What should I have at the vet check/mandatory hold area for the horse and the rider at an Endurance Ride/CTR Ride/Drive?
Some vet checks are in camp and some will be away from camp, you need to be prepared for this! Often times if you don’t have a crew, some riders team up in one vehicle and carry their stuff the day before, the afternoon before the ride is a good time to select a spot convenient to the vet check area to set up with the things you will want for taking care of your horse and yourself during the ride. The single most important thing to have at the vet check is drinking water for your horse. During hot and humid seasons of the year, have additional water for cooling your horse by sponging or pouring water on the horse; however, keep drinking and sponging buckets separate since many horses will not drink from buckets that have had sweaty sponges in them. If the weather is cool, you may want to have a blanket or rump rug to put over your horse to prevent him from stiffening up. Your horse will want to eat. Hay, grain, rehydrated beet pulp, and treats of apples and carrots are commonly offered
