Horse Holiday - list of essentials

nicolenlolly

nicolenlolly

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Good Afternoon :)

I love coming to you all for advice, I always end up with answers that I would never have managed to come up with on my own.

So please could you help me with this one...

We are off to the New Forest in a couple of weeks, 2 lorries, 4 adults, 3 children, 2 horses, 3 ponies and a dog!!! (must be mad)

Staying at a place called Rushcroft farm for anyone that knows it?

Anyway just some advice please as to the essentials that we must have with us. The children are 8, 7 and 3 so our youngest will be on the lead with muggins here leading whilst Hubby rides with our oldest. Dad of the other child will also be on foot with their dog so I will have someone to help if required. We are staying in the lorries and have a field for the horses. I was also planning on taking the car so we can go out for the odd meal or we could have a day off riding and go off somewhere further afield.

Think that is everything, I do love a list and have a terrible memory so I like to plan early so if I need anything I can get it and have it ready.

Thank you very much xxx
 
I'm off to newforest with my pony next week :) I know I was going to take all sorts of random things like a hose, wheelbarrow,fork etc but the place I'm going provides it all for me. So it might be worth checking ahead so you don't take stuff unecessarily. Thus saving valuable space for all the other gear you need! (I was too mean to take my dog I can only deal with one animal at a time on hols! Lol ) from what I have heard it sounds a great place to go with horses :)
 
good point Huskydamage :)

camera, batteries, spare memory card,
camping stove and fridge
food and drink,cooking oil, butter,
cutlery and crockery,
newspapers and toys, scrabble or games for when you are not exploring,
bedding and extra blankets
list of jobs - who is responsible for what so there are no misunderstandings later ;-)
first aid kits for humans and animals
spare leads and ropes,
grooming kit, headcollars and tack,

probably lots more :)
 
It will get hot in the lorries so take garden furniture or something you can easily put outside so you can all sit and eat in the shade somewhere, that's being optimistic for good weather, a barbeque for easy meals outdoors.
Tins of soup/ beans etc, for quick meals easily heated up when you are not feeling like doing much, you dont want to spend your holiday trying to cook up complicated meals in the lorry so try and plan as much as you can to do quick uncomplicated meals that require few ingredients and little prep.
It will then get cold overnight so plenty of warm blankets, lots of towels in case they don't dry quickly, waterproofs for everyone including the horses just in case.
A good book in case you get some free time!
 
ooh sounds fun!
Most of my thoughts are about preparing for bad weather (and it is too long ago since I had charge of young children so not much help with any of that!) …. take lots more changes of clothes than you think you will need, and at least 2 sets of waterproofs :)
Find out the local emergency vet number and put it in your phone (dog and horse separately if necessary). also a local farrier. (Hopefully you won't need these but I always think its a bit like taking an umbrella… will guarantee it doesn't rain!)
horsy first aid kit including some sachets of danilon and some calmer. I also include a small sugary horse lick in mine in case I need to keep the horse entertained whilst I deal with him.
Human first aid kit too and make sure it includes some blister plasters and cream to put on stings and bites
Spare baler twine or other tying up aids
LOTS of fly repellent and sun cream (ha ha)
can you fit in a clothes airer or something similar to dry clothes on if you get good weather
Spare stirrup leathers / girths / reins!
And a big smile :)
 
To add to above,
even more baler twine to act as washing line between boxes for towel drying, plus pegs
Spare cartons of long life milk (better than nothing for some people)
Pop children's clothes in plastic bags as a set, then when trashed can ge lobbed back in bag snd move onto next set, otherwise wet/muddy/well fed gear gets mixed up with clean.
Basic farrier tools
Paper plates for a night off washing up
TIN OPENER AND CORKSCREW!

Prob loads more, but have fun x
 
Lucky you

Bug spray, fly rugs if you have, lots of drinks, water and agree clothes for all weathers! pack a spare length of rope doubles as washing line for wet stuff or hitching rail
 
Wow thank you for the responses! Seriously didn't think of local vets/farriers but such an obvious one now you mention it! Not taking my dogs, I can't be in charge of a 3 year old on the lead rein who seems to think she can jump the moon and 2 dippy labs!lol
I will call them tomorrow and see what they peovide, similarly I will need some equipment I would have thought to clean out back of lorry so I can use it for storage :)
 
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