I recently made the transition from jumping to pleasure/trail riding almost exclusively. At a barn with mostly pleasure riders, we have the opportunity to ride both out the property gate or trailer out a few times a week. Typically rides last from 2 hours to half a day. As we’re doing more of it I want to make sure we’re properly equipped. What do you not leave the barn without for trail rides of this length?
sponge on a line so that I can drop into creek to cool pony down
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- Cell phone.
- Pistol with real live bullets.
- Sports water bottles - plural as one is for my horse.
- Hoof pick.
- Sour dough bread.
- Tube of Triple antibiotic ointment. Maybe a can of Deep Woods Off if the bugs/ ticks are bad.
- A few paper towels.
- Heat resistant sandwich if ride is half day or longer.
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I have a small pommel pouch that always has my bee medicine, a hoofpick, a knife, some tissues, a couple treats, a pen, a compass (these two would be for my geocaching obsession so not really necessary lol) a roll of vet wrap, a piece of baling twine and a roll of the tape I use on my mare’s hoof boots. It sounds like a lot but it fits in a tiny pack and only weighs a pound or so. I also usually have a bottle of water or two and in hot weather, a sponge on a leash.
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Thank you to those who have responded already. This is really helpful. To anyone just reading this, if you carry something not listed above, let me know. 
I really appreciate the practical feedback
I typically carry :
Water as appropriate for ride length /weather
Hoof pick
knife
wire cutters ( if riding on cattle land that has tons of down fences )
haystring
duct tape (wrap it around the water bottle so you don’t have to carry a full role)
granola bar or two
zipties - this are wonderful for fixing broken tack, attaching things to saddle, etc
cell phone (on me, not the horse)
sunscreen if necessary
light rain jacket - even if it isn’t suppose to rain, I pretty much always carry one. Doesn’t take up much room behind the saddle and they can be used for many things ( groundcloth to sit on if you stop to eat, have used as a sling before)
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Halter, 15’ lead rope, multi tool, Epi Pens (2), Benadryl, Excedrin Migraine, zip ties, pair of boot laces, roll of vet wrap, protein or granola bars, digital compass, hoof pick, lip balm, 2-4 bottles of water.
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Water, a halter with a lead rope, my cellphone and my reading glasses.
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Many of the things listed above, and I’ll add… a whistle, and 550 cord bracelet,
A pen (flash) light, and Cashel Horseman’s Multi Tool. Both fit in the hoof pick carrier on the flank billet.
And a little TP.
Beer on ice in the insulated saddle bags 
Snacks
All of the above plus duck tape!!!
G.
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Fanny pack with: phone, coggins (never been asked to show it), small swiss type knife and a couple of dollars.
It really depends on the length of the ride. If it’s just a quick jaunt I usually just bring a beverage and my cell phone. On a longer ride it can depend on if it’s remote (horse camping) or more civilized (where there will be water troughs). On a longer ride I always bring a halter and lead rope, vet wrap, hoof pick, food, collapsable water pail (if remote area) and other things too.
Always a pair of black shoelaces for repairing a broken sidecheek or whatever.
A knife …BENADRYL !
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In Pommel Bag: Water bottles, Horse Treats (carrots or hay cubes), folding hoof pick, multi tool, small spool dental floss (for tack repairs), and zip lock bag containing maxi pad, clotting sponge, vet wrap and duct tape. Emergency Contact Dog Tag on saddle. On person RoadID bracelet & cell phone.
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Most of the above along with:
Zip ties
Chap stick
Utility knife
Whistle
Epi pens
I carry all of this in an ankle safe, and my phone on my thigh that way if my horse and I part ways I still have my stuff!
I always wear a lightweight vest with many pockets (from TravelSmith or Magellans, I forget which) and carry most of the things people have already mentioned. But also a copy of my drivers license in my pocket so that anyone who finds me knocked out has all the details on ID and address (even your riding buddies might not remember all of that in the heat of the moment).
Also if you trailered out and are quite near-sighted like me, be sure to keep an extra pair of glasses (perhaps your next-to-last prescription) in your vehicle in case something happens to yours while you’re riding. Your horse can help you find your way on the trail but he won’t do you any good when you’re behind the wheel!
[I]Instead of a heavy & bulky lead rope, I carry a snaphook with 7 feet of 1/4 nylon rope. A loop at both ends. This is easily stored in a saddle bag compartment. Together with a rein, makes a cross tie between trees. (keeps horse from chewing tree) as a lead line, put a stick in the loop (as a handle to save your fingers) and the snap on the halter bride. I dragged a 3 legged lame horse miles off a mountain trail back to camp this way. The rope has many emergency uses too.
As mentioned above, use a halter/bridle. the bit is held to the halter with snaps. Lots of endurance riders use it too. Multi purpose is good on the trail.[/I]
I won’t repeat others suggestions but add some things for consideration.
Toilet paper or a handful of kleenex.
A woman’s sanitary pad, and a couple of thin panty liners and some vet wrap. (Ok guys, don’t get squeamish on me) Theses make great bandages for whoever needs it. Man or beast.
If you carry snacks, put them in a large zip lock bag. They make great secure trash bags for the return trip. If you carry a beverage in a can. just smash the empty can and the zip lock bag prevents the almost empty can from leaking all over.
Someone suggested a hand gun or pistol. I agree with this IF you are familiar with guns or have taken gun safety classes with the firearm you plan on taking.
