Tack etc

A few generations ago when the horse was used as the main transport then equipment and the knowledge of how to use it was commonplace. Today though the horse has never been so popular it is really surprisingly very difficult to find out about what to use and how for more than a short hack.

We haven’t found any books or much info on the subject but just picked up bits and pieces and ideas from here and there.

A lot of good equipment comes from the Endurance Riding, which is one of the most forward looking equine sports for comfort of rider and horse.

Baler Cord & Pocket Knife: Don’t leave home without it was regulation requirement in the pocket of a pony club rider and with good reason. Carry several pieces of cord neatly rolled up and perhaps taped so it doesn’t come apart and you can use it for all sort of emergency tack etc.

Tie Loop: A Baler cord tie made up in a loop about 60cm (2feet) long is a most useful item which we learnt to use on treks in New Zealand. This can be quickly looped around itself around a post, tree or similar and equally importantly undone easily (add picture) Carry at least two.

Saddles: Comfort for horse and rider is first priority. An old hard saddle can be improved by a suede covered gel "seat Saver" which straps over the top and is quite a boon. They cost £30-£40 from………………..

A good quality (£500 +) general purpose saddle suits most people, it is quite surprising how much more comfortable they are now.

Some people use endurance saddles and sing their praises, these have plenty of D rings built in which you other wise have to get you saddler to retro fit 2 on both sides on the rear flaps, perhaps one or three even in the centre back if you are really keen as you can attach rolled up sweat rugs or long coats to. Check that the front D rings are strong enough to attach things to.

Another way to assist prevention of saddle ache is to wear padded or gel cycling underwear which some find very beneficial.

The best way to prevent saddle-soreness is no doubt to ride hard 6 times a week for all your life but not all of us can manage that...

Really good wool Numna the most expensive and best you can get will pay dividends and look after it, comb and clean by hand with special cleaning fluid really often

Most long distance riders worldwide use American style equipment, see the thelongridersguild.com is an amazing website and shows extensive equipment and pack horse stuff. Hurunui.co.nz the New Zealand horse tour operator has more packing info.

However in the UK most people ride English and it just needs a bit of adapting to carry equipment well.

Bridles: Whatever suits your horse is fine. The Nylon Endurance type has the great advantage that they have a built in head collar and the bits can easily be removed to allow easier grazing at a lunch stop.(about £30 from Libby’s…………..and Endurance suppliers)

Head-collar: essential if not using and endurance bridle, make sure that it doesn’t rub if on for long periods the thinnest type available is probably best for long use. If you have to use paddocks which are a badly fenced and have potential hazards and feel you must leave a head collar on then the safety /Velcro type ones are useful which come off when caught up (about £15 from Libby’s………………….

Neck Strap: built in to a martingale or similar is most useful to hold onto in difficult circumstances which are too many to list and include simply getting on the horse in the middle of no-where.

Stirrups: Some people use traditional ones, others with tired or old knees that give them real trouble look for better solutions. Endurance type wide nylon ones (£50 –£90) give great comfort and the ones with cages enable the safe wearing of trainers in the summer.

Another traditional looking type has rubber covered chains which give a better leg position and are much less tiring for some reason, Sprenger brand are about £60 and Shires do a simpler budget version for about £25.

The danger of being dragged in a stirrup is a worry if you come off in the wrong circumstances. The caged endurance ones prevent this as do "bent iron" and rubber ring to the side types. Another solution is the Barnes Buckle which can attach to any stirrup and releases in a fall (about £25 from………..

Stirrup leathers: make sure they are in good condition…perhaps on a long trip carry a spare. Foam covered sleeves (£10) are available from Endurance supplies which certainly reduce leg chaffing. When Hunting or riding at Speed especially down hill then a hole or two shorter gives much more control. On distance rides a hole or two longer will be more comfortable. Occasionally adjusting up or down a hole during a long journey can also help

Girths: Comfort for horse is essential. Endurance type foam covered sleeves are available (about £20) which are good but must be kept clean or will make matters worse.

Lead Ropes: Obvious but easily forgotten, can be looped around the neck or tied in a tight coil to a D ring. Longer ones are available for lead-reining a novice rider or a pack horse .tie several spread out knots in it and it helps keep a hold. Best for leading is a soft hemp rope that you can sometimes get from ships chandlers, much nicer to the hands and less rope burn.

Water Bottles: simple ones (£7-10) clip to the front D ring, others fit into a variety of panniers. One or two of these are essential on long trips.

