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The Right Equipment: What Do You Need for Trail Riding?
The success of a trail ride has a lot to do with the right, well-thought-out equipment: a poorly fitting saddle, a chafing girth, dangling, pinching saddle bags, or even just a scratchy seam in your riding trousers can really get on the nerves of horse and/or rider by the second day at the latest, even in the best riding weather. And especially on multi-day rides, you also need to be prepared for changes in weather, lost horseshoes, and various other eventualities. Preparation is everything!
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What Luggage for Trail Riding?
Front saddle bags, rear saddle bags, a bedroll for the front or rear saddle arch (sometimes also called a cantle bag) – there are several ways to sensibly stow your luggage for trail riding.
- Attachment: The bedroll is laid crosswise over the horse's back. Front and rear saddle bags come in pairs and are attached to the sides of the saddle.
- Capacity: Front saddle bags typically hold around 5 litres, rear saddle bags around 15 litres. Bedrolls are available with a capacity usually between 20 and 30 litres.
- How much luggage? On a multi-day trail ride with booked accommodation, front and rear saddle bags will generally get you through comfortably. Anyone wanting to camp out in the open will need one or two bedrolls for the extra luggage.
Stow Your Luggage Properly!
Make sure to distribute the weight of the luggage evenly on the right and left – and also front and back! Many trail riders are very precise about this and use a small spring scale.
All pieces of luggage must be attached to the saddle in such a way that they cannot swing or bounce up and down – not even when the horse canters! They should also, wherever possible, be supported on the saddle tree. Under no circumstances should a piece of luggage touch the horse's unprotected skin – otherwise you risk chafing.
All pieces of luggage must be attached to the saddle in such a way that they cannot swing or bounce up and down – not even when the horse canters! They should also, wherever possible, be supported on the saddle tree. Under no circumstances should a piece of luggage touch the horse's unprotected skin – otherwise you risk chafing.
Luggage must be carefully distributed and secured when trail riding. — Do not let your luggage take on a life of its own while trail riding!
How Much Weight May My Horse Carry on a Trail Ride?
You often read that a horse should generally not carry more than 15 percent of its own body weight. If your horse weighs around 500 kilos, the combined weight of saddle (5 to 15 kilos), saddle pad (about 3 kilos), rider, and luggage should therefore not exceed 75 kilos. Does this really mean that riders who are not exactly featherweights basically have no business being on a horse at all? Let alone going on a trail ride with luggage?
The 15 Percent Rule: For Guidance!
Sort of. That the 15 percent limit is too strict is disproved by numerous examples from everyday riding – many riders manage perfectly well to keep their horses healthy while riding with more than 60 kilos. Nevertheless, the rule should not be dismissed entirely.
Young or Less Trained Horses
Young or inexperienced, poorly trained horses can genuinely be harmed by carrying more load. But it is also true that:
- Robustly built horses with sturdy cannon bones can generally carry a bit more than the rule suggests, and
- A horse grows into its tasks – provided they are increased carefully.
When 25 Percent Is Possible
For sturdy, fit, well-trained horses experienced in long distances, 25 percent of their own body weight as a load on a trail ride is still okay – in our example that would be 125 kilos. This gives even a somewhat heavier rider a fair amount of leeway when it comes to luggage.
This definitely does not apply for your very first trail ride, though – another reason to train up carefully. For example with day rides carrying minimal luggage, star rides where the luggage stays at the central accommodation, or a trail ride with luggage transport.
This definitely does not apply for your very first trail ride, though – another reason to train up carefully. For example with day rides carrying minimal luggage, star rides where the luggage stays at the central accommodation, or a trail ride with luggage transport.
Only experienced and well-trained horses may carry 25 percent of their body weight. — Do not overload young horses when trail riding!
Trail Riding: What You Absolutely Need to Bring
There are no wheelie suitcases on a trail ride – everything that needs to come along, your horse carries on its back. That is why it is important to pack economically. On the other hand, you also do not want to go without anything important along the way.
Depending on what type of person you are, and how long, where, and in which season you are travelling, your trail riding packing list can of course look different. Over time, you will gain your own experience of what is truly indispensable for you and your horse on the road. But the following essentials should always be with you.
Depending on what type of person you are, and how long, where, and in which season you are travelling, your trail riding packing list can of course look different. Over time, you will gain your own experience of what is truly indispensable for you and your horse on the road. But the following essentials should always be with you.
