Some helpful tips to make your trip more enjoyable
(Originally published June 2013)
by Karen Pickering
It’s time to get out and enjoy the great northwest so we’ve put together some helpful tips in preparation for your camping or horse show weekend. I just returned from a weekend of horse camping at Cowboy Campsite in Sedro Woolley, WA and realized I forgot many items. Thankfully there were 2 other groups camping with me so between all of us we had everything we needed. It was my first weekend of horse camping with my new (used) Living Quarters so there was some adjustment. I upgraded from a camper so it was exciting to have extra room. The living quarters are still fairly small so it’s important to be very organized.
I’ve done this for many years so I thought it would be helpful to include a checklist of items to consider when preparing for your trip. I took information from two different websites that seemed to be pretty darn close when it comes to the necessities. It doesn’t go into detail on what to put in your first aid kit and things of that nature but it’s enough information to get you well on your way to enjoy your horse camping experience. Life is short so you might as well be prepared and enjoy your trip.
Trailer, Horse Camping Packing List!
Trailer:
- Table and lawn chairs
- Firewood/papers/lighter/ lighter fluid
- Grill/ propane tank
- Fill water/propane tanks
- Check tires/ batteries
- Highline/tree savers/swivel clips/ hay bags
- Stepstool
- Hose/sprayer/ hose splitter so can hook hose and trailer to waterline
- Hose adapters/ washers/ water pressure “gadget” a must!
- Rubber gloves
- AC adapter
- Fans
- Electric extension cord
- Tools
- Flashlight
- Flat tire ramp/ proper lug nut 4 way tool for trailer tires. May be different than truck.
- Portable Electric fence, posts and wire (Remember extra batteries)
Truck:
- Two sets keys
- Maps
- Health Certificate/Coggins
- Check tires/oil/hitch
- GPS
- Tow Rope
- Triple-A or US Rider Card
Grooming equipment:
- Sponges
- Leather cleaner
- Fly spray
- Hay Bags
- Feed/water buckets
- Stall cleaning equip
- Towels
- Fly masks/sheets/cooler
- Liniment
- Easy boots
- Protective Boots
- Rolling manure cart & muck tub (I use a folding-canvas wheelbarrow)
Tack:
- Saddles/saddle pads
- Bareback pad
- Headgear
- Lines, Stick/string & Rope Halter
- Breast collars
- Saddle bags *
- Extra halters/leads
- Spurs
Feed:
- Hay
- Grain (Tip: Put grain in zip lock bags for each feeding)
- Salt
- Treats
- Electrolytes
- Hay bags or hay nets (Tip: Use slow feeder hay net to keep horse busy)
- Banamine for emergencies (colic, injury, etc)
Personal:
- Clothes
- Book/Bible
- DVDs if you have a player
- Toiletries: keep this and make up on trailer so never have to pack it
- Rain gear
- Hats/gloves
- Boots/shoes/flip flops after a long hot day in boots (plus shorts!)
- Jackets
- Meds/Ibuprofen
- First aid for horse/human
- Camera/video
- Sunscreen
- Water bottles
- Toilet bowl brush
- Shower cap
Living Quarters:
- staples-coffee/sugar/flour/salt pepper
- paper towels/ shop towels
- biodegrade toilet paper
- towels
- bedding
- Clorox wipes/Lysol
- Soap/shampoo
- Dish soap/sponges/dish rag
- Plates/cups/silverware/nice glass mugs for coffee makes a difference!
- Wisk broom/dustpan
- Thermos
- Cooking pots/pans strainer/ cast iron to put on grill or fire
- Can opener
- Corkscrew
- Dishtowels/dish pans
- Zip locks, foil, plastic tubs, plastic salad bowl etc.
- Hot pads
- Lighters/matches
- Grilling tongs/forks/marshmallow forks
- Throw rugs
- Table lamp/lantern
- Bug spray
- Citronella candle
- CDs, battery radio in case no electric hook up
- Percolator in case no electric hook up.
- Toothpicks
- Trailer Mat for outside under awning
- Party Lights
Saddle bags:
- GPS or compass
- Sample sized Sore No More liniment & fly spray
- Vet Wrap, antibiotic ointment
- Leatherman tool
- Barefoot boot
- Food, water
- Treats for horse
- Piece of leather, snaps to repair gear
- Sunscreen, lip balm, nail file
- Whistle or flare
- Map of park
- Pen, paper, business card
- Flagging tape
- Phone number for park office
Now go have some fun!
Owner/Publisher Karen’s lifelong love of horses began at a very early age when she wore out a couple of rocking horses before convincing her parents to get her the real thing. That ill-tempered bay gelding, Brandy, was a challenge for the young horsewoman, but it drove her ambition to become a horse trainer. After attending Canyonview Equestrian College’s Horsemanship Program, Karen realized she needed work that was a little more lucrative than training, so she took a job with Customs Brokerage to pay the bills. There, she discovered an affinity for computers and a talent for creating informative, entertaining newsletters. The Northwest Horse Source began as such a letter in December 1995, with a distribution of 1000 copies for its 12 black and white pages. Now 29 years later, it’s an online magazine and website with a reach of over 10,000 per month and growing! Not bad for the results of one woman’s dream to work with horses!
Today, Karen remains involved with every aspect of the magazine and treasures the community of thousands who share a common passion.
