Benjamin Walsh
December 2nd, 2012
There are
many things to consider as a trip leader when you want to lead an equestrian
trip. The main ones that have to be
taken into consideration are where you are going to be staying, how much
training are you going to do for the new riders, do you have enough people
going, is there room for everyone to camp, making sure that there is enough
food for both the participants and the horses, whether or not camp fires are
allowed and where, responsibilities of the riders, responsibilities of the
leaders, proper equipment, and one of the most important parts, safety.
Where you are staying:
1.
Are you going to be staying longer than one
night?
2.
Is there enough room for the horses?
3.
What are the rules as far as the horses go?
Training:
1.
Are you going to be spending time teaching new
riders what to do?
2.
How in depth do you plan on going with the
lessons given the amount of time that you have allotted for the lessons?
3.
Make sure to cover what to do in different
situations that are not just simple straight forward situations. Such as your horse gets spooked, stung by a
bee, or your saddle starts to slide around your horse forcing you to get off.
Do you have enough people:
1.
How many people are going to be going?
2.
Are there enough horses for everyone?
3.
Are there a large number of horses that will end
up not being ridden?
4.
How many experienced riders are on the ride
compared to inexperienced riders?
5.
How many riders are there to help out that are
not part of the group who came to go on the trip?
-How many wranglers are there going to be?
Enough food:
1.
Will the participants have enough to eat?
2.
Is there going to be a variety of food for
people to choose from?
3.
How are you going to be getting enough food for
all of the horses?
4.
Is there going to be adequate water sources for
the horses?
5.
Inform the participants to bring their own
snacks for while they are pit pm the trail, as the only food stop between camps
is for lunch.
Campfires:
1.
Can you have a campfire within the campgrounds
that you are staying at?
2.
Are there going to be any during the campfire
activities such as songs and poetry?
3.
Do you have to bring your own firewood, or do
you have to get firewood while at the site, and from where?
-When doing an overnight trip, it is never a bad idea to have
some form of entertainment such as songs and poetry. Since this is a horse
trip, going with an old western theme is never a bad idea.
Safety:
1.
Does every rider have a properly fitting helmet?
2.
Does each horse have a properly fitted saddle?
3.
Does everyone understand the safety rules and
procedures before heading out on the trail?
4.
Who is in charge if something where to happen?
5.
How many First Aid kits are there, and where are
they located?
6.
Is there a way to contact emergency services?
7.
Do you have medical information on each of the
participants and the people who are helping to lead the ride?
8.
How much experience do the leaders and the
riders have?
Responsibilities of the riders:
1.
Did they bring everything that they need for the
trip?
2.
How much are you going to have them do as far as
taking care of the horses goes?
3.
Is there any additional things that you will
have them do that may be volunteer related?
4.
Given the training, are there any additional
things that you will want to be taught?
Responsibilities as leaders:
1.
Making sure that the horses are ready for the
trip before the riders get there.
2.
Do you have all of your sites selected and
ready?
3.
Make sure that your gear is ready to go before
the people you are leading on the ride.
Proper equipment:
1.
Closed toed shoes.
2.
Horseback riding helmet.
3.
Long pants.
4.
A saddle that fits your horse specifically.
5.
Enough saddle blankets to keep your horse
comfortable under you weight for long period of time.
6.
Proper layers in case the weather turns for the
worst (will still ride if it does, except for lightning or a blizzard).
Rules:
Make sure everyone knows them. Especially the number one rule:
DON’T TICK OFF THE COOK!
Sources:
http://bestwoodbadgecourse.com/?attachment_id=322
http://www.jerrystrailers.com/Around_the_Campfire_Page.html
https://ilovehorsies.wordpress.com/horse/care/tack/saddle/
http://chicagoist.com/2006/11/22/hump_day_political_roundup.php
http://www.jacksonholenet.com/summer_recreation/horseback_riding.php
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