I have a two page list that I check off. I have seen this list so many
times that I dream about it! <g> One thing that I do before leaving, is I
take those extra large ziploc baggies, and measure out my little mixture for
the horse - which includes his LMF, dry cob, a little bran, and
electrolytes. These bags are perfect for tossing into a crew bag or to grab
at 3 a.m. when you are half asleep and don't have to search around in the
dark for this and that. I put all these little bags along with my wooden
stir spoon in a rubbermaid container. Sometimes I'll stick an exra
flashlight in there, you can never have enough of those! (I learned a lot
of this stuff from crewing for two very experienced riders at the Tevis a
couple of years ago!)
Inside the camper is where I keep all the stuff for mixing the electrolytes
that I dose with. It's much easier to do it inside, with the table. I mix
enough to dose him in the morning, and then have enough left to put in one
or two more syringes for during the ride. I use either used yogurt
containers or frosting containers (with lids) to mix with. That way
whatever I don't use I can save until later. I also keep several of those
nifty dosing syringes around (I got them from KF Tack). That way if they
get lost here and there it's no big deal to grab a clean one. I used to use
worming syringes, but the other ones are bigger and have a loop in the end
to put your thumb thru so you can't lose them when sticking into the horses
mouth. I then will put the syringe into a regular sized sandwich baggie to
put into my pack.
As far as my tack and saddle. I try to get as much ready the night before
as possible. I take my neck ditty pouch, put my vet card and map inside it
and use the string to tie it to my saddle so I won't forget it in the
morning! I also stuff inside of that: kleenex, chapstick and aspirin. Then
inside my saddle pack I will pack a couple of apples for the horse (or
carrots), some gu for me, and if it's a cold night I'll stick my frozen
water battles into the pack. I also try to get as much done ahead for the
following day. For instance, I always bring plenty of buckets and at least
two feed pans. That way I can put my large baggie full of my horsie mixture
into a feed pan, so when I come into camp for lunch, finish, etc., I only
have to dump the baggie out, add water and it's done. I also fill up two
buckets full of water, put sponges in them, add my favorite ice cubes (2
liter soda bottles filled w/ water and frozen!), and stick them under the
side of the trailer so they stay in the shade. Then they are ready for
sponging the horse, and nice and cool when we come in. (if it's hot).
Then, I use the 2-liter bottle to pour the cool water over the horse after
it melts. Works great, and best of all I don't have to buy ice that way!
If I think I'll need ice boots I get those ready the night before as well.
They usually have their own ice chest and go under the trailer as well. If
it is a cold ride, I will make sure the rump rugs, coolers or blankets are
ready on the side of the corral panels or another place depending on the
weather conditions.
Oh, one other thing I have done is add those bungee type trailer ties to
each side of the trailer. They have quick release snaps on them, and are
very handy wherever you may be to just walk up and tie your horse. You
don't have to tie a lead rope that way, saves time. Also, I bring two hay
bags and hang them up, on each side of the trailer and have bucket hooks as
well, that way no matter what side of the trailer I happen to be one (one
side for tacking, the other for sponging - for obvious reasons), the horse
will have water and food available. I get this all ready ahead of time as
well, usually as soon as I arrive. I also keep the horse knee deep in hay
in one end of his corral, and fill up a bushel sized bucket full of water,
and another smaller bucket (5 gal.) and mix electrolytes in it. Also, the
night before the ride I mix yet another bucket of water with crimped oats.
Then, throughout the ride I will add a scoop of that to their grain, feed,
etc.; the horses really like that.
I have found that becoming organized at a ride takes a lot of practice.
That means going to more rides! (aw darn!) I figure it took me a good
year to really get my system down, and I bet in another year I'll be doing a
lot of things differently, it's a continual learning process.
I can't wait to hear what other riders do!
Happy Trails,
Karen
in Gardnerville
& Weaver 550 miles
& Rocky 105 LD