I’ve spent years showing horses and since starting college almost 4 years ago and selling my show horse I have missed it greatly. I am incredibly lucky to still own horses, and I would not trade the memories, friends I have made and fun I have had with them for anything. In my 15 or so years of being around horses I have logged many miles doing the simplest thing. Trail riding. 

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While I also enjoy hiking, trail riding is my favorite way to cover ground. I couldn’t even imagine how many miles I have logged in Brown County State Park, Hoosier National Forrest, Eminence Missouri and private woods everywhere between. Saddle bags full of drinks and snacks, a good horse and a few friends are all you need to have a good time. Even the worst day in the woods on a horse is better than a day at work. If nothing else, misfortune makes for a great story afterwards. 

Over the summer me and two friends loaded up to go on a short trail ride. Against my morals I decided not to pack snacks (I feel very strongly about snacks) and only grabbed a couple bottles of water. It was only going to be a short ride, right? Five hours later, and incredibly dehydrated and hungry we somehow managed to find the truck and trailer. At the time it was very unpleasant but now, it is a funny story. 

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Although I do a lot of day trips throughout the year I also enjoy camping with horses. There are actually quite a few places in Indiana, and all over the US to camp with your horses. My two favorite places in Indiana to camp is Brown County Horseman’s Camp and Hoosier Horse Camp in the Hoosier National Forrest in Norman, Indiana. I will say I have successfully avoided tent camping and much prefer ‘glamping.’ Many horse trailers have living quarters in the front half and I prefer to camp with running water and a full bathroom and kitchen. There is nothing better than sitting next to a campfire in the late fall while horses munch quietly on hay at the hitch rail next to you. 

I have trail rode many horses, but I have to include my favorite horse. Many horse people talk about having their “heart horse.” A heart horse is in short, a favorite horse that is irreplaceable and will always have a special place with you. My ‘heart horse’ is Bullseye, a registered Quarter Horse. He is nearing 24 and is now retired but he has been in my life for nearly 10 years. We have been all over together and some of my favorite memories involve him. 

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