Plastic bag. A large plastic garbage bag provides warmth and protection from sudden showers. But it's a good idea to desensitize your horse to the noise of rustling plastic beforehand.
Bug spray. Even the best fly repellents don't seem to last more than a few hours, and painful bites can drive a horse to the brink of being unridable. Pack a small spray bottle with fly spray so you can replenish his defenses mid-ride. For your own comfort, you may want to carry along a repellent for people, too.
Water. In any weather, debilitating dehydration can set in quickly. Carry as much water as is comfortable, based on how much you think you'll need for a day and a night. You won't be able to carry enough water for your horse in an emergency, so choose your trails wisely and don't venture into an arid area without experience.
Easyboot. If your horse loses a shoe, this "spare tire" can enable you to continue your ride or head home without risking stone bruises or other damage to an exposed hoof. Make sure the boot fits snugly on a shoeless hoof beforehand, and practice putting it on securely.
Sunscreen. Not only is sunburn painful and bad for your skin, but sun-poisoning can also make you very ill. Pack a small tube of sunscreen in case you get stuck outside on a sunny day. (The Desitin you've also packed can protect your nose and lips from sun.)
The Adventurous Ride
If you're trekking into rugged territory far from civilization, you'll want to take along some more advanced gear:
Waterproof map. Contrary to folklore, you can't rely on your horse to always find his way home. Having a map (and knowing how to read it) is essential in unknown territory. Park services or local county offices can give you a map of public lands. If you have permission to ride on private land, ask the owner for a map of the area. If you can't get one that is already laminated or printed on water-resistant material, pack your map in a plastic bag.
Compass. A map is useless if you don't know which way is north. Invest in, and learn how to read, a rugged and reliable compass.
Survey tape. You can use this colorful tape, which is also used to mark electric fence, to mark your trail as you go so you can find your way home. Just make sure you remember to collect it on your way back out. (Of course, if you're taking a circular trail and won't be retracing your steps, the survey tape will do you no good.)
Flashlight. It's always a good idea to carry a flashlight, especially if there is any chance you could get caught outside after dark. Take along a small but powerful flashlight or fluorescent camplight with an extra set of fresh batteries. You'll use it to light your own way through pitch dark or uncertain terrain, of course, but it will also serve as a beacon if someone is looking for you when visibility is low.
Waterproof matches. If you have to spend the night outdoors, hypothermia is one of your biggest risks. Even in the middle of summer, night-time temperatures can drop precipitously, enough to make you uncomfortable, and possibly enough to endanger your life. Pack matches, but heed fire safety rules. Build your fire in a small area you have stripped of sod. When you're ready to move on, extinguish the fire, wet down and disperse the ashes and replace the sod.
Thermal "space" blanket. A small reflective blanket will provide surprising warmth and will help you conserve critical body heat while riding or waiting in intense cold.
Food. If you're stranded for hours, your horse can graze until help arrives. You, however, will need a bit more sustenance. For lightweight energy, try granola bars, chocolate, snack mixes or the traditional staple on the trail, good old raisins and peanuts.
Nice weather, good friends, a willing horse and an open trail are the recipe for a perfect afternoon. Coping with accidents may not always be on your mind when you're saddling up, but developing one habit--buckling on your fanny pack of basic survival tools before you head off--could someday ensure that an incident doesn't turn into an emergency, and an emergency doesn't become a disaster.
This article originally appeared in the June 2000 issue of EQUUS magazine. Read "Take the Trail Rider's Pledge" in the May 2007 issue of EQUUS for commonsense rules to increase your safety and enjoyment on the trail.
