Trail Riding Gear

The Trail Saddle. Any saddle can be used as a trail saddle. Here are necessary qualifications of a good trail saddle.


1. IT PROPERLY FITS THE HORSE. This is extremely important, because one saddle will not
fit every horse you have properly.


2. You're comfortable & relaxed in it.


3. It has good rigging, usually 7/8 or 3/4 position. This puts the cinch back away from the front


legs & loose skin behind the elbow.


4. You can attach a breast collar, rear cinch, crupper or saddle breeching.


5. Strings for securing saddlebags, horn bags, & other gear.


6. It has a horn or other place to appropriately & safely dally your lead rope.


No matter what the saddle was made for, if it does all of the above, it should make a fine trail saddle.


Saddle Pads. A good pad can make the difference between a good ride and a bad one.


A thicker pad, 3/4" to 1" made of wool or wool content is the choice. The wicking and heat distribution properties are very beneficial. Especially on long rides.


Breast Collars. When doing down hill work, a breast collar properly attached to your saddle willl hold the saddle in place, reduce friction by saddle slippage, and disperse the stress of holding the saddle in place from the cinch. A breast collar will do the job if it properly fits the horse.


Flank Cinches, Cruppers & Saddle Breechings. A horse with decent withers, generally will do fine going downhill without additional tack to hold the saddle in place. A horse who is mutton withered or if you do a lot of steep downhill riding, addition of a flank cinch, crupper or saddle breeching will aid in keeping the saddle in place, increasing the horse's comfort.


Note: When using a Flank Cinch, also known as a Rear Cinch, be careful not to make it tight. It should never be loose either, because a horse could get a foot hung up in it kicking at insects.


Cinches. Like saddle pads, a good cinch can make the difference between a good ride and a bad one. Cinches come in several styles and materials. If your current cinch doesn't work, then try another one until you find one that does works.


Stirrups. Stirrups can easily be changed to fit your needs. A good trail stirrup should have a wide base to give your foot plenty to rest on.


Halters & Leads, Headstalls & Reins. There's a lot of choices for halters, lead ropes, headstalls, and reins. It's just a matter of personal choice. Just so long as it fits your horse.


Horse Shoes & Boots. Depending on the terrain you ride your horse on, will be the determining factor as to whether your horse gets shod, will use boots, or be left bare foot. Always keep your horse on a regular trim and or shoeing schedule.


Trail Riding Gear is a broad term. It can be defined 21 different ways by 21 different people.


I hope what you've read here gets your mind thinking about how well equipped you should be for the trail ride & camping experience.