Packing Archie’s Trailer for a Two-Day Event

A two-day event begins well before Archie walks down the centreline or leaves the start box. For me, the real preparation starts in the feed room, where I work out how much hay he will need, how to keep it clean and dry, and how to make feeding simple when I am tired after a long day of dressage, show jumping, or cross-country.

Hay is the part of the packing list I refuse to leave until the last minute. Archie is happiest when his routine stays familiar, so I take his usual forage from home rather than relying on whatever is available at the venue. A reliable supply also gives me peace of mind when a competition is several hours from home, particularly during a hot Australian weekend.

Item	Amount I pack for Archie	How I use it
Main hay ration	20–24 kg	His normal feed across two days
Travel hay	4–6 kg	Small nets for the outward and return journeys
Extra reserve	4–6 kg	Backup for weather, delays, or dropped hay
Water from home	40–60 litres	Familiar taste and enough for the first day
Small-hole hay nets	3–4	Slower eating and less waste
Empty spare net	1	Useful if a net tears or becomes dirty

Starting With Archie’s Normal Ration

I begin by checking how much hay Archie actually eats at home over twenty-four hours. That sounds obvious, but competition days can change a horse’s habits. He may eat less while travelling, then catch up overnight, or spend more time nibbling because he is standing on the float between phases. I use his ordinary ration as the starting point, then add enough to cover the extra time away.

For a two-day event, I usually pack approximately two full days of his regular meadow hay, plus a generous reserve. I would rather bring home an unused bale than discover that I am rationing his forage on Saturday night. The reserve is especially important when travelling from regional Victoria towards Melbourne, or across New South Wales, where a road closure, traffic around Sydney, or a delayed draw can turn a straightforward trip into a much longer day.

I write the feeding times on a note inside the tack-room door. It includes the quantity for the trip, the overnight ration, and the small amount Archie receives after work. This means a helper can feed him correctly if I am walking a course, plaiting, or dealing with a late change to the timetable.

Weighing Hay Instead Of Guessing

Bale size is not a useful measurement by itself. A compact lucerne bale and a loose grass-hay bale can look similar while weighing very differently. I put an empty hay net on my luggage scale, fill it, and subtract the weight of the net. Once I know the approximate weight of one filled net, I can build the whole load with much less guesswork.

Archie generally does well on the same grass hay he eats at home. I avoid making a sudden change before an event, even if a different bale looks greener or more fragrant. Lucerne can be useful for some horses, particularly those needing extra calories, but I do not introduce a rich forage immediately before competition. His stomach and hindgut are better served by consistency than by a last-minute upgrade.

I also inspect every section for mould, dampness, dust, and weeds. Australian hay can vary greatly after a wet harvest, and a bale that seemed fine when bought may have a damp centre. I shake out questionable flakes outside rather than inside the float or stable area. If I would not be comfortable feeding it at home, it does not go to the show.

Making Hay Nets Travel-Friendly

For travel, I use small-hole hay nets rather than putting a large loose pile in the float. The slower feeding pattern helps Archie stay occupied and reduces the amount that ends up under his feet. I fill each net before loading, tie it securely with a short lead, and check that there is no long loop where a shoe or halter could catch.

I prepare separate nets for the trip to the venue, the first night, the second day, and the return journey. Each one is labelled with a simple description such as “Friday travel” or “Saturday night”. That small bit of organisation matters when the float is crowded with rugs, buckets, grooming gear, feed bins, and a spare wheel.

The hay nets are placed where Archie can reach them comfortably without having to stretch awkwardly. I keep them clear of water buckets and avoid putting them directly above bedding that may become wet. Before leaving, I give every knot a firm pull and make sure the net hangs at a safe height. This is one of the quiet checks I complete before loading Archie.

Keeping The Load Clean And Dry

The hay travels in clean, breathable bags rather than plastic rubbish bags. Plastic can trap condensation, especially when a warm float is parked in the sun, and damp forage is no improvement over running short. I use large canvas or mesh hay bags that can be stacked without crushing all the flakes into dust.

