Getting ready for Traveling and Camping from Alachua, Florida to Chesterville, Ohio August 2021
shelbie Fredenhagen
Early 2021 I made the decision to spend some time in Ohio where my partner grew up and still lives part of the year. I also decided that I wanted my animals to come with me. In 2020 I had bought my first gooseneck trailer with living quarters that could fit my two horses, so it was a possibility i could bring my horses and be able to take my time to go from Alachua, FL to Chesterville, OH.
I started making lists 2 months before I left on my 2 months trip with my horses. I kept making lists until the day I left.
It helped ease the anxiety on my mind, getting it out on paper so I didn't have to try and remember it all. From those list I have created my own guide for future travels of things I was happy I brought, Things I had to get en route, and things I didn't need. I traveled with my two horses, Neira and Maxx. And my dog Lil Dude.
As with most things, a little bit of planning goes a long way.
If you aren't intimately involved with your rig before the journey, you will be by the end.
It took a lot of effort before my trip to ensure an easier haul. This included first taking Black Betty (my truck) to a mechanic friend and getting her closely inspected for anything that might be a problem within the next 4000 miles hauling 10000+ lbs down the interstate.She had fresh belts put on and new spark pugs all around. There was an issue with the fan that got sorted so she ran like a new truck, and I could feel and hear what was now normal and healthy for her.
I got her tires balanced, rotated, and an alignment check.
Next was my trailer.
My lovely boyfriend and I spent 2 days changing the brakes, bearings and packing them. I'm gratefuI someone who knew what he was doing and was patient helped me with this process.
I then decided to paint the top of my trailer with an RF factor paint. This helps reflect the sun and keeps the inside significantly cooler. I went with an elastomeric paint. 1 gallon was enough to do 2 coats on my 28ft trailer, and it was worth it . We also decided to install an exhaust fan that moves 300 ft/sec of air to keep the horses cool if I got in a situation where i needed to keep air moving.
In hindsight I should have put it in a different location and gotten the remote activated one. Crawling into the trailer with Neira was pretty tight and I would not have been comfortable with any other horse. It is brighter and does make a difference on truly sweltering days.
I checked tire pressure of ALL tires, including spares regularly. I had to buy a special pressure gauge that reads high enough for my trailer. It's easy enough and gives you a heads up before real problems start with your tires.
I got my tires on the trailer balanced and rotated, something that has really made a difference in the smoothness of hauling.
It is important to go over the trailer, and the frame, by lifting mats and really getting into the cracks and crevices to check on seals and any rust that's becoming an issue. Twice a year and especially before a longer haul.
Packing the tack room.
This was great, I went through every item of equipment I own and asked myself in a Marie Kando kind of way, will this be useful on my trip... and bring me joy?
I ended up with an orderly tack space that did not feel cluttered. I brought with me my 2 saddles, 2 bridles with spare pieces, rope halters, travel safety halters, lead lines, lunge line, lunge whips, a set of standing wraps, farrier equipment, including nails, medical bag, protective boots, wool coolers, rain sheets, they're feed, 2 small buckets, 2 large water buckets, their feed buckets, and a large hay bag.
I did my best not to "over pack." Anything that broke on the road was replaced in the next supply run to tractor supply. I didn't pack more than 3 days hay at a time.
The only thing I was disappointed I didn't bring were their fly sheets. We got to southern Ohio and the horse flies were MONSTERS! I couldn't take them out of their stalls except before dawn or dusk.
Things in my home. I kept it simple enough, I had just enough clothes to layer if things got down to 30 degrees. As far as kitchen and food items, I have a very simple kitchen setup with a gas powered cooktop, a couple of small pots and pans, limited cutlery, and plates and bowls. Plastic paper bowls and plates save on weight and are easy to burn at the end of a meal. I didn't stalk up heavily on food. A few snack items and things I could easily throw into boiling water. Otherwise I tried to stick to fresh fruits and vegetables that I came across in my travel.
