Are you looking to take your horse on holiday? Bringing your own horse is one of the best ways to make riding holidays in the UK even more special. A holiday with your horse is magical; you can experience new places and memories – like a beach ride, woodland trek, or competition – with your best friend. And if you book through Horses With Suitcases, you can arrange on-site accommodation, maybe even overlooking the horse field. Of course, bringing your own horse holidays does come with a caveat. You can expect a lot more packing. In this guide, we’ll give you the ultimate checklist for what to pack to take your horse on holiday.
From trailer must-brings to the obscure equine holiday goods you’d never thought you’d need, this is what you should bring when you take your horse on holiday. We’ll cover what to bring for you, your horse, and your trailer. And at the end, we’ll attach our free checklist. Ready? Let’s get packing for your UK horse holiday.
What to Pack For Your Horse
There’s so much to consider when it comes to packing when taking your horse on holiday. Bring your own horse holidays means taking all responsibility for your equine counterpart, which is the major difference between packing for horse-provided riding holidays in the UK. So, what should you consider?
Medication and First Aid
Medication and first aid are the two absolute essentials. If your horse is on any sort of medication, then you don’t want to forget it. Forgetting things like Cushings medication can be catastrophic and damaging to your horse’s health. You should also double-check that you have enough medication for your horse holiday.
First aid supplies are a must for all horses, even if your horse doesn’t require regular medication. Basic first aid kits, which you can check out online, generally include thermometers, gauze, leg wraps, tape, saline, scissors, and bute.
Tack
Tack is an obvious one. You’ll need all your standard riding tack, such as a saddle and bridle. You may also want to bring rugs – it’s worth checking the weather forecast beforehand. For anyone planning a horse holiday, UK weather has got to be a consideration. You may also wish to consider packing boots, whether those are jumping boots or travel boots. Things like spare reins and stirrup bands also often come in handy. You need a headcollar and lead rope. And, depending on the weather, maybe fly masks and sheets.
Grooming
When you bring your horse on holiday, you’ll need a complete grooming kit. Think of all the basics, like dandy brushes, hoof picks, mane, and tail combs. Consider bringing plaiting bands to prevent wind knots with protective hairstyles or for any competing you plan to do. Depending on the weather, you may need suncream and fly spray.
Feed
Horse feed is a big one and depends on where you plan to stay for your horse holiday; UK weather will also play a factor. Will your horse be stabled overnight in wet weather on your horse holiday? If so, you must check with the holiday host whether hay and straw will be provided.
You’ll need to bring any of your horse’s usual feed, too, as disrupting their usual hard feed routine isn’t good practice. Little things like a familiar breakfast can make the whole process much smoother for your equine.
Remember to bring hay nets and feed buckets. A portable water supply might also be a good idea, even when travelling with your horse.
The Essentials
Finally, you’ll also need the essentials. Taking your horse on holiday in the UK without a passport is illegal, and most transport providers require one. You can be pulled over and asked by transport police to show your passport on the spot, and if you can’t, you’ll be fined. So definitely remember your passport.
Also, keep in mind that you may need to provide evidence of vaccines and negative poo tests (shout out to PooPost for cost-effective tests that don’t contribute to worm resistance).
What to Pack For You
Now that you are packed for the equine side, what about you? Taking your own horse on holiday means you’ll be packing for both of you. So, what will you need for horse holidays, UK specific? What do you need to bring for you?
Riding Gear
Riding gear includes the basics, like a body protector, hat, and boots. You will likely need a few different jodhpurs and hi-vis. If you are competing, you may need hair nets and a show jacket.
Clothes
When packing for a horse holiday, UK weather is an essential consideration. You need to bring enough layers to last you at least an outfit change a day, with horsey and non-horsey clothes. It is also worth bringing separate bags if you don’t want to stink your clothes out! Key clothes include a ‘meal out’ outfit and waterproofs. You’ll want a warm jacket and hat too.
