Tell me how you gear up for trails...

[Mandzanita]

How do you gear yourself and your horse up for trails? What do you bring, what do you put on your horse, what special tack items do you use? I'm interested in seeing how everyone does the trail thing. :cowboy:

[JetLagaside]

Since most of my trail riding is right from the barn....I don't do anything different than if I'm going to ride in the ring LOL I know not what you wanted to hear :)
If we are trailering out then I try to bring a hoof pick with me but most of the trails I end up on are pretty well groomed. As the weather gets cooler the sheep skin seat saver comes out or if I know I'm going to be out for 2 hrs :) what a wonderful thing it is!
The cell phone goes with out saying that I have it and it's on me - not the horse.
I do have a pomel bag on my list of things to pick up at Equine Affaire this year, it would be so nice to have and for the few places we ride that we have maps for it would be handy.

[Cat]

We don't go on super long trail rides yet, so usually a bottle holder with water.

[vicklynn]

I usually have my horn bags. They consist of water holders on one side, both filled. The other side contains an extra bridle, nylon so it scrunches up, small container of medicine, bandages, wrap, trail knife(which has everything on it) camera(in plastic bag), wet wipes, kleenex, small container of fly spray. Beings I found I lost a stirup hobble once, I now carry one of those. I need to put some bailing twine in there also. And yes, it all fits..lol
First pic, large area, 1/2 full, so there is plenty of room for the twine, and still room left. I bag things, they fit better.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a155/vicklynn/100_2351.jpg
this is the smaller pouch, holds wipes, kleenex, ect. I had splenda in there, had tea on a ride...lol.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a155/vicklynn/100_2352.jpg
Both together
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a155/vicklynn/100_2354.jpg
like I said, the water holders are on the other side of the pouch. This one is extending, so it can be used as a small pack on the back of the saddle too.

[Equine_Woman]

Well I only ride trails now. . .and I don't do it as often as I'd like. (was going every weekend but Sterling was working too much and it was just too hard for her to keep weight on.)

We trailer but we don't use boots or anything special in the trailer (I used to wrap for every trailer ride) but that got to take too long and since we only go about 30 minutes I didn't think it was all that necessary.

Sterling goes bare legged now but when we were doing endurance she went in her SmB and bell boots. Now we just walk. I ride in an endurance saddle with big floppy saddle bags full of water, maps, toilet paper (just in case) plastic sack (just in case) whistle, first aid kit, light sticks (just in case), hoof pick, and vet wrap. We generally ride about 15 miles a trip and that's about my limit (or rather my hiney's). I use a sheepskin cover on my saddle but the jury is still out on if it makes it better or not. I also have the large flat stirrups for trail riding. They are supposed to keep your legs from going to sleep. . and they have cushions in them. Not sure if they work but I still use them.

For at the trail head I bring Sterling water in my saddle rack (it's a 50 gallon water container) and a bucket. Brushes, fly spray, bug spray, and sunscreen. If you aren't going to be too far from home or there is water available on the trail you don't have to bring the water. (in fact I haven't had to for some time now! )

Oh and don't forget the CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!! And yes be sure to ride with your car keys and your cell phone on you and not Biggs!! Cause if Biggs dumps you he won't call for help for you or go get the truck!

Edited to add: I ride Sterling with a halter and lead rope attached at all times that way if the bridle breaks for any reason I have a back up I can go to without even getting off.

[Dixie]

Small vet kit, with super glue, iodine swabs or pads(pre packaged), vet wrap, some gauge. Easy boot, hoof pick, sharp folding knife-usually a swiss army type, though they make a neat cowboy one that has everything and a hoof pick. Hay string, extra nylon bridle, leather straps, duct tape, tylenol/advil, sunscreen, flyspray, benedryl, chapstick, flash light, rain poncho. I think thats all, besides snacks and water, that go in the horn bags.

[WashingtonBay]

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=194&pictureid=1695

I have a couple different combinations of small saddle bags that I carry that will hold our first aid kit for horse and human, a snack, and a couple of water bottles. Hubby has a larger pack and he carries a halter and lead rope for us, his own water, and a pretty good length of rope.

We also usually have our gps, our cell phone, and of course, a camera (which I keep in a small front bag on my saddle)

[vicklynn]

Aww yes, things I see to add. Chapstick, sunscreen, rain gear(if needed, goes on the back of the saddle). Should have a small medicine bag for me hu? Good idea.
My phone and keys ride on my hip, so thats not an issue.
Good ideas folks.
Oh, I got all kinds of goodies in the trailer. Has its own stuff in there, brushes galore, boots, ect, broom, fly spray, water from home, water bucket, hay bags. Extra halters and leads. Lunge lines and lunge whip.

[vicklynn]

Hey WB? That brush bag, how do you put it on the door? I like it. I just bought one of those shoe holders, you hang it over the door, at walmart. It hangs where your bridles are.

[WashingtonBay]

That's a nifty thing that was on our trailer when we bought it. It's mounted to the door with little swivel locking bolt thingies.

I'd look for it as an accessory sold by horse trailer outfits.

[vicklynn]

Thanks, Ill check into it.

[Mandzanita]

Wow, great stuff girls! I'm writing it all down and I'm going to order those horn bags you posted on my other thread Vick, thanks for the link! Some of that stuff I wouldn't even think to bring! Havn't been on enough trails I guess, lol.

