Equipment for horse trekking
If you are planning a horse trek, you should not be a „fair-weather rider“. Especially on tours lasting several days, the weather can play tricks on you despite good forecasts. You should therefore be prepared for all eventualities. But what is the ideal clothing for a horse trekker? In addition to the weather, comfort also plays an important role, both in the rider’s equipment and in the equipment for the horse. In our guide, we explain what you should pay attention to in order to avoid pressure and chafing points for horse and rider.
Clothing of the trekker
The rule for horse trekking is: the less luggage, the better! At the same time, however, you should be equipped for any weather conditions. We have put together the best tips for the optimal horse trekking outfit:
The layering system – made for horse trekkers
On a long horse trek, you will encounter various climatic conditions to which you can quickly adapt with the appropriate clothing. While it can still be a bit cold in the morning, it is already very warm by midday. If you ride through a forest, the shady trees can make it fresh again. And even in summer – the peak season for horse trekking – you can be spontaneously surprised by a thunderstorm with a heavy downpour. So how do you manage to be dressed for any weather with one outfit? The so-called layering system has proven itself in all outdoor sports.
A perfect layering system consists of three to four layers that you can put on and take off variably.
| Layer | Function | What is suitable? |
|---|---|---|
| I | Moisture regulation | Synthetic fibre functional underwear Merino wool riding socks |
| II | Insulation | Fleece jacket, fleece jumper etc. according to individual warmth requirements |
| III | Weather protection | Depending on weather conditions: > Riding gilet > Soft shell jacket > Winter jacket |
| IV | Additional protection against extreme conditions | Depending on weather conditions: Rain coat etc. |
While the number of layers remains the same throughout the seasons, the type of clothing varies depending on the weather forecast. While a thin soft shell jacket is perfectly adequate as a third layer for a cool summer morning, in autumn or winter it might have to be a thickly padded, long winter riding coat.
To save on luggage, you should pay attention to the following details when choosing your clothing:
- Choose functional materials that are breathable and quick-drying. These usually also have a lower weight than natural fibres.
- When choosing clothing, look for practical details: a rain poncho that folds up takes up less space in the saddlebag than the heavy oilskin jacket. The sleeves of your summer jacket can be removed so that you can easily wear it as a gilet? Great, another piece of clothing saved.
- Meticulously follow the weather forecasts in advance. The more predictable the weather, the more luggage you can save.
Keyword natural fibres
There are also some natural fibres that can be beneficial for horse trekkers. Clothing and socks made of merino wool, for example, are warming in winter and cooling in summer. In addition, merino wool binds unpleasant odours and is antibacterial, which pays off especially on horse treks lasting several days. The material also offers natural UV protection and is just as quick-drying and breathable as the functional materials.
From head to toe – tips from horse trekking experts
Wear a riding hat!
A riding hat protects against life-threatening injuries to the head. A riding hat is therefore an absolute must on a horse trekking tour. Even if it seems like an additional ballast on the body during tours of several hours, you should also think about further safety equipment, e.g. if you feel insecure or your horse is not yet very strong nerved.
Back protectors – and also body protectors – are now made of functional materials that are extremely lightweight and highly breathable, so that safety and comfort can be guaranteed in equal measure.
Just in case
The best preparation for an emergency during a horse trekking tour is definitely a first aid course. In the meantime, there are numerous courses that are specifically tailored to first aid for riding accidents and also show first aid measures for horses.
If an emergency occurs on the trail, you should have certain measures in place. Keep the hosts of the next destination informed about when to expect you. That way, if in doubt, help can be notified. Always keep your mobile phone on your body, never in a saddlebag. If you fall and your horse runs off, no emergency call can be made. There are now also reliable emergency call systems, most of which send an emergency call to pre-set contacts at the touch of a button – but some models are triggered automatically by the shock – and communicate the location via GPS. For a medical emergency during a horse trek, the so-called „medical card“ from eventing is worth recommending. Important personal and health data are noted on it so that medical personnel are informed in advance about previous illnesses or vaccination status when rescuing the rider.
Fly protection
In the warm summer months, you should also think about adequate fly protection. There are now many smart and luggage-saving solutions for riders, such as thin long-sleeved functional shirts whose materials are pre-treated with insect repellents. Classic fly repellent sprays that are applied regularly are of course just as effective. A combination product that can be used for both horse and rider saves a lot of luggage here. If you are travelling through areas known to have a lot of midges, you should also use appropriate accessories, such as a head net.
