How to Camp With Your Horse
- 1). Call ahead and visit the camping site you want to stay at to make sure horses are allowed. Make reservations if necessary.
- 2). Prepare your horse. Camping horses should be experienced in packing and walking on trails; familiar with restraints; familiar with loading and hauling; accustomed to standing tied; used to crossing downed obstacles and boggy areas; used to the crinkling noises of maps and plastic rain gear; not afraid of hikers with packs or other animals; shod; wormed and vaccinated.
- 3). Check to see if certified seed-free feed is required for the area. This type of hay prevents the spread of non-native plants. Get your horse used to the hay before you leave.
- 4). Bring the following: saddle pad, bags, saddle, combs, brushes, hoof pick, blanket, halter, lead rope, feed and water buckets, breast strap, hobbles or a high picket line, grain or oats, hay, fly repellent, fly mask, equine first aid kit and a rake, along with all your camping gear.
- 5). Find out if a Coggins test and health papers are required for the area.
- 6). Ask if there is drinking water available for horses, if streams are potable, if horses can forage, if special permits are required and if a corral can be set up.
- 7). Tie your horse with a high line attached between two trees. Use a "tree safe" strap (one that doesn't cut or dig into bark) around the tree to protect it.
- 8). Remember to spread out manure to aid in decomposition and reduce flies.
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