I plan on taking care of that problem by getting out there before winter, we are both bored to death of arena work and it's about time we graduate. So far we've just gone on 30 minute walk/trots to the trail head and a little bit farther in. The way we get to our trails is a 30 min. bike path right next to the highway so I've been getting him used to that path with bikes wizzing by pretty close to him as well as traffic sounds because we will have to endure it every time we want to go to on a trail. He's been pretty good about it though. He'll flinch a little when bikes come from behind us but I usually try to have him bend to the side a little so he can see them before they are right next to him. It's kind of annoying because some of the bikers are stupid and not safe when they come ripping around corners but it's good for him I think. Wish I had a trailer!! I do know that once we get out on the trails they are BEAUTIFUL and have great views, I can't wait.

[Arrow]

Everyone tells you to wear your cell on your, not your horse--but here's an extra tip--put your cell number somewhere on the horse, that way if you part company, whoever finds him can call you! I caught a couple loose, tacked up horses once, and the guy had his number in his saddle bag, I had my cell, and I called him!

[jeezitsjacki]

well mine is not very exciting since we go out straight from the barn and our longest ride is probably only a little over 2 hours. We simply just bring a cell phone.. sometimes we are bad and dont even bring that because it is hard when we both wear breeches.. ill have to find a way around that one.

[valleyrider]

I just leave from my back yard so I do not bring much. It also depends on the time of year I am riding. My cell phone, camera, bottle water, chapstick,granola bars, butterscotch candys, hoof pick, jacket.
Arrow, great idea about the cell phone # on your horse. You know what would work,, go to Walmart and get a dog tag made up with is name and #. put it on his bridle. Good idea huh??:cool:

[rocknK]

Nobody mentioned whisky....never know when you'll need it, for snakebite don't you know!:cowboy:

[walkinthewalk]

Anything over five hours:

1. Sports-bottled water for myself and my horse in case there are no clear and fast moving streams. All my horses have learned to drink from one --- I require it:cowboy:

2. A spare set of reins that cost me 80 cents to make. Three braided "plastic" binder twines, with 40-cent snap on each end. I carefully melt the plastic ends with a match. The reins are one piece similar to roping reins. They also are a cheap investment to give away if you're riding with someone else that has broke a rein.

3. One hard salami/muenster cheese sandwich on deli rye, with hot mustard (YUMMM). Maybe a small bag of chips too.

4. Hoof pick.

5. OFF! fly spray during bug season because I can use it on the horse and myself, thus eliminating carrying an added can.

6. A spray can of Fural. Again all purpose and I'd use it on myself if need be. Knock-on-wood, in all my years of trail riding and literally sliding my horses down hills, I have only had to get out the Fural can a handful of times and those were minor. I just sprayed to keep the flies off the wound.

7. TOILET paper ---- don't forget the toilet paper!!

8. In the old days, money if I knew I might be heading in the general direction of the local road house where I could get a soda and a burger. Nupe no alcohol used when on top of my horse or the snowmobile:nono:

9. Cell phone attached to ME. What good is the phone if it's in your saddlebag and you & your horse part company?

10. The camera -- DON'T forget the camera!

11. My snub-nose revolver if I am riding alone. I was raised in a family of hunters, so guns and compound bows are a way of life for me. Why I LOVE Sara Palin:cool::cool:

Anything under five hours, delete numbers 3,5,6,8, sometimes 10:cowboy:

As far as the trailer is concerned for a day ride:

1. Correct coggins papers for the horse(s)
2. Spare halter and lead line.
3. Water buckets AND water.
4. Feed pan for a little feed when it's time to load up and go home (day rides).
5. Full haybag plus a couple extra flakes.
6. Shovel and broom to clean trailer if it's parked where I'm allowed to throw out the horse pukky:cowboy:
7. My pistol.

Overnighters (in addition to the above), and it depends on the time of year:
1. More hay, feed, water in the trailer.
2. Sleeping equipment & clothes, plus the trusty toothbrush & toothpaste:cowboy:
3. Extra pair of shoes or boots.
4. Extra $$$ and credit card in case there's a mechnical break down.
5. Brushes, bath bucket and Absorbine. If it's hot after a ride, I fill a bucket w/water, add a couple caps of Absorbine and wipe the horse down. He enjoys this reward after a hard day's work, plus it helps relax the muscles.

My horses wore shoes, back when I was hard trail riding. If The Boys were about due for a re-set, I carried a pair of shoe pullers in case someone hooked a shoe. Thankfully I never needed to do that, for which I give all my past shoers a double ^5 for their expertise:cool:

If it seems like I travel light, it's because I do. I also biked for many years and learned how to pack efficiently in one over-sized Harley Davidson saddlebag for a WEEK:eek: So I only need the bare necessities to keep myself from looking homeless - lol lol lol

If I overpack for anyone, it's always the horses.

[gaited07]

My short trails I will ride with a waist bag (similar to what is pic'ed on pg 1.) which consists of a water bottle, lip balm, keys, phone, ipod and snacks for my horse.

Now my long rides;

Horn bag- two water bottles, knife, needle nose pliers,binoculars, carrots/apples, snacks, camera, Kleenex, lip balm, rain slicker,?.

Saddle bag(insulated)- more water bottles, sandwich/lunch, extra lead rope, electrolytes, added jacket.

[AppyLover]

I use a pocket pad and load up lunch two waters and some apples and carrots for the horse. I also, keep my cell phone, keys, chapstick, leatherman, and a hoof pick on me. Abby just keeps her halter on under her bridle and my lead is long enough I just tie it to my saddle. And I ware a hat.