As equestrian endurance riding season approaches, may riders ask, “What should I pack in my saddle bags for an endurance horse ride?”
Experienced endurance riders’ advice ranges widely from “almost nothing” to “everything but the kitchen sink.” I fall somewhere in the middle. This post covers what I always carry in my saddle bags, as well as items that rotate through depending on the circumstances. I also list items that I don’t personally carry, but other riders do.
First, though, let’s begin with a list of items that don’t belong in my saddle bags:
Items I Don't Carry in My Saddle Bags
The most important items I take riding don’t go in my saddle bags. Instead, I carry them on my person, just in case my horse and I part ways. These include:
- Cell phone
- InReach sattelite communication device
- Water
- Tiny first aid kit (bandaids and painkillers)
- Energy gels (my favorite are from UCAN)
- Single-use sunscreen packet
- Emergency contact and medical information, including drug allergy info and preferred hospital for insurance reasons. (My free I.C.E. Pack has info cards that you can print out. Grab yours now!)
Want to know how I carry all this? Check out my post on 6 Reasons I Trail Ride in a Running Vest.
Items I Always Carry in My Saddle Bags
Now for the saddle bags. I have both pommel and cantle bags on my endurance saddle. Here’s the standard set of items that ride in them year-round, for everything from casual hacks to 100’s:
- Hoof pick
- Gloves (the lightweight summer kind by SSG)
- Facial tissue (I like those little pocket packs) and a zip-top bag for carrying it out
- Lip balm (Blistex medicated lip ointment because it doesn’t melt or freeze)
- Energy bar (UCAN bars sit well in my stomach, unlike more sugary options)
- Baling twine (for emergency tack repairs or opening barbed wire gates)
- Zip ties (for emergency tack repairs)
- Mini multitool
- Lightweight jacket (for protection from unexpected wind, rain, or even sun exposure)
- Water bottle
- I.C.E. tag (this is actually clipped to my saddle, rather than in my saddle bag)
Items I Add to My Saddle Bags for Equestrian Endurance Riding
When I arrive at ride camp, I add several items to my saddle bags. Depending on the weather conditions and my planned distance, these may include:
- Extra hoof boot(s) in both front and hind sizes
- Electrolytes for my horse
- Electrolytes for myself (these go in the water bottle on my saddle, while I carry plain water in my hydration pack. I like LMNT because it’s tasty and not sugary, so my stomach tolerates it even though I’m not a “flavored drink” person. If you want to try it, my readers can get a free sample pack with any order.)
- Carrots
- Lead rope
- Fly mask with ears (mine is a Cashel Quiet Ride)
- Sunscreen
- Route map
- Ride card in a zip-top bag
Common Items Other Riders Carry in Saddle Bags for Equestrian Endurance Riding
Finally, here are some additional items that I don’t personally carry, but many riders do:
- Roll-on fly repellant for the horse
- Insect repellent for the rider
- Horse treats (Outlast treats are good, but note the serving size. It takes 5-6 treats to achieve the gastric buffering effect.)
- Mini vet kit (vet wrap, maxi pad, antibiotic ointment, Banamine, short sections of hose to keep nostrils open in case of snakebite)
- OTC medications for the rider (Advil, Benadryl, Pepsi Bismol tablets, and Vagisil are common)
- Paracord
- Duct tape (try wrapping some around a Sharpie for a compact, multi-functional item)
- Prescription medication (you might want these on your person if they’re critical and/or time-sensitive)
You can’t plan for every contingency, but having well-stocked saddle bags can contribute to the safety and comfort of your ride.
Did I miss any of your “must haves?” Drop them in the comments!
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