How do you manage bathroom needs during horseback treks? It is one of the first questions that comes to mind when thinking about an itinerant trek, even though few ask it out loud.
Is there a toilet? Will I be able to take a shower at the end of the day? The short answer is: yes, everything is organized. We have simple and functional solutions to manage everything. You need to be adaptable and have that healthy spirit of adventure that allows you to enjoy new situations, but nothing is improvised. Here is how it works.
How the camp is organized: bathroom and shower
During the treks, the staff accompanies the group with a support truck. It usually arrives before us, and when we reach the bivouac, the camp is already set up.
Two dedicated tents are set up:
- a tent for the toilet
- a tent for the shower
These are closed tents with zippers, made of a washable plastic-coated material. Inside, there is a wooden base to walk on.
The service tents are set up slightly apart from the sleeping area to ensure privacy, but not too far, to facilitate use even at night.
The toilet during the trek
In the tent dedicated to the toilet, you will find a chemical camping toilet. If you have used a camper toilet before, the solution is very similar.
It consists of two parts: a base that collects solid and liquid waste and an upper part with the seat and water reserve. After use, the internal system is opened to separate the two parts, it is emptied, and then closed again to prevent odors from escaping.
Toilet paper should not be placed in the toilet but in the bin inside the tent. There is only one toilet, so some patience is necessary. Many, after the first few days, prefer the nature solution.
Can you relieve yourself in nature?
Many people prefer the open air; just find a secluded spot and follow some rules.
- Wipes, tissues, or other hygiene products must always be collected in bags and taken to the large waste bag near the truck.
- Solid waste must be covered with soil. A small shovel is available near the truck, but often the ground is soft enough to cover everything easily.
Menstrual cycle management
Managing the menstrual cycle may seem difficult at first, but it is very similar to what you might experience on any trip where you need to use facilities along the way.
Water, soap, and paper are always available. It is recommended to also bring a small personal sanitizer. As days go by, everything becomes easier. Often, participants organize together, going in pairs and helping each other.
The shower
At the bivouac, a shower tent is available; it is a simple structure with a wooden base, zipper closure, and several points to hang clothes and towels.
The system works with a bucket of hot water and a plastic cup. You wet yourself, lather up, and then rinse by pouring water over yourself. It is a basic but functional system that allows you to wash completely (even those with long hair) using little water.
Solid soap is very convenient in these cases, and a microfiber towel dries quickly. Those who prefer can alternate the shower with the use of wet wipes.
Hygiene products: what to bring
Here is a small list of useful items to bring on horseback treks to simplify bathroom management and personal hygiene.
- solid soap
- microfiber towel
- wet wipes
- bags, preferably opaque
- hand sanitizer gel
Respect and responsibility
We move through natural spaces, often far from everything, but not therefore “empty.” These are territories inhabited and worked by people, such as the shepherds we meet along the way. In these contexts, we are guests, and behaving carefully is a responsibility.
For this reason, we always collect everything that is not natural: wipes, paper, waste—all are placed in bags and taken back to the truck for proper disposal. Waste is covered with soil, and when necessary, any traces, such as toothpaste, are rinsed away. The goal is to leave as little trace as possible so that after our passage, everything returns exactly as it was.
A matter of habit
At first, everything may seem a bit complicated: understanding how the toilet works, organizing with bags, managing timing. In reality, it only takes one or two days for everything to become very natural. After becoming familiar with the spaces and the rhythm of the trek, what once seemed complicated becomes normal.
It may bring a smile because we are used to great comforts, but this also helps us return to simplicity and a more authentic contact with nature, which is ultimately the reason we choose this type of journey.