Rainwear
A rain shower can sometimes spoil the mood on a horse trekking tour. When buying a coat, look for waterproof and windproof materials. Oilskin coats made of oiled cotton are particularly popular among horse trekkers. The material is particularly robust and waterproof without losing the necessary comfort. Due to the grippy material, clothing made of oilskin has the disadvantage of taking up more space and weight in the luggage than compact rain ponchos made of polyester. When it comes to riding coats, shoulder capes that offer additional rain protection have proven worthy for horse trekking. In addition, you should pay attention to generous riding slits, which increase the comfort while riding immensely. The rain protection is complemented by rain trousers and a space-saving rain poncho to pull over.
What do I wear underneath?
Seamless underwear is one of the top secret tips among experienced horse trekkers. Unpleasant chafing can turn a horse trek into a painful experience. To avoid chafing in general, in addition to seamless underwear, you should also make sure that the clothing over it is not too loose, as wrinkles also cause unnecessary friction. Since sweat increases this problem, you should make sure that your underwear is breathable. In addition to these measures, you can also apply anti chafing cream or special „chamois creams“ as a preventive measure, which prevent chafing due to their thick texture.
Hiking is a rider’s delight – suitable footwear for the horse trekking tour
The classic leather riding boots are a no-go for horse trekking. The leather is very thin and sensitive, so that the extreme conditions of a horse trekking tour would put unnecessary strain on the material. To protect the horse, you should also dismount and lead the horse by hand on routes that lead steeply uphill or downhill. In addition, if you are riding for several hours, you should take a break every few hours and lead the horse. The best shoes for this are those that have a comfortable footbed for walking and at the same time offer optimal support in the stirrup with their narrow shape and small heel.
Horse equipment
Horse trekking tours lasting several hours or even days are not only a challenge for horse and rider, but also for the equipment. The demands on riding equipment should therefore be high, especially in terms of fit and comfort. In this guide, we look at the main components of horse trekking equipment. What is a trekking saddle? Which headcollar is best suited for a horse trekking tour and which saddlebags are most suitable?
Well saddled – do I need a trekking saddle?
The majority of recreational riders will go on a horse trekking tour 1-2 times a year at the most, which is also in the lower range in terms of the distances to be covered. Here, the question often arises whether it is at all necessary to immediately purchase special equipment for such a rare event.
Is it possible to trek with a dressage or jumping saddle?
If you are a sporadic horse trekker, you will be somewhat sceptical about buying a special trekking saddle. If you want to get to grips with horse trekking for the first time or want to complete a one-off tour, you will not harm the horse with your jumping or dressage saddle – provided that this saddle is well-fitted to the horse!
A jumping saddle is definitely the least suitable for horse trekking, as the sitting position with classically bent knees is extremely uncomfortable for the rider on a trail lasting several hours. In addition, the lack of padding can lead to painful pressure points during prolonged use. A dressage saddle is somewhat more suitable due to the longer leg position.
Ideally, you should think about your plans for the horse before buying a saddle. If you plan to take your horse for frequent treks and at the same time do some flatwork in an arena, it is advisable to buy a leisure saddle.
What are the most important requirements for a trekking saddle?
To make trekking tours lasting several hours as comfortable as possible, a saddle should have the following features:
- light design
- wide contact surface
- comfortable seat, rather flat
- shoulder, spine & withers as well as lumbar freedom
- safe possibilities to attach luggage
Are Western saddles the ideal trekking saddles?
Yes and no. Although most of the prerequisites for a good trekking saddle are already fulfilled by the wide contact surface and the comfortable seat as well as the many traditional fastening options, if you look at the construction, the already heavy weight and the rather inflexible materials of a Western saddle are a no-go for a horse trekking tour. The most important requirement for a Western saddle to be used for horse trekking is an ideal fit that does not allow any pressure points. Do you want to use your Western saddle for a horse trekk? In our Western saddle guide you can read about the common criteria for an ideal fit.
Well bridled up – which bridle is suitable for trekking?
While the widest possible contact surface is optimal for trekking saddles, the rule for bridles is – less is more. The more minimalist the bridle, the fewer potential pressure points or chafing points there are for the horse’s head. In addition, you can also attach a thin stable headcollar underneath, with which the horse can be securely tethered during break times.
