Anyone leave a cantle pack semi permanently packed on their saddle for summertime adventures?
Planning on some full day rides and want to be prepared just in case, especially if I’m on my own. What would you include. While the majority of our rides are within a short distance of a road, I’m hoping to get into some state forests etc this year. Nothing seriously back county, but again, better safe than sorry.
Thanks!
I keep a cantle pack on my saddle all the time! You are going to have to consider your location and environment. I live in Phoenix so I keep tweezers and a comb in my pack to pluck out cactus. I actually fell into a cholla once while cantering and my sister had to pull out about 100 needles from my hands and elbow. I also keep two 12" pieces of a garden hose in there because if my horse were to be bit by a rattlesnake it could be deadly as their airways swell up. You shove the garden hose pieces into their nose to keep the airway open.
I always carry a tube of electrolytes for my horse, and an extra bottle of water (I ride with at least 3 bottles) You never know when you will lose a water bottle or may run into a hiker with no water. Never keep your phone on your saddle or in your pack. Always wear it on you in case you part ways with your horse.I also tend to keep jerky in it for me because I don’t have to worry about it going bad since I don’t empty my pack too often. I also have a small sample size bottle of an antiseptic/anti-bacterial spray in case my horse gets a cut.
If you get into some state forests I still like to carry a Garmin handheld. The most important thing about carrying it is marking where my trailhead is at. You can’t depend on cell service and it’s your best bet if you get lost.
I also like bandannas. Not necessarily for my pack but it can be used for a variety of things. You can use it to prevent dust from getting in your nose if you are moving out behind someone who’s kicking up dust, you can wet it in cold water to cool down and drape it around your neck, you can use it as a tourniquet, and if you did get lost it can be used to wave for help (especially if it’s a bright color).
This is the second time this week I have heard someone talking about riding with gardenhose in a pack. I think I will stay in Alaska and take my chances with the bears.
On that note, when I ride back country, I take a SPOT Beacon or even better, the Delorme Inreach. I keep that, my cell, a handgun and a pocket knife on my person.
In my pack, I keep snacks, some water, an extra Chicago screw or two, some paracord, a small first aid kit, a whistle, a lighter, some Benedryl, chap stick, bug dope and a little travel bottle of sunscreen. If it is cold out, I carry hot-hands.
All our saddles have pommel packs which stay on them all the time. We have bandaging materials (diaper, gauze, vet wrap, elastikon, hemostats), an easy boot, a whistle, a multipurpose tool, zip ties, duct and electrical tape, shoelaces, paracord, a rain poncho, a small flashlight, tissues, and chap stick in the packs all the time. We pack snacks and water for each ride as needed.
Wow…:eek::eek: I guess I’ll stop complaining about living in the land of never-ending snow. All the more power to you for being outside & being prepared!
Finally…
I carry water, snacks, a hoof pick, a back up battery charger for my phone, and maybe some tissues or OFF wipes. I run Road ID when I ride alone, with my phone on my body. Oh, I also have a knife in my pack, and carry sunglasses. I trail ride 3-4 times a week, the kind you trailer to in state parks and such, but I’m in TN, so I’m rarely all that remote.
Carry on your body that which would be essential in the event of loss of your horse (like you get dumped).
That would be, at a minimum, your cell phone or other ELT* device; a knife; water; an a audible signaling device of some sort (whistle, mechanical device, etc.). A pistol is also an excellent signaling device.
The other items suggested (maps, charger for phone or ELT, space blanket, rain gear, etc.) are all good ideas because not all “mishaps” in the woods get you dumped. For horse mounted equipment you’ll have to decide what would be the most likely needs based upon your ride profile.
Also telling somebody where you’re going, how you’re getting there, and when you’re expected back is something to be ALWAYS done even if you’re only going out locally for a short time. Remember, Murphy was an optimist!!! 
Still, remember that every pound you put on the horse is one more they have to haul. The dreaded “c” word (compromise) will always be in your vocabulary as you make choices.
G.
*Emergency Locator Transmitter
Depending on the location and purpose of my ride I have a variety of things, but the staples are water, chapstick, knife, a couple horse treats (especially if I’m on a hard to catch horse who might dump me), ID (on me, again in case I get dumped), first aid kit, rain gear, baling twine (I’ve fixed so many bridles, stirrups, hats, belts, saddle bags, etc on the trail with twine!) and an extra lead rope - can substitute for a broken rein, help move a big log out of the way, etc.
If you’re in an unfamiliar area, a map is handy. And sunflower seeds are a great snack as you go. As many others have said, keep that buddy system, whether you have someone with you or just tell someone your itinerary. Have something to take pictures with! I’m a trail guide, so I spend many hours on the trail and can get bored on long quiet rides, so I bring a poem along to memorize or a book to read (when I’m riding a horse I trust and I know the trail well).
Now that I think about it, there’s really not much I DON’T take on day rides… 
The day I had to have my sister pull out the cactus needles was the same time I ended up getting a concussion (I was wearing a helmet). My sister who is from the Santa Barbara, CA area and is a hunter/jumper trainer was mortified. She said riding in the desert has got to be the worst place imaginable to fall. It’s rocks, hard, barren ground, prickly trees, and cacti everywhere! I definitely try to be prepared…you know how many survivor stories occur in the desert???
To this badass list of accoutrements, I’d just add wire cutters. I have a phobia of getting caught up in abandoned old rusty barb wire. I ride in Texas. But even when I used to ride in Minnesota in snow, I feared the old wire fence lying on the ground invisible.
I carry wires cutters. I and a friend got snagged in wire but by some miracle the horses got out of it before I could get to my wire cutters. But that’s my nightmare, and the stuff is everywhere up here.
I also have a hoof pick, vet wrap, small first aid kit, tweezers, ibuprofen and Benadryl, feminine pads (can be used for first aid), a small thing of bug spray for horses, OFF spray for humans depending on the month, leather strings and paracord or baling twine, and a knife, which I should carry on myself. I pack water and snacks for the day and occasionally a rope halter, my contact solution.
I also carry ibuprofen and benadryl, vet wrap and periods pads, styptic powder to stop bleeding, tampons for puncture wounds, tree trimmers/wire cutters, emergency mounting stool (injured knee), and chapstick.
That’s just what is on my horse. 
Don’t ask about my hydration vest. lol
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