Trek Etiquette

We know everyone is looking to have a great time on Trek and are looking to let their hair down, however please be mindful that there a people from all walks of life!

So in that sense, here are a few pointers and things we ask you keep in mind for the week.

GENERAL ETIQUETTE:

• Smile!

• Be respectful!

• Partying and Socialising is to be done in the Marquee. Please have a care for your neighbours who may want to get some beauty sleep, and keep the noise down in camp after 10pm. If you are a person that likes their sleep - try to position your camp away from the Marquee and not en route to the toilets and showers etc.

• If you see something that is concerning, please bring it to the attention of one of the Trustees or the lovely team at the Info Area. We cannot address issues if they are not brought to our attention and nobody likes a “Karen”

• Be nice to our Gate Marshalls! They have a very important job, so please tell them your number clearly and slowly and ensure they have written it down before you zoom past.

• When approaching other Trekker’s on the trail from behind, let them know you are there! Bikers/Riders, please call out “Passing on your Right” or left and give the Trekker a minute to orient themselves before overtaking.

• Eat Dinner in Peace! While we know that it is very tempting to want to talk to the team and the Trustees at dinner, unless it is URGENT, we kindly ask that you give them a moment to eat. If you feel that you can’t pin them down it’s likely because they are all working very hard and have not been able to sit down long enough!

• MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK! If you find yourself annoyed because you’re waiting for something - how about offering a hand?

HORSE ETIQUETTE:

On the Trek for Life, we have a few rules that we expect all Horse Riders to follow for the safety of everyone.

We wish to make it clear that if we (the Trustees) feel there is a risk to the Health and Safety of the other horses and/or our trekkers, we will take actions to mitigate it, and if it is severe or high risk enough, you may be asked to leave. (This is a last resort and we will do our best to sort it as we don't really want you to leave!).

1. Horses are paddocked in Communal Paddocks. 

We have around 160 horses each year, they will be split into up to 5 paddocks (not including the Marshall and Hire Horses which have their own paddock). When you are assigned a paddock they will be colour coded at the Vet Check, please keep your horse in this paddock for the entire week, as each paddock generally sorts their pecking order within the first day or two and then settles down. If your horse has buddies that you want to be paddocked together then it is best to head to Vet Check as a group.

2. Your horse must respect tape fences. 

We (and the landowners that so generously allow us to use their land) do not have the facilities to yard all the horses, so they must be ok behind tape, ideally whether it is electric or not, although we do have Solar Electric Fence units that are used. If you are unsure, it may be worthwhile paddocking your horse in a tape pen over the weeks leading up to the Trek to ensure they are ok - and if you can hook it up to a solid electric fence so they get a good zap as well that would be ideal!

3. Halters are to be left on horses when they are in the paddocks.

Please be prepared and bring a halter that does not have the lead rope permanently attached. We know that some are hesitant to leave halters on horses for safety, however our paddocks are usually clear. Not only is this to help us and the Wranglers should horses need to be caught quickly, but also it means their identification tag is present so we can locate the owner if needed. Ropes around the neck are not sufficient - you can purchase quick release halters if you are concerned.

If we find the wrong coloured tag in the paddock you will be fined $50 each time. This is for the safety of horses so please comply.

4. Horse Paddock Curfew.

There are to be no humans in the Horse Paddocks between 9pm and 6am, bar our Wranglers if needed.

If you have forgotten to feed/cover your horse it will have to survive until the morning.

Please do not feed horses in the communal paddocks, and preferably do not take feed buckets into the paddocks to catch your horses - you will likely get mobbed. 

5. No Horses in Camp. 

This is pretty straightforward. There are signs posted. If you walk past a sign then you are in Camp. If you don't understand this, and we see your horse in camp there will be a $50 fine per horse, per event. 

6. Don't bunch at the gate to leave.

Please respect that the Gate Marshalls have a very important job of keeping track of everyone who leaves (and arrives back at) Camp and it takse them a minute to record your number. We know you are all eager to hit the trail but don't forget that it is not a race. You don't all have to be in your saddles crammed at the gate at the time specified at Muster the night before. 

7. Red tail ribbons. 

If your horse has an attitude, or does not like other horses in its space, please ensure that you put a red ribbon in your tail, and wherever possible keep to one side of the track in order to let others pass safely. If you see a red ribbon, give them space!

8. Passing on the trail etiquette. 

When near bikers/walkers, please ensure that you call out as you approach them to let them know which side you intend to pass on i.e. "Passing on your right". Please pass only at a walk, as many of our Bikers/Walkers are not horse people and can find the size intimidating. If you cannot pass immediately, please be patient! You have 4 legs working under you - our Bikers and Walkers are doing the Trek under their own steam and often are in the “zone”

9. Speed on the trail.

When on the trail, and if you wish to go for a canter/blat, please do not race around blind corners. Only do this when you can see clear space in front of you and can come back to a walk before you go around a corner or catch up to another Trekker. Please also check with other horses around you that it is ok to leave at speed - don't just take off!

10. Keep to the track.

While it is tempting to explore, please stay on the track. We rely on the generosity of landowners to allow us to pass through, so please respect their land, and leave nothing but footprints behind.

11. Horse Feed.

This year horse feed is still the same: FibreFresh FibrePro and Dunstan Coolfeed. Please note that due to Covid Dunstan were unable to sponsor this entirely, so we are asking that when you feed your horses, please do not waste it, and do not take bags of feed to your vehicles - they are not free! We are paying for the feed this year.

12. Horse Wash Down

We were lucky enough to be donated a water pump for the horse wash by some of our lovely trekkers (Amanda F and Eric & Jeanine)! This year, the wash down area will be open from 3pm each day. If you arrive back to camp in a rush, and if the horse wash is not ready, then just relax, have a drink and be patient. Please remember that we have to truck all the water in to camp each day and that the Caterers, the Showers, the Toilets, the Drinking Water Station, the Horse Paddocks and the Horse Wash all rely on water. Please be considerate of your water use - just wash the important bits - your horse doesn't need a bubble bath each day!

13. No extra horses

Due to the fact that we have around 160 horses, and the limited paddocking available we have had to make that call that extra horses are not able to be brought this year. Please respect this as it was not a decision made lightly.