How to Set Up a Hayride

Take a break from the city and treat your friends and family to some good old-fashioned fun.

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Celebrate autumn with the great ideas in this Howcast video series.

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Steps

Don't allow small children to ride unaccompanied in a truck bed or trailer, and never exceed 10 miles per hour.
Step 1

Find a trail

Find a suitable route, like a dirt road with little to no traffic, or a drivable trail through wooded areas and fields. The route should be long enough to drive 5 to 10 miles per hour for half an hour or more.
Step 2

Get a tractor

Get a vehicle for the ride. It should have the capacity for several bales of hay and be able navigate the trail. A pickup truck will work, but a tractor with an open top trailer is best.
Step 3

Test the trail

Designate a driver. Have them drive the route beforehand to make sure the trailer can handle the bumps and curves.
Step 4

Set up the campfire

Set up a spot around the midpoint to light a campfire and roast marshmallows or hot dogs.
Step 5

Load the hay

Cover the bottom of the truck bed or trailer with a layer of hay bales. Place another layer of bales lengthwise down the center, forming a bench in the middle of the bed or trailer.
Load some snacks for the ride, plus hot chocolate and blankets if it's chilly.
Step 6

Drive the trail

Gather your friends and family on a clear night at the start of the route. When they're situated comfortably, ease down the trail and soak up the tranquility of a peaceful hayride.
A 1,000-pound horse eats at least 20 pounds of hay and other roughage per day.