Have anyone ever gone camping completely on horseback?

[~*~Rachel~*~]

My fiance and I want to go camping with our horses, but we don't want to take a horse trailer seeing as how we pretty much want to go just right in our own backyard (NV). We know the items we need to take versus the items we want to take. I'm just concerned as to how everything will be packed. There will be 2 people, 2 horses, and 3 dogs (medium/large dogs)

Obviously we need the necessities (tent, change of clothes, food for horses and dogs, we plan to fish at the lake we want to camp at, and all 3 dogs wil be equipped with their own packs to carry their food, rope for a high line, etc.) I was wondering if there were special packs, besides cantle and horn bag, that can be on the horse along with the rider. Something like a sawbuck saddle and pack, but be able to ride at the same time. I don't want it to be heavy just have enough storage for items such as the clothes, small camp grill or a grate, first aid kit (for people, horses, and dogs) and anything else I or you can think of.

Thank you
~Rachel~

 

[PeaBee]

Add regular nylon saddle bags to both horses. Cheap and lightweight and roomy and some expand like on board luggage. Wearing a backpack puts you off center and off balance.

Warning: get your horse used to the saddlebags before you trail ride.
I had two very experienced trail horses used to horn bags, cantle bags, etc., and adding those saddle bags bouncing on the flanks almost created a rodeo with both horses.

Have fun.

 

[lyla]

hmm, i think this would be pretty difficult. what will you do about hay? its light, but it takes up a ton of space. factor in that (not so small when youre carrying it) grill, and youre pushing it. you could try one of those hiking bags they sell at camping stores, but idk, i think this would be difficult. imagine stuffing all that hay, people food, horse grain, grooming supplies (necessary, you dont want saddle sores or a stone in your horses foot), extra halters, fishing gear, grill, clothes, water, first aid kit, a tent, sleeping bags etc etc into 2 back packs.

 

[holly]

Wear hiking backpacks stuffed with your items, also you can purchase saddle pads with little holders in them which should be big enough to carry some food. You can also tie items to the back of your saddle. I say at LEAST try bringing along a trailer, you never know. You can park it somewhere and just get your things.
You'll also need electrical portable tape to make an overnight paddock for the horses.... just bring the trailer, there's no way you can get that much stuff out with you in just two hiking bags!