OCTOBER 2020

MONTHLY

In this issue... POSTCARD FROM COLORADO HOW-TO SAFETY OVERNIGHT

Brought to you by PHOTO BY MICHAELA JAYCOX MICHAELA BY PHOTO HorseandRider.com Fall into FORAGE SAVE WITH STANDLEE

BUY 3, SAVE $5.00 Visit standleeforage.com/coupons to download offer

Coupon required at time of purchase. Offer valid September 1 to October 31.

Proud sponsor of:

Horse_Rider_Fall_Into_Forage_85x11_v1.indd 1 9/10/20 9:49 AM STORY AND PHOTOS BY KENT & CHARLENE KRONE

RIDING THE ROCKIES HEAD TO GRAND LAKE, COLORADO, TO EXPLORE THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS AT WINDING RIVER RESORT.

Charlene Krone rides Nate along the North Fork of the Colorado River.

3 | OCTOBER Horse&Rider’s RIDING MONTHLY eep in the heart of DColorado lies the Wind- ing River Resort. Located outside the historic moun- tain town of Grand Lake, this scenic haven sits along the North Fork of the Colorado LEFT: Winding River Resort is located outside the historic River, and borders Rocky mountain town of Grand Mountain National Park and Lake, along the North Fork of Arapahoe National Forest. the Colorado River. BELOW: Winding River owners, Wes Owned by Wes and Marcia and Marcia House, with their House, the resort has 150 Golden Retriever, Nugget. spacious recreational-vehi- cle sites, 24 corrals for guest horses, lodge rooms, tent sites, and cabins. We pulled our living-quar- ters trailer into an RV site with two corrals. Nate and Cowboy, our Missouri Fox Trotter geldings, were very pleased at the size of their accommodations. dancing! A family from giggled and Showers, restrooms, and laundry facilities laughed their way through do-si-dos and are also on site. partner swinging. No doubt about it, a fun From the flower-filled entryway to the memory was in the works! modern bathhouse, Winding River is im- On our second night, we succumbed to maculately maintained by eight work-camp temptation: an ice cream social. Lots of couples. Our stay here was a comfortable, good-natured bantering was dished out, happy experience. along with useful local information. Folks visited and got to know one another in this Simple Pleasures throwback to simpler times. ries. If you want to continue riding on this If you’d like to leave your horses at home, different all-terrain-vehicle that you can still ride the trails around Winding Into the Forest head up the hill and branch off in various River Resort. Wes and Marcia offer gentle Ride in any direction from Winding River, directions. You can do large loop rides and horses and a bumper-pull trailer to access and you’ll find gorgeous country to explore. figure-eight loops. farther-flung trailheads. First, pick up a complimentary map from Wes and Marcia, both animal lovers, have the resort’s gift shop. Ride the Park! a Tennessee Walking Horse and a Missouri We did three different rides from camp. For our second adventure, we did the Big Fox Trotter, and an important camp fixture Our first ride was a small exploratory loop Meadows loop ride in Rocky Mountain is their Golden Retriever, Nugget. There’s ride of a few miles into Arapaho National National Park. also a resident moose. The baby-animal Forest, which borders the resort. To get to this trailhead, exit the Winding farm on the premises allows children (and To do this loop, go past the snowmobile River campground, turn right at the Rocky adults) to pet and help feed all the baby rental shed, through a gate, and take the Mountain National Park sign, and cross the animals. immediate first right. The trail winds uphill bridge. At the three-way split, stay to the right, Wes and Marcia took us on a tour of their and passes by numerous slash piles. Sadly, and look for the Kawuneeche Visitor Center. antique, horse-drawn sleighs and carriag- portions of this area have been hard hit by Stay to the right of the visitor center, and es, which are still put to use on special beetle kill. To aid recovery, dead trees have ride past it. Within a half mile or so, you’ll occasions. One goal of Winding River is to been cut down and piled; they’ll be burned come to an intersection. Go left to get to give families an opportunity to have good, when conditions allow. Big Meadows. If you turn right, you’ll head old-fashioned fun. And in doing so, Wes and This loop will take you to long-distance down to Grand Lake. Marcia hope to create special memories that viewing points. It then intersects with the Nate and Cowboy thought this was a families will enjoy reliving for years to come. incoming trail, and you head back the way pleasant, easy trail. The 700-foot elevation We observed this “old-fashioned fun” you came in. Depending on the time of year, gain to the meadows was a gradual incline on our first evening at the resort. Square you may see lots of sweet, wild raspber- on a mostly soft, shaded trail. →