Since I don't have a generator, battery and solar operated lights are a must-have. I have a small rechargeable battery pack that works in a pinch to charge my phone.
As far as etertainment I brought my leather working equipment with me so I could work on projects during down time and my ukulele.
As for my horses, I made sure the halters that they traveled in were comfortable. For bedding in the trailer I use wood pellets that I soaked. It's a good insulator from the vibration of the road and was good at soaking up pee. On hot days you can put ice in the bedding to help cool the trailer down.
For their food I traveled with whole bags of food for them and their supplements just like I would at home. But for individual days, I would put they're night feed in the bucket that they would eat out of and have their breakfast prepared in a smaller bucket that I could have soaking for the next morning. If I was packing for a shorter trip, a Ziploc lock or paper bag (if in a very humid climate) is fine. Small sealable buckets are great to have on hand, 5-gallon containers with a top, or spare water buckets in your trailer or truck are good to have any time.
I had some feed go rancid on me because I bought it too far in advance of my trip and I had no way of keeping it out of the heat we experienced while traveling.
Overnight horse camp list-
Check and pack spare liquids for your car (oil, coolant, power steering fluid)
trailer jack
Tire iron (that fits your trailer)
Spare tire (check pressure on the truck and trailer)
Safety cones/ triangles/ lights
Coggins. You will l need to stop at all Agriculture Stations.
Baling twine (for tying)
Firewood
Head lamp
Water bucket and straps if you plan to hang
Head lamp
Water bucket and straps if you plan to hang them
Your horsesAM and PM feed and hay
Camp chair
A spare bucket
Manure fork
shelbie Fredenhagen
Early 2021 I made the decision to spend some time in Ohio where my partner grew up and still lives part of the year. I also decided that I wanted my animals to come with me. In 2020 I had bought my first gooseneck trailer with living quarters that could fit my two horses, so it was a possibility i could bring my horses and be able to take my time to go from Alachua, FL to Chesterville, OH.
I started making lists 2 months before I left on my 2 months trip with my horses. I kept making lists until the day I left.
It helped ease the anxiety on my mind, getting it out on paper so I didn't have to try and remember it all. From those list I have created my own guide for future travels of things I was happy I brought, Things I had to get en route, and things I didn't need. I traveled with my two horses, Neira and Maxx. And my dog Lil Dude.
As with most things, a little bit of planning goes a long way.
If you aren't intimately involved with your rig before the journey, you will be by the end.
It took a lot of effort before my trip to ensure an easier haul. This included first taking Black Betty (my truck) to a mechanic friend and getting her closely inspected for anything that might be a problem within the next 4000 miles hauling 10000+ lbs down the interstate.She had fresh belts put on and new spark pugs all around. There was an issue with the fan that got sorted so she ran like a new truck, and I could feel and hear what was now normal and healthy for her.
I got her tires balanced, rotated, and an alignment check.
Next was my trailer.
My lovely boyfriend and I spent 2 days changing the brakes, bearings and packing them. I'm gratefuI someone who knew what he was doing and was patient helped me with this process.
I then decided to paint the top of my trailer with an RF factor paint. This helps reflect the sun and keeps the inside significantly cooler. I went with an elastomeric paint. 1 gallon was enough to do 2 coats on my 28ft trailer, and it was worth it . We also decided to install an exhaust fan that moves 300 ft/sec of air to keep the horses cool if I got in a situation where i needed to keep air moving.
In hindsight I should have put it in a different location and gotten the remote activated one. Crawling into the trailer with Neira was pretty tight and I would not have been comfortable with any other horse. It is brighter and does make a difference on truly sweltering days.
I checked tire pressure of ALL tires, including spares regularly. I had to buy a special pressure gauge that reads high enough for my trailer. It's easy enough and gives you a heads up before real problems start with your tires.
I got my tires on the trailer balanced and rotated, something that has really made a difference in the smoothness of hauling.
It is important to go over the trailer, and the frame, by lifting mats and really getting into the cracks and crevices to check on seals and any rust that's becoming an issue. Twice a year and especially before a longer haul.
