Camping Gear for Trail Riders

There are lots of really neat things that you can have in your camping arsenal. But for the sake of cost and space efficiency, I'll just deal with the basics.

• Basic Transportation & Living Quarters

  1. A dependable tow vehicle and horse trailer
  2. A camper or tent (not recommended for most rides unless you're a polar bear)
  3. Cooking facilties ie;camper kitchen or coleman stove, don't count on campfires
  4. Food storage ie;coolers or refrigerator

• Basic Comforts

  1. Easily prepared food ie;canned goods, pre-cooked meals
  2. Cooking and eating utensils, especially a can opener
  3. Sleeping bags,blankets and pillows
  4. Rain gear
  5. Extra, warm, dry clothing. A northern Michigan downpour will chill you even in June.
  6. Toilet paper and baby powder. Pretty obvious, huh?

• For you horse

  1. Hay and grain. Remember your horse will be working very hard and will need extra feed. We allow at least 25-30# of hay per day and 6-10# of grain.
  2. Water pails and feed buckets or bags.
  3. A picket rope to tie between trees or picket posts. Ours is about 50' long. A rachet or come-a-long on one end makes tightening the rope lots easier.
  4. Strong, well-fitted halter or neck collar. Stout tie rope. A large ring for your picket line, to tie your horse to.
  5. Riding gear, saddle bags are nice but not essential.
  6. Extra saddle pads so you don't have to use the same wet pad day after day.
  7. Blankets and sheets for your horse.
  8. Basic grooming tools, PS-Carry a hoofpick when you ride.
  9. Fly spray.
  10. Antiseptic ointment for cuts and scrapes.

• On the Trail

  1. Maps, compass and flashlight.
  2. Mosquito repellent.
  3. Rain gear! Nothing is more miserable than riding cold & wet.
  4. Lunch or cash to purchase lunch from caterer.
  5. A calm, level headed attitude.

I hope this has been helpful. After doing this for about 19 years we carry more than this and it's probably overkill. Any question can be directed to my e-mail.