Pleasure ride - equipment needed

[Bertie]

I'm planning to do at least 1 pleasure ride in the next 8-weeks, hopefully 2 but was wondering what sort of things will I need for during the ride, I will be doing at least one of them completely on my own with no help, hacking there and back, although hoping to get BF to meet me at the end with water for horse, this is my list so far: -

The one I'm doing alone is 15miles which I've been told will take me approximately 3.5hours.

* Saddle bag - to hold drink for me, hoof pick, chocolate bar, route map
* Lead rope
* Mobile phone

The other one i'm going on you choose between 10 & 20 mile ride and I'll be with others but we have no crew but we're traveling there in wagons so will have room to take a lot of stuff.

* Traveling stuff - rugs (plus spare cos my mare gets very sweaty), boots, headcollar, leadrope, haynets etc
* Water and buckets.
* Grooming box

I'm having a blank moment and can't think of anything else I will need and I know I'm missing out on loads of things.

Any help would be gratefully received

[Joyscarer]

Spare ties ups for the trailer sides

[Bertie]

Thanks, I will definitely remember those if I go to the one where we need a box.

I know Katenherponies http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=136899 has mentioned this in her thread as well about booting/bandaging her horse.

My mare normally wears brushing boots up front if not all round for everything would it be advisable to bandage her or maybe get more supportive wrap type boots??

[kaytenherponies]

I would stick to boots if that is what you wear have decided to bandage all round just incase. I would use boots but cant get any that am happy with the fit.

Dont forget your emergancy card. I am going to attach a card to my saddle incase we get separated and have a card on my person. You need to put name age and emergancy contact details on, also any alergies or medical needs. It is always better to be safe than sorry! On the saddle card I am going to put horses name my name emergancy contact and yard name!

[Wally]

Boots on endurance rides can cause more bother than they cure, if they rub over 20 miles it can cause lots of problems. I never used boots once on any endurance ride, a friend did once, never again, they rubbed and he ended up with infected legs!

All I ever took was me, a hoofpick........and a banana!

[kaytenherponies]

So would you say not to bandage then Wally? He doesn't normally wear them for anything!

[lachlanandmarcu]

I wouldnt bandage, agree with Wally, I never have for rides or hunting and those I know who have have had probs with the boots. The only time I would would be for (god forbid) an event which involved jumping stone walls or something like that.

I am also hoping to do endurance pleasure rides this summer (with my 5yo Haflinger, one for Wally there!) and the local EGB group to me (Grampian) publish the following list- hope it helps...even if you decide to leave a lot of it out at least you can consider whether to take or not if you get me.....


"Packing. Even for a short ride, packing requires a bit of thought, so it helps to establish a routine. Below is a check-list of what you might expect to need, some of which you could do without on short pleasure rides.

Saddle (don't forget the girth) and Numnah. Bridle.

Breastplate and Martingale if used. Spare Numnah and Girth.

Grooming Kit (extra hoof pick for crew). Spare Head collar and Rope.

Haynet, Hay and Feed (particularly Sugar Beet). Electrolytes (longer rides only).

Spare set of shoes already shaped if possible. Easyboot or similar emergency shoe

Sweat Rug, New Zealand/Waterproof plus Woollen Rug, Spare reins and leathers

First Aid Kit in Bumbag for Horse and Rider. Stethoscope.

Water containers and Slosh Bottles. Buckets.

Map Case, Map, Instructions & Times. Watch.

Baler twine and Penknife. Money for Telephone.

Glucose Tablets/Energy Food and Drink for Rider. Food and Drink for Crew

Waterproofs for Rider. Hat, Boots/Riding Trainers and Whip {under 75cm (30")}.

Safety Kit. The Kit comprises:

Triangular Bandage, Whistle, Vet Wrap, Glucose Tablets, Wound Bandage, Rider ID Card, Space Blanket"

maybe the Grampian rides are just v scary ones!! think the space blanket will scare my nag before we start the ride!!!

have fun!

[kaytenherponies]

Thanks for that lachlan. I wont bother then, will save myself the money of buying some

[EnduranceAli]

Wow, that is some list - but on closer inspection, most of it is common sense and the sort of thing I would take anyway. However, a space blanket Don't think that I will ever be capable of tackling a ride that needs such a thing Ali xx

[Torny]

Woah!

That is a long list But it is definately best to be prepared as you just never know what you might need and you want to make sure both you and your horse are comfortable

[*Sez*]

How do you carry it all? Some of it, obviously, needs leaving with your crew, but as for the rest of it... are you meant to have someone drive alongside with all of your gear?

[Brychen]

I remember recieving an email on euro enduro many moons ago , one persons list of equipment was so long that I suggested that she included a small trampoline to assist her to leap gracefully on board. I doubted that the weight would make any difference given her sugested payload...

[Bertie]

Well judging by that list I went very under prepared when I ventured out on my 1st fun ride.

Here's my list: -
Me
Horse
Tack
Map
Hoof pick
Chocolate bar in pocket
Mobile phone

That was it! Although we did pass my yard 3-miles into the ride

[Ginger Thing]

We don't do endurance/long distance, but regularly do 10-12 mile fun rides, and apart from normal horse tack and a waterproof if weather is dodgy, never take anything other than a hoof pick and phone although I do intend to start carrying a small first aid kit.

[Oakleaze]

I have never had a problem with boots and my horses have done hundreds of miles!
your list sounds good, i can't think of anything you are missing.

Have fun!

[Sarah_Sayers]

I was taken on my first pleasure ride of 13 miles. Most important thing for us (after phone I suppose) was picnic for our return, and hip flasks!

Enjoy.

[oldbat]

We started pleasure rides last year and discovered our horses very much disliked our old plastic water container. We had to take a carton of apple juice to disguise the taste! You need lots of water for them to drink and to cool them down. Have you got a comfortable map case to wear during the ride? Check list is great for packing car to ensure essentials aren't forgotten.
Oldbat

[chickyd444]

my horse wears closed tendon boots on long rides because of his windgalls and i like to keep them supported - went out for 3.5hrs the other day - no problems

i would also take a toilet roll - very handy things and you never know when you might need one and paracetamol