The Newtown Bridle Lands Association hosted a very informative talk given by local equestrian Shelby McChord on June 20. The topic was camping with your horse, an activity that may seem daunting to many horse owners but McChord presented the basics in a very understandable and approachable way. Her talk sparked today’s column, which uses some information from her presentation.

When you take your horse camping, you are taking him away from his herd. He will look to you to be his “herd” and the bonding that is experienced is very different from taking him for a day trip to a horse show. The first time I took my horse camping, he had his eyes on me nonstop wondering what was going on, even becoming a little upset when I went to the bathroom. He settled down and by the second night, he was a pro.

Just like camping with humans, horse camping can be experienced in many forms. You can stay in a motel that has housing for horses (check out horsemotel.com), you can stay in a campground that has a centralized barn for horses, or you can go to a horse friendly campground that has space in your site for your horse. Out west, people ride in the backcountry (usually Bureau of Land Management land) and make their own camp. Let’s take a look at the most likely scenario for us easterners, which is camping in a campground at a location that welcomes horses.

The biggest question is how to contain your horse when he’s not in the trailer and not being ridden. One option is to tie a “high line.” This is a long rope tied between two posts or trees at a height of about 7 to 8 feet used to prevent your horse from getting tangled. “Tree Saver” straps are flat straps that wrap around the tree and protect the bark from girdling. You simply tie a line from the high line to your horse. When your horse is not being actively supervised such as at night, the lead rope must be short enough so that your horse cannot lower his head to the ground and accidentally step over it.

Hobbling your horse is another option although in a campground you will need another method to keep him from wandering over to the next site. Hobbles are a leather or rope restraint that go around the front fetlocks of the horse. They can move around but not run. Make sure you have acclimated your horse to hobbling before camping.

Probably the most popular way to keep your horse safe while camping is a portable electric fence system. It consists of a battery-operated charger, posts, and electric tape or wire. It is flexible in size and reliable. While your horse is still loaded in the trailer, you can set up a fence system in about 15 minutes. If your horse is already familiar with electric fences, he will respect your portable version. If not, take the time to have him spend time in your enclosure before you go camping. Zareba offers excellent portable horse electric fence systems (zarebasystems.com).

Your horse will need feed and water. Measure out the appropriate amount of grain for your trip and then bring an extra meal’s worth. Bring extra hay also. Most campgrounds have easily accessible water; you only need to bring a bucket or two. If you are in a location where you can take off and ride for the entire day, you don’t necessarily need to bring food for your mount. He should be fine with a little grazing time at lunch.

One of the real joys of camping is the simplicity of it. You don’t need your entire tack box on this trip! A brush, a hoof pick, and some fly spray is all your horse requires. A second bridle is not a bad idea just in case something breaks. Some Duct tape and a knife may also come in handy. There are some clever saddle pads that have pouches built into them where you can stash a lead rope, some lunch, and a hoof pick. I like to have a fanny pack or a phone holder on my body so if the horse and I get separated (ie, I fall off), I’ll at least have my phone on me and not on a quickly disappearing horse.

We’re going to assume here that you have been camping before and know what to pack and how and what to cook. Your housing arrangements can extend the gamut from a tent to a horse trailer that includes living quarters (“LQ”). A very practical option if you have a regular two-horse trailer is to turn the trailer into your bedroom. Bring a flexible hose and wash out the trailer, throw down a cheap rug, blow up your mattress, turn on a battery operated lamp, and you’re good to go.

Now, the big decision: where to go horse camping? There are several places within a few hours of Newtown. For example, Frog Hollow Horse Camp in Voluntown gives access to Pachaug State Forest, the largest state forest in Connecticut with over 26,000 acres and miles of trails.

Promised Land State Park is located in Pikes County in eastern Pennsylvania, located right off 1-84 and about a two hour drive from Newtown. The park encompasses approximately 3,000 acres in size, and is surrounded by 12,464 acres of the Delaware State Forest, including natural areas. The website recommends contacting the park office for horse camping options.

Lake Luzerne in Luzerne, N.Y. offers a horse specific camping loop with paddocks. The drive is about three and a half hours and brings you to beautiful upstate New York with many riding trails to explore. The Luzerne campground is on the edge of the great Adirondack Park, which is larger than Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon National Park combined!

If you are looking for excellent footing, the ability to ride all day, and a dedicated horse camping area, try out Myles Standish State Forest in Carver, Mass. It’s right off Interstate 495 just before Cape Cod. It is very popular with horse campers. There are no paddocks so you’ll need to bring your portable electric fence, but the sites are large with plenty of water spigots and a clean bathroom. In past years, I’ve gone out on a 15 mile ride, stopping to have lunch in the woods and cantering on the beautiful sandy trails. Evenings are spent around a fire with friends while the horses rest in their home away from home.

There are several Facebook pages dedicated to horse camping. A good one is Horse Camping, Trail Riding and Facilities in North America. Check out trailmeister.com, a horse camping website sharing tips, articles and places to go. Have fun!

Tracy Van Buskirk is a 38 year resident of Newtown and president of Newtown Bridle Lands Association, at www.nblact.com, a nonprofit volunteer organization formed in 1978 to foster an interest in horseback riding as well as preserving, protecting, and maintaining riding and hiking trails in the community. Horses have always been a part of her life. She owns a small bay quarter horse named Little Bear.