Toiletries
Toiletries are a must, including hairbrushes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, and conditioner. All the basics you’d need for a hotel stay apply for horse holidays.
Human First Aid Kit and Necessary Medication
We all know you put your horse’s needs above your own, but you should be bringing a human first aid kit with you. Horse riding is dangerous, and it pays to be prepared. A basic human first aid kit includes plasters, sterile gloves, painkillers, gauze dressings, bandages, emergency contacts, saline, tweezers, and scissors.
Of course, bring any necessary medication and count to ensure you have adequate medication for your stay. You may also consider adding emergency contact tags for your saddle or bridle.
Entertainment and Technology
You’ll need chargers, your phone, and maybe a laptop with a few movies downloaded. A Go Pro is always a fun addition to a holiday with your horse, too, and you can buy cheap hat mounts online. A battery pack is another good shout, especially if you are planning long rides.
You can also add other entertainment to your suitcase, like earphones, board games, books, and whatever floats your boat. Remember that you’ll need to entertain yourself away from your horse sometimes – your horse needs a break, too.
Bedding
Whether or not you need bedding will depend on where you stay. Are you camping? Or are you staying in a boutique lodge? Double-check with your host if you need clarification beforehand.
Food and drink
It is a good idea to check your facilities before stocking up on food and drink. Perhaps there’s coffee and tea included. Perhaps there’s a fridge; perhaps there is not. Check your facilities to see what storage you have, and then you can buy food and drink accordingly.
**Camping**
For camping specifically, you’ll need a tent, sleeping bag, mattress, and extra layers. You may need a portable cooler and camping chairs. You must check toilet facilities and shower options, too. You will also want camping cooking facilities.
What to Pack For Your Trailer
Finally, what should you pack for your trailer when taking your horse on holiday in the UK? The most important thing is gear in case things go wrong. The last thing you want is to be stranded with a horse onboard, especially on busy roads or if your horse travels badly. You should definitely pack things like wheel chocks, emergency triangles, jump cables, tow chains, jacks, and spare tyres.
The Ultimate Checklist to Take Your Horse on Holiday: UK Edition
- Rugs
- Saddle
- Headcollar
- Lead rope
- Fly sheet and fly mask
- Lunge line
- Numnah
- Bridle
- Spare reins and stirrup bands
- Boots
- Grooming kit, including dandy brush, hoof pick, and plaiting bands
- Feed, including hay if necessary
- A portable water carrier
- Toiletries
- Any necessary equine medication and first aid kit
- Feed buckets and hay nets
- Horse passport
- Negative worm results and vaccination evidence
- Riding hat
- Body protector
- Riding boots
- Trainers or comfy shoes
- Hi-vis
- Jodhpurs
- Show jacket
- Hair net and bobbles
- Spare tyres
- Jacks
- Jump cables
- Poo picker and brush for the trailer
- Food for you
- Drinks for you
- Bedding
- Laptop with movies
- Chargers
- Go Pro
- Books
- Any necessary human medication and first aid kit
- Bank cards and handy cash
If you are camping:
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Mattress
- Extra layers and blankets
- Cooler
- Camping chairs
- Camping cooking gear
- Fire starters
- Lighter
- Coal or wood chippings
To Conclude: Packing to Take Your Horse on Holiday
Packing to take your horse on holiday doesn’t need to be overwhelming – just use our checklist. Bring your own horse holidays in the UK are great fun, whether you head to a beach in Cornwall, go glamping in Exmoor, or enjoy jump fields and woodland hacking in Wales. Here at Horses With Suitcases, we are passionate about helping riders connect more deeply with their horses. And since travel memories are some of our most precious, why not share them with your best friend?
Looking for more inspiration on the best places to take your horse on holiday in the UK? Check out our guide here to learn about the UK’s best destinations for horses and riders. Otherwise, head to our property page to see where you can stay with your horse.
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