<![CDATA[]]> http://www.crestridgesaddlery.com/blog/ EN Fri, 26 Aug 2022 14:32:00 -0400 Incomedia WebSite X5 Evo <![CDATA[Trailer Tips - Backing Up]]> imblog
Trailer Tips - Backing Up

When my family reads this - they will laugh.  I am the only person in my immediate family that does not have a CDL (my little sis just got her million miles jacket!).

That being said, they grab the popcorn when I attempt to back my trailer and I get lots of helpful tips (then there is yelling and there have been tears and then suggestions where they can park the trailer).

Anyway.... Here are few things I have learned along the way!

Tip #1
Just like in riding, our bodies tend to go where we are looking.  This applies to backing a trailer as well.  If we are trying to avoid hitting something and that is all we look at, guess where the trailer is going?  Instead, look where you want the trailer to go and keep the obstacle in your peripheral (you better believe I used text to talk to spell that word out!).  I have found that by doing this, I have a better chance of the trailer going where I need it to go.  

Tip #2
A friend of mine gave me this suggestion and it has helped so much!  There are lots of illustrations out there showing how to have your hands on the steering wheel that never helped me.  His suggestion is to use your pointer finger at the bottom of your steering wheel.  If you want your trailer to go back and to the Right, you would lay your left hand at the bottom of the steering wheel with your left pointer finger pointing right and of course you switch your hands to go back and left.  This puts your hands on the steering wheel in a more natural position.  Try it!  

Tip #3
New Rule.  There is no yelling when someone is backing a trailer unless something is about to get hit.  You should be talking to each other the entire time and the guide person should be telling the driver when an obstacle is coming up.  If you are working as a team, you all need to speak to each other like a parent would talk to a child who is learning to walk.  
Next Rule.  Give yourself some leeway.  No one comes out of the womb with all the knowledge preprogrammed.  We all have to learn how to do the things we want today.

Tip #4
Know your limits.  While we need and want to learn how to do everything ourselves - know your limits.  If you are a frazzled mess - don't try to back into a camping spot that you have never backed into before.  Ask for help (you're allowed to, I promised).  Let someone else back your rig in or unload and take 20, 30, 60 minutes to calm down.  Pick Your Battles.
Horseback riding is suppose to be fun and relaxing - right?  Down spike your blood pressure, know your limits and bite your tongue so you're not apologizing to anyone while you were backing your trailer.   

Sarah Racheter-Loftin
08/26/22
]]> Fri, 26 Aug 2022 18:32:00 GMT http://www.crestridgesaddlery.com/blog/?trailer-tips---backing-up http://www.crestridgesaddlery.com/blog/rss/000000003 <![CDATA[Camping Tips & Tricks]]> imblog
 
Camping Tips & Tricks

 
 
First, let me preface this by saying I have made all of the mistakes that I thought possible but I still manage to surprise myself.

 
Tip #1 - Make a List

 
Yea, I know - obvious right?  Start writing your To Do List and To Pack List EARLY.  Keep it handy so you can quickly add or edit items as you think of them.  Include the stupid obvious items.  Maybe you know to pack your saddle, but make sure the cinch for the horse you are taking is connected to it or in the trailer.  Have you ever forgotten your pad because you took it out to clean it or needed to do a repair on your bridle and left them at home?  I have.   

 
So, making a list is one of the most obvious points but let's take it a step further.  Visualize yourself getting to camp and unloading.  Go through each step you plan to take and write everything down that you need.  Do you need the manure fork to clean out your trailer?  Do you need shavings for the stall you are renting?  Do you plan to use a picket line and if so, do you have everything needed for the picket line including extras in case the span is too long?  When you saddle up, do you have everything needed for your ride and after?

 
This section could be pages and pages long but I have found by going through these steps, the only items that get forgotten anymore are luxury or comfy items that I can easily do without.  

