Camping and Vacationing With Your Horse-Consider your and your horse’s necessities when packing for camping trip.

by Seasoned Rider Staff  
   
   Horseback riding vacations are becoming more popular these days. Camping with a horse is a great way to enjoy the beauty of nature while enjoying your horse.
   Equestrian campgrounds are on the increase around the country. They have facilities available from primitive camping to lodging accommodations for both horse and rider.
    If this your first time camping you might want to start by going out with an experienced group that can show you the ropes, as it were. Remember camping with horses is rather like camping with children, they aren’t too helpful and often will  get themselves into trouble, so having an experienced camper there will ease the stress for and your horse.
    Here are some checklists for overnight or multiple night packing:

Checklist For You:
Plan meals and snacks
Canteen/water bottle/extra water
First aid kit
Compass and maps
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Jacket
Rain gear
Pocket knife or multi-tool
Toiletry Items
Repair kits -
(include duct tape and safety pins)
Cellular phone
Flashlight and extra batteries
Hat/cap
Sunglasses
Gloves
Extra clothes
Whistle to alert others of trouble
Reflective gear for you and your horse
(for night time rides)
Radio

Checklist For Your Horse:
Hay, Grain and Treats
(bring extra just in case)
Water from home
Feed and water buckets
Hay bags
First aid kit
Grooming supplies
Fly  spray, fly masks and blankets
Hoof boots
Saddle and pads
Extra tack
Halter and lead (bring an extra)
Leg wraps
Copy of health papers and owner papers
Portable pen or tie line
Manure fork and muck bucket
Electrolytes

Checklist For Your Trailer:
Essential Items to keep in your
trailer in case of emergency

Buckets and sponges
Cell phone battery and charger
Change for pay phone
Electrician's tape
Emergency phone numbers
Extra halters and lead ropes
Fire extinguisher
First aid kits
Flashlights with extra batteries
Spare bulbs for trailer lights
Extra fuses
Spare tire, jack and tire iron
Tire changing kit
Tool box
Water
WD-40

Checklist For Your Campsite:
Cooking and eating utensils
Aluminum foil
Charcoal
Garbage bags
Can opener
Canteens
Food
Fuel
Iodine water- treatment tablets
Moist wipes
Soap
Rope
Pillows
Tarps
Waterproof matches and lighter
Ziploc plastic bags

    Double checking your lists before you hit the road is always a good idea. Consider your and your horse’s necessities when packing for your camping trip.
   Always try to arrive at campsite to set up during daylight and have an hour or so to ride. First time campers may find it takes longer to set up the campsite than they planned. You should always set up the horse's area first and then your personal camping area. . If, for some reason, you have to leave the campsite ( like to make a trip  to a store for forgotten items)  be sure to ask someone to watch your horse. If the camping experience is new to the horse, stick around until you're sure that the horse will be OK.
    Horses like routine, so try to stick to the routine your horse is used to at home. Feed them at the  same time you would at home. When possible let the horse graze evenings and mornings. Grass provides moisture and the grazing allows the horse to relax in an unfamiliar environment.
   A number of portable corrals to enclose your horse safely are available on the market. Some facilities provide corrals or stalls. Running a picket line to tie a horse to while camping is another option, but you need to know the requirements and how it’s done properly  to be safe for the horse and not harm the environment.
   Always respect mother nature when camping and always be aware of the rules at the campsite. Be sure you know all the rules about tying your horse, removing manure and  the rules of the trail. Please remember to be courteous on the trail and just leave hoofprints behind nothing else.
 There are some great websites out there full of information on  camping and vacationing with horses. Google “camping with your horse” .