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“You’ve Got Trail” April Newsletter |
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If you’re like us at Long Riders Gear, springtime finds us planning our horse adventures for the season. That means not only wonderful, local day rides, but exciting multi-day rides that involve horse camping. There is just nothing like exploring a beautiful location with your horse for hours on end! Horse camping makes it possible to get into “horse time” and not have to look at the clock. Up with the sun and down the trail until you’re pooped, but oh so happy! Sparkling night skies and comraderie around the campfire is a great way to end a day in the saddle. Sure beats having to drive home! Did we mention gas prices??? Somehow we know you don’t need convincing about the joys of horse camping, but you may need some information and resources. There are plenty on the Internet, so we’re providing an informative article and several links as the tip of the iceberg. We wish you some extraordinary horse camping experiences this season!
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Tips on How to Contain your Horse during Horse Camping by Wendi Garcia
(from HorseTrailDirectory.com - this website is loaded with photos and links to horse trails, campgrounds, overnight accommodations, and travel tips both in the United States and internationally)
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Pictures of our customer, Judy Zumwalt, and her riding buddies (Carol, Sharon, Gail, and Sharron) enjoying a spectacular week of riding their horses at the Red Rock Desert Preserve near St. George, Utah.
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Horse camping is definitely an exciting form of a camping trip. Aside from being close with the wonderful gifts of nature, you even get to ride on one. And if you're fond of horseback riding, you'd surely have a grand time traversing horse trails and exploring the environment.
And because the horse is the main star of this particular camping event, it is a must that you are able to contain it properly. A horse camping trip won't be fun if you have to chase a run-away horse.
Here are some helpful containment options and tips to make sure your horse stays put:
Your options for horse containment include the usage of a portable corral, portable electric corral, picket lines, hobbles, or highline. To determine which of these to use, you first have to know where you are camping.
If you are camping at a trail head where there will be other campers, horses and vehicles, it's a good idea to opt for portable corral with panels that you can attach to your trailer. This will safely keep your horse at bay.
Now if you intend to go camping on the trail, you have to know the rules and restrictions enforced by the area you choose to ride and camp in. This way, you'll know what types of containment are allowed. After that, you can choose what will work best for you and your horse.
After that, you need to know what is most suitable for your horse through preparation and experimentation. For example, if you plan on using grazing hobbles, it is recommended to make them get used to hobbles before you actually use them on the trail.
Calm your horse with a little feed and try the hobbles on in a small pen or corral. Be sure to tug the hobbles so that the horse realizes that they are there. After several practice sessions, if you see your horse getting comfortable with them on, it's probably okay to try it on when you go camping.
Same goes for other options for containment like picket lines, portable electric corrals and highline. Start using them in a small corral or pasture and allow the horse to get used to them. Home experimentation will let you know in which method of containment your horse seems most comfortable in and you'll have an idea which of these use in a horse camping trip.
Also, you can use a variety of horse containment styles in your camping trip given that your horse is comfortable with them. It's a good idea to use either hobbles or a picket line during the day and a highline at night time.
Other links of interest:
- www.Horseback-Riding-Trails.com: An online adventure guide to the best horse trails and trail rides around the globe.
- www.horseandmuletrails.com: A horse and mule rider’s guide for all states, including horse campgrounds, trails, and overnight accommodations.
- www.horsetrip.com: A state-by-state directory of overnight stabling, horse motels and equine friendly camping.
- www.backcountryhorse.com: The official website of Back Country Horsemen of America, a national organization including state organizations dedicated to perpetuate the common sense use and enjoyment of horses in America’s backcountry and wilderness. Their newsletters contain excellent resources for horse and mule packing, trail riding, and camping.
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Share your savvy... Do you have tips and tricks, and horse related photos you would like to share with fellow Long Riders? Send your tips to info@longridersgear.com or reply to this email. If we publish your submitted trick and/or photo we'll gratefully send you a 10%-off coupon code for your next purchase!
Check out the New Gear we just added to our web site! Plus, don't miss out on Clearance Gear for discounted must-have trail gear and horse care products!
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