Camping Tips, Tricks, recipies, etc

[What.R.U.Doin]

Heading on my first horse camping adventure in many years next weekend (4th of July weekend). Arriving late morning Saturday, leaving Sunday evening. Quick trip because my cousin joining me has to be at work Monday AM, and my horse hasn’t been camping so we thought one night would be best.

Last time I took the horses out, I was a child and not responsible for planning ANYTHING about camping, just riding my horse.

What are your tips and tricks for a fun, girl’s weekend away?

Both horses tie well, and will have their normal feed while away, with the addition of a few lbs of soaked alfalfa cubes (which is normal for them when working harder). We plan on a three to four hour ride Saturday, mainly in walk, with a break planned about halfway to get off, stretch, let the horses pick some grass and loosen the girths, and grab a snack for ourselves. We have a tent and air mattress and bedding, camp chairs, a cooler. I’m debating about purchasing a camping stove so we have an option of cooking on that especially if it rains and there is no fire.

Our goal this weekend is good food, some leisurely rides, and a relaxing time.

Favorite recipes for Breakfast Lunch and Dinners? Lunches that can be eaten on the trail?

Right now I am thinking simple PBJ lunch on Saturday before we ride. Burgers and chips/salsa for dinner (and Smores!).

Breakfast kind of has me stumped. I’m not normally a breakfast person. I’d like to compile ideas here, because I hope to take a few more trips before the end of the year, even if it’s by myself.

Consider this a free for all, throw Ideas at me for anything, packing, things you love when you have the horses along, camp setup, food, drinks…

[wsmoak]

If you get the camp stove, be sure to practice with it at home before you go, they can be fiddly!

Assuming you can get hot water, then make oatmeal for breakfast – whole rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins, walnuts. (Or just buy the pre-made ones, but they usually have way too much sugar.)

[Horseman15]

I don’t see rubber buckets or bungies on your list. I took my OTTB gelding camping by myself. The bungies come in handy for keeping buckets upright. Those solar water heaters work really well if you can get them up on top of your trailer or put them on the hood of your truck.

[hosspuller]

If you’re using a high line for your horses, use a loop of light rope as in Prussic Loop to secure the horses to the line. It’s much better than metal Knot Eliminators or such. P-loops are easy to move along the line if desired and easy to make & pack.

[cutter99]

For breakfast we usually do things like hard boiled eggs, cereal, yogurt, cheese, bagels and cream cheese.

[Altag]

Bring along a first aid kit for horse and human. Better to have it and not need it than vice-versa.

[Mukluk]

Eat what you like for breakfast. I would love a toasted bagel with cream cheese and lox. Or most anything, camping makes you hungry and not too picky! Nothing wrong with cereal and milk either.

[irish_horse]

Horses may also decide that their regular rations are not acceptable at camp. This is what mine does at endurance rides! Everyone else’s food is much more interesting. So he turns up his nose at our regular grass hay, so I bring more alfalfa, and his usual mash is not tasty, so he gets rice bran. Back home, he wants the usual. Just bring extra stuff in case they’re like that!

For me: I’m fine with cold cereal or yogurt in the morning, PB&J for lunch. I like to pack apples/carrots in the saddle bags, for me and the horse. Dinner is veggie chili (I just use a one-burner propane stove, very simple) or simple pasta. I tend to snack more when camping (more down time) so I like to have some food I don’t eat at home (like the horse!), even if not the healthiest it tastes great camping, like pita chips, shelled peanuts, and my favorite, Pringles! (added bonus is they don’t get crushed camping.

First aid kit for you and horse, also a truck/trailer kit (bungies, tool kit). My battery jumper has saved me and/or companions too.

Have a great time!

[Scribbler]

We’ve been doing a lot of picnics back at the trailer after long rides. Individual packaged things that seem wasteful at home are great! Individual juice boxes. Pepperoni sticks. Baby Bel cheese in waxed balls, keeps really well. Granola bars.

lf you are just going for one or two days I’d bring premade chili or something to heat and serve.

Marshmallows. Beer. And a way to make good coffee!

[Foxglove]

Personally, I take a cot in the back of my pickup, and set it up and sleep in the horse bay of the horse trailer. I clean it/sweep it out and lay down a tarp with a rug over it. I like that much better than a tent. But my trailer has screens in the windows --if you are using a livestock trailer, you might consider putting your tent in the trailer —dryer and warmer. I also never camp without my “luggable loo.” Some may say “Yuck” but no way am I walking to a dark outhouse --even with bear spray.

