[jazzrider]

I never go out on trail without my cell phone and a bottle of Gatorade or water. But I'm just a 2-3 hour trail rider. I'm sure that some of you that do some serious trail riding for endurance or back country trips will have a completely different response.

So what do you see as critical to have when you go out on trail?

[marta]

i don't know why i'm so attached to it since in many areas i don't get a signal anyway.

my gf got hurt badly over a year ago while out in the sticks. her mare took off with tack on left her behind with torn ligaments in her knee. she limped back to the truck. later her husband was chewing her out for not having the cell phone around and she was like, what's the point, i get no signal there anyway.

on the other hand one time when i left without it, my friend's mare got very ill (neurological symptoms, later thought to have been caused by her ingesting something in her pasture). we were only 15 minutes walking from the barn. no cell phones. i left her behind and ran back (i was ground driving my mare) with my mare to the barn for help. got a nasty asthma attack from that little jog!

so i carry the cell phone. i try to remember to bring a small pocket knife, too, but i'm not as diligent about it as i am about the cell phone.

[LisaW-B]

I'm also a short-ride, recreational trail rider.

* Cell phone
* Water
* I.D. tag on saddle (w/ name of horse, my name, address, phone numbers -- home, my cell & husband's cell)
* Folding hoof pick

[rainechyldes]

I take my horse

[jazzrider]

I'm also a short-ride, recreational trail rider.

* Cell phone
* Water
* I.D. tag on saddle (w/ name of horse, my name, address, phone numbers -- home, my cell & husband's cell)
* Folding hoof pick

I.D tag on saddle! What a basic thing I've never thought about. Great idea LisaW.

I'll also add that I'm always sure to have my cell phone attached to ME, not my horse (since many years ago my horse and cell phone galloped home without me and I had a looooonnnnngggg walk back).

[ChocoMare]

I don't usually go too far, but always have:

-Cell phone (secured to my arm)
-Knife
-Baling twine
-1/2 roll of Vet Wrap
-Folding hoof pick
-Panty liner (for boo boos)

If I was going longer, I'd take water and a snack.

[ChocoMare]

On the ID tag thing, someone had the great idea of getting one of the You-Engrave-It Pet Tags at Wal-Mart, etc. with horse's name, your name & phone number. Clip it onto the bridle.

[QuzqosMa]

Water bottle, cell phone, toilet paper (just in case). If I'm going for a few hours I take a hoof pick, a lead rope, & empty saddle bags (for picking up beer cans along the road!).

[Huntertwo]

Cell phone and lipstick.... Hoof pick is already attached to my saddle in a little pouch of its own.

Great idea about putting an I.D. tag on the bridle and saddle.

[LisaW-B]

I was trying to remember where I got the I.D. tag idea from... I think it was from a trail trials a long time ago where they made each rider fill one out and attach it to our horses. I remember us laughing and calling them "toe tags"! Hopefully no one will ever need to use my tags, but it makes me feel better knowing that when I ride alone, which is often, if my horse and I part company and someone catches him, at least they'll know what to do with him. It's like Paddington Bear -- "Please return this bear to..."

[Auventera Two]

To echo a previous poster -

cell phone
water
ID tag on saddle with cell and home number. I used to braid this in her mane, but now she's roached. I could braid it into her tail, I suppose.

Also - a power bar or something similar, and a few things in my pack like hoof pick, flashlight, swiss army knife, chapstick, banaids, vetwrap, trail maps, etc. My pack just stays packed and on the back of my saddle so its not like I have to consciously remember these things each time I ride.

[Huntertwo]

I was trying to remember where I got the I.D. tag idea from... I think it was from a trail trials a long time ago where they made each rider fill one out and attach it to our horses. I remember us laughing and calling them "toe tags"! Hopefully no one will ever need to use my tags, but it makes me feel better knowing that when I ride alone, which is often, if my horse and I part company and someone catches him, at least they'll know what to do with him. It's like Paddington Bear -- "Please return this bear to..."

Hey maybe we could use the luggage tags they give you at the airport to I.D. your luggage..lol

[Tiempo]

My helmet!

I don't bother with my cell phone as we get no signal out here at all.

As for the name and address tags..great idea, but I don't think I'd put it on the bridle, we put together a search party here two weekends ago for 2 horses that had taken off after a wreck, by the time they were found 24 hours later, neither had on a bridle, but both still had on thier saddles (minus the horn on one!)

[ChocoMare]

Good point about the bridle. Hmmmm, maybe "tie" it into their mane somehow?

I would recommend that you all start carrying a knife. One of the quick open/close with-one-hand types. We went to Equine Extravaganza in Virginia and watched/participated in the Self Defense for Trail Riders clinic with Scott Hanson. He said that that type of knife, clipped inside a pocket or at your waistband, is one of the most important things to always have with you -- after your helmet and cell phone.

If you've not had a chance to see his self-defense demos or DVD's, do it. Very, very informative especially since he brings with him a background in horses and police work.

[ReRider]

Call me an old Girl Scout, now mommy of young children, trauma nurse, don't bounce as well as I used too 40ish woman.......I take a buddy on ALL trail rides....period.

[Beverley]

As noted, the horse is essential! I take water, a snack for a longer ride, cell phone and gps. Cell phone coverage can be iffy, but GPS can be a lifesaver- if someone in the group or someone encountered on the trail has need of medical assistance, a rescue helicopter will not come unless you can give them the coordinates. One can usually find some high point for coverage, if one really has to, or just ride like heck til one does have coverage.

A piece or two of baling twine is always in the saddle bags too- hundreds of potential uses.

[tabula rashah]

- cell phone (on me)
-water
- hoof pick
-lead rope
- mini person first aid kit (advil, bandaids, bee sting meds{i'm really allergic} and chapstick)
-roll of vetwrap
-granola bar
-knife
-baling twine
-ID on me and the horse
-double end snap
-pen and a couple of pieces of paper
-a few horse treats
-map (if I'm somewhere new)

It sounds like it's a lot, but I can fit almost everything in a pencil case which goes in the pocket saddle pad. Lead ropes clips on D's on the saddle and water bottle and granola bar go in water bottle holder- also clipped to D's. I usually go out from 3 to 5 hours at a time.

[jazzrider]

I would recommend that you all start carrying a knife. One of the quick open/close with-one-hand types. We went to Equine Extravaganza in Virginia and watched/participated in the Self Defense for Trail Riders clinic with Scott Hanson. He said that that type of knife, clipped inside a pocket or at your waistband, is one of the most important things to always have with you -- after your helmet and cell phone.

I almost always ride trail with my husband, who carries a knife. I never thought about it for myself. I'm a little knife leery, having had one go through my hand and had two surgeries to repair it (you really don't want to hear the details ). But it is a good idea, for both practical reasons and self defense.

The dog tag for ID, attached to the saddle is a great idea. I have dog tags on all my blankets to keep track of them. At the super pet stores they have a machine and you can do it right then. Next time I go to pick up dog food, I think I'll get one!

[Eventer55]

I include benadryl, why because a woman died a few years ago while trail riding with friends. She was stung by a bee and died before help arrived. My SO is allergic to bees so I'm more aware of the consequences. You can develope an allergy to bees etc and not know it.

If you are allergic you can get an epipen, it can save your life.

[saratoga]

Wow, you guys are all so prepared. I like to carry a water bottle, cell phone, spare easy boot and a snack but have been known to go out with nothing. I keep meaning to add things like a knife, baling twine, hoof pick, first aid to my pack but still havent..