Gear Lists

specs: 2000 model, Regular (SQHB), 4 in cantle, 16 in seat, Dark Oil Antique, ~20ish lbs, professionally fitted

notes: I added d rings and two nylon latigos. Despite being SQHB, it is slightly wider than the newest Flex-2 model. Comfortable, secure.

specs: 3/4th in thick, 32″ L x 30″ W. Wool blend with gel bladder and wear leather. Cutout at both the withers to allow for free range of motion, and at the billet to fit for rigging

notes: Verdict is out on this pad.

I am curious to see how it holds up over time, and whether the gel will overheat in summer, or freeze in winter. It doesn’t shift and Finley seems comfortable with it so far. It was generously given to me by the company to try out.

specs: four knot, 1/4th stiff polyester rope halter, horse sized, beige

notes: I am firmly team rope halter-light weight, with no hardware.

Often, I add fleece covers to this for Finley’s sensitive skin. I’m solely riding Finley in this for the time being because I’m young and stupid.

specs: 30 in, roper style, 100% mohair, stainless steel hardware, 27-strand

update: I added weaver cinch guards to my setup at the Silver Stirrup

specs: leather, 3″ wide body, 1 3/4″ billets, roller buckle

notes: I had to punch additional holes in this to fit Finley.

specs:  5/8th x 50 ‘, multifilament Polypropylene, black, no snaps

notes: This rope is longer, lighter, and cheaper than my last one!

specs: 1/5 inch, western style, gold color, white stitching, horse size, nickel plated hardware

notes: I had to punch additional holes in this to fit Finley. I added a wither strap to my setup at the Silver Stirrup. The snaps on one side of my wither strap has broken after a few weeks; I’ve zip tied it to my breast collar.

specs: 2.75″ replaceable neoprene pad attached to 2″ webbing with a buckle closure and 2.5″ diameter nickel-plated steel ring

notes: After a few hundred miles, the pads have worn down, but that is to be expected. Replacement liners can be bought online. Twice now in an emergency, when Finley has pulled back when tethered, his rope has been what’s “given,” with the hobble never breaking. Very durable.

specs: double-stitched, 600 denier PVC coated poly with heavy-duty No. 10 zippers, reinforced with webbing at all stress points.

horn bags: 11″H x 8.5″W x 4″D

cantle bags: 22″L x 10″H x 10″D

notes: I would strongly prefer these bags had wool felt lining their undersides. The nylon material has been abrasive; it rubbed a bald spot on Finley’s flank/point of hip at one point. (This rub happened just once, and never again. The fur was also able to grow back despite the saddle bags remaining in place over the spot.) I have to use quick links purchased separately to hold the cantle bags in place. My saddle strings have been necessary to keep my bedroll from shifting.

update: In Ashland, OH, I had an Amish leather man add fleece to the undersides of my cantle bags. He also repaired a rip in the side of one of my bags from when Finley nicked a mail box post, and reattached a zipper Finley knocked off.

specs: 140×135, BLEM(ished) discount model, arizona copper color

notes: Expensive, but I love mine! My original pair is still going strong after 600 miles, being worn sporadically. There is a great article on the LRG’s website comparing hoof boots (renegade, easy boot, and cavallo).

update: A dog belonging to the owner of a boarding stable I overnight-ed at near Wharton, OH, chewed the heel captivator of one of my hoof boots. I had to buy a replacement piece. Otherwise, they are continuing to hold up well.

specs: 2″, 4.5″ foot bed depth, 5″foot bed width

notes: These are one of the most popular endurance stirrups on the market. For my novice butt, they are harder for me to keep at speed than other stirrups, with their wide foot bed but shallow cage. (Okay, update: adjusting my stirrup length to just the right hole has helped alleviate this problem.) I actively consider swapping them out, but they have served me well enough so far for me to hold off.

Light weight, safe. Nylon.

Finley the hippopotamus has totally crushed them multiple times rolling with the saddle on (grr) and they haven’t broken.

specs: 15ft polypropylene yacht rope, brass plate bolt snap, 5/8″ in thick, leather popper

notes: Both my lead rope and reins. I took the bolt snap off apparently. No complaints.

notes: It’s important to save weight and space while travelling.

