, so always pull the tie-down rope through the bottom ring of the hay net, pulling it up through the hay net. top of the network, to prevent this. One of the most frequent horse disasters seen on trail rides is when horses step a foot through a hay net that hangs at or below chest height, and panic when entangled in it.
Secure small buckets of water with rope to the trailer (if you are tying them to the trailer). Larger plastic tubs or small manure buckets are excellent for watering horses at campsites. They are not as easy for the horse to knock over, and once full your horse has enough water to drink. The horse should always have fresh, clean drinking water available.
When setting up your camp, be sure not to leave anything within the horse’s range of motion: lawn chairs, tack, etc.
Finally, check your horse’s area for sharp objects: trailer door latches, sharp bumpers or license plate holders, large rocks, sharp tree branches, etc. Cover or move these things! Horses are great at finding ways to hurt themselves; if it’s there, they will.
And if you bring your dog, follow the rules of the park or camping area where you are. Tie him up if you must, but don’t tie him up where he and the horse can become entangled!
fun and adventures
Camping in areas without electricity can be challenging, as well as great fun. Use your imagination. You can buy battery lanterns, solar lanterns, citronella candles, and torches to help ward off mosquitoes, and other great camping gear.
Most important of all, get out and ride your bike, explore new trails, and enjoy the great outdoors. When you return to camp, take care of your horse. Allow plenty of time to pack before heading home; clean up your camp area. Be respectful of the area in which you have ridden: do not litter, “leave no trace” is the motto of a good cyclist. Don’t expect park rangers or forest officials to clean up after you and your horse. If you leave a good impression, you’ll be welcome back.
There are numerous resources available if you want more information on trail riding, conditioning, camping, and wilderness adventures. The more you learn and the more comfortable you get, the easier it will be and the more you will want to get out and go camping and horseback riding. You may even want to consider competitive distance riding: endurance or competitive trail riding.
Camping with your horse is a great way to really get to know him as you spend hours together. Enjoy!