4 | OCTOBER Horse&Rider’s TRAIL RIDING MONTHLY “Ride in any direction from Winding River, and you’ll find gorgeous country to ex- plore,” note the Krones. Here, Kent Krone rides Cowboy along Tonahutu Creek.

Along the way, we noticed weathered, son who were doing their first Our first thrill was a beautiful choco- wooden water pipes lying on the ground, trip together. Early in the morning, they late-colored moose. We stopped along the partially covered with vines and moss. These were resting by the trail. Three elk stepped trail to watch him raise his large head up old pipes showed amazing workmanship. out of the brush and walked right by them. from the river where he was browsing for They were constructed from slats of wood The elk were within touching distance underwater foliage. wrapped with wire; perhaps they car- of the two men. This experience The moose didn’t bother our boys. Nate ried water for a mining activity touched them deeply. We felt it and Cowboy thought he was a very large or a community. was a gift they shared with horse with a head deformity! Arriving at Big Meadows, us. After Big Meadows, five We then watched two geese shepherding we saw where the word ‘One joy of trail miles remain on the loop their newly hatched babies—tiny balls of “big” came from. The riding is viewing back to Winding River. animated fluff—up river. The parents used meadows are huge! They’re wildlife in a We left the meadows on their bodies to keep the tiny ones from about two miles long and natural setting.’ the Green Mountain trail, getting separated and swept downstream. one mile wide, much like traveling mostly downhill. Very touching. an expansive, emerald sea At the bottom, cross the hidden in the mountains. highway, go about a half-mile Cascade Falls Lush, green grass swayed in to a junction, and veer right. On our last ride into the park, we rode seven the wind. In the distance, Nakai Peak, Instead of a roadside trail, this trail miles to Cascade Falls. Begin this ride as at 12,216 feet above sea level, stretched sky- follows the Colorado River and will lead though you were going to Big Meadows. ward. There’s a tie rack here, but we didn’t back to the resort. However, instead of turning left at the inter- use it. Nate and Cowboy have trained us One joy of trail riding is viewing wildlife section after the visitor center, turn right. to hobbles! If there’s good grass, we hobble in a natural setting. This last portion of the This will take you to the Tonahutu/North them, so we can all enjoy lunching together. trail gave us two special glimpses of animals Inlet Trailheads. There will be two parking After lunch, we encountered a father and at home. lots separated by a bridge. Turn left at the

5 | OCTOBER Horse&Rider’s TRAIL RIDING MONTHLY first parking lot. This puts you on the North A small cabin marked the end of private Inlet trail; Cascade Falls is approximately land. The trail began to wind and climb up five miles up. along a mountainside. Cliffs were festooned RESOURCE GUIDE Pastoral landscapes line the first mile or with greenery and boulders of golden hues. Arapaho National Forest so of an old trail/ that winds through Beware! Before the falls, the trail narrows, (970) 295-6600 private property. A wooden rail fence enclos- and there are sheer drop-offs. Not a place to fs.usda.gov es a matched pair of gorgeous, dappled-gray meet backpackers! Grand Lake Area Chamber of Percherons. We stopped to admire them. A low, rumbling growl signals the falls are Commerce As we rode along, we began hearing angry, nearby. An intersection with a stock trail to (970) 627-3402; (800) 531-1019 buzzing sounds. It didn’t seem to bother the the left loops back to the falls. Friends had grandlakechamber.com horses, but we wondered where all the noise advised us to go no farther, so we walked Pancho & Lefty’s was coming from. Well, we found out! from there to admire the falls tumbling (970) 627-8773 Up ahead, on both sides of the trail, 20 or down over the rocks. panchosgrandlake.com more sawyers were down bee- Rocky Mountain National Park tle-killed trees and stacking them into slash Grand Lake (970) 586-1206 piles. Brown scarves covered their faces; Returning from our Cascade Falls ride, we nps.gov/romo/ black hats protected their heads. noticed an old sign indicating that the trail/ They resembled giant bumblebees! The road leading to Grand Lake is the Continen- Winding River Resort (970) 627-3215 chainsaws wailed and screamed. Would our tal Divide Trail. We turned onto this trail. A windingriverresort.com horses fear them? Much to our surprise, half mile later, we were in the picturesque they had no fear of the “Bee People”! town of Grand Lake. →