Other must-have is Starbucks Instant coffee --great if you can get a cup of hot water --do able if the water is cold --and chew-able if there’s no water.

Saw someone printed off a metal pet-tag and braided into their horse’s mane --like that --on our last two week camp out in the middle of no where --my boy broke his brand new halter --the one with my name and phone number on it and ran away. That would have been a tragedy since we were 1000 from home and 200 miles from civilization --except he came back to eat his grain in the morning. His stomach rules him.

Finally, I had my farrier give me a set of the boy’s shoes --marked front-back-left-right. I kept them in the trailer. Easier to find someone to tack on a shoe at a camp ground than find someone to make a shoe. You might take a box of nails too.

Last, have a folding camp-saw --read where someone was coming home and there was a tree across the road --could not back up the trailer on a narrow, single lane road. But she had a camp saw. They took turns (she and all the people behind her with trailers that couldn’t turn around) and they cut through that tree! Everyone got home!

[What.R.U.Doin]

Great Ideas, thank you!!

Foxglove, I plan on sleeping in the trailer when I go by myself, but with friends, we decided on the relative luxury of the tent.

[Horsecare101]

SO much fun! Horse camping is my favorite thing to do. It sounds like you are well prepared. As far as food goes, my only advice is keep it simple and bring a lot. As some others have said, camping makes you especially hungry, but dealing with lots of prep and clean up can be a pain. Have a wonderful time!

[Horsecare101]

Oh - and bring a head lamp! Those are life savers in the event something happens at night or you simply need to use the facilities.

[AshleyandAnnabel]

@Foxglove

Personally, I take a cot in the back of my pickup, and set it up and sleep in the horse bay of the horse trailer. I clean it/sweep it out and lay down a tarp with a rug over it. I like that much better than a tent. But my trailer has screens in the windows --if you are using a livestock trailer, you might consider putting your tent in the trailer —dryer and warmer. I also never camp without my “luggable loo.” Some may say “Yuck” but no way am I walking to a dark outhouse --even with bear spray.

Other must-have is Starbucks Instant coffee --great if you can get a cup of hot water --do able if the water is cold --and chew-able if there’s no water.

I agree 100% with the “Luggable Loo”. I have the luxury of a toilet in my trailer but I do remember the days when I’d have to wake up at 3am to pee and it would be freezing outside. The Starbucks Instant Coffee is a must-have and is the easiest and most reliable to me. All it takes is hot water (kettle + fire/stove). I’ve also bought the Starbucks Frappucinos but there is nothing like a cup of hot coffee when you wake up in the morning while camping.

[BlueDrifter]

If you have access to showers, take a shower before it gets dark, and sit around the campfire in pajamas and outer wear – then when sleepy, you can go right to bed and not have to change, shower, whatever in the cold and dark.

Shavings in a bucket work for a loo for middle of night

Sometimes it can be colder IN your trailer than outside, especially in the morning.

Banana with skin on, split length-wise, stuff with a few marshmallow bits and chocolate chips, wrap in foil, set on coals for 10 minutes… and it tastes like a banana split, the banana melts.

Wine, lots…

[Mukluk]

I bet cat litter in a bucket works better than shavings. I like to eat but not cook. I like to bring already cooked items (frozen) then just heat and eat. For example Shrimp gumbo, lasagna, anything shrimp. Have a fantastic time. Wine, beer, and whatever else you enjoy!!!

[What.R.U.Doin]

You all are fantastic!

I’m 80% packed, and I’m freaking excited although it’s only one night.

I took a half day on friday, and we’re leaving early saturday.

I will for sure do a write up when we get back! Thanks so much!

[luvmypup]

Campfire Mac and cheese is my go to recipe. Everything is assembled at home so it’s very easy. I cook my pasta, put it in a foil pie plate, add shredded cheese, some milk to keep it moist, and then wrap the whole thing in tin foil. I just put it on a grill over the fire. Easy and delicious!!

[Sparrowette]

You wouldn’t get this in time for your trip, but for next time, this book can be fun!

“Roughing it easy” by Dian Thomas

https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Roughing+it+easy

[What.R.U.Doin]

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions. Here is a quick write up of the weekend with some photos. https://allinstrideblog.blogspot.com/