Posted 2007-11-13 12:59 PM (#71078) Subject: Horse camping with tents
Regular
Posts: 97 Location: Middle Tennessee
I was wondering how many of you horse camp and use tents instead of a trailer with weekend quarters. What do you do to make it a more comfortable experience? What items do you bring that are a necessity? Do you sleep on cots or just the ground? How big of a tent would you suggest for two people to be comfortable?
I took a few weekend camping trips with my horse this summer and I slept in the dressing room of my bumper pull. It worked out ok, but there is only enough room for one person and next year my husband said he would like to go, so instead of buying another trailer, I thought we would just tent it, so any helpful suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
Posted 2007-11-13 3:12 PM (#71095 - in reply to #71078) Subject: RE: Horse camping with tents
Member
Posts: 24
Location: Owensboro, Kentucky
A friend of mine camps in a tent. They use an air mattress with sleeping bags. In cool weather, they sleep on an electric blanket, and if it gets very cold, they sleep between electric blankets. Of course, you need to cmap in a campground with electricity.
Posted 2007-11-13 3:16 PM (#71097 - in reply to #71078) Subject: RE: Horse camping with tents
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: Gallatin, TN
We tent camped with our horses for many years. If you use an air mattress, be sure to use more than just a sheet between you and the mattress as the air can get cold. We bought a queen size air mattress with a frame from Wal-mart that we really liked. My husband has bronchitis and being up off the ground was a plus. We put flannel sheets and heavy wool blanket on the air mattress and that helped with the cold air. You can buy battery operated fans to help with the stuffy warm air during summer months. Coleman has some great stuff--just watch their prices you may find similar items without the Coleman name that are most price friendly.
Posted 2007-11-13 6:15 PM (#71116 - in reply to #71078) Subject: RE: Horse camping with tents
Location: Brighton, Colorado
My wife and I have since we got togther 7 years ago. We also will sleep in the back of the truck on an air mattress too. Once we even slept in the horse trailer in hammocks.
On pack trips, we use a two man tent, but usually sleep under the stars and store our junk in the tent. I don't think there's anything better than laying in the grass, listening to a small stream and to the horses munch.
I need more therapy!!!! Too bad winter is here.
BTW: I ment to say that we usually sleep on our saddlepads and rainjackets to get us off the ground in stead of bringing anymore stuff than we have to.
Posted 2007-11-13 7:03 PM (#71120 - in reply to #71078) Subject: RE: Horse camping with tents
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
Beore kids we used to go out for a few days at a time with the horses. We would pack the horses with all our stuff and go out to the "remote" camp areas at Bandara state park. The park rangers thought we were nuts but we loved it.
Posted 2007-11-14 7:27 AM (#71154 - in reply to #71078) Subject: RE: Horse camping with tents
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434 Location: Brooksville, Fl
The latest issue of Trail Blazer Magazine had a great article on setting up the back of your horse trailer for camping. Sort of like tent camping but sleeping in the back of your trailer. I had a friend who did this for an extended horse showing trip and it worked very well for her. I think she camped that way for about 2 weeks. You can really get creative with it.
Posted 2007-11-14 2:28 PM (#71188 - in reply to #71078) Subject: RE: Horse camping with tents
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489 Location: CA
I agree with the above posts about the air mattresses and keeping warm. I camped for a whole month at a clinic once and Fr-r-r-r-r-r-oze on my air mattress. Also, you need to make sure you get no leaks. It's a pain in the ___ to wake up on a hard surface when you're used to a bed!
I've seen some pretty clever set-ups in the back of trailers. Most people start by sweeping out the poop (duh), then attaching tarps up the trailer sides and over the floor. After that, you can add "wall hangings"(usually towels with a horsey motif), plastic Sterilite cabinets, mirrors, etc. Your imagination is the limit here.
Good luck! I still occasionally sleep in my tent, and the most important part to get right is the mattress. Don't skimp on it, or your back will get grumpy!!!
Posted 2007-11-14 3:47 PM (#71195 - in reply to #71188) Subject: RE: Horse camping with tents
Veteran
Posts: 216 Location: Chillicothe, Ohio
If you are serious about camping and want something that is comfortable for.. ahem, older adults, I suggest you look at a small wall tent like you would see an outfitter use. Then look at a nice cot with or without a good camp pad (not a air mattress). These tents are a little more expensive, but you can stand up in them, they are free standing and you can purchase one large enough to set up a small table and a couple chairs etc. Sincee you have plenty of space to pack equipment and weight is not a problem. These tents give you major options like a stove, floor or not, windows, awnings, etc etc. If your on a budget, check out some of the larger tents at cabelas. They have a good selection.
Posted 2007-11-14 4:02 PM (#71200 - in reply to #71078) Subject: RE: Horse camping with tents
Member
Posts: 45 Location: Southern Illinois
We don't have LQ in our horse trailer either and we frequently find places to horse camp that have cabin or lodge accommodations along with horse stalls or pens. We also tent camp if we find a place to ride and there are no accommodations. Our "must haves" for camping are: air mattress, sleeping bags, flashlight, firewood, lantern, deep woods off or other bug repellant and knife (to cut tent open in case of emergency). Happy Trails!
Posted 2007-11-14 8:16 PM (#71222 - in reply to #71200) Subject: RE: Horse camping with tents
Regular
Posts: 97 Location: Middle Tennessee
Thank you all for the great advise. I'm going to see if I can get ahold of the Trailblazer magazine and get some ideas. I will also check out the outfitter websites. Thanks again and keep the good ideas coming.
Posted 2007-11-18 8:45 PM (#71450 - in reply to #71078) Subject: RE: Horse camping with tents
Member
Posts: 21
Location: Norman, Ok
Like many others, I have camped in a one person pup tent on up to a motor home. When I camp in my horse trailer, I clean out the back and I have a piece of indoor carpet I put down. Then a cot and sleeping bag. Depending on your trailer and if you are alone or two, you can put up a small table with an lantern on it and squeeze in a porta potty. I went over to Ark with it and was just fine. It rained and I was dry. ALso you can stand up in it and have more room than a tent. The floor doesn't get wet either. My trailer has slats on both sides and my hubby made "slide in" covers out of plywood for me. I did have electric over there and a small heater so I was warm and toasty in the early spring. Have fun inventing!!!
By the way, I just got my new Trail Blazer and there was an article in it about trailer camping. It's a great magazine!!!
Horse camping with tents
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