Why Go Horse Camping?
We love our horses and mules. We love trail riding and we love being outdoors. What could be better? Camping. While there is certainly something to be said for crashing on the couch and binge watching British costume dramas, visiting a horse camp and living outdoors for a few days with our animals just an arm’s length away is much more appealing. Horse camping is a way to be adventurous, make memories of a lifetime, and spend quality time with impressive people. Here’s six more reasons to try it this year!
Please Enjoy this piece on “Why Go Horse Camping”! As published in The Northwest Horse Source.
It’s Healthy
Camping does a body good. Nearly every aspect of camping provides health benefits, from being more active, getting more natural light, fresh air, mental health and more. Research shows that time spent outdoors can improve your blood pressure, improve digestion, give your immune system an extra boost. When you spend a few days outside, you’ll get some serious health benefits.
Celeste helping clear downfall. Trail Maintenance is great exercise!
A little trail maintenance at Calispell Basin, near Chewlah, WA
It’s Tradition
Horse camping is an activity steeped in history and tradition. Images of cowboys warming themselves by the campfire after a long day on the trail create powerful urges within us to go out and recreate those scenes. When we’re in a horse camp I like to think of the people who decades ago decided that this spot would be perfect for camping with stock. And then built it.
Horses helped settle America
Excellent camping and riding through history at Oregon’s Quinn Meadow.
It’s Immersion in Nature
Any type of equine camping, whether it’s a tent deep in the backcountry or parking the LQ at a guest ranch is an enveloping experience. You’ll see wildlife in their natural settings, you’ll enjoy million dollar views from your tent or trailer door. And you’ll feel the sun on your face (as well as the rain and the wind!). The stars; oh my the celestial bodies that you’ll view on a dark night. The sounds. From the soft crunch of the ponies contentedly chewing hay to the yips of the coyotes in the distance, and the trills of songbirds flitting through camp. And the adventures in nature that you’ll experience!
Planning the day’s rides over coffee as the world wakes up around you.
Washington state’s Haney Meadow horse camp is far from digital distractions.
It’ll Put You in a Good Mood
Researchers have linked outdoor activities to a decrease in depressive thoughts. The feeling of happiness that you get when you take your first breath of air at the campground is because of the burst of serotonin that you get from the extra oxygen of the outdoors. Sleeping under the stars also helps you get in touch with your natural circadian rhythms, a foundation for high quality sleep and health.
Ruger and the girls are happy in their Corrals2Go portable corral
We love our Corrals2Go portable panels.
It’s a Digital Detox
Sometimes you just need a break from technology. It might be hard to escape it at home, but most parks and campgrounds have poor, or no cell connections. Horse camps are perfect places to put down the high tech devices in our lives and focus on the basics. Sit back and relax with a good book, write in a journal, or just enjoy watching the horses graze. Use this digital down time as a way to connect with nature and reconnect with each other. Time without electronic distractions forces you to connect with others and with yourself, which is a pretty amazing experience.
Journaling far from cellphones and wifi – Deep within the Eagle Caps Wilderness
Journaling the day’s adventures deep within Oregon’s Eagle Caps Wilderness
It’s New Challenges and Life Skills
No two camping trips are exactly the same, and that’s good. A University of Michigan study shows that new experiences help keep brains healthy. New activities that are both physically and intellectually stimulating have the greatest effect on brain health, and horse camping fits both of these criteria. Camping also makes you rely on yourself to meet your basic needs; purifying water, making a fire, etc. Being able to build these skills gives you confidence and self-worth that carries over into all other aspects of your life. It just takes a little effort and guidance, and you’ll be setting up tents in no time!
Learning to set up a highline expands your camping options
Planning a horse camping trip is one of the pleasures of the trip. From choosing the right places to visit to figuring what you’ll do when you get there, you’ll learn a lot throughout the process. Here’s a start for you – the largest guide to horse camps in the US – www.TrailMeister.com – Pick a state then start looking through all of the camps and their amenities and features for you to enjoy.