I have ridden crewless most of my career.
Kim's article is great, I am just posting to reaffirm that it is not hard to do,
you just have to think logically about what you need and expect nothing
from anyone, so when help happens, you are suitably grateful!
As another poster mentioned- if there are
checks out of camp, you can send a bag with management, or your trailer
neighbor, with everything you need. I put grain in heavy duty quart
or gallon baggies, including one of dry beet pulp. I don't use much
elytes, but a couple full syringes in baggies are good. I include a
shallow dish to eat out of, a small bucket for water, and some treats
like carrots. I also include a piece of fleece- not a whole
blanket. Try to par down your personal food to what you are sure you
will eat or drink (I take Boost, a Odwalla Super food bar, some gum, something
salty like beef jerky and water to replenish what I carry- more stuff if it
is a 100 miler). There is always room for some aspirin or
such. I use a LLBean boat tote with a
zipper- pink and white with my name embroidered on it- makes it easy to see in a
pile of navy and black vet check bags!
For checks in camp, I preset a water bucket, a
sponge bucket and have a great Ames Garden cart (you can goggle that name) -like
a kids wagon with slots for holding things and a handle that folds over it,
making a place to sit. I try to be close enough to the vet in and the
water trough that I don't waste time walking to a fro. Make sure you sit down as long as you can during the check while your
horse eats, and fill yourself. Sometimes if I run out of time, I put the
Odwalla bar in my vest pocket to eat on the trail.
I think sometimes people are intimidated by others
who think they can not ride (especially 100s) without a cast of thousands (or at
least a husband) to wait on them---it is not that hard, but being in the
right mindset of self sufficiency and slow logical progression of the ride and
the checks, really helps. And to keep from getting tired and discouraged, think
of the ride half over, instead of half to go!!
Laura Hayes Vine Cliff Farms Brocton,
NY AERC# 2741
