The 2026 drive is drawing near.  Here are some reminders related to horse rules and pointers.

Required Rules & Regulations

• All horses MUST present proof of a negative Coggins test at check-in.

• Riders should expect to travel 10 miles or more per day, with saddle time potentially up to 8 hours daily. Portions of the route will be off improved trails. Horses must be properly conditioned and capable of handling these rigorous conditions.

• The event veterinarian(s) will make the final determination regarding the health and condition of any horse. All veterinary decisions are final.

• No ponying, with or without a rider. Riders must be able to handle their own horse, regardless of age.

• No doubling — one horse, one rider.

• NO STUD HORSES.

• No bareback riding is permitted.

• Horses known to kick must be marked with a red ribbon on the tail.
  Horses known to bite must be marked with a red ribbon on the forelock or bridle.

• Riders must maintain control of their horse at all times. Any horse deemed uncontrollable or unsafe by the circle boss or executive committee will be removed from the ride with no refund.

• Abuse or neglect of horses will not be tolerated. Anyone found abusing a horse will be immediately ejected from the ride with no refund.

• The Great Florida Cattle Drive and its staff are not responsible for the custody or care of sick or injured horses.
  The owner or rider is fully responsible for the care and custody of their horse.

• No horse may be left unattended in camp.

Sick or Injured Horses

• The owner of a sick or injured horse is responsible for arranging transportation through their circle boss.

• If a horse becomes sick or injured, or if a rider chooses not to continue:

  • The horse and rider will be transported one time to the next campsite (or to the rider’s trailer if deemed unable to continue) without penalty.

  • Any horse and/or rider requiring transportation more than once will be charged $100 and will not be allowed to continue in the cattle drive.

• If GFCD staff must perform these duties because the owner or rider fails to make appropriate arrangements, a $100 fee will be assessed prior to completion of the task.

Rider Safety Requirements

• All riders age 16 and under must wear an approved equestrian helmet, in accordance with Florida helmet law.

• Horses must be trained in multiple forms of restraint.
  Pens or stalls are NOT provided.

Recommendations for a Successful Ride

• Begin conditioning your horse (and yourself) now. This is not a casual trail ride, and saddle time will be significantly longer than many riders and horses are accustomed to.

• Horses should be well desensitized to potential hazards, including but not limited to:

  • Cattle

  • Horse-drawn wagons

  • Flags

  • Crowds

  • Tents and tarps

  • Vehicles

• Horses must be comfortable traveling across varied terrain, including:

  • Extended water crossings

  • Roads/Asphalt

  • Tall brush and unimproved trails

• Pack a basic equine first aid kit in your saddlebag. Veterinarians will be on site, but riders should carry basic supplies such as:

  • Vet wrap

  • Salve

  • Banamine (or equivalent)

• Horses must be trained in multiple restraint methods, such as:

  • Hobbles

  • Ground tying

  • Picket staking
    No pens or stalls will be provided.

  • Small electric pens are permitted, but no power will be available to charge batteries, and all equipment counts toward your maximum personal gear weight.

• Feed will be provided for all horses:

  • Seminole textured sweet feed or Seminole pellets (rider’s choice)

  • You may NOT bring your own feed.

  • Begin transitioning your horse to the selected feed several months prior to the drive.

  • Hay will also be provided.

• Begin acclimating your horse to drinking water from sources other than home, including water tanks and natural water sources.

• There will be communal water troughs at the campsites. You may bring your own water bucket to keep with your gear, if you wish to get water directly from the water tanker.