Equestrian Network Magazine

Let's Go Horse Camping!

by Garry Stauber

Summer means horse camping. Are you and your horse ready for an outdoor adventure? To make the transition away from home smoothly, your horse will need some basic training prior to your trip.

Basic trail training like trailer loading and tying for long periods of time are essential for a horse to be a happy camper. A horse that has issues like bucking, biting, kicking, bolting or other major vices should never be taken camping. Those dangerous habits should be remedied long before a camping trip. A good trail and camping horses moves, stops, turns and backs upon request without hesitation. The best camping horse is secure in different surroundings and has a good temperament no matter its location.

A ground picket prevents excessive damage to the ground if moved often.

Photo by Julie Green

Your horse will probably need to know how to cross creeks, bridges and trail obstacles such as fallen trees. Preparation for these challenges should begin at home, as should some basic de-spooking training, so that your horse is not afraid of hikers, bikers and the assortment of other animals you may encounter on your trip. Having your horse meet a llama or a bicyclist for the first time on a narrow trail may not be ideal.

A well-prepared horse is physically conditioned for the type of terrain and amount of riding you have planned. Take the extra time to put some miles on ol' Nell before expecting her to not only deal with the stress of being far from home, but also the long trail rides you intend to take while camping.

Highlines when permitted are always an option when trees are available.

Photo by Julie Green

On your camping trip, you will probably not have the perfect confines for securing your horse, like

you have at home. It is great if your horse can be taken to a campsite with pipe corrals for his or her maiden trip away from home. However, this is not always possible. It is wise to train your horse at home to high lines, pickets, hobbles, portable panels and electric fences, giving you options to choose from at any campsite you visit. Tying to the trailer limits your horse's movement and comfort, and tying directly to trees can cause severe tree damage and should be avoided. Electric fences and lightweight portable corrals are good options and can be moved to prevent overgrazing. Again, horses should become accustomed to them before leaving home. Electric fences should not be used in heavy populated areas with bear or deer. I have heard many stories of horses running through camp at night, when they had been confined in an electric corral.

Camping with your horse takes planning, preparation and training, but the reward is worth it. There is nothing like waking up to a beautiful morning with your equine friend who will be joining you on the trails.

High lines are great and work almost anywhere. A high line is 1/2-inch non-stretchable rope tied between two trees with a tree saver on either end. The rope is tied above the horse's head and can even allow a horse to lie down when tied properly. Be sure to use tree saver straps and only tie to trees with mature bark, and keep horses tied at least 10 feet from the tree. When tying your horse for the night, make sure your high line is

If your horse tends to paw and dig, hobbles will train them to stand still and prevent ground damage.

Photo by Martha McNiel

higher than the horse's head (six feet high is usually adequate) and the lead rope is short enough to ensure your horse cannot step over it, should your high line lower some during the night. Before your trip, practice and learn knots that remain secure.

Picket lines are highlines tied at chest height so as to put horses on either side of the line and allowing for more stock in tighter areas. I recommend using highlines whenever possible instead of pickets as there is less chance of entanglement, especially with horses that do not usually live together.

Hobbles allow your horse to graze with less impact on open land during the day. However, I recommend tying horses at night to ensure your horse is still in camp the next morning. If your horse paws, you can hobble her while tied to the highline, thus avoiding severe damage to the terrain. Once your horse has experience being secured by different techniques, you have more options and will sleep better at night.

	This butterfly or loop knot is an alternative to knotsavers and it can be moved along your highline when needed.			Knotsavers are one way to secure your lead rope to the highline.
	Photo by Julie Green

Planning what to feed your horse on a camping trip is very important. The rule for feed is "don't go changing." What you feed at home is what you should feed at camp. If you plan to feed something different while traveling, prepare you horse gradually at home well before leaving on your trip. Colic can occur quickly, so don't risk changing feed far from home and far from your vet.

It is also important to train your horse to drink from different and unfamiliar water sources. Some avid campers like to put additives like Kool-Aid or apple juice in the water at home. They also add it to strange water at a campsite, so the water tastes more like home water, for the picky drinker. A muck tub makes a great water bucket but be sure to secure it to be difficult for your horse to knock over. Sometimes using the same muck bucket at home a few days before the trip is enough for horses to adjust quickly. This muck bucket will look familiar and more like home water. At the end of your trip you can also use it to carry manure away from camp. When transporting water, remember that horses can drink up to twelve gallons per day and often knock over and spill much more than that. Large 35 or 55 gallon containers are great to carry in your truck with water so you are not dependent on water at the campsites.

Probably the best preparation we can have for any trip is first aid. Learning basic first aid techniques for your horse and humans can be a life-saver when an emergency occurs. Having a well-stocked first aid kit easily accessible is crucial. Keep a separate yet smaller kit in your saddle bags for the trail. If you are camping far from home, call ahead to local equestrian businesses to find out veterinarians near the area where you will be camping. Having these numbers, along with a cell phone, can be invaluable if needed.

You can set your first camping trip up for success by calling ahead to find out things like current weather conditions, and if permits, health certificates or weed-free feed are required. Also find out if fires are allowed, and if reservations are required? Are there designated campsites with corrals, and are there some trails or areas off-limits to horses, or trail conditions you should be aware of? Is drinking water available and where? Can you purchase maps and are other pets allowed? What wild animals are common in the area and have there been issues recently? These and other questions can get you prepared for a fun camping trip.

A "dutchman" or a "truckers knot" can be used to tie the highline to the tree savers.

Photo by Julie Green

Heading out camping is also a good time to prepare your gear. Not only checking your camping gear for wear and damage, but your regular riding gear for your horse. Check all leather for frayed, cracked or worn spots. Carry an extra halter, bridle and reins if room is not an issue. And certainly pack rain gear if appropriate and clothing for extreme weather changes. Carry horse blanket also for the same reason.

Electric fences are great at preventing over grazing.

Photo by Julie Green

Here is a list of gear you should remember to bring for your horse: regular riding tack and saddle bags, brushes, hoof pick, cooler or blanket, halter, lead rope, feed, water, muck bucket, nosebag, hobbles, high line, fly repellent, fly mask, first aid kits, rake, shovel, hay nets, easy boots, garbage bags (for manure and garbage) and of course, your personnel camping gear.

Garry rode the length of California on horseback with a packhorse in 2003. The trip took 3 1/2 months and covered 1350 miles. Upon completion of this trip, Garry became a member of The Long Riders Guild. Now he is President of the Ohlone Riders Unit of the Backcountry Horsemen of California. He is a horse trainer and NARHA Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor. As a member of the Wilderness Rider Program, Garry is a trained and certified instructor and spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service, National Parks Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Game Department and Backcountry Horsemen of California. He is an equestrian writer and has had over 100 articles published in 15 magazines. Garry is Chairman of the Board of The DreamPower Foundation, which provides equine therapy to children and adults with mental and emotional problems. In 2004, Garry retired from a 20 year career as an Executive in Silicon Valley.