Don't try anything new, for the first time at a
ride. If you have not tied the horse for extra long time frames, practice at
home. Set the horse up with food and water at its trailer at home, and let it
learn that the trailer is its home away from home. Same with if you decide to
use portable corrals of any kind. Try them at home first. Electric fence corrals
are really important to teach them how to stay in them, before you get to a
ride. Just because they are kept in an electric fence pasture, does not mean a
corral will have the same behavior. I had one horse who feared the electric
fence SO bad, that he felt in a corral, he could not get away from it, and was
too closed in (it was about 15x25) and finally just blasted through it at a high
rate of speed. If you want to do a picket line between trees, or a sliding
tether between trees, make sure you practice, and know how really tight you need
to get it, and the fact many high line ropes stretch, and then start to sag
after a horse has pulled on it awhile. (practice at home)
Make sure you horse will drink well out of buckets
or a muck tub...what ever you will use at the trailer for over night. I have
actually had some horses refuse to drink out of buckets, as they were something
new to get used to. Make sure your buckets are secure, so they don't become
horse toys in the middle of the night, dumping contents. Hang hay bags high
enough to not be a danger of the horse getting a leg caught...just think
safety.
Camping can be on the most simple terms. Some
riders sleep in the cab of their truck, tie their horse to the trailer, and have
an ice chest for food. Really basic. I'd say for the horse, teaching to tie over
night is the easiest to do, with the least amount of expense. I've tied to the
trailer now for over 25 years of camping, and never felt the need for anything
more. Wait, I did upgrade to a Hi-Tie system. Do not be afraid to ask someone in
camp to come look at your set up, and see if they see any problems, dangers etc.
on how you have set things up. Oh, if you do put the horse in the trailer for
the night, again, practice at home, as many decide to start pawing, and you
don't want to wake up the neighbors! <wink>
Get your basics together, and go! Have fun, and
don't be afraid to ask for assistance!
Everyone has a check list. Here is a sample of one,
from a NATRC website. Many items you will find you need, and many on the list
I'm sure you will feel you don't need. But a good place to start.
