Planning on heading into the great wilderness with your horse? Well, maybe one of the reasons you and your horse are planning on hitting the trail is for the adventure and lack of rules and regulations you are regularly accosted with in your daily life. But wait a second. In order for you and horse to safely enjoy your backcountry adventures, there are a few rules and tips you should follow. Keep reading to prepare yourself for the best possible experience!

• The first order of business is to make sure that your horse will be able to deal with a variety of sights and sounds he is likely to encounter in the back country. You'll be much happier if you desensitize your horse to these things before you leave. A horse who is prepared for the back country should be able to load and haul, stand tied, and be hobbled. He should also be brave when it comes to crossing streams, boggy areas, and downed trees and other obstacles. He shouldn't lose his mind when confronted with the sudden movement of wildlife or other people and horses, should not be bothered by brightly colored packs and clothing, and should not be afraid of motorcycles or mopeds.

• When out in the backcountry, never tie horses to trees. If you need to confine your horses, a high picket line between trees works well. Be sure to protect the tree with something like padding or a gunny sack where the line goes around the tree. The line should be about seven feet above the ground, and the lead ropes should be tied so that the halter snap is two feet from the ground. Make sure there is a swivel in the lead rope, which will prevent it from becoming twisted or unraveled.

• Make sure your campsite is situated at least 200 feet away from lakes, rivers, and streams.

• Don't litter! Be sure to carry out everything you brought in. Burn what trash you can according to the regulations in the area, but pack  out burned cans, unburned fire debris, and garbage. And that means food scraps, too! Burying garbage or burning aluminum foil is not acceptable, and is actually illegal in most areas.

• Many federal lands prohibit packing hay or unprocessed rain, and this includes some wilderness areas and parks. Why is this stuff prohibited? Because many feedstuffs contain weeds, and bringing them into the back  country promotes the spread of noxious weeds. Many parks insist that you carry in your own weed-free feed. Cube-form alfalfa rations that are certified weed free are easy to pack, travel well, and are usually enjoyed by your horses. Check you local tack and feed stores, or ask a county extension agent, for weed-free feeds.

• Before you head out into wilderness areas and parks, always check with the proper authorities regarding camping regulations, number of people and horses allowed in a group, and trails open to horses. You don't want to have to turn around and go home once you've arrived somewhere!

• Pay special attention to campfire rules, and always abide by them. There are many campsites that don't allow open fires. Never leave a campfire unattended, and always make sure it is properly extinguished before moving on to your next location.

• Never leave horse hay or manure on trailheads or in loading areas, or in camp areas. Again, it bears repeating, clean up after yourselves!

So, when you and your horse are traveling in the back country, is there anything that is acceptable to leave behind? Actually, there is. Hoofprints!