Tracking Your Horse
There are several options to track your horse in case you become separated on the trail. Accidents happen no matter how good of a rider you are, no matter your level of horsemanship or your relationship with your horse. Despite everything you do to prepare yourself and your horse, things can happen. There are precautions to take to make sure you do not lose your best friend and trail partner!
Riding with a Cell Signal
It is really easy to solve the problem of tracking your horse if you are in an area with a cell signal. Many products marketed toward keeping track of your stuff will also work to find your horse.
1) Air Tags
This is my preferred method of keeping my stuff and my horse found. I attached an air tag to Sam's halter and bridle and blanket. That means that if he is on his hie-tie he has his halter and blanket on. When we are riding, there is an air tag on his bridle. Could the air tag come off? Yes, it is great to have more than one attached to your horse either to a piece of tack they are not likely to lose or to their body directly.
2) Tile
I used tiles on my keys and my dogs for a while. I found that their batteries would wear out and I would not notice that they had stopped working. There are much better options for tracking keys, dogs and horses with products that have longer battery lives. The air tag uses other iphones to triangulate your air tags position. There are other products that are not iphone specific.
1) Air Tags
This is my preferred method of keeping my stuff and my horse found. I attached an air tag to Sam's halter and bridle and blanket. That means that if he is on his hie-tie he has his halter and blanket on. When we are riding, there is an air tag on his bridle. Could the air tag come off? Yes, it is great to have more than one attached to your horse either to a piece of tack they are not likely to lose or to their body directly.
2) Tile
I used tiles on my keys and my dogs for a while. I found that their batteries would wear out and I would not notice that they had stopped working. There are much better options for tracking keys, dogs and horses with products that have longer battery lives. The air tag uses other iphones to triangulate your air tags position. There are other products that are not iphone specific.
Riding with No Cell Signal
1) Tractive GPS Collar Tag
This is now my favorite way to keep track of Sam even when we are out in the boonies without a cell signal. (Updated 4/2024). It is a very user-friendly app with a desktop and phone version. You can set up a safe zone around your house or paddock or hi-tie or use the live tracking to actively find your lost horse. On the normal setting my battery lasts 2-3 days which is great for a weekend camping trip when I bring a power station and can recharge my Tractive gps when needed. The silicon straps can stretch to attach to Sam's breast collar, halter or blanket strap. You do need to pay for a subscription service but I was so impressed with it I bought 2 years of subscription for a lower price. I use it at home with Sam in my track pasture turn-out at night and at weekend endurance rides or campouts. You can even see where your horse spends the most time in the pasture or paddock paradise track and tweak their turn-out to encourage more movement.
This is now my favorite way to keep track of Sam even when we are out in the boonies without a cell signal. (Updated 4/2024). It is a very user-friendly app with a desktop and phone version. You can set up a safe zone around your house or paddock or hi-tie or use the live tracking to actively find your lost horse. On the normal setting my battery lasts 2-3 days which is great for a weekend camping trip when I bring a power station and can recharge my Tractive gps when needed. The silicon straps can stretch to attach to Sam's breast collar, halter or blanket strap. You do need to pay for a subscription service but I was so impressed with it I bought 2 years of subscription for a lower price. I use it at home with Sam in my track pasture turn-out at night and at weekend endurance rides or campouts. You can even see where your horse spends the most time in the pasture or paddock paradise track and tweak their turn-out to encourage more movement.
2) Garmin Satellite Phone or Garmin Dog Collar Tracker
I have a Garmin Satellite phone for communication with Jon when he can't ride with me. It has an SOS button that will connect you with help in case of emergency. It also has an option to track your ride and email it to a friend. You can also track the Garmin unit with your iphone using the Earthmate app. These phones are expensive but are a MUST have if you go anywhere without a cell signal. As of 4/2024 this is now favorite option #2 after Tractive, mostly for the SOS button in case of a rider emergency. I carry this when I ride with Jon and he walks. However, this is a bulky item and when I ride endurance I just carry my cell phone and Sam wears his Tractive GPS. At endurance rides there are check points and the trails are heavily ridden. If something happens at an endurance event it is really easy to find other people and get help.
I have a Garmin Satellite phone for communication with Jon when he can't ride with me. It has an SOS button that will connect you with help in case of emergency. It also has an option to track your ride and email it to a friend. You can also track the Garmin unit with your iphone using the Earthmate app. These phones are expensive but are a MUST have if you go anywhere without a cell signal. As of 4/2024 this is now favorite option #2 after Tractive, mostly for the SOS button in case of a rider emergency. I carry this when I ride with Jon and he walks. However, this is a bulky item and when I ride endurance I just carry my cell phone and Sam wears his Tractive GPS. At endurance rides there are check points and the trails are heavily ridden. If something happens at an endurance event it is really easy to find other people and get help.
With the Garmin Satellite phone you can email your tracking data to a friend or spouse. Below I entered my email and then clicked on the link to see the location of the Garmin unit in Sam's saddle-bag.
The Garmin unit sends a location data point every 10 minutes. Your friend at home can click on the link in their email or text to follow your ride or you can follow your horse's route with your iphone earthmate app. Below is the screen shot from clicking the link that was emailed to myself so I could see my track data points live.
3) Spot GPS
Spot GPS is similar to a Garmin Satellite phone. You need to purchase the product and then buy a yearly subscription.
Spot GPS is similar to a Garmin Satellite phone. You need to purchase the product and then buy a yearly subscription.
Horse ID if Found
1) ID tag
Sam wear a dog ID tag attached to his bridle and saddle. I also have a equistrisafe bracelet with my phone number that goes around his cannon bone. Depending on how I am feeling he may be wearing 2, one on the front leg and one on the back leg. 2) Microchip Sam has a microchip in the nuchal ligament of his mane on the left side. Most vets or humane societies may look for a microchip. They need to scan the right place and often microchips can migrate. If your horse has one implanted you should try to use a scanner to check its location. |