Nokesville Horse Society
Helpful Hints for Camping with Your Horse
Preparation
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Make sure your horse is physically
fit – he/she should be prepared for
consecutive days of trail ridings
whether on the flat or in the
mountains – not all events have a
vet on hand and the last thing you
want is your horse to tie up or colic
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To prepare for all terrains, your
horse should be able to Halt, stand
patiently, back up and leg-yield,
Negotiate obstacles such as gates,
bridges, brush, logs and water
crossings and negotiate steep
ascents and descents
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Your horse should be mentally fit –
Your horse needs to be comfortable
in unfamiliar surroundings and
around other horses. He should
accept being tied for long hours to
the trailer or an overhead high-line.
On the trail, he should tolerate
passing and being passed by others,
and he must not kick at or
intimidate the other horses. It’s no
fun to ride a horse that is behaving
badly, and it’s just as unpleasant to
ride in the company of one. Build
your horse’s confidence by
desensitizing him to the many
sights, sounds and obstacles he will
encounter around camp and on the
trail.
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Choose your destination – every
organized ride is different. Terrain,
primitive camping vs multiple
services, etc. Stalls for horses.
Meals served vs not
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If possible, go with someone who
has camped before and know the
ropes
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Check the weather!
Nokesville Horse Society
Helpful Hints for Camping with Your Horse
Planning
Containment Options
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Camping isn’t just for riders – bring
horse husbands
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Make a list of all horse and human
items that you need
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Do not wait until the day of to get
organized…plan and pack ahead of
time
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Even if you have rented a stall, have
a backup as you may arrive and find
that the stall conditions are
unusable or not to your liking
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Leave venue information and
telephone number with someone at
home
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Electric corral – EZCorral 90x90 –
easiest to transport/store but item
horses most escape from. If this is
your choice, use at home to give
your horse time to respect the
electricity barrier. I use Zareba EZ
Corral – cost is approx. $339
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Gounding poles/electric tape –
inexpensive option
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HiTie – cannot leave unattended cost from $300 to $500
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High Line between trees – must be
above horses head, do not affix hay
bags to rope, do not leave
unattended - best type of rope to
use is a 3/4-inch to 1-inch cotton
rope, which has a breaking strength
of 2,600 to 3,000 pounds
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Corral panels – most expensive and
difficult/cumbersome to transport
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Shavings!
Nokesville Horse Society
Helpful Hints for Camping with Your Horse
Upon Arrival at your
Campsite
What to Pack for your
Horse
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Upon arrival, choose your spot and
visualize the best setup to include
where to have campfire, chairs,
coolers, tents, tables, etc.
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If with multiple trailers, arrange
trailers so horses are in the center
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Keep your fire at a safe distance
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If camping with others, share items
so as to save money and amount of
items that you bring! Example:
Trash bags, fire pit shovel, wood,
snacks, campsite table, hors
d’oeuvres, etc.
Hay – I average 1 bale per day which
allows for return travel and a bit
extra
Hay bag – in trailer
Grain – individually wrapped;
always pack 1 extra
Saddle/Bridle/Pads/Tack
Box/Helmet
Extra Halter/Lead rope
Fly Mask
Blankets-Rain, etc. (depends on
temp)
Water Bucket/Ground feeder
5-gallon water container(s) filled
with water from home – some
horses don’t like “foreign” water
H2O cart if you have one – water
sources can be a hike
Medical kit to include: rasp, farrier
tools, bute, electrolytes, kotex
(great for absorption), linament or
mouthwash, etc.
Muck rake/bucket to clean corral
Corral/Rubber Mallet or hammer for
stakes if using
Mounting block
Saddle bags
Tools for tack repair
Fly spray, Bounce Sheets for fly
control
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Nokesville Horse Society
Helpful Hints for Camping with Your Horse
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What to put in your
saddle bags
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Items for Campsite
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Sponges/Water scraper for postride hose down
Glow bracelets for night time
Shavings!
Hoof pick
Pocket knife or multi-use tool
Water (extra bottle for horse in case
of injury)
Basic first-aid supplies
Laminated identification (for horse
and human)
Whistle
Copy of Coggins
Small flashlight
Handful of bailing twine
Sunscreen
Lip Balm
Rain slick (if possibility of rain)
Sunglasses
Camera
Phone - not all venue will have a
signal
Snacks – horse and human
Tent & Sleeping bags if applicable
Tarps or canopy – shade cloth is not
as hot as tarps as it allows air
passage
Air mattress and pump
Tables
Comfy chairs – recommend nongravity
Shovel for fire pit
Hatchett for fire wood
Firewood – be aware of any bans in
your state
Lanterns, Flashlight & extra
batteries
Cook stove with fuel
Coffee pot, cups, coffee, creamer,
sugar
Grill/charcoal if meals not provided
Can opener
Utensils for cooking and eating
Paper towels/Hand towels
Cook pans
Wrap or bags for leftovers
Nokesville Horse Society
Helpful Hints for Camping with Your Horse
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(cont) Items for
Campsite
Toiletries
Clothing
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Matches
Disposable gloves – use for food
prep when water for washing is not
abundant
Trash bags
Coolers (load with ice before you hit
the road)
Fly repellent, Citronella candles
Toilet paper
Disposable cups, i.e. keg cups
Wine bottle opener
Refreshments of your choice
Blanket for chilly nights around the
campfire
Travel size face wipes
Sun block
Chap Stick
Small mirror
Hairbrush/comb
Tooth brush and paste
Hand lotion
Deodorant
Soap
Aspirin and other medications you
may take (I take aspirin before a
long ride – very helpful)
Wash cloth and towel
Toilet paper
Riding boots
Campsite muck boots
Gloves
Wind breaker and warm coat
Rain slicker or poncho
Ball caps or choice of hat (some
venues don’t have showers)
Comfy clothes to sleep in
Extra socks
Tee shirts/tank, etc. – depends on
weather
Plastic bag to separate dirty clothes
from clean