Hunting Flasks: Whilst drinking to Excess and riding is not recommended a saddle mounted leather cased long flask with a wee drop is most welcome on a cold day… and also is very pleasant to be able to offer to someone who may give you advice or do you a favour that you meet on your travels who will appreciate the thought. The old silver & glass bottle antique type are not really practical and are very expensive.

Some saddlers are now offering brand new ones in pewter which are very good and long enough (like a baton) to pass around from a horse. Do make sure that it has a very easy to open retained top, some don’t and are impossible to use easily. Excellent ones are available from Acorn Saddlery, South Molton 01769 573847… by post (about (130)

Front Panniers: Rarely seen in UK but much used abroad particularly with American style saddles where very large front panniers are used and just a bed/coat roll behind.

Front panniers are so much more convenient for small items: camera, chocolate, etc and you are less likely to lose things as you may notice that they are not zipped up properly.

Cheap small rear panniers( about £13 )are widely available inc Town & Country supplies, Broadclyst 01392 461420,these are actually meant to be rear ones but fit on the front with 2 large pockets and two bottles, not very tough but good novice gear and good value

Endurance riders often used a small type which has a bottle, small holder and tiny map case about £35 from Raddery Equine………… Larger and very useful multi pocketed types are ideal from about £15 -45: performance Equine 01366 727543.

Small Rear Bags: ones to go on the D rings are widely available and are very useful. They do flap about a bit though and can be very irritating in a wind at a fast gallop unless very carefully strapped. Performance Equine does a specific one to take a Shoof (temporary horse shoe). Acorn Saddlery 01769 573847 does a nice soft leather one with a picnic box inside (£25).

Rear Bags/ Panniers: Ideal for longer trips but difficult to find good ones. Be very careful when introducing them that any underbelly straps are not too tight. It will make some horses buck big time…..

There are lots of cheap ones (£15 -25) but a most will fail very quickly in all departments. Some people adapt cycle panniers or other bags. All will require two sets of D rings on the saddle. A very good set are made by the German company Ortliebb (about £100) with optional add on small bags (10 each). A big extra top bag to go like a big roll across the top is available (£40) which would carry a horse rug or tent. But we found they rubbed unless you make something especially soft to add onto it for protection.

These are quite complicated to set up at first but are really good and most importantly doing not flap about. Available only by mail order via any Ortliebb stockist: e.g. traveldri pus 01647 24523 See their Website for details.www.ortliebb.com

There would no doubt be excellent horse touring equipment available from other countries particularly the US, See once again thelongridersguild.com for equipment &panniers to take you and your muskets and axes to Siberia but it all fits US type saddles. Please let us know of any more English style panniers you have heard of that actually work.

Panniers make your horse wider and so whenever possible put then on and off outside the stable. When riding through gateways and any narrow spaces leave extra room & make sure all straps do not dangle where they can catch on Gate latches etc. Be especially careful of Barbed wire fences.

Make sure that they are approximately carrying the same weight or they will slip one way…Pack Horse panniers need to be weighed with a spring balance weight to within a pound before every trip otherwise……

If you are not used to panniers and rear bags etc then try mounting and dismounting a few times as you have to swing your leg much higher. It is very easy to get caught …

Riding Hats: Safety and comfort are the essentials. Many riders now use the endurance derived plastic lightweight Troxel brand ones that are far more comfortable and safer than the traditional ones.( ride-away 01347 810443 or Performance Equestrian 01366 727543).

White ones are cooler in summer, the matt black Legacy Gold types are better looking perhaps and have smaller holes to let the rain in ( about £30 -£45). Strange looking large hat covers are available to go over hats for extra rain/sun protection and have their fans, available from Raddery Equine. They can however annoyingly blow around in strong wind. Silk covers are not a good idea on the moor as they so often blow away.

Whips: always carry one so that at the least you can guide your horse in a safer direction when necessary. A strong Hunting whip with a good handle will make opening gates so very much easier and the lash may come in useful to get out of bogs or to shy away dangerous dogs, moor stallions etc. Buy one at Farm sales etc or a new one about £60 + and a (short) lash about £35 from Acorn Saddlery 01769 573847……………………….

Boots: The choice is large… but one brand, Mountain Horse now supplies short and long boots with steel toe caps which give more confidence near horses in confined spaces. Ariat do brilliant quality endurance lightweight running/walking riding short boots with laces £75-£90.

Sweat Rugs: Don’t forget that a horse that’s traveled a while can soon get cold, particularly if clipped. It is possible to carry a sweat rug clipped to the rear of the saddle, and it may also have other uses on a tour