Friday, August 4, 2017

Packing for Overnight Trips

Happy Friday folks! To kick off the weekend, I want you to talk to me about your packing process for overnight trips with your horse. I'm taking Ruby on a weekend trip in the not-so-distant future, and when I sat down to think about it, I realized I've never taken a horse on an overnight trip. It's one of those things I felt like I'd done before, but when I actually sat down and mentally ran through my life experiences.... I came up empty. Oops? But I'm going to remedy that!
Not really interested in my trip if it requires work. Too bad Ruby. You're gonna go, and you're gonna like it!
We are going to be traveling to a ranch a few hours away -- the campground offers trail riding and a venue for a lot of events (typically western). Ruby and I got offered a place to crash, and since I've been wanting to check out their trails anyway, I jumped at the chance. So it won't be nearly as formal (or stressful!) as trying to pack for a show -- it's just going to be a super low-key weekend all about having a good time.
Although it's gonna be hard to leave these little monsters for a few days.
Because I'm extremely type A, I've already started making packing lists. My horse trailer is well equipped for day shows, with hay nets, buckets/bucket hooks, fly spray, chairs, a pop up canopy, spare halters, a pitchfork, etc., that permanently live in the gooseneck of my tack room. I can pack my own clothes no problem (hopefully? lol). I've got shavings and feed on my list -- several bales of hay, labeled baggies of Ruby's grain for each meal we'll be gone (including an extra, in case we run late for some reason). Obviously we'll need the tack I plan to ride in for the weekend, and it probably wouldn't hurt to bring spare stuff (I'm going alone so plenty of room in my trailer!) -- I'm tentatively planning to ride her all weekend in my western saddle, and I can throw either my endurance saddle or my dressage saddle in as a backup.
Trailer chairs!
Ruby showing off my day set-up at a clinic last spring -- no I don't really love teal and black that much... why do you ask? ;)
I think I'll plan to thoroughly bathe her before I go, although I'm not sure anyone will care how clean and shiny she is on the trails, haha. Aside from those major points.... what am I forgetting? The truck will be freshly back from the mechanic and ready to roll. DH will go over the trailer and check the tires and all that good stuff (and hopefully my new trailer screens will be installed by then). I have her Coggins both electronically and physically in the trailer. Ruby typically travels super well and does not care about strange water, new stalls, other horses, etc, so I'm not *too* worried about that.
Ruby is the queen of giving no fucks. As long as there's hay. There better be hay!
How do you pack for overnight trips? Do you have a mental checklist, or a paper one? Are you a "toss everything in the trailer and go" type, or do you methodically pack and repack, making a list and checking it twice? Have you ever forgotten anything major for a big overnight trip?

20 comments:

  1. I'm definitely a list person and I run over that list before and after the trailer is packed.

    Packing extra tack is a good idea--especially for longer trail riding. As a distance runner, some things can be comfortable for 3-5 miles but I'd get chub-rub on longer runs.

    I always like to pack extra salt or electrolytes since travel usually involves a heavier work load.

    Other than that--have fun and it sounds like an awesome trip!

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    1. Electrolytes are a good thought! I'll have to pick some up this weekend ☺

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  2. You seem pretty on top of it! I would bring bath stuff too even though you plan to bathe at home. At minimum a sponge and sweatscraper. But maybe some shampoo in case her legs get muddy.
    I keep all the necessities in the trailer like you do for showing: Wheelbarrow, muck tub, saddle/bridle racks, etc. I don't think I've forgotten anything major for an overnight, but when I was a little kid I forgot my helmet at a one day show. And another time I forgot my bridle. Definitely have learned a lot since those days!

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    1. Also a good idea! I need to have a small traveling bath kit with travel size bottles of stuff 😀

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  3. i hope you have so much fun!!! i've never packed for over night trips, but i trailer out so often that my packing is basically mechanical at this point. i know where everything is, and what i need, and what i *dont'* need.

    basically, food and water, obvi (usually i have extra horse snacks in tupperwares in the trailer anyway). all tack. i usually have a spare girth and bridle/reins in the trailer too. helmet etc. extra stuff that i wouldn't want to keep using if it got soaked (like my own boots/pants). all grooming and wash stall stuff. all of the buckets (all of them lol). ya know. just sorta like browsing my stuff and grabbing anything i think needs to be there.

    i also just assume that anything that can go wrong very likely will haha and it's good to have backups. at the same time tho, it's also usually a safe bet that someone where i'm going will be able to fill in any gaps if i need something. good luck!

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    1. All good plans! And the great thing about my trailer is I can cram SO MUCH STUFF into the gooseneck that I never have to feel bad about over packing 😂

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  4. I always bring an extra halter and first aid supplies with me on any hauling adventure. I'd also make sure you have a jack and your spare tires are inflated and ready to roll (lol) - you never know when you'll get a flat!

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    1. Oh absolutely! That's sound advice whether you're going 5 minutes or 5 hours 😁

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  5. I am a list person. I also have stuff that lives in my trailer which makes it easy. For this trip I think you have it covered

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    1. I love lists! Haha. I think the fact that this is for a low key weekend vs. a show will make it easier for me to get everything done. Hopefully it will be a good introduction to overnight trips that will carry on into showing for us!

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  6. We have done quite a lot of overnight trips with horses. I actually have a how to pack for horse camping post: https://diyhorseownership.com/how-to-go-horse-camping-what-to-pack/
    I should update it with some recent additions, but it's still sound basics.

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    1. Fantastic, thank you! I figured surely someone in the blogger community had done something 😁 super useful post!

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  7. Snacks! Alcohol! 😛😛 (Having never done an overnight trip, I'm definitely not much help. But have fun!!!)

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    1. Those are both on the "human" packing list 😂

      This place is supposed to be fantastic, and they have cabins. Maybe sometime in the future you, me, DH, and B can all go for a weekend 😋

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  8. Trailer chairs on point! I have no wheels so I don't get to go many places at this point, enjoying reading the other comments though for future ideas ;)

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    1. My problem is I got so many good ideas that now I want to BUY ALL THE THINGS which is less beneficial for my wallet.... Haha.

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  9. I love pink the way that you love teal and black! :)
    I love going to shows, i miss my puppy too, but i love being on the road with my horses. It's awesome!
    i am a methodical (insert stress-head) packer. Monday i start a list. Tuesday i check the list. Wednesday i wash everything (everything must be clean, you never know when the paparazzi may notice you suddenly in your entry level dressage LOL) thursday i start stressing about going, friday i am tired but i still want to go. I pack the float and the car on this day too. Saturday i wake up like an excited 5 year old and recheck the float and car (have i missed anything!!!) then i leave hours early, just in case. Sunday I am excited and get out there and have a go (win or lose i feel as though i have won) i drive home happy and proud of myself. Happy Riding & Keep Smiling Mel x p.s. Have fun on your overnight adventure my blog is at www.melroseequestrianservices.com

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    1. Our packing sounds strangely similar! 😂 Pink is an excellent color too!

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  10. Papercheck list for ride camps, but it's become mental.

    Things I always almost forget = buckets (you can never have too many of various sizes), feed pans, and human water.

    Also good to have on hand: duct tape, betadine, bacitracin, desitin, scissors/something sharp, towels, rags, and electrical tape. I some how find a use for these things and keep them throughout my stuff.

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    1. I have 6 regular sized buckets, a muck bucket, a smaller bucket (bath bucket haha) and a feed pan 😂 I hope that's enough for one horse for a 48 hours trip? Lol

      Ooooh of the rest of your list I think betadine is the only other thing I'm missing. Good thing I have a shopping trip planned! ☺ Thank you!!

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