Getting ready
for an ApHC Trail Ride:
So you've finally decided
to sign up for one of the big, week-long
trail rides the ApHC sponsors. Great!
The questions is, now what do I do?
Here are a few tips to make the experience
an enjoyable one for both you and your
horse.
The Horse
Despite what some people may think,
not every horse is suitable for a pleasurable
trail ride. Temperament and disposition
play an important role. Make sure your
horse mingles well with others, and
can remain calm whether he is by himself
or in a large group of other horses.
Many horses have a competitive spirit,
and will work all day trying to get
to the front of the line. Nothing is
less fun than a horse you must constantly
take a hold of to slow down or bring
back down to a walk.
If your horse has a tendency to kick,
in no way should you consider bringing
a horse like that. The last thing you
want to do is place other people and
horses in danger. This is a concern
both on the trail and in camp.
All four ApHC trail rides allow you
to tie your horse to your trailer for
the evening. However, you may be required
to tie to the picket lines that are
provided on the Chief Joseph Trail Ride.
Regardless of how your horse may be
tethered for the evening, make certain
he can stand quietly amongst other horses.
At mealtimes it is suggested that horses
are fed away from the group, and brought
to the picket lines after they have
finished their meal.
Ensure the tack you bring for the horse
fits securely and properly. The tack
should be checked for any tears or other
wear which may cause harm to the horse
or you during a full day's ride. Extra
padding to avoid sore backs and spots
that are rubbed raw should be considered.
A sore and hurting horse is something
to avoid at all times.
Temperatures may vary greatly between
day and night. It would be beneficial
to provide your horse with a light to
medium blanket to wear at night. A waterproof
blanket would be the best. Keeping your
horse from getting chilled could help
guard against stiff, sore muscles and
general fatigue.
Be prepared for a horse that may go
off of his feed and water when they
travel and are in unfamiliar surroundings.
Get your horse used to drinking from
natural water sources. Give them electrolytes
in their feed or water so that they
are properly hydrated during the week.
Using the same water and feed buckets
you do at home may also help.
The Apache Land and Sheltowee Trail
Rides require you to bring your own
feed for the week, so your horse will
not experience a change of feed on those
rides. However, there are very strict
regulations for the areas in which we
ride during the Chief Joseph. To help
stop the spread of noxious weeds, the
ApHC provides a complete, pelleted feed
for your horse. You will receive information
about what feed will be provided at
least 30 days prior to the ride. Buy
this feed immediately, and begin introducing
your horse to it. Not preparing your
horse ahead of time will cause him to
experience a serious bout of colic.
Have your personal veterinarian give
your horse a thorough check up several
weeks in advance. He or she may be able
to assess if your horse is physically
fit and sound to attend the ride. You
will be required to have a Health Certificate
and negative Coggins for each ride anyway,
so you can have this done all at the
same time.
Shoe your horse at least two weeks prior
to leaving. Ask your farrier's opinion
about taking extra care to ensure the
shoes stay on your horse through difficult
terrain. You may want to consider having
your farrier place pads on your horse's
front feet to guard against stone bruises.
Finally, make certain your horse is
healthy and in shape. You may run the
risk of seriously injuring your horse
if you do not physically prepare them
for five full days of riding. While
it is not generally necessary for your
horse to be in the shape required for
endurance rides, do not do your horse
the disservice of not preparing him
for the ride. You may climb up and down
hills, cross small bodies of water,
or encounter other trail obstacles.
It would be terrible for the ApHC ride
veterinarian to tell you your horse
can no longer make it through the ride,
and that he must stand tied for the
rest of the week. Or worse yet, that
you have done permanent damage to the
animal you love.
The Rider
It is equally important for the rider
to be prepared for a week of camping
and riding. You will not enjoy your
surroundings on the trail or in camp
if you spend each day miserably wondering
why you got yourself into this.
Ride several hours a day for at least
three weeks prior to the event. You
will get used to spending three to four
hours at a time in the saddle. This
will also help you to realize whether
your saddle will be comfortable for
you. The saddle you adore riding in
the arena for an hour or so, may become
your worst enemy after three hours on
the trail. If trail riding is something
you wish to continue doing, it might
be smart to invest in a light weight
style specifically geared for this type
of riding.
Come prepared for any type of weather.
The ApHC trail rides take place during
three different times of the year, in
completely different climates. Even
though the Apache Land Trail Ride takes
place in or around May, spring weather
can be unpredictable. Make certain you
carry your raincoat, and layer your
clothes appropriately. You don't want
to worry about what to do in the afternoon
with that heavy parka you may have put
on when you left camp that morning.