Winding River Resort wranglers George and Marcia Dickerson cross the North Fork of the Colorado River. “One goal of Winding River is to give families an opportunity to have good, old-fashioned fun,” say the Krones.

6 | OCTOBER Horse&Rider’s TRAIL RIDING MONTHLY ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK Rocky Mountain National Park, an area covering 265,761 acres, immedi- ately borders Winding River Resort. It has varied terrain, including wood- ed forests, mountain tundra, and the Continental Divide. It also contains the headwaters of the famed Colo- rado River. Long Peak, elevation 14,256 feet, is the highest peak in the park. It was named after Stephen Long, who visited the area in 1820. However, Enos Mills was the man ultimately responsible for the national park des- ignation. Mills, who first came to this region at age 14, fell in love with this wild country. He became a naturalist, writer, and conservationist. He lobbied for legislation to make this region a Charlene Krone rides Nate around a bend as they national park, thereby saving it from near Cascade Falls (below). “Before the falls, the perils of “civilization.” the trail narrows, and there are sheer drop-offs,” The park was formally designat- caution the Krones. ed as a national park by President Woodrow Wilson in 1915. We enjoy riding our horses into tourist Approximately 349 miles of trails towns. We get a kick out of watching are in the park; horses are allowed on children’s faces when Cowboy “smiles” roughly 80% of them. at them. Kent will glance down at a little Backpackers frequently use llamas child, then he’ll look at his horse. as pack stock. In addition to the “Cowboy,” Kent will say, “if this is the backcountry horse campgrounds, best little kid you’ve ever seen, give a there are three campgrounds dedi- big smile.” cated solely to campers with llamas. On cue, Cowboy gives a huge grin, showing off big, discolored teeth. Children squeal in delight. We get warm fuzzies. It was obvious to us that Winding River And Cowboy? He gets a small alfalfa Resort is more than a business to Wes pellet! and Marcia. For them, it’s a way of helping Horses seem to know they’re ambas- people connect to one another through sadors of goodwill. They stand still while old-fashioned fun. being fussed over and petted by strangers. luck. With permission, we tied our horses to Watching guests laughing and playing And most times, they’ll even leave their road a sturdy fence behind the restaurant. Then gives heartfelt satisfaction. “We’re in the apples outside of town. we headed inside. memory business,” says Marcia. It was in Grand Lake that Charlene’s A flowered patio with outdoor seating, ice- Adds Wes, “We hope people will find more horse, Nate, became confused. We rode by a cold drinks, and hearty burritos provided a here than they expected.” yard that had black, life-size horse statues welcome ending to another fun day with our We did. And we think you will, too.  that looked just like Nate. He cautiously horses, nature, and each other. approached these silent horses, sniffed them, jumped back, and appeared baffled Winding Down Kent and Charlene Krone are equine photo- at their lack of response. He clearly didn’t On our last morning at Winding River, journalists, equestrian adventurers, and avid trail riders who travel up to eight months understand these relatives! we enjoyed Wes’ wagon-wheel pancake per year with their smooth-gaited Walking Tantalizing aromas from a cheerful Mexi- breakfast. Standing behind the grill, Wes Horses or Fox Trotters. When they’re not on can restaurant, Pancho & Lefty’s, caught our playfully flipped pancakes to the children the road, the Krones relax and ride on their attention. We were hungry, and we were in and hopeful dogs. Montana ranch.

