So what should you bring?
CAMPING
Tents, Sleep in float, Goose neck, caravan- these are some different types of accommodation.
Sleeping bags, Blow up mattress, foam mattress, lots of warm blankets, clothes, and wet weather gear. Always bring extras.
Generator
Gas bottle
Lighting (gas lamp, torches, generator driven)
COOKING—gas stove, camp oven (check with ride organiser if wood fire burning is allowed), utensils, food (soups, pasta, bread, BBQ meats, quick meals) , drinking water and electrolyte drinks, warm tea/coffee, milk.
At some rides meals may be served, contact the ride organiser for information.
YARDS(1 per horse approx 6x8mt)
Portable steel yards.
2 strand electric fencing with pickets, active battery and fence unit.
RIDING EQUIPMENT
Saddle, Bridle, Saddle Cloths (non synthetic wool preferred), Breast Plate (optional), Warm Rugs, Light Rug, Waterproof sheet, Headstall, Lead Rope, Buckets.
Helmet (check AERA rules for correct standard www.aera.asn.au
Head lamp/hand torch for 80k+ dark starts
FEED
Food and water buckets, Hard feed depends on amount of work.-Plenty of good quality hay.
Do not change from what you normally feed.
Carrots and apples +/- other appetite stimulant treats
molasses
clean water from home if possible
STRAPPING
Buckets (2-4), Sponges (2-4), Scraper, Towels, Brushes, Hoof pick, Rugs for cooling and warmth depending on weather, Stopwatch, Stethoscope, Polar HR monitor. Soap.shampoo. Red ribbon/blue ribbon for horses tail. (this is not for decoration so if you wish to dress up your mount do so in an alternative colour)
This is a basic guideline only the rest will come with experience. Remember you do not or may not need to bring all this equipment and if you have forgotten something there is always a friendly helping hand at camp who may have extras you can borrow.
GEAR CHECKLIST FOR ENDURANCE WEEKENDS
Many of us know that sinking feeling you get like when you open the float door to get ready to saddle up and realize you have left the saddlecloths hanging on the line at home!
For many years I have used a checklist similar to the one below to try and minimize disasters like that. I have done up a sample one that you may wish to adjust to suit your own requirements. Mark off each item as it is packed into the float and car and you can stop worrying about forgetting something!
Don’t forget those couple of other important items: Good manners, a sense of humour and a positive attitude!
| HUMANS | HORSES | CAMP | ESSENTIALS |
| riding clothes | saddles/mounts | yards | membership cards |
| riding shoes | bridles/b.plates | pickets/tape/hammer | logbooks |
| rain jacket | halters/leads | energizer | check logbook labels |
| helmet | saddlecloths | battery/ies | money |
| head light | back pads | manure rake | directions |
| battery/ies | boots | manure bags | mobile phone |
| clothes | farrier kit | cooker | watch/GPS |
| socks/undies | Electrolytes/syringe | gas/butane | check tyres |
| sports bra | molasses | pots & pans | check lights |
| first aid/ medicine | buckets/ feed tubs | fire drum/ wood/matches | fill up fuel/water |
| food | feed/scoop | metal bucket | RO phone # |
| drinks | hay/haybags | tarp | |
| sunscreen | stethascope | rope | |
| bumbag | H R monitor | mattress | |
| Aerogard | first aid kit | linen/pillows | |
| | wool rugs | hottie bottle | |
| | Mir-o-tec rugs | tool kit | |
| | cotton rugs | | |
| | winter combo | | |
| | grooming kit | | |
| | talc/Curash | | |
| | poultice | | |
| | bandages | | |
| | fly repellant | | |
| | apples/carrots | | |
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