Preparing for Camp

OK, horse, tack, tack cleaning stuff, a different bit in case horse gets giddier than usual, fly rugs, any other rugs, grooming kit, first aid kit, spare headcollar, mucking out stuff, trug to carry poo or fold up wheelbarrow. Hay/haylage, haynets, feed bowl, feed in little baggies with supplements already added. Salt. Fly spray. Water buckets, water trug, bale string. XL bin bags to cover hay bale. Neckstrap in case horse is having too much fun. Wash bucket, shampoo.

Sun cream, wet wipes, sleeping bag. Spare duvet. Spare duvet no 2. 2 pillows, bin bags, camp beds. plates, cutlery. Wine glass. Water bottles. PJs, toiletries, underwear, breeches and spare in case of rain. T shirts, long sleeve shirt, boots, body protector, hats (in case of falling) one of which is a crash hat (peaked not allowed XC. jacket, another jacket, another waterproof jacket.

I take apples.

Polos for when horse is glorious.

Phone and charger.

If it's at Somerford, you need a credit card for the saddler shop.

I like to pre book a photo package. They make sure they have some of you then. Photos are ace!

Warn OH that it is a bad signal area.
 
Last edited:
Ahh. I used to love camp! Went once a year with the Rockley rehabs. Brilliant bunch. Wine cake mucking out stuff or electric fence pony food snacks. All that fresh air a few cereal bars are handy. I left all my toiletries in the showers on the last day! Minimal small human stuff!
 
Red-1 said:
OK, horse, tack, tack cleaning stuff, a different bit in case horse gets giddier than usual, fly rugs, any other rugs, grooming kit, first aid kit, spare headcollar, mucking out stuff, trug to carry poo or fold up wheelbarrow. Hay/haylage, haynets, feed bowl, feed in little baggies with supplements already added. Salt. Fly spray. Water buckets, water trug, bale string. XL bin bags to cover hay bale. Neckstrap in case horse is having too much fun. Wash bucket, shampoo.

Sun cream, wet wipes, sleeping bag. Spare duvet. Spare duvet no 2. 2 pillows, bin bags, camp beds. plates, cutlery. Wine glass. Water bottles. PJs, toiletries, underwear, breeches and spare in case of rain. T shirts, long sleeve shirt, boots, body protector, hats (in case of falling) one of which is a crash hat (peaked not allowed XC. jacket, another jacket, another waterproof jacket.

I take apples.

Polos for when horse is glorious.

Phone and charger.

If it's at Somerford, you need a credit card for the saddler shop.

I like to pre book a photo package. They make sure they have some of you then. Photos are ace!

Warn OH that it is a bad signal area.
Click to expand...

This is a great list (plus the wine).

Also I keep horse and human first aid kits in the lorry. And emergency snacks - crisps, Tangfastics, Mini Eggs, porridge. Tea, cappuccino sachets, milk, sugar. Obviously proper food too if it's not included!

ETA - always take three more pairs of socks than you think you'll need!
 
I remember one year I went, the horses each had a fenced pen in the paddock. That was all fine, but the weather was really awful - freezing winds and horizontal rain - in the middle of the "summer". I had taken some extra turnout rugs, and my horse was very grateful! 🌧️
 
j1ffy said:
This is a great list (plus the wine).

Also I keep horse and human first aid kits in the lorry. And emergency snacks - crisps, Tangfastics, Mini Eggs, porridge. Tea, cappuccino sachets, milk, sugar. Obviously proper food too if it's not included!

ETA - always take three more pairs of socks than you think you'll need!
Click to expand...
Oh and champagne?!
 
Pop a complete set of clothes (inc socks, undies etc) in a bag and put under drivers seat or similar.
If you have a sodden last day of camp, then it's v easy to whip this bag out to do a quick change before driving home, rather than scuffling around your baggage trying to find dry kit that doesn't stink or is sodden ...... been there, done that!
 
Thank you so much everyone. Lots of great ideas I wouldn't have thought of.
I'm staying in the trailer and there is a kitchen with amenities.
Wine is going to be a necessity - the horses are stabled and I can see her driving me demented as she doesn't isn't a fan. This will be her first and last camp at 23 yrs old so we're going for a fun time.

I will get everything here onto a checklist and I'll be checking it numerous times.
40 years old and ridiculously excited - 7 weeks to go 🤣
 
Boring but ensure your horse is fit enough. I actually never did "full" camps even on a very fit horse, as I just felt two intense sessions a day over 3 days or so was a big ask. So I'd always only do half of the last session, or do a few less jumps or whatnot.
 