7 | OCTOBER Horse&Rider’s TRAIL RIDING MONTHLY BY DAN AADLAND

HUNTING- SEASON SAFETY GUIDE This fall, stay safe on the trail with these five practical hunting-season guidelines. PHOTO BY ADRENALINAPURA/STOCK.ADOBE.COM BY PHOTO

8 | OCTOBER Horse&Rider’s TRAIL RIDING MONTHLY n the fall, when Rocky Mountain aspens colors doesn’t protect your horse if you tie trail riders wouldn’t consider putting their turn brilliant yellow, there’s no place I’d him and slip away to take a photograph. riding on hold that entire time. But in a pop- Irather be than in a snug hunting camp Invest in brightly colored saddlebags and/or ulated eastern state where deer season lasts among stately spruce by a clear stream, my cantle bags. Also consider placing a blaze-or- only a few days, postponing your ride until horses and mules picketed nearby, aromat- ange nylon halter under his bridle. the end of the season may appeal to you. ic pine smoke curling from the pipe of the The terrain and the species being hunted tent stove. CHOOSE YOUR ROUTE are factors, as well. Bird seasons mean that Contemplation of such a scene keeps 2. Find trails in areas where hunters will only shotguns with bird shot are in use, me going during bitter winter and summer be less concentrated. Contact your state fish far less dangerous at long range than rifle doldrums. Hunters in other parts of the and game department, and ask for maps of fire. And in the wide-open western terrain country are similarly drawn, whether to hunting areas, dates of hunting seasons, favored by antelope and mule deer, riders crisp corn fields laden with pheasants, red maple groves holding deer, or deep southern woods, now finally free of summer’s oppres- sive heat and humidity. These same fall conditions draw those of us who ride for pure pleasure. There’s noth- ing quite like a trail ride through autumn trees, the smell of fresh air and brilliant foliage, the enthusiasm of your good horse when there’s a trace of bite in the breeze. Riding during this time of year is too fine to be avoided simply because it coincides with hunting season. Ready to saddle up and enjoy this spectac- ular season? Follow these five guidelines to help keep you and your horse safe.

WEAR BRIGHT COLORS 1. Insurance companies, expert at analyzing risk, rate hunting as an extremely PHOTO BY MICHAEL IRELAND/STOCK.ADOBE.COM BY PHOTO safe activity. The accident ratio with regard Riding in a wide-open area is safer because both to the number of participants is very low what’s hunted, and whether the season is riders and hunters can see long distances. compared with other outdoor activities, open to anyone licensed, or is restricted by including horseback riding. drawings or special permits. Such infor- and hunters can usually see each other at Still, potential mation will help you long distances, a safety plus. for accidents exists. decide which state or Visibility is your federal land remains TRAIN YOUR HORSE first consideration. attractive for trail rid- 3. A hunting outfitter tells me that cli- To stand out, wear Invest in brightly ing while the season ents unfamiliar with horses often ask, “Can I bright colors. A colored saddlebags is in progress. shoot off this horse?” blaze-orange hunt- In heavily popu- His answer: “Yeah - once.” If the hunter ing vest (available and/or cantle bags. lated states where misses the point, the outfitter quickly at sporting-goods Also consider placing hunting is popular explains. “After you shoot, you’re likely to be stores) works well. and available habitat on the ground, flat on your back.” Choose one with lots a blaze-orange nylon is scarce, hunting Very few horses can stand up to the report of handy pockets. halter under his bridle. seasons are likely to of a high-powered rifle shot over their heads. Some hunting vests be short and intense. Indeed, the muzzle blast of such rifles can are reversible, so you Consider skipping damage a horse’s ears, even if he’s rock- can wear a softer opening day, especial- steady. No good hunter ever discharges a color other times of the year. Insulated ly if it falls on a weekend. high-powered rifle from the back of a horse, models are also available, should you wish In Montana, where hunting seasons of for safety and humane considerations. to add warmth. one sort or another are in progress from ear- But when you trail ride during hunting But festooning your own body with bright ly September until after Thanksgiving, most season, you’ll likely hear rifle reports. While

