Safe Keeping at Camp

Those of us who routinely horse camp often invest quite a bit of thought toward the safe keeping of our horses while camping overnight.  Many facilities provide stall leasing or have available paddocks to keep overnight horse guests.  For some, leaving home without such accommodations may prove a deal breaker for a ride or event we'd like to participate in, or at the very least my prohibit us from staying overnight.  However, with a little forethought, planning and courage, we can learn to manage our horses overnight quite well, without any accommodations at all.  The tremendous advantage to this is freedom and a well earned sense of independence.  It's not as intimidating as one might imagine, you just have to approach the idea with an open mind and give yourself a chance to get the hang of it.

Generally when you are horse camping, you have the opportunity to tap into the experience and wisdom of other available campers who may share their own tips for overnight keeping, or even be willing to double check your set up until you feel confident on your own.  This is one of the great things about horse people, we love to share knowledge and learn.

High Lining
Of all the overnight camping methods for horses, high lining between two trees is likely the most safe and convenient method.  With this method, all your overnight equipment for your horse can be easily packed into a single bag lightweight bag.  You can even pack your high line equipment and carry it with you on the trail, trekking off into the wilderness to camp anywhere your heart desires, and the law allows.  Now that's freedom!

Instead of wrapping the rope around the trees, use Tree Saver Straps to prevent the trees from being girdled and dying.  This is a good piece of equipment to become familiar with as many wilderness areas require them.

If tying to a tree and your trailer, be sure your truck is hooked on to stablilze the trailer.  Many who do tie between a trailer and a tree report that sleeping is disturbed if camping in living quarters (better to consider that before losing that night's sleep!).

The following is a fantastic instructional video from Trailmeister.com


It is rarely ever a good idea to tie your horse to the trailer overnight.  There are simply too many opportunities for injury, including slipping under the trailer (yes, it really happens).   When no other option is available, it is better to house your horse over night inside the trailer, rather than tie to the outside of the trailer overnight.

Trek Hoof Boot Review

In the equine world, there is nothing more fashionable than a product which greatly benefits the horse, its health, safety and well-being.  That being the case, there is absolutely nothing more fashionable these days than the new Cavallo Trek Boot for horses.

Designed to be used by barefoot horses while on the trail, the new product boasts a tremendous upgrade to the boot's closure system.  We love the new single sturdy and replaceable velcro strap.  Each package of new boots comes with a free replacement, ensuring a long time of wear, additional replacements can be ordered at any time.  The new closure requires no 'keeper' to hold the strap securely in place.  The industrial strength velcro is mighty, and with a little clean-up after each ride, brushing or hosing any debris or dirt away, the quality closure is sure to last a long time.

Another bonus to the new closure system is that it is possible to snugly fit any variation of hoof size, providing a sense of security while on the trail in muddy or rugged terrain.  That being said, it is crucial to properly fit each horse so that the best sole size and shape accommodates each hoof.  This is true with any hoof boot.  With a proper fit, one can expect Cavallo Hoof Boots to remain securely in place throughout even the longest ride.

The boot's upper matierial is made of Ultra flexible Pro Mesh and is molded to the shape of the hoof.  This new material is simply fantastic.  It has a slightly rubbery feel to it, and seems to fit in a more tidy fashion around the horse's hoof, not appearing so much like a pair of clunky tennis shoes.  The look is tidy and the fit is great.  The upper material is highly flexible, moving with the horse's step, reach and flexion.  At the same time, the material is extremely sturdy and durable, naturally springing back into shape around the horse's hoof, providing a clean, comfortable look.  The material seems quite forgiving, providing support and freedom of movement simutaneously.  Just like the velcro closure, it is easy to clean with a brush or hose, and simply air dry after each ride to increase the longevity of your boot.

Other great features include the ability to use the boot on either foot, right or left.  The boots are sold singly, so if one needs to purchase only one it can be done so with ease.  Purchasing the boots singly also benefits the cases where one hoof may require a different size or shape than the other.

The new Trek Boot takes advantage of the tried and true, well known soles of the Simple and Sport Hoof Boots.  In the past, those preferring to boot all the way around have frequently had to wear two different styles of boots, Simple on the front and Sport on the rears.  Now with the new Trek Boot, one may purchase the Trek Regular (for the more rounded/square shaped hooves) for the front, and Trek Slim (for the narrower hoof) on the rear hooves.  Not that all horses require this type of fitting, but for those who do, having the Trek on all four hooves is a great alternative that just looks smart!

In conclusion, we can enthusiastically state we LOVE the new Cavallo Trek Hoof Boot and recommend it highly to everyone.  The benefits are almost too numerous to list in an article, but the bottom line is you can trust Cavallo Hoof Boots to provide optimal protection and comfort in any terrain for the barefoot horse.  Review the many benefits and uses for yourself listed on their website: www.cavallo-inc.com

By Laurie Harris, Baron Fork Ridge Horse Camp, Arkansas
Laurie has used Cavallo boots for her horses exclusively for over 6 years.

