Trail/Endurence Supplies??

[pnalley]

I am trying to find something I know endurence riders use. I am looking for a sponge attached to a snap that you can drop in a creek when you are riding and cool you horse off with. I have googled endurence equipment with no luck. Can anyone (Ed, Mel??) point me in the right direction?

I would also be interested in one of those collapsible buckets, and I am looking into small but good quality saddle bags.

[Barbwire]

Try here: http://www.longridersgear.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=555

http://www.longridersgear.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=461

[KAB]

Try Slypnergear.com

[CarolU]

I just put a hole in a regular bath sponge and ran a small rope through it and tied it off. Works fine.

[pnalley]

Carol,
Actually that is just what I need. Practical, cheap or should I say inexpensive ways to make riding (in comfort) more affordable.

I will add, on those trail ride web sites I saw water bottles for $15, I got the same thing for $4 at Walmart.

Any other good ideas for take alongs on trail rides?

What do you use? How do you hook it to your saddle, especially if you ride in something other then a western saddle?

[Terry Wallace]

BMB makes water bottle carriers in any color you wish. They have a scissor snap at the top and a velcro closure to keep the bottle contained.
Both my husband & me use the BMB carrier. They are washable too.

BMB makes halters and horse blankets and horse gear...I do not know the website

[paintedhorizon]

http://www.bmbtack.com/catalog2.htm

BMB makes water bottle carriers in any color you wish. They have a scissor snap at the top and a velcro closure to keep the bottle contained.
Both my husband & me use the BMB carrier. They are washable too.

BMB makes halters and horse blankets and horse gear...I do not know the website

[Linda Y]

Carol,
Actually that is just what I need. Practical, cheap or should I say inexpensive ways to make riding (in comfort) more affordable.

I will add, on those trail ride web sites I saw water bottles for $15, I got the same thing for $4 at Walmart.

Any other good ideas for take alongs on trail rides?

What do you use? How do you hook it to your saddle, especially if you ride in something other then a western saddle?

'Test drive' those water bottles before you go on a ride. If they are the plastic ones with the snap on lids. I got one of those with the carrier, and it leaks like a sieve from the lid. Useless.
I found one of those sport drinks with the pull up top, and just keep refilling it. Works great!
I have improvised things to keep stuff on my saddle, since nothing seems to fit the ring layout, and there aren't enough of them. (Old Bob Marshall) I have a velcro strap that fits around the pommel to keep my leadrope up. Nylon Dog collars make great straps for fastening stuff.

[pnalley]

We actually did test drive the water bottles this past weekend. I filled them 3/4 full and froze them overnight then in the morning I topped them off with cold water. They too have the sport bottle lid. We had cold water all day. Worked great!

I went and bought 3 cheap sponges today to try Carols idea. Now I just need to track down some cording.

[paintedhorizon]

Why not use baling twine from the hay?


I went and bought 3 cheap sponges today to try Carols idea. Now I just need to track down some cording.

[pnalley]

Baling twine is a little thinner then I want. I want some cord about the size of the nylon that haybags are made out of.

[Terry Wallace]

Paula....you might want to look at nylon macrame cord from a craft store.

Hay twine will fray apart as it becomes "untwisted" and not last very long.

Nylon pull start cord from a mower repair shop would be very good too....and comes in many different thicknesses

[Pam M]

Paula, I use a tiny dog leash. It's thin and has a loop and a snap. I just poked a hole in my sponge and wrapped it through. I put the loop end over my saddle horn and use the snap to keep it snug. It works great.

[pnalley]

Pam,
Awesome idea! I have a few of the free ones the vet gives away. They don't have a snap but they are like a built in choke. That should work perfect!

Of folks keep these ideas coming!

How about the best way to pack gear with an english saddle?

What are your MUST haves for long rides

How do you carry a lead rope? I used to snap it to the hatler & tie it around the neck, but I don't want to rub out these glorious long Paso manes.

[Abejita]

They are now making some nice english cantle packs..cant remember where I saw them though...lead rope _I do not know what the 'knot' is called but we have the long cotton ropes and we basically wrap them around themselves ( looks like a hangman's noose?? but not open,,) and if done right the end of the rope will tuck in at the bottom of the wrap and then snap to a saddle ring..
Hey ..if you do a search for 'endurAnce' as opposed to endurEnce it might bring up more hits??

[pnalley]

I know I can't spell :oops:

I do know how to tie the hangmans type leadrope knot. That is actually what I was thinking about doing. I really don't want to mess up Ladda or Favio's mane ;-)

[CarolU]

I have the scissor snap water bottle holders that Terry mentioned. Mine hold a regular old fashioned canteen. They hook to the D-rings on the front of the saddle, and I had my Ansur made with 4 D-rings on the back.

Speaking of lip-balm, they now have SPF 45 lip balms! Hooray.

There are saddle blankets that have pockets sewn right on, that work great under English saddles so you don't need saddle bags for day rides.

You can get fly repellent sheets in individual packets to take along. I pack mine in a Zip-lock bag though, since they seem a little aromatic to me.

Lots of people like those backpack water bottles. The problem I have with those is that I can't carry my camera, lip sunscreen, the stuff I want to use on the trail. So I don't use them. I have one, it leaks. It's great on a hot day though. LOL

I don't take a lead rope, just unsnap my reins and snap them to the halter for tying.

I carry a horseman's pocket knife, a roll of vet wrap, and a sterrile dressing with me all the time. I've only ever needed the hoofpick on the knife, but was sure glad I had it.

When you're camping and riding out several days, I like a clean saddle blanket each day. They don't get dry overnight.

Carry carrots for your horse at lunch time. I carry water for the horse too if I'm not sure there will be water available. Zar's favorite lunch treat is Crackerjacks. 2nd favorite is Grahm Crackers. It only takes one trail ride to 'train' them to look forward to lunch. LOL

Most Forest Service sites require certified weedfree hay for camping, so find it and get it ahead of time.