Packing the tack room.
This was great, I went through every item of equipment I own and asked myself in a Marie Kando kind of way, will this be useful on my trip... and bring me joy?
I ended up with an orderly tack space that did not feel cluttered. I brought with me my 2 saddles, 2 bridles with spare pieces, rope halters, travel safety halters, lead lines, lunge line, lunge whips, a set of standing wraps, farrier equipment, including nails, medical bag, protective boots, wool coolers, rain sheets, they're feed, 2 small buckets, 2 large water buckets, their feed buckets, and a large hay bag.
I did my best not to "over pack." Anything that broke on the road was replaced in the next supply run to tractor supply. I didn't pack more than 3 days hay at a time.
The only thing I was disappointed I didn't bring were their fly sheets. We got to southern Ohio and the horse flies were MONSTERS! I couldn't take them out of their stalls except before dawn or dusk.
Things in my home. I kept it simple enough, I had just enough clothes to layer if things got down to 30 degrees. As far as kitchen and food items, I have a very simple kitchen setup with a gas powered cooktop, a couple of small pots and pans, limited cutlery, and plates and bowls. Plastic paper bowls and plates save on weight and are easy to burn at the end of a meal. I didn't stalk up heavily on food. A few snack items and things I could easily throw into boiling water. Otherwise I tried to stick to fresh fruits and vegetables that I came across in my travel.
Since I don't have a generator, battery and solar operated lights are a must-have. I have a small rechargeable battery pack that works in a pinch to charge my phone.
As far as etertainment I brought my leather working equipment with me so I could work on projects during down time and my ukulele.
As for my horses, I made sure the halters that they traveled in were comfortable. For bedding in the trailer I use wood pellets that I soaked. It's a good insulator from the vibration of the road and was good at soaking up pee. On hot days you can put ice in the bedding to help cool the trailer down.
For their food I traveled with whole bags of food for them and their supplements just like I would at home. But for individual days, I would put they're night feed in the bucket that they would eat out of and have their breakfast prepared in a smaller bucket that I could have soaking for the next morning. If I was packing for a shorter trip, a Ziploc lock or paper bag (if in a very humid climate) is fine. Small sealable buckets are great to have on hand, 5-gallon containers with a top, or spare water buckets in your trailer or truck are good to have any time.
I had some feed go rancid on me because I bought it too far in advance of my trip and I had no way of keeping it out of the heat we experienced while traveling.
Overnight horse camp list-
Check and pack spare liquids for your car (oil, coolant, power steering fluid)
trailer jack
Tire iron (that fits your trailer)
Spare tire (check pressure on the truck and trailer)
Safety cones/ triangles/ lights
Coggins. You will l need to stop at all Agriculture Stations.
Baling twine (for tying)
Firewood
Head lamp
Water bucket and straps if you plan to hang
Head lamp
Water bucket and straps if you plan to hang them
Your horsesAM and PM feed and hay
Camp chair
A spare bucket
Manure fork
Action of the Bit in the Horses Mouth
Shelbie Fredenhagen
Nov. 22, 2012
Working the horse by applying what is known of physics and the musculature system, provides the rider with an osteopathic way of working the horse. In this way your partner will have a longer working life with less health problems associated from poor muscle development. Stress can be eliminated by the rider not demanding the horse to perform things that their body cannot physically do.
One of the biggest problems people will relay to clinicians and their coaches that I have heard is “how can I keep my horse consistently round?” Thousands of dollars are spent every year on magic bits that promise results and artificial aids to help correct this problem. When a simple single jointed snaffle and educated hands are all you need to start with.
“The hand is the instrument of all instruments” -Aristotle
When pressure is forced on the hypersensitive organ that is the tongue through the downward action of the hand to the bit; pain shoots through the horses bars and tongue. Tension is evident in the body and mind which is shown as resistance against the bit. Symptoms include grinding teeth, sticking out tongue, dry mouth, above the bit, behind the bit, staleness in the bridle, tongue over the bit... the list goes on.