1,000 Rides - $1 Million Dollars - In ONE Month

Throughout the month of March! 

ACTHA Partners with PATH 

Riders - Ride Hosts - Sponsors - Horses 

Working Together for One Vision

What Are We Doing – ACTHA, with a lot of help from you and industry partners is working to hold 1,000 Rides, $1,000,000 in one month. We’re looking to bring a national awareness about the benefits of therapeutic horse programs, brought to us by Path International for over 40 years and the over 850 professional centers and over 4200 instructors to mainstream America – to the non horse community as well as to all corners and disciplines of the horse world. More than 7,400 Path, Intl members help 56,000 children and adults with physical, mental and emotional challenges find strength and independence through the power of the horse each year.

It'll take a village to accomplish this monumental effort, we're in need of event hosts, volunteers, riders, and sponsors to make the dream a reality. We're asking everyone, near and far, to help spread the word by using your professional and personal network of friends and business contacts to give recognition to this national effort. Chances are good that there's a local Path Intl center in your hometown, and everyone has a friend or family member that could benefit from the many activities they offer. So please, tell your friends, post it everywhere on social media, use all your resources to spread the word... We need your help to make it happen!

There are many ways to get involved - Help where you can!

SPONSORS - Some wonderful sponsors have been serving PATH INTL. for years. They can't do it alone, as great as they are. Join us and them! Already ACTHA partners are stepping up to help promote the event, some are providing prizes, others are providing networking and publicity. We're asking everyone in the equine industry to do what they can to help make the dream a reality for PATH International and thier community Centers. There's no effort that is too small or unappreciated to help with this undertaking. There's one in your hometown and everyone has a friend or family member that could benefit from the many activities they offer. For so many, it's personal, and it's good for all of us. And there's even a hidden bonus! Our noble friend, the horse is also being served with great proud jobs. Over 8,000 of them currently.

RIDERS - Visit our Events page and find a Trail Challenge or an Arena Obstacle Challenge near you and join in on the fun. You'll enjoy the day, help your local therapeutic riding center, and help with ACTHA's mission of putting horses back to work. Remember, you don't have to be a member in order to ride! Check out the calendar (www.actha.us/events), find a ride, find a friend, and we'll see you both there!

News flash! This just in...Cavallo has pledged $15 per rider donation for the first 500 riders to sign up for PATH INTL event that agree to show up sporting their Cavallo Boots! This $7,500 will be contributed to PATH INTL in all your names by Cavallo. In addition anyone associated with the rides, whether as a rider, volunteer, judge, contributor etc. will recieve a 25% discount on anything in Cavallo's store from NOW UNTIL THE LAST RIDE OR 3/31/14!

EVENT HOSTS: Consider hosting an event. Hosts across the country are stepping up to hold events in support of the Shamrock Path 2014 effort. Whether it's one of our Arena Obstacle Challenges, held in any arena, ring or field, or our Competitive Trail Challenge, over a 6 mile course, we've got the resources to help you bring riders, volunteers and prizes to your event. We provide the liability insurance, and you are given personal assistance by one of our dedicated Ride Coordinators. If you can host a party, you can host an ACTHA event! We provide you with all the resources, special prize boxes, training, and knowledge gained by putting on almost 2,000 events just like yours. You provide the local boots on the ground, a few volunteers and some time planning and organizing. You'll need a location to hold your event, on public or private land, and a place to park 15-25 trailers. To learn more about the benefits of hosting an event, click (www.actha.us/hostaride) or email robin@actha.us

This is much bigger than any one organization and we are honored to be the conduit to a greater awareness of Path International and YOUR LOCAL CENTERS. We'd love to talk to you in more depth about what we're up to and how YOU can be involved.

Email - Robin@actha.us or call at 434-989-1437.

There are so many ways you can help -

Sponsor. If you can't sponsor, Host. If you can't Host, Ride. If you can't Ride, Volunteer.... Just get involved!

Colic Prevention Tips

A Tip for Preventing Colic in Horses:

Management can play a key role in preventing colic so look for some common sense tips coming your way from your sponsors of Equine GutFlush. We'd rather prevent any abdominal pain in horses, so here is tip one:

Hay is best fed free-choice, good clean hay. If the hay is even a little bit moldy or dusty, it can affect and hurt the horses lungs and impair their breathing ability thereafter.

Hay should supply half of the horse's feeding program if not more. When feeding grain try to break it into two or more feeding's vs. one large meal. You don't want to overload the horse's digestive system. As this can cause abdominal pain and digestive problem's as well.

* Rule of thumb: More hay (roughage) less concentrates (grain). Plus, I always like to add a little water (warm water in the winter time) in the feed to make it more palatable too.

Happy Trails, Pam www.horsecolicrelief.com