9 | OCTOBER Horse&Rider’s TRAIL RIDING MONTHLY it’s asking a bit much of your horse to expect doubly true when riding during hunting countering a hunter, a quiet nod is greeting complete coolness near gunfire, you can season. You don’t want your dog tangling enough. Also, any appearance of intentional teach him some tolerance for gun shots. with a bird hunter’s English pointer. Nor do interference with a hunter may be illegal; At home, fire a simple cap pistol, then you want him snaking through the brush check your state’s “hunter harassment” laws. reward your horse with a treat or a nice rub and surprising a hunter who might take him Although hunting may not be your cup on the withers. Then progress to a starting for a coyote or feral dog. of tea, awareness of its place in nature and pistol (used for starting races, available at of hunters’ contributions to the preserva- sporting-goods stores), which is consider- BE COURTEOUS tion of land and wildlife will tend to lead to ably louder. 5. Conflicts between hunters and trail respect and to easier relations with those riders seem to be relatively rare. Use simple you meet. Safety warning: courtesy to avoid conflict with other back- Hunter/naturalists of the past, such Fire a starting pistol only into the air, not toward a horse or a human; fragments of the wad holding the powder can be dangerous. And the sting of a fragment accompanying the loud report would be a major setback in your horse’s training. A bullwhip is another good training tool, if you can handle one. Its crack can be varied in intensity. Once your horse will tolerate a full-volume crack from a rider on his back, gunfire won’t be intimidating. But don’t use a bullwhip unless you’re fully competent. It’s easy to inadvertently strike your horse or yourself! It’s best to assume that no matter the training, gunshots carry the possibility of a spook from your horse. Use the one-rein stop to handle the unexpected.

PRACTICE TRAIL SAFETY PHOTO BY MICHAEL IRELAND/STOCK.ADOBE.COM BY PHOTO 4. Stay on well-traveled trails. Hunting Both hunters and trail riders have the right to be on season is no time to mimic the movements country users. Recognize that each person public land, so be courteous to other land users. of game animals, to quietly ghost through has a right to be there. deep woods, or to bushwack your way Don’t ride into someone’s camp without as John James Audubon, Aldo Leopold, through thickets and deadfall. first announcing your presence. “Hello, and Theodore Roosevelt, furnished the Where horseback hunting is common, the camp!” was the traditional greeting. In primary drive for national parks, wildlife trails are often used for camp transport via addition to alerting people, the idea was to refuges, and the national forest system. pack train, so hunters expect to see horse assure those in the camp or cabin that your Hunters (and fisherman) today still foot traffic on them. In areas where all-terrain intentions were open and above board. most of the bill for wildlife conservation vehicles are legal, expect an increase in Along the trail, greet people in camps in through their purchases of licenses and traffic during hunting season. Indeed, ATVs a friendly but quiet manner. If invited into the additional taxes they pay on equip- have become so prolific where allowed that the camp, don’t ride your horse right into ment for those activities. if your horse isn’t accustomed to them, now the central area. Think of that as the “living So, don’t just park your horse because might be the time to change that. room.” Dismount on the camp’s fringes. hunting season is in progress. Follow If you don’t own an ATV, find a friend who Invariably, if you ride into the tent or cook- these guidelines, then enjoy the trails does. Let your horse smell and hear it while ing area your horse will choose that very during a glorious time of the year.  it idles nearby, and practice gently meeting moment to relieve himself, thus soiling the the machine on a safe lane or trail. Then area the campers wish to keep clean. Dan Aadland raises mountain bred Tennessee have your friend rev things up a bit, coming When interacting with hunters, consider Walking Horses and gaited mules on his at you faster and making a bit more noise. their purpose. Don’t make extra noise in the ranch in Montana. His most recent books are The Best of All Seasons, The Complete It’s best to leave your dog at home while interests of safety unless you’re in grizzly Trail Horse, 101 Trail Riding Tips, and Sketches trail riding anytime of the year. This is country, or you’ll scare game. Upon en- from the Ranch: A Montana Memoir.