The choice of bit should definitely be made primarily on the basis of the individual riding experience and the training level of the horse. However, it also applies here that one should limit oneself to the basics, e.g. a double-jointed bit. Since every horse and rider team has different requirements, it has to be assessed individually which bit is best for the horse and rider on a trekking tour. It is also important here to pay attention to the fit and proper condition of the bit in order to protect the horse’s mouth. If you also ride bitless at home, you can continue to do so on a trek if the horse and rider have the appropriate level of training.
Many horse trekkers choose the hackamore for bitless riding. The hackamore has the advantage that, provided the aids are finely controlled, a good influence can be achieved on the horse and yet the horse is not impaired by a bit when eating during short breaks. However, it must be said that bitless bridles in particular can have a considerable effect on the nose, neck and chin of the horse and these belong exclusively in finely trained hands.
Other riding equipment
Whether hoof boots, saddle pads or other riding equipment. It is not possible to make general recommendations for trail riding. It is important that the equipment can withstand the stresses of a horse trek and that the fit is ideal. In addition, the riding equipment should already have been tried and tested. There is nothing worse than finding out during a horse trek that the saddle pad is constantly slipping, the girth is chafing or the hoof boot is too loose. This also applies to the equipment and clothing of the rider!
The luggage
There is no room for luxury items on a horse trek. Back to the basics is the motto. The less luggage you carry for yourself and especially for your horse, the less strain the tour is on the horse’s back. You will find a detailed kit checklist with valuable insider tips from experienced horse trekkers in the next chapter. In addition to the contents of the saddlebags, the ideal way of attaching them to the saddle should also be thoroughly tested.
Here are a few tips:
- The weight should be distributed as evenly as possible on both sides as well as front and back.
- Before the horse trek, it is essential to reweigh and, if necessary, re-evaluate whether something can be left at home.
- Prevent chafing and pressure points of the luggage – saddlebags should lie on the saddle pad, not on the horse’s skin.
- Consider the dynamics of the gaits when fastening. Can the luggage withstand a canter without the bags causing vibrations on the horse’s back?
Basically, you should be aware of how much weight your own horse can carry at all. It is generally said that horses should carry a maximum of 15% of their own body weight. The following factors, among others, must also be taken into account individually:
- Build: short-backed horses with a pronounced loin can carry more weight than slender types.
- Age: with old horses it goes without saying that any additional load should be avoided, but young horses whose muscles are still developing should not be overloaded either.
- Health and training condition: physically fit and well-trained horses can carry more than horses with weakened health, underweight or overweight horses that are not sufficiently exercised.
- Design of the horse trek: How heavy is the load on the trek? How long is the tour and what intensity do you want to achieve?
A well-trained, healthy and experienced trekking horse can even carry up to 25% of its weight. Please note, however, that each unnecessary gram also leads to faster fatigue during the trek and lowers the load tolerance of your horse accordingly.
Do not forget the rider’s body weight when calculating!
How much luggage can be carried also depends on the rider’s body weight. The said 15% always refers to the total weight of rider + saddle + luggage!
Well packed – the saddlebags
Where there used to be a lot of improvisation, there is now special equipment for horse trekkers. This includes saddlebags, which have more than proven their worth for horse trekking. They should be robust and easy to attach to the saddle without causing uncomfortable pressure points for the horse. Waterproof – or at least water-repellent – material can also withstand a rain shower so that the luggage stays dry.
- Front saddlebags (optionally with horn for Western saddles)
- Large-volume rear saddlebags
- Banana saddlebags
Weight distribution
As a rule, you should make sure that the weight is evenly distributed over the back. However, especially on tours lasting several days, the rider’s weight, which tends to be in the back of the saddle, should also be taken into account. In such cases, the heavy luggage should rather be placed in the front.
The front saddlebags, which are usually much smaller than the rear bags, can be used to store small items that should be within easy reach. The front saddlebags are also a popular place for snacks and drinks. For multi-day tours that require you to carry e.g. cooking utensils, fencing equipment, etc., you should switch the heavy saddlebags to large-volume front saddlebags, which can also accommodate heavy items of luggage, in the interest of better weight distribution.
The rear saddlebags, on the other hand, tend to hold lighter items of luggage. A change of clothes, additional food, grooming needs for horse and rider as well as sleeping bags or sleeping mats, if necessary, find their place in the spacious bags.
A banana saddlebag classically holds useful small items, rain coats and/or even water supplies.
Individual packing techniques
As with conventional suitcase packing for a holiday, every horse trekker has their own packing technique over time, which is tailored to their needs. It is important to never lose sight of the weight and distribution and to make sure that there are no chafing or pressure points for the horse.