 
Tip #2 - See what is available

 
Many of the horse camps I have stayed at have water hydrants everywhere.  Some older campgrounds do not.  It is best to check with the campground to see what you need to bring.  Some may suggest a certain length of water hose depending on the site you reserved.  So far, all of the facilities I have stayed at required your own water bucket, feed buckets, and hay bags (you would want to provide your own due to bacteria and disease anyway).  

 
If you are renting a site with electric hook ups, make sure you have the correct cord or adapter for your trailer!  I recently stayed at a site and because my trailer door is on the driver side and because I needed to point the trailer a different direction than most, my cord was almost too short!  

 
If you forgot something that you needed, politely ask the campground host if they have something you can borrow.  Don't assume they will, and you still may be out of luck, but it doesn't hurt to ask.  

 
Tip #3 - TAKE A PICTURE OF YOUR PAPERWORK

 
Have you ever forgotten your coggins or health papers?  (Are you seeing a theme here?)  Are you part of a group or club that has membership cards?  Do you know what your truck license plate number is?  Is it likely you might forget one or all of these when you go to check in?  Take photos of these items before, weeks before, you leave.

 
Sarah Racheter-Loftin
 
1/5/22
]]> Fri, 26 Aug 2022 16:29:00 GMT http://www.crestridgesaddlery.com/blog/?camping-tips---tricks http://www.crestridgesaddlery.com/blog/rss/000000001 <![CDATA[Trail Riding - What to Pack]]> imblog
 
Trail Riding - What to Pack
 
 
Ladies.  Please, please, PLEASE quit putting your cell phones in your front packs, horn bags, etc.  If you skip the rest of what I write today, please find a way to secure your cell phone on your person while you are riding.  And, let's take that one step further and say your bra strap does not work.  Two words: Boob sweat.  It isn't good for your phone either.  Also, have you ever pinched one of the girls because of your phone?  No?  Just me?  

 
On Your Person

 
So now that we all have a hip pouch, fanny pack, ankle locker, or one in the amazon shopping cart - what do you need in there besides your cell phone?  You need a map.  If not a map, you need to download the map to your cell phone.  Do not assume you will have signal the entire time you are out.  The next item you need is a good compass.  A good compass is around $7.  You may not know how to use it but you will be able to help yourself out in a pinch.  You also need a survival whistle on your person.  I have heard of people being lost or injured and rescuers could not find them because they could not be heard.  The next really important item in this section is a good pocket knife or multi-tool.  Have you ever discovered a Chicago screw is loose?  Have you ever gotten a rock in a shoe?  Have you ever needed to make an emergency tack repair?  

 
Front Pack: Horn Bag, Swell Bag, Pommel Bag, Etc

 
Here are the items you would like handy during your trial ride.  I always keep pain relievers (start these early and take them often), chap stick, lengths of paracord or zip ties.  I keep water bottle holders up front because the holders on saddle bags are too complicated for me.  I also take extra water with me - just in case.  You also may want an emergency protein bar or similar.  Have you ever gotten lost and took a trial ride longer than expected?

 
Saddle Bags or Cantle Bags

 
Yes, I have three packs with me.  No, I do not need most of the *stuff* I pack but you know what, I would rather have it and not need it then wishing I had packed it!  I keep a good first aid kit with me.  Not just a boo boo kit.  I have lots of gauze, wraps, a splint, tourniquet, medical tape, antiseptic, cold packs, and who knows what else (If any of you have ever met my youngest child, you will instantly know why I carry all of this).   I also keep a rain coat in here.  You know what, if you pack it, it is unlikely you will need it!  Also, this is setup so that if we go tent camping without the horses, I grab the first aid kit out of my cantle bag and go.  

 
I also want to mention I know this adds weight for my horse to carry and for me to lug around.  I attach these after I saddle my horse.  I then unsnap them when I unsaddle.  This makes it easy to clean them out when you are done riding or add/subtract items easily.  

 
Sarah Racheter-Loftin
 
1/5/22
]]> Fri, 26 Aug 2022 15:41:00 GMT http://www.crestridgesaddlery.com/blog/?trail-riding---what-to-pack http://www.crestridgesaddlery.com/blog/rss/000000000