10 | OCTOBER Horse&Rider’s TRAIL RIDING MONTHLY STORY AND PHOTOS BY KENT & CHARLENE KRONE

CREATE A COMFY CAMP You pull into your camping destination. Now what? Here’s how to create a cozy, comfortable camp for you and your horse, including meal prep.

Campfires are a special part of camping. If a campfire is allowed, take necessary precautions. Use the fire ring provided, and don’t leave your fire unattended.

11 | OCTOBER Horse&Rider’s TRAIL RIDING MONTHLY ou’ve planned your camping trip, packed Yup, and trailered your horse to your destination. You arrive safe and sound. Now what? Here, we’ll tell you how to choose a campsite and set up camp. Plus, we’ll share several of our favorite meal ideas. Tip: If you’ll be horse camping on a reg- ular basis, keep a notebook. List the items you wish you’d packed, and list what you did pack but didn’t use. This will streamline your packing for future camping trips.

Choose a Campsite As soon as you pull in, check in with the camp managers. If you’ve made a reserva- tion, find out whether a site has been as- signed to you and your horse. Ask whether there are any rules regarding your horse or the campground of which you need to be immediately aware. If you’re free to choose your own site, scout around for one that best meets your and your horse’s needs. Here are some guide- lines we’ve found useful over the years. Find water. Find out the camp’s water situation. If there’s a community faucet, find a site nearby for ease of hauling. If it’s a dry camp, be sure to have enough water with you to keep your horse hydrated for the duration of your stay. We usually travel with a 65-gallon tank in the truck and a 25-gallon tank in the trailer. Find shade. If it’s a warm time of year, look for a place with trees and shade. Find a tent pad. If you’ll be setting up a tent, look for a site with a flat, well-drained area. Watch for dead trees. As you check out sites, look above you. Standing dead trees and decaying tree limbs are easily over- looked dangers; these can be deadly in a sud- den windstorm. One time, we camped near Devil’s Tower in Wyoming at a beautiful campground filled with silvery old cot- tos. Biting insects can wreck a good camp. Camp cooking and eating should be fun for every- tonwood trees. A sudden, violent summer A few years ago, we set up a picture-per- one, including the cook! The best meals are those that are simple to make, are healthy, and involve storm erupted, and decaying tree branches fect camp near a pristine river. As dusk little cleanup. turned into projectiles. We moved camp in descended, every hungry mosquito for miles the middle of a thunderous downpour and around came to feed on us and our horses. important to you. We like to watch our flashing lightning bolts. Our efforts with bug sprays were unsuccess- horses. We’re endlessly fascinated with their Consider containment. If you’ll need to ful. Acknowledging defeat, we moved camp. ability to eat, sleep, and recycle hay! set up a highline or overhead picket line, Unload your horse. As soon as you’re look for a site with suitable trees. Set up Camp parked, your first priority is to unload your Be bug aware. Moist areas, tall grass, and Park your rig. When selecting where to horse and take care of him. If you’re using certain months (generally spring to early park your living-quarters trailer or camper a camp corral, make sure it’s clean. Inspect summer) are magnets for ticks and mosqui- within your campsite, think about what’s the ground, as well as the fencing, for any-