The main supply stays separate from dirty gear. Muddy boots, wet rugs, sweaty saddle cloths, and used stable bandages can make a perfectly good bale smell stale very quickly. I keep the hay bags at the front of the float or in a dedicated dry section of the vehicle, away from fuel, oils, and cleaning products.

On a hot day around Wagga Wagga, the Hunter Valley, or the outskirts of Brisbane, I try to park with the trailer shaded once Archie is settled. Shade does not replace ventilation, but it helps protect the feed and makes the whole float cooler. I never cover the air vents with hay bags, and I leave enough room for airflow around the stored forage.

Building In Water And Feed Stops

Hay is only useful if Archie continues drinking. I carry water from home in several clean containers, because the taste of unfamiliar bore or tank water can put some horses off. At the venue, I offer his familiar water first and introduce local water gradually if necessary. This is particularly helpful at large agricultural showgrounds, where the water supply and trough arrangement can differ from what we have at home.

I pack his usual hard feed in labelled portions rather than taking one large open bag. Each portion is enough for one feed, with a little spare feed held back in case the timetable changes. I do not increase the concentrates simply because he has a busy weekend; the extra energy comes from sensible forage, rest, and keeping him settled.

I also take electrolytes only as part of our established routine, not as an emergency answer to every warm day. Australia’s summer competitions can be hot, and a horse working across dressage, show jumping, and cross-country may sweat heavily. Archie’s cooling plan includes water, shade, walking, and monitoring him properly, rather than assuming a supplement will solve poor preparation.

Loading The Float In A Practical Order

I load hay after the heavier equipment has been secured. Saddles, poles, buckets, and feed bins are packed low and firmly so they cannot shift during braking. Hay sits where I can reach it without unloading half the float, because I may need to refill a net at a roadside stop or after arriving late at a venue.

The travel nets are accessible, while the reserve stays protected. I keep one spare net near the rear doors and the remaining bags in the dry storage area. If a net is dropped in mud at a roadside stop, I can replace it immediately instead of trying to clean it beside a busy highway.

I keep a written inventory on my phone and in the tack room. Alongside the hay quantities, it lists water containers, feed tubs, buckets, salt, manure forks, shavings, first-aid supplies, and spare lead ropes. The private diary area on the blog login page is where I keep longer packing notes and old event records, including what Archie actually ate rather than what I expected him to eat.

Managing Hay Once We Arrive

After Archie unloads, I offer a small amount of hay while he looks around and settles. I do not let him rush through a huge net immediately after travelling. His familiar forage gives him something quiet to do while I check the stable, fill water, unpack bedding, and confirm the competition timetable.

The first evening is when the reserve proves its value. A delayed dressage time, a long walk back from cross-country, or a late change to stabling can shift the whole feeding routine. I check the hay net before bed and top it up according to what Archie has eaten. If there is a lot left, I adjust the next portion rather than automatically adding more.

If he is stabled overnight, I keep the feed area tidy and lift any wet or trampled hay from the floor. If he is in a portable yard or temporary stable, I make sure the net is secure and the bedding is not blocking access. The aim is to let him nibble steadily, rest, and wake up with a familiar routine before the next phase.

What Comes Home In The Trailer

At the end of the event, I count what remains instead of throwing the spare hay into a corner. The leftovers tell me whether my estimate was realistic. If Archie has barely touched the reserve, I may have packed more than necessary, but that is still preferable to cutting his forage short. If every net was empty, I make a note to increase the amount for the next two-day trip.

I also check whether he ate differently during dressage, show jumping, and cross-country. He may be more interested in hay after cross-country, while nerves can reduce his appetite before the first test. Those observations are more useful than a generic packing list because they belong to Archie and the way he manages a busy weekend.

Before the next event, I wash the empty nets, dry the water containers, and store the remaining hay off the ground. I sometimes read practical training and horsemanship material, including eventing training notes, but the most valuable guide is still Archie’s own pattern of eating, drinking, resting, and recovering. A well-packed float makes the weekend easier, yet the real success is seeing him finish the trip comfortable, hydrated, and ready to come home.