Camping with Horses

Wade wrote to ask "I'm interested in camping with horses and or mules. (and) Their care and feeding, grazing if available, and first aid for the animals. What should I be watchful for etc. Thank you."




Big question, Wade. Assuming you have suitable horses and/or mules for the area you are heading to, much will depend upon the area as far as available grazing and permits. By suitable stock I mean your horses or mules are healthy and conditioned enough for the area you are going and the distance you plan on riding.

Some areas require your horses to have been fed certified weed free hay - to protect against the proliferation of weeds or unwanted grass species. Some areas will require use permits.

I would be considerate of feed issues related to over night changes of feeds. For example from dry grass or alfalfa hay to a forest pasture. I would consider any pasture where I was going to be supplemental feed and plan to bring my own feed which for me is grass and alfalfa hay and a complete pelleted feed from ADM.

Planning on camping in the wilderness, just you, your horse and a bedroll is one thing, but wanting more comforts and certainly staying for an extended time will require a pack horse or pack mule. If you go out with minimal gear make sure you can build a rudimentary shelter and a fire - not only for warmth but as a signaling device if you get lost or hurt. Water would be a primary concern. You take take enough, so you need to go where there are sources, either man made or natural.

There may be some areas near you offer horse friendly campgrounds with pens for your horses, otherwise you'll be looking at high lining or hobbling them. Available water would be important too, as you could easily go through 40 gallons or more a day.  

If you are inexperienced at camping or back country trips on horse or mule back, then maybe you can find an outfitter and sign up for a trip on their animals as it would give you invaluable experience before you set out on your own.

Just so much depends on what you want to do and where you want to go. A great resource would be any state chapter of Back Country Horsemen of America. They would be able to direct you to horse friendly areas and give you an idea on what you would need as well as point to you getting permits if required.

As far as first aid for horses, I have a vet bag in my trailer and carry small items in my saddlebags:

Vet Bag: several rolls of Vet Wrap; 4x4 gauze; medical tape; Nitrofurazone; Anti-septic wound powder; Quik-Clot; tampons (for dressings); Hoof Soaker Boot and Epsom Salt (this is all inclusive list, but minimal essential items);

Saddle Bags: Vet Wrap with tampon stuffed inside the hollow part of the cardboard roll then put in a vacuum sealed bag; Hoof Wrap bandage in case I pull a shoe or have a hoof puncture;
During snake season, I'll carry two eight inch long surgical tubes (same type you use to tube horses), coated on the outside with Vaseline or Bag Balm and sealed in a vacuum packed bag - in case my horse gets bit on the nose, where a lot of snake bites occur, I have a chance of inserting them in nostril's to keep his airway open.

If you get all set up and head off for a horse back camping trip, I'd also suggest you let people know where you are going, what route you are taking and when you are planning on coming back. And a cell phone is always a good idea in case you or your horse get into trouble.

These also may be a couple of useful resources for you, Wade. Good luck and safe journey.

"Low Impact Horse Camping" - Video
"Mountain Manners" - Video
Idaho Back Country Horsemen
HC 66, Box 248
Kooskia, ID 83536

"Horse Camping" (1981)
by George Hatley - The Dial Press
1 Dag Hammerskjold Plaza
New York, NY 10017

Back Country Horseman of America (BCHA)

Back Country Horsemen of America is an organization whose purpose is to: 1 - perpetuate the common sense use and enjoyment of horses in America’s back country and wilderness; 2 - Work to insure that public lands remain open to recreational stock use; 3 - Assist the various government and private agencies in their maintenance and management of said resource; 4 - Educate, encourage and solicit active participation in the wise use of the back country resource by horsemen and the general public commensurate with our heritage; and, 5 - Foster and encourage the formation of new state Back Country Horsemen's organizations.

The actual formation of BCH took place in Montana’s Flathead Valley in January of 1973. Since then, BCHA progress is a matter of record. They have used their specialized knowledge of stock and the back country to bring about changes and modifications of restrictive management, and have participated in many agency meetings and land use planning and regulations and have become a strong voice for continued, responsible horse use.

Go to their website here: http://www.backcountryhorse.com/

Growth of the Back Country Horsemen organization continued with formation of additional chapters in Montana . In 1979, these chapters and one from Salmon, Idaho formed the Back Country Horsemen of America. Three more Montana chapters and one from Idaho were added in the next few years.

The Back Country Horsemen of Washington was incorporated in 1977 and developed an informal liaison with the Montana and Idaho Back Country Horsemen. In 1981, a California organization was formed known as the High Sierra Stock Users. After several years of discussion, the four groups decided to merge, using the Back Country Horsemen of America name. A constitution was drafted in 1985 and adopted in 1986. It provided that the governing body of this new organization would be a board of directors elected from each state. Montana , Idaho , California and Washington Back Country Horsemen units became the BCHA. Since that time, there has been steady growth within the four founding state organizations and in other states.

There are approximately 13,300 members in 47 states with Back Country Horseman organizations in 25 states including: Alabama , Alaska , Arizona , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Florida , Georgia , Idaho , Illinois , Indiana , Kentucky , Michigan , Missouri , Montana , Nevada , New Mexico , North Carolina , Oregon , South Carolina , Tennessee , Utah , Virginia , Washington , and Wyoming , with 174 Chapters.

BCHA is highly successful in establishing trails and maintaining good rapport with governmental agencies through use of their Leave No Trace Principles. BHA are well known for their stewardship of remote areas and riding trails. Their Leave No Trace Principles are:  Plan and prepare, Travel and camp on durable surfaces, Dispose of waste properly, Leave what you find, Minimize campfire impacts, Respect wildlife, and
Be considerate of other visitors.

I have met some of the BCHA horseman and they are an organization worthy to join. If you can find an Chapter near you, this is a good way to enhance your knowledge while contributing to the overall group effort to maintain places to ride in this country.