Your Complete Trail Riding Gear Packing List

Trail riding is a fun way to enjoy time with your horse and help less experienced horses build confidence. With the right gear, you’ll be ready for whatever the trail throws your way. 

“The unexpected can happen at any time and place,” says Lynn Horne, an avid trail rider and former state ambassador of Alabama for Horse Trails of America (HTA). “The more prepared we are, the less stressful our misfortunes.” 

Must-have trail ride gear for short, local rides is different from what’s needed for “off-grid” or  overnight adventures. In either scenario, pack the right personal essentials: 

• Safety-certified riding helmet 

• Riding gloves 

• Breathable, weather-appropriate clothing, including waterproof layers 
• Sunglasses or goggles 
• Knife 
• Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF 
• Bug spray 
• Snacks and drinks (optional) 

Full day and multi-day trail rides require more gear.  For longer rides and those in remote areas, plan to bring: 

• Safety whistle 
• High-visibility vest 
• Trail maps (paper maps as a backup to apps) 
• Any personal medications or maintenance supplies 
• Hygiene essentials, including toilet tissue and wet wipes 
• Waste bags to carry out trash 
• Personal lantern or flashlight for low-light conditions, like the Horze LED Horse Riding Helmet Light 

• Backup or solar-powered chargers 

Whether you’re trailering somewhere close to home or traveling a long distance, Lora Goerlich, retired park ranger and founder of Horse Trail Expert in Ohio, emphasizes the importance of always carrying a roadside emergency kit with a ​​spare tire, tire changing kit, tire changing ramp, flares or cones, and roadside visibility gear. 

The best trail riding equipment for horses starts with a properly fitted saddle and bridle in good condition.  

If you’re riding more than a casual or cool-down lap around your (or nearby) property, a saddlebag or saddle horn is essential for carrying gear.  

Here’s what to pack for your horse: 

• Halter and lead rope 

• Hoof pick 

• Fly spray 

• Spare horseshoe or hoof boot  

• Bell boots (if your horse overreaches) 

• Vet wrap  

• Basic first aid kit 

• Collapsible water bucket 
• Horse sunscreen 

• Horse treats, hay, or grain (if needed)  

• Buckets to feed in (if needed) 

• Fly mask and boots (if the bugs are going to be bad, the terrain is appropriate, and your horse is used to wearing them) 

“​​For local rides, I bring several flakes of hay, a bucket for water, and an oral syringe for Banamine,” Horne says. “For long hauls, I bring three bales of hay per animal. I don’t feed grain, but I feed bagged forage [and bring one bag per animal] soaked with electrolytes and oral Banamine.” 

As always, contact your veterinarian before using any prescription medications. 

Even short trail rides take you away from the supplies in your barn or trailer. Having an on-the-go first aid kit for both you and your horse ensures you can treat injuries, minimize discomfort, and prevent minor issues from becoming larger problems. 

Before hitting the trails, it’s a good idea to brush up on basic first aid skills and to assemble a kit with:  

• Bandages (vet wrap can double as human and horse bandages) 
• Pain relievers 
• Instant cold packs 
• Emergency contact list  
• Antiseptic wipes 
• Antibiotic ointment 
• Emergency blanket (for longer rides) 

“I always carry a chewable antihistamine in my human first aid kit in case there’s a bee sting,” Goerlich says. “I’m not allergic to bees, but they say even if you’re not allergic today, you could be tomorrow.” 

Even experienced riders and seasoned horses can run into trouble on the trail. From uneven footing to low-hanging branches, wildlife encounters, brambles, and hidden abandoned fencing, hazards are always a possibility. 

Packing first aid supplies for your horse is as important as carrying your own emergency kit. Here are the basics to keep in your saddlebags: 

• Wound spray or ointment 

• Saline solution to flush an eye 
• Nail puller to remove a shoe 
• Wire cutters 
• Bandages  

• ​​​Pain relievers such as bute or Banamine (prescription required from a veterinarian) 

• Duct tape (for quick fixes or hoof protection) 

When heading out on a multi-day trip that requires extensive packing, ask an expert for advice on how to balance the load on your horse’s back. Most trail rides don’t require heavy supplies that require careful packing. 

Before heading out:  

1. Check that all tack and equipment fits your horse properly and is in good condition.  
2. Replace any expired or used emergency supplies and clearly label any medications or supplements.  
3. Research key details ahead of time, such as parking availability, water on-trail availability, and terrain.  

Goerlich also recommends checking cellphone service before heading into remote areas, as some carriers may not work well off-grid. 

“For super-remote areas, I recommend a GPS tracker or satellite phone, depending on where you’re going,” she says. 

It’s also a good idea to let someone else know where you’re headed, how long you plan to be gone, and an estimated arrival time. That way, someone knows to come looking for you if you don’t return. 

Trail riding is an excellent way to enjoy time with your horse and friends. But for a successful trail ride, it’s essential to be prepared with the right trail riding supplies. 

“Planning is important for anything you do outdoors—and for horse riding,” says Goerlich.