Introduction

Being outdoors and camping is a fun pastime for a lot of people. Many people feel there is nothing like spending time camping with your horse.   

Here are a few guidelines for camping with your horse.  

Do your homework before you choose the campground so that you select the one that will make your stay most enjoyable. There are numerous parks and private campgrounds that allow horses. Most will require a negative Coggins (a blood test typically drawn during annual vaccination visit to the vet) at minimum.   

If traveling out of state, a negative Coggins is required, along with a current health certificate/Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (usually within the past 30 days).   

Additionally, the horse should be up to date on all of its vaccinations, including influenza and rhinopneumonitis, since it will most likely be exposed to other horses in your travels.  

Campgrounds

Most campgrounds list their amenities online, which can really help with knowing what you need to bring and what you can leave at home.  

In Connecticut, both Pachaug and Natchaug State Parks have basic facilities for camping with your horse. The Connecticut Horse Council’s Volunteer Horse Patrol (VHP) helps to maintain the trails.   

Here is a link to more information about the campground: http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325290 . 

Nighttime Horse Routine

Consider how you will keep your horse at night. Will you make a high line to tie them to, bring a portable corral or pen, or tie them to your trailer? A high line is a rope, tied around two trees approximately six to eight feet from the ground, with the horse tied to the line in a stationary spot. This allows the horse to move around a pivot point and lie down to rest. Be sure to allow enough space between horses if high lining more than one horse. Picketing the horse is another option. Drive a picket, or stake, into the ground. Then string the rope to chest high, with horses tied one on each side along the picket. This way the horses can only move in a half circle.  

Camping and Trail Etiquette

In some areas, certified weed-free hay will be required, or only the use of feed produced in the area is permitted. Other areas may have no grazing rules. Be sure to check on the local regulations, and abide by them.    

When you go to the campground, it is best to go with a friend or a group so that you are not alone when you ride. Injuries can occur, and it is best to be accompanied, especially when travelling in unfamiliar terrain. Keep in mind that the horse may be more excitable than normal, since it will be in a new environment.  

Remember to download or pick up a trail map before heading out. Most horses will be able to find their way back to the camp, but it is better to ensure you don’t get lost in the first place. If you do become lost, try to go back to the last place where you were on the correct path, but if you are hopelessly lost, it is best just to stay put and if possible, call or wait for help. Stay on marked trails and avoid taking shortcuts.  

Whenever camping or riding your horse, remember to leave no trace. The seven leave no trace (LNT) principles include:  

• Plan ahead and prepare;  

• Travel and camp on durable surfaces; 

• Dispose of waste properly (pack it in pack it out) – this means picking up and bringing home the manure from around your campsite or putting it in a designated area for manure, trying to curb your horse or have it defecate off to the side and on heavily traveled trails, and/or kicking it to the side;  

• Leave what you find – do not pick flowers, take fossils, etc.; 

• Minimize campfire impacts – only you can prevent forest fires, so be sure all fires are out before you leave your campsite for any length of time;  

• Respect wildlife – most will avoid encounters with horses. If going out West, or areas know to have bears, consider bringing along bear spray, especially for areas with grizzlies;  

• Be considerate of other visitors – not all will yield to horses, if trying to educate, do so in a kind, gentle manner.  

Horseback riders do have priority right of way on trails, but you should observe caution because not all trail users will be aware of this. The more equestrians strive to apply common sense rules of courtesy and etiquette, the better the chances of a stress-free ride or drive.  

More information on etiquette are available under the resources section at https://cttrails.uconn.edu/.  

Resources

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. (n.d.). Horseback riding/camping. https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Recreation-Information/Horseback-Riding---CT-State-Parks-and-Forests 

Equisearch. (2017). Horsecamping.  https://www.equisearch.com/articles/horsecamping-18694 

UConn Extension. (2019). Connecticut trails site. https://cttrails.uconn.edu/ 

The information in this document is for educational purposes only.  The recommendations contained are based on the best available knowledge at the time of publication.  Any reference to commercial products, trade or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended.  UConn Extension does not guarantee or warrant the standard of any product referenced or imply approval of the product to the exclusion of others which also may be available.  The University of Connecticut, UConn Extension, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.