However, if the bit is used by exerting pressure on the corner of the lips, the horse will yield the jaw and swallow. As the muscles that are used In the act of swallowing are used,you can see that the tongue is a critical crossroad. Some of the tongue muscles connect to a small set of bones in the throat called the hyoid bones. Originating from the hyoid bones are two major neck muscles, one connecting with the sternum and one with the inside of the shoulder. When the horses tongue is compressed due to downward pressure from the bit, these muscles are blocked and cannot function properly. Therefore, discomfort and tension in the tongue will lead to tension all the way down to the bottom of the neck. In addition, there are muscles connecting the hyoid bones to the temporo-mandibular joint (the TMJ, or jaw,) which is an important centre for nerves involved in balance and proprioception (part of the horse's coordination system).
For some, it is just easier to change the bit, add a flash, and blame the horse for having a bad mouth, than it is to question the efficiency and action of the riders own hands.
By thinking of how your hand is acting as you ride and to simply “check in” with the corners of the horses lips to make sure it is relaxed by asking the horse to swallow, several things are accomplished. We can be sure that there are less braced muscles through the neck, further releasing tension from their back; they have greater mobility through the hindquarters, and start gaining longer strides. We then have a greater opportunity for the horse to have true roundness with soft, elastic movements; whatever your discipline.
“The aim of the Art is not only to ride a well conformed animal, but to get the very best out of those that have been less gifted by nature.” Ludwig Hunersdorf
Shelbie Fredenhagen
Nov. 22, 2012
Working the horse by applying what is known of physics and the musculature system, provides the rider with an osteopathic way of working the horse. In this way your partner will have a longer working life with less health problems associated from poor muscle development. Stress can be eliminated by the rider not demanding the horse to perform things that their body cannot physically do.
One of the biggest problems people will relay to clinicians and their coaches that I have heard is “how can I keep my horse consistently round?” Thousands of dollars are spent every year on magic bits that promise results and artificial aids to help correct this problem. When a simple single jointed snaffle and educated hands are all you need to start with.
“The hand is the instrument of all instruments” -Aristotle
When pressure is forced on the hypersensitive organ that is the tongue through the downward action of the hand to the bit; pain shoots through the horses bars and tongue. Tension is evident in the body and mind which is shown as resistance against the bit. Symptoms include grinding teeth, sticking out tongue, dry mouth, above the bit, behind the bit, staleness in the bridle, tongue over the bit... the list goes on.
However, if the bit is used by exerting pressure on the corner of the lips, the horse will yield the jaw and swallow. As the muscles that are used In the act of swallowing are used,you can see that the tongue is a critical crossroad. Some of the tongue muscles connect to a small set of bones in the throat called the hyoid bones. Originating from the hyoid bones are two major neck muscles, one connecting with the sternum and one with the inside of the shoulder. When the horses tongue is compressed due to downward pressure from the bit, these muscles are blocked and cannot function properly. Therefore, discomfort and tension in the tongue will lead to tension all the way down to the bottom of the neck. In addition, there are muscles connecting the hyoid bones to the temporo-mandibular joint (the TMJ, or jaw,) which is an important centre for nerves involved in balance and proprioception (part of the horse's coordination system).
For some, it is just easier to change the bit, add a flash, and blame the horse for having a bad mouth, than it is to question the efficiency and action of the riders own hands.
By thinking of how your hand is acting as you ride and to simply “check in” with the corners of the horses lips to make sure it is relaxed by asking the horse to swallow, several things are accomplished. We can be sure that there are less braced muscles through the neck, further releasing tension from their back; they have greater mobility through the hindquarters, and start gaining longer strides. We then have a greater opportunity for the horse to have true roundness with soft, elastic movements; whatever your discipline.
“The aim of the Art is not only to ride a well conformed animal, but to get the very best out of those that have been less gifted by nature.” Ludwig Hunersdorf
For more articles visit Shelbie Fredenhagen, Author at The Northwest Horse Source (nwhorsesource.com)