12 | OCTOBER Horse&Rider’s TRAIL RIDING MONTHLY thing that could injure your horse or make And, if you placed your premade dinner in memories around the entire breakfast him ill. a sealed cooking bag, then all you have to do experience. We enjoy sitting around an If you’ll be hobbling your horse or using a is heat the bag in boiling water. Butter and early morning fire, our senses tantalized portable corral, and will allow him to graze, grill some sourdough bread, take a salad, by the sounds and smells of sizzling bacon, first check for toxic plants within his reach. and you’re good to go. No fuss! eggs sunny-side up, and hash browns. Also, make sure he’s accustomed to the A favorite camp meal of ours is the Heart-friendly oatmeal just doesn’t cut it! moisture/sugar level of the graze; if not, he individual-foil-packet dinner, which can be could suffer laminitis or colic. cooked on the grill or in the campfire coals. Prepare a Trail Lunch Respect water sources. Keep your It’s easy to prepare and cook, and you can Prepare a wholesome lunch for the trail. horse’s temporary quarters at least 200 use your favorite veggies. Peanut butter is near and dear to our hearts. feet from a natural water source, such as a To prepare, tear off a large square of You don’t have to worry about spoilage, plus stream or pond. heavy-duty foil. Layer diced potatoes, cubed it’s high in protein and is satisfying. Provide hay/water. As soon as your horse chicken or hamburger, diced onion, strips Try a peanut butter sandwich made with is safely contained, provide him with hay of green pepper, and thinly sliced carrot. whole-wheat bread and a banana in lieu of and water. Use your own hay nets and buck- Season to taste. messy jam. Slice a banana lengthwise and ets, for safety. Allow him to rest from the Wrap well, and place in coals or on the place it on top of the peanut butter. trailer trip and settle into his new temporary grill. After 15 minutes, flip over, and cook for Or, slice apples in half, cut out the core, quarters before you go on a ride. another 15 minutes. (The 30-minute cooking and put a dab of peanut butter into each the Pitch your tent. While your horse is hap- time may vary depending on the packet size apple. Keep small zip-lock bags of almonds pily eating, and getting used to the sights, and heat of the coals.) or trail mix in your saddlebags. Cliff Bars are sounds, and smells of the camp, pitch your To end the evening, pull camp chairs also good choices to have on hand; they’re tent, and set up your food preparation and around a flickering campfire. If you’re so low in sugar and high in protein. seating areas. If needed, set up electric fenc- inclined, have an adult beverage of decaf- Take plenty of water with you on ing around your tent to keep out wildlife. Set feinated coffee or hot chocolate with a shot every ride and remember to drink it to up a solar shower, so the water can warm as of Bailey’s Irish Cream. Pure decadence! stay hydrated. you ride the next day. Add a homemade chocolate-chunk cookie Be fire savvy. Campfires are a special part for dessert. Leave a Clean Camp of camping. If a campfire is allowed, take The way you leave a camp is a reflection necessary precautions. Use the fire ring Prepare Your Breakfast on your character and affects all of us who provided, and don’t leave your fire unattend- When camping out, it’s tough to beat a camp with horses. Please clean up hay ed. Make sure it’s all the way out before you “grease” breakfast of bacon, eggs, and fried messes and manure. leave for a ride. Note that you might encoun- potatoes in the morning. This is undoubted- Leaving a clean camp is a way of showing ter a fire ban, due to severe drought in many ly one of our favorite outdoor breakfasts. pride in our country and expresses a love parts of the country. If you can’t have a fire, Make your own favorite breakfast. Create for nature.  use a propane or charcoal grill to prepare meals.

Prepare Your Dinner Camp cooking and eating should be fun for everyone, including the cook! The best meals are those that are simple to make, are healthy, and involve little cleanup. For the first night’s dinner, bring something you made at home. This way, you can feel pampered. After a long, hard day, you can just kick back and heat up dinner.

As soon as your horse is safely contained, provide him with hay and water.

13 | OCTOBER Horse&Rider’s TRAIL RIDING MONTHLY TRAIL RIDING ESSENTIALS

Dixie Midnight No-Sweat vent pads Like-New Saddle Pads Forever Why?? Because they WORK!!

www.dixiemidnight.com 888-287-6716

Sign up today for your FREE trial!

A PODCAST BY Horse&Rider Join the conversation as our hosts chat with your favorite horsemen and -women.

14 | OCTOBER Horse&Rider’s TRAIL RIDING MONTHLY