What to Buy for a Horseback Riding Picnic

A horseback riding picnic needs more than picnic food and a basket for each rider. You’ll need practical serving equipment, chilled drinks, shade, seating and clearly labelled food that can wait while the group is on the trail. Plan separate supplies for the ride itself, the picnic setup and the return to the meeting point. This checklist helps you buy the right quantities and avoid forgotten items such as ice packs, helmets, dietary labels and emergency lighting.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 36
Party tentsqty 2
Picnic blanketsqty 6
Buffet tablesqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable bowlsqty 40
Reusable glassesqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 36
Cutlery setsqty 40
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Ice packsqty 20
Bottle openersqty 3
Kitchen tongsqty 3
Aluminum foilqty 2
Food storage containersqty 12
Serving jugsqty 4

Equipment

Kettleqty 2
Portable speaker

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Rechargeable lampsqty 6

Decorations

Table runnersqty 6
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Menusqty 6

Sports equipment

Riding helmetsqty 20
Safety vestsqty 20
Cleaning kitsqty 4
Haltersqty 20
Lunge linesqty 4
Saddle coversqty 20
Horse blanketsqty 4
Buckets of waterqty 6

Safety

First aid kit
Flashlightsqty 4
Reflective vestsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Hand soapqty 2
Towelsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Whole wheat loaves - 4 loaves
- Mini wraps - 60 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Hummus - 1.5 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Smoked chicken breast - 1.5 kilograms
- Back ham - 1 kilogram
- Vegetarian slices - 1 kilogram
- Egg salad - 1 kilogram
- Pesto spread - 500 grams
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 10 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Mixed salad - 1.5 kilograms
- Potato salad - 3 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 3 kilograms
- Quinoa salad - 2 kilograms
- Olives - 1 kilogram
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 24 pieces
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Melons - 3 pieces
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Salted nuts - 1 kilogram
- Rice cakes - 4 packs
- Brownies - 50 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Mayonnaise - 1 kilogram
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Balsamic dressing - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 grinder
- Fresh basil - 4 bunches
- Tap water - 30 liter
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 30 bottles
- Wheat beer - 30 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 500 grams
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls

Tips

Allow around 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then add 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Chill them before departure and keep a separate cooler for water.
Pack 1 reusable plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Bring serving platters, tongs, knives and cutting boards so food can be portioned without using personal tableware.
Prepare clearly labelled portions for dietary requirements at least 1 day before the picnic. Use food storage containers and aluminum foil to keep salads, snacks and prepared dishes protected during transport.
Bring 1 picnic blanket for every 2–3 people and enough folding chairs for anyone who cannot sit comfortably on the ground. Add party tents or another form of shade if the location has no covered area.
Count riding helmets before the group arrives and match one to each rider. Pack rechargeable lamps or string lights if the picnic may continue after sunset, and keep coolers, thermos flasks and ice packs ready before the horses are collected.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a horseback riding picnic?: Plan one main picnic portion and 2–3 snacks per person. Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1 more drink per person for every additional hour, with extra water for warm weather.
What should I pack for a horseback riding picnic?: Pack food, water, coolers, ice packs, reusable plates, bowls, glasses, cutlery, serving utensils, napkins, blankets and shade. Also bring one riding helmet per rider, plus labelled food for dietary requirements and emergency contact details.
How early should I prepare the picnic food?: Prepare salads, snacks and labelled dietary portions the day before when possible. Chill drinks and load coolers on the morning of the ride, ideally 1–2 hours before the group leaves.
How many picnic blankets and chairs do I need?: Allow 1 picnic blanket for every 2–3 people. Provide 1 folding chair per guest who needs back support, and bring at least 10% extra seating or blankets if the final participant count may change.

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