Michen said:
Boring but ensure your horse is fit enough. I actually never did "full" camps even on a very fit horse, as I just felt two intense sessions a day over 3 days or so was a big ask. So I'd always only do half of the last session, or do a few less jumps or whatnot.
Click to expand...
Not boring at all. Very important and I've got her fit so plan to maintain it.
Her health comes first so if at any point she starts to struggle we stop. It will definitely a play it by ear and see how she goes.
 
My horse decided to go on food and water strike at camp, despite being there with his stable mate! The only thing he would eat was grass, so I spent hours each day hand grazing him. He wouldn't drink, so I drove to two different feed stores and a supermarket (in my 7.5t) and spent a fortune on tempting feeds, electrolytes, syringes, apples and carrots, apple sauce, mints..... he still wouldn't eat or drink. I even bought a trug the same colour as the one he drinks from at home. And at home he is a really good eater and drinker.

So before you go , try to find out what she REALLY likes, the ultimate treat, and pack that. Take some syringes of electrolytes, so that at least you can get those down in an emergency. And take a familiar water bucket with you.
 
Essentials for your first riding club camp:

- Riding gear (helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, rain gear)
- Basic tools & tire repair kit (just in case)
- Tent, sleeping bag, pad (if camping)
- Clothes for all weather (layers, extra socks)
- Hydration & snacks (water bottle, energy bars)
- First aid kit (bandages, painkillers, etc.)
- Bike lock & cover (security matters)
- Cash & ID (some places don’t take cards)
- Portable charger/power bank
- Camp chair & flashlight (trust me, you’ll want both)

Pack light but smart have fun and ride safe!
 
Most stuff has already been mentioned but I always take a saddlecloth for each session in case they're sweaty and don't have a chance to dry in between.

Depending on what shower facilities there are, you might want flip flops and I also almost got caught out once by food being provided but not plates, cutlery or glasses. If it's due to be cold at night, a hot water bottle is good!
 
my mum laughed at me for taking an outfit and a saddle pad for each lesson, but believe me we needed them! june heatwave and we were a pair of sweaty bettys let me tell you😂

comfy joggers for evenings, shorts for in the day as it was so hot, jeans/nice top if you plan on going to a pub for lunch etc when you’re there.

if it’s catered, don’t take rubbish camping plates/cutlerys😂 we made this mistake last year and wished we just took proper ones
 
No, it's at Ardmedden first weekend of Aug with the local riding club.

Lindores looks great though so might look at that next year. (It all depends on how Tal is going and what will suit him as hes going to be the main star next year but rising 5 I'll be cautious in what we do. I've wanted to do a camp with Tilly for years and I want her to start taking it easy although she has other plans. 23 yrs old and our steady canter last night became a race).
 
The two camps I’ve been on had few facilities and apart from the usual stuff having a porta potti in my horsebox was a godsend in the middle of the night as the toilets were a distance away and hideous anyway. Also it was incredibly hot and I don’t think I would have survived if I hadn’t bought a large cooler stuffed it with ice and drinks including gin and tonic. It stayed cold for 3 days. The camp had no fridge so all drinks were lukewarm.

We didn’t have showers but I was able to do a top to toe wash with a bucket of water and a flannel and wash my hair in a bucket (I said it was basic 😱)

Had a great time though 😄
 
If you're going to Ardmedden there's a kitchen at the back of the indoor where you can prep food. There's a fridge in there too. Although is crockery, it won't hurt to take your own plates.

The toilets and showers are great - there's even a bath!

Take a good bucket to transfer water to your stable as all water is in IBCs.

The hay and straw are provided, it's gorgeous hay.
At night most camps go upstairs in the indoor so you won't need a camp chair. You can also go up there to watch lessons in the day.

It's all compact there so not to much walking.

You'll love it. Both schools are great and the farm rides are included in your camp package.
 
No there are not, but you can pile as much straw as you want into them. Just remember you need to muck it out at the end.

The stables are temps, but permanently in place in indoor sheds. You can also hand graze in the field next to the outdoor school.
 
Perfect thanks. I have some very light ones i will take. My mare is thoroughly disgusting in a stable 😆😆😆 and even with a huge bed she makes such a mess very little can be saved 🙈
Hand grazing and the farm ride will be useful for her mental health
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top