Essentials for Trail Riders
- Clothing in layers: comfortable (ideally seamless, breathable) underwear – t-shirt – shirt or jumper – jacket – gilet (depending on the season)
- Comfortable riding trousers
- Well-worn-in ankle-high hiking boots with a heel and tread
In Your Luggage
- Change of clothes
- Raincoat or cape, possibly rain overtrousers
- Water and provisions
- Toilet paper and/or tissues
- ID, cash, bank card, insurance card
- Phone in a waterproof bag
- Small wash kit
- First-aid kit (tick tweezers, tweezers, painkillers, pain gel, activated charcoal tablets, ointment for insect bites, disinfectant spray, plasters, bandaging material), further medication as needed
- Possibly cream for saddle sores
- Possibly sunscreen and a sun hat
- Insect repellent depending on the season
- Head torch, hi-vis vest, reflective bands, boot light
- Pocket knife
- Map case with maps, compass, pen, and notepaper
- Plastic bags for rubbish and horse manure
Essentials for Trail Riding Horses
- Well-fitting, tried-and-tested trail riding saddle with accessories
- Large saddle pad (felt saddle pad, woilach – a blanket made of pure wool, or pad)
- Saddle bags
In Your Luggage
- Straps for securing the luggage (better a few too many than too few)
- Spring scale for balancing the luggage
- Rain sheet
- Leading and tying rope
- Long rope for grazing
- Halter
- Collapsible bucket and feed bag
- Concentrated feed
- Grooming kit
- Insect repellent depending on the season
- Spare horseshoes, horseshoe nails, and emergency shoeing tools
- Horse first-aid kit (eye drops; heparin gel for pressure sores; disinfectant spray, iodine ointment, aluminium spray, ready-made plasters, compresses, dressing packs, wound wadding, and self-adhesive bandages for small and larger wounds)
- Equine passport, vaccination record
If you are riding in a group, this also has the advantage that, for example, the horse first-aid kit or a mobile paddock do not need to be brought along multiple times. What is more, the load of these shared essentials can be split among the group members – which saves a significant amount of weight.
Which Trousers for Trail Riding?
The right trousers for trail riding should be robust and comfortable. Breathable in summer, warming in winter. Ideally also weatherproof – alternatively, you can pack thin weatherproof overtrousers for wet weather.
Various types of trousers are suitable for a trail ride: simply try out what works best for you!
Various types of trousers are suitable for a trail ride: simply try out what works best for you!
- Jodhpur riding trousers
- Well-worn-in jeans
- Military trousers
- Corduroy trousers with leather trim
Only Wear Tried-and-Tested Clothing
But very important: if you buy new trousers, be sure to test them first on one or, better still, several day rides – otherwise a chafing seam could end up ruining your entire lovely trail ride.
The same, incidentally, applies to shoes, jackets, and all other equipment: only use equipment on a trail ride that has already proven itself thoroughly!
The same, incidentally, applies to shoes, jackets, and all other equipment: only use equipment on a trail ride that has already proven itself thoroughly!
Rely on well-worn-in clothing and footwear when trail riding. — Tried-and-tested equipment and clothing are the most reliable companions for trail riding.
What Our Customers Say About Their Trail Riding Saddle from Iberosattel®
Uschi A.: Trail Riding with the El Primero
I can only report good things about the quality and workmanship of the leather too. Even after almost two years, the girth straps still look very good, and the saddle is in use about 4–5 times a week.
I can recommend Ibero's service to everyone. I know what I am talking about, because I have already had plenty of unpleasant experiences with other saddle makers.
I can recommend Ibero's service to everyone. I know what I am talking about, because I have already had plenty of unpleasant experiences with other saddle makers.
Carina N.: Service and Quality Completely Won Me Over ...
Service, quality, and the concept of wide bearing surfaces completely won me over. My Friesian moves noticeably more freely and more relaxed in this saddle.
I myself feel like I am sitting closer to the horse, the small thigh blocks give me enough legroom, and thanks to the galleries I still feel nicely framed.
I myself feel like I am sitting closer to the horse, the small thigh blocks give me enough legroom, and thanks to the galleries I still feel nicely framed.
Your Individual Saddle for Trail Riding
We would be happy to help you find the right trail riding saddle for you too. Which saddle suits you and your horse? Do you have questions or would you like to arrange an appointment? We are happy to advise you by phone and will then gladly come to visit you for a test appointment.
Simply download our brochure with prices to get a first overview. Or call us directly or fill in our contact form.
Simply download our brochure with prices to get a first overview. Or call us directly or fill in our contact form.
Hotline: 09179 / 964117
Everything About Trail Riding on Iberosattel.com
Soft, Wide Padding for Your Trail Riding Saddle
For wide horse backs: the wide Comfort pad
Soft, short and wide is what you want? The Comfort-Compact Pad meets all these – for many trail riding saddles very important – requirements.
Thanks to its super-soft sandwich structure, it acts as a kind of pad, allowing you to ride out without a thick saddle pad while still achieving perfect pressure distribution.
Thanks to its super-soft sandwich structure, it acts as a kind of pad, allowing you to ride out without a thick saddle pad while still achieving perfect pressure distribution.
We Individually Adjust the Spinal Channel to Your Horse!
For your horse's comfort: measuring for a sufficiently wide spinal channel
To give your horse sufficient freedom of movement and reduce pressure on the spine, the panel channel of a saddle must be individually adjusted for each horse.
At Iberosattel®, we take this adjustment seriously and arrange a saddle fitting appointment with you and your horse.
At Iberosattel®, we take this adjustment seriously and arrange a saddle fitting appointment with you and your horse.