Hey guys,
My friend and I are really into trail riding, and we want to start backcountry camping with our horses in national parks and other areas. We live in Iowa, so there's not really anything "backcountry" to try. We have gone camping before, and that was pretty successful! But, I wanted to know if you guys knew of any books or websites or even videos that help you prepare for a backcountry trip. Also, does anyone have advice, suggestions on where and how to start?
Our horses are both pretty well trained. My horse, Rusty, will go over bridges, go up hills, go down gullies, go over logs and brush, and goes through water without a fuss. My friend's horse does pretty much the same, although he hasn't had as much experience with water. They're both not generally spooky horses and are very reliable in general.
Here are some of my questions, but please tell me anything and everything you know!
-How do you pack to go backcountry camping? Can you put everything in saddle bags, or do you use another horse or other stock as a pack animal?
-Because many national parks don't allow you to bring in hay, do you use hay pellets if they don't allow grazing?
-How do you keep your horses protected from wildlife like bears that might want to prey on them?
-How do you condition for a weeklong trail experience?
-Can you get a tent that can somehow fit into a saddle bag?
-Do you use high-lines/picketing or temporary fencing and why?
-Do you use hobbles, and what are they good for?
-Do you shoe your horses for these rides if they go barefoot usually? Is there a certain type of shoe you should get to avoid slipping on rock? Should you get all four hooves shod or just the fronts?
-How do you care for yourself hygienically? Do you wash in a creek, not wash at all, forgo the toothbrush, etc?
-Which would be more comfortable, an Australian saddle or a western saddle? What are some of the most economical yet comfortable brands?
-What kinds of foods do you take with you? And how do you dehydrate foods?
-Do you prefer boiling water, using iodine tablets, or using a filtered water bottle and why?
-Is the water safe for horses to drink if it contains giardia since it isn't safe for us?
This is all I can think of for now, but please, tell me everything!
My friend and I are really into trail riding, and we want to start backcountry camping with our horses in national parks and other areas. We live in Iowa, so there's not really anything "backcountry" to try. We have gone camping before, and that was pretty successful! But, I wanted to know if you guys knew of any books or websites or even videos that help you prepare for a backcountry trip. Also, does anyone have advice, suggestions on where and how to start?
Our horses are both pretty well trained. My horse, Rusty, will go over bridges, go up hills, go down gullies, go over logs and brush, and goes through water without a fuss. My friend's horse does pretty much the same, although he hasn't had as much experience with water. They're both not generally spooky horses and are very reliable in general.
Here are some of my questions, but please tell me anything and everything you know!
-How do you pack to go backcountry camping? Can you put everything in saddle bags, or do you use another horse or other stock as a pack animal?
-Because many national parks don't allow you to bring in hay, do you use hay pellets if they don't allow grazing?
-How do you keep your horses protected from wildlife like bears that might want to prey on them?
-How do you condition for a weeklong trail experience?
-Can you get a tent that can somehow fit into a saddle bag?
-Do you use high-lines/picketing or temporary fencing and why?
-Do you use hobbles, and what are they good for?
-Do you shoe your horses for these rides if they go barefoot usually? Is there a certain type of shoe you should get to avoid slipping on rock? Should you get all four hooves shod or just the fronts?
-How do you care for yourself hygienically? Do you wash in a creek, not wash at all, forgo the toothbrush, etc?
-Which would be more comfortable, an Australian saddle or a western saddle? What are some of the most economical yet comfortable brands?
-What kinds of foods do you take with you? And how do you dehydrate foods?
-Do you prefer boiling water, using iodine tablets, or using a filtered water bottle and why?
-Is the water safe for horses to drink if it contains giardia since it isn't safe for us?
This is all I can think of for now, but please, tell me everything!