Light layering always seems to do the
trick.
Wear boots or riding shoes that will
be comfortable to walk and ride in.
You may be riding in the rain and walking
through mud, so bring suitable footwear.
Wet and cold feet can cause a chill
that may not go away until you return
home.
Bring your sunscreen and bug repellent
and wear a hat that covers your face.
It is easy to become overheated during
the course of the day, especially at
some of the high altitudes we ride in.
The sun is much stronger than you may
think. Gnats and mosquitoes could be
a big problem, too, so be sure you pack
enough repellent to get you through
the week.
Even though the ApHC provides you with
a sack lunch to carry with you on the
trail, you may want to take a few extra
snacks to sustain you throughout the
day. Trail mix and crackers are easy
to carry in your saddle bag. Be sure
you keep track of your trash, and bring
it back to camp with you to throw away
at the end of the day.
You may become dehydrated just like
your horse, so if you don't already
own one, invest in a good canteen or
water bottle. Frequent drinks of water
will keep you refreshed, and will keep
the ride physician at bay.
Lastly, communicate with the ride physician
available to you. Dr. John Corpolongo
has been the ApHC's official physician
for many, many years, and he has encountered
just about every ailment. If you have
a health concern the doctor should know
about, make certain you discuss it with
him. Most problems could be avoided
with prior knowledge.
The Gear
You have the tack for your horse, and
the clothes you need to wear. What else?
Much of this depends on your choice
between camping in a tent or in a self-contained
camper.
The Chief Joseph Trail Ride is a progressive
ride where the evening's camp is moved
each day. Riders take off in the morning,
and the camp crew and drivers caravan
to the next site mid-morning. If you
tent, tear down your gear, put it in
the designated place, and the ApHC will
move it for you. However, if you have
a camper or horse trailer, a driver
you provide must move your rig to the
next site. It might be a good idea to
share accommodations whenever possible.
Not every site is easily accessible,
so leave those large horse trailers
with living quarters and big motorhomes
at home.
The Apache Land, Land of Liberty, and
Sheltowee Trail Rides are base camp
rides, so you will be able to tent,
stay in your horse trailer, or bring
your motorhome without worrying about
getting to the next camp site. The camping
area could still be tight, so make sure
you speak with the ride coordinator
ahead of time about accessibility.
If you tent, check your gear several
days in advance. Get out your tent and
set it up once or twice. Is your sleeping
bag clean? If you have an air mattress,
check for any holes. Make certain you
will stay warm and dry if there is a
downpour or if the temperatures drop
significantly in the evening.
Since electricity is not available and
no facilities are provided, you may
have to be creative when it comes to
cleaning up each day. Solar showers
come in very handy in this situation.
The ApHC provides both potable and non-potable
water for the duration of the ride.
Fill up your solar shower in the morning,
ask someone staying in camp to hang
it out in the sun for you, and a nice
shower will be waiting for you when
you get back to camp. Bringing your
own wash cloth and soap goes without
saying!
Be sure you bring your lawnchair for
mealtimes and relaxing around the campfire.
A comfortable chair will be very nice
after a long day in the saddle.
Don't overburden yourself with a lot
of unneeded gear. The bare essentials
you need to be comfortable will do just
fine. The list could be quite large,
but a few necessary items may be - sunglasses,
gloves, camera, flashlight and batteries,
miscellaneous toiletries and an alarm
clock.
Don't forget to do the safety checks
on your truck and trailer. Have the
oil changed, the fluids, belts, hoses
and tires checked. Make certain your
spare is in good working condition for
both the truck and trailer. Anything
can happen at any time, but an ounce
of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Hit The Trail
Now you should have a pretty good idea
of what it takes to attend the Apache
Land, Land of Liberty, Chief Joseph
and Sheltowee Trail Rides. Use these
tips as a guide, but make them fit your
personal situation. No one knows you
or your horse's needs better than you.
If you are truly ready to experience
the fun and joy of trail riding, nothing
is better than attending one the ApHC
trail rides. You will make new friends,
see beautiful scenery, and go home with
memories to last a lifetime. You and
your horse just may have the ride of
your life!
For
more informaton please contact:
Trail
& Distance Coordinator
2720 W. Pullman Road
Moscow, ID 83843
(208) 882-5578 ext. 221
Fax (208) 882-8150
trailrides@appaloosa.com
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