EquiCaching

Cache Listing Requirements/Guidelines

Before a cache is published on the website, it will be reviewed for inaccuracies, bad coordinates, and compliance with these guidelines. The physical cache site is not verified. As the cache owner, you are responsible for the placement and care of your Equicache.

Before placing and submitting a cache please review the these guidelines. Equicaching is a new and untested sport, and  these guidelines are subject to change as the sport progresses. 

If a cache has been published and violates any guidelines listed below, please report it.

If you believe that your cache may be questionable, you are encouraged to add a note to the cache page or email the webmaster. The reviewer will read the note and take the information into consideration. All notes to reviewers will be removed before the caches are published. Caches that are temporarily put on hold are done so due to a lack of information. You will be emailed with any reasons for a delay in your listing.

By submitting a cache listing, you assure us that you have adequate permission to hide your cache and ride horses in the selected location. However, if a cache description mentions ignoring "No Trespassing" signs "Private Land" (or any other obvious issues), your listing may be immediately deleted.  We also assume that your cache placement complies with all applicable laws. If an obvious legal issue is present, or is brought to our attention, your listing may be immediately deleted.

Caches may be quickly deleted if we see the following (which is not inclusive):

• Caches on land managed by an agency that prohibits any caching activities, such as the U.S. National Park Service or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (National Wildlife Refuges)
• Caches that are buried. If a shovel, trowel or other "pointy" object is used to dig, whether in order to hide or to find the cache, then it is not appropriate.
• Caches that deface public or private property, whether a natural or man-made object, in order to provide a hiding place, a clue or a logging method.
• Caches placed in areas which are highly sensitive to the extra traffic that would be caused by horses and humans (examples may include archaeological or historic sites).
• Caches hidden in close proximity to active railroad tracks. 
  
• Caches near or on military installations.

Do not place a cache on private property. Even if you have permission to ride there, it is not fair to the land owners to open their property to other riders.

In addition, there may be local regulations already in place for certain types of parks in your region (state parks, county preserves, etc.). There are many local saddle clubs that would be able to help you out with those regulations.  A reviewer may request that you provide contact information for the person who gave you permission to hide your cache.

If the Equicaching.com web site is contacted and informed that your cache has been placed inappropriately, your cache may be disabled and you may be contacted with any information provided by the individual or organization who contacted us.

Cache Types (from Geocaching.com)

Cache Sizes

Cache sizes for all caches that have a physical container.

• Micro (35 mm film canister or smaller less than approximately 3 ounces or .1 liters -- typically containing only a logbook)
• Small (Sandwich-sized Tupperware-style container or similar -- less than approximately 1 quart or litre -- holds trade items as well as a logbook)
• Regular (Tupperware-style container or ammo can)
• Large (5 gallon/20 liter bucket or larger)

Traditional Caches

This is the original cache type consisting of (at a bare minimum) a container and a logbook. The cache may be filled with objects for trade. Normally you'll find a Tupperware-style container, ammo box, or bucket filled with goodies, or smaller container ("microcache") too small to contain items except for a logbook. The coordinates listed on the traditional cache page are the exact location of the cache. A container with just an object or codeword for verification, and no logbook, generally, does not qualify as a traditional cache.  Caches that require the equicacher to do something beyond finding the container and signing the logbook generally do not qualify as traditional caches.

Multi-Caches

There are many variations to multi-stage caches. The most common is that in which the first container or waypoint contains or provides coordinates to the next location. Another popular variant is a series of multiple waypoints, each of which provide partial coordinates for the final cache's position. Please provide the coordinates of all stages of the multicache. The posted coordinates are for the first stage.  Use the "Additional Waypoints" feature when submitting the multi-cache coordinates for the other stages.  If you don't want the coordinates for the rest of the stages displayed, be sure to mark them as "hidden". Doing this will hide the coordinates from view by anyone except the owner and website volunteers.

Offset caches are a variation on multi-caches. They are listed as a multi-cache when selecting a cache type. They are not found by simply going to some coordinates and finding a cache there. With the offset cache the published coordinates could be of an existing historical monument, plaque, or even a benchmark that you would like to have your cache hunter visit. At this spot, the hunter looks for numbers or information already appearing on the marker or on some part of the marker or site (seekers NEVER deface public or private property). The seeker is then able to manipulate these numbers or information using instructions posted on the cache page to continue the hunt.

Guidelines for all caches:

For all physical caches and way points, think carefully about how your container and the actions of equicaching will be perceived by the public. To reduce confusion and alarm when a cache is discovered accidentally, clearly label your container on the outside with appropriate information to say it is an equicache.  Cover any military markings with paint or a sticker.  Include an explanatory "stash note" inside your cache.  Common sense in selecting hiding spots and containers can reduce the risk of your cache being perceived as a danger to those who are unaware of our sport.

You as the owner of the cache must visit the site and obtain the coordinates with a GPS. GPS usage is an essential element of equicaching. Therefore, although it is possible to find a cache without a GPS, the option of using accurate GPS coordinates as an integral part of the cache hunt must be demonstrated for all physical cache submissions.

For all physical caches, there must be a logbook, scroll or other type of log for Seekers to record their visit.

For all caches that include multiple way points please report all the additional coordinates using the "Additional Waypoints" feature.  If you don't want a set of coordinates displayed on your cache page, be sure to mark them as "hidden". Doing this will hide the coordinates from view by anyone except the owner and website volunteers.

In the interest of file security, caches that require the downloading, installing or running of data and/or executables will not be published.

Caches that require a Seeker to visit another website will not be published if the finder must create an account with, or provide personal information to, the other website.

Your cache should be in place and ready to hunt at the time your cache page is submitted for review.

Cache Maintenance

The cache owner will assume all responsibility of their cache listings. 

The responsibility of your listing includes quality control of posts to the cache page. Delete any logs that appear to be bogus, counterfeit, off topic, or not within the stated requirements.

As the cache owner, you are also responsible for physically checking your cache periodically, and especially when someone reports a problem with the cache (missing, damaged, wet, etc.).

The territory in which a Rider is able to maintain cache responsibly will vary from one person to the next. An active Rider who regularly visits areas hundreds of miles apart can demonstrate their ability to maintain a cache 100 miles from home. A Rider whose previous finds and hides are all within 25 miles of their home would likely not see their cache published if placed 250 miles away from their home.

If you have special circumstances, please describe your maintenance plan on your cache page. For example, if you have made arrangements with a local Rider to watch over your distant cache for you, that Rider's name should be mentioned on your cache page.

Cache Permanence

When you report a cache on the Equicaching.com web site, Seekers should (and will) expect the cache to be there for a realistic and extended period of time. Therefore, caches that have the goal to move ("traveling caches"), or temporary caches (caches hidden for less than 3 months or for events) most likely will not be published. If you wish to hide caches for an event, bring printouts to the event and hand them out there.

Caches that Solicit

Solicitations are off-limits. For example, caches perceived to be posted for religious, political, charitable or social agendas are not permitted. Equicaching is supposed to be a light, fun activity, not a platform for an agenda.

Virtual Caches

A virtual cache is an existing, permanent landmark of a unique nature. The seeker must answer a question from the landmark and verify to the cache owner that he was physically at the location.

Virtual Cache Logging Guidelines

Logging a virtual cache find requires compliance with the requirements stated by the owner, including answering the required questions by e-mail to the owner, providing original photos if so requested, etc. Answers to questions, hints or clues should not be placed in the logs, even if encrypted.