I also have an innate desire to be as minimalist as possible. I knew I wanted to try and get away with having one brush, not a curry and a soft bristle, so I gave this one a whirl. It’s worked decently enough, a bit stiff, but . . . I don’t know. I am still mulling over my opinion. It’s easy to decontaminate in a water/bleach solution.

specs: stainless steel, 12 x 0.6 in

notes: Commercial tethering stakes are expensive and heavy. I bought this as potential alternate.

Ideally, it should be a few inches longer. It’s not exactly . . . reliable. I use it on a wing and a prayer. As a result, I tie my tether rope around the base of a tree/post/etc. 90% of the time. This is light weight enough to be worth throwing in my tent pole sack for the off occasion it needs to be used, anyhow. I attached a carabiner and an o ring to it to ensure the top swivels.

update: I lost my original stake in a field near Hoagland, IN. Purchased an identical replacement.

notes: I appreciate the adjustable strap in the back. This has a nice glossy look, but I wish it were equipped with a removable visor and MIPS technology.

notes: These boots were gifted by my grandmother. Thank you, Marmee!! They are a popular model.

Every other equestrian I meet has a pair, or knows someone who does. The waterproof feature is wonderful, and they are comfortable to walk in, but I have a sneaking concern about their longevity.

The heel is not necessary with my caged stirrups, and I fear the leather is digging into my toes, causing them to sore. Originally, I chalked this up to my body needing to adjust to life on the road-blisters are part of that transition!-but now, 600 miles in, my toes are continuing to suffer. They’re being rubbed raw, on and off, which is odd.  It happens often enough for me to threaten to get rid of them, but rarely enough that I don’t follow through on that threat.

Really, most of the time they’re fine. Maybe a square toe would have prevented the problem. The tread has held up remarkably well after 600 miles. My next pair of shoes will likely be merrell trail runners.

specs: Up to 110lb measurement capacity, the deviation no more than 0.1lb, compact and lightweight (only 90 g)

notes: It’s critical with long riding that your packs are dead even on either side.
Up to this point (eastern Indiana) I’ve been guesstimating. This nifty little thing will ensure total accuracy, I hope.

main outfit: reflective vest, button down shirt, bra, underwear, leggings, cargo shorts, darn tough wool socks, half finger gloves, bandana, back brace

spare outfit: polyester sport shirt, cargo pants with tear, spare underwear and socks, rain poncho

Tent: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1 tent with splints (left over from cycling trip)

Sleeping bag: Hyke and Byke 0 degree Eolus sleeping bag (left over from walking trip)

Miscellaneous: brush, sawyer water filter, zip ties, toothpaste/brush, sunscreen, zip lock bags, trash bags, paracord, lighter, tampons, toilet paper/napkins, spare lithium AAA batteries [a set lasts me 2 weeks], deodorant, first aid kit, hair ties, phone, two cords [constantly being broken and re-bought], wall charger, battery pack [one lost in eastern OH], duct tape, microfiber towel, journal

Rations: 2 smartwater bottles, gallon sized zip lock bag of food that is varying levels of full (Ohio update: I am not losing weight as I should on the road, like seriously, it’s bad, so I have forgone carrying food while I am on the east coast, because I have no self control and am finding it unnecessary to)

Finley’s paperwork: coggins, vaccination record, proof of ownership, health certificate

specs: 15 in seat, fiberglass covered wood tree, 7/8th rigging, round skirt, nylon fenders, “2 ralide stirrups, ~18 lbs, 4in cantle

notes: When Finley first got rain rot, he needed to be saddle-less for weeks to heal. I knew I wanted a better fitting, and higher quality, saddle in any case-this one being “good enough to start,” so I resold it and carried on walking, with Finley bareback, that way I didn’t have to postpone traveling altogether.

NO Loss

specs: 1.5 gel infused memory foam, cut to the size of a saddle pad ~32 x 32

notes: I read on the Long Riders Guild website that Filipe Leite, who has ridden 16,000+ miles across the three Americas, recommended foam as a saddle pad.

I then found this article by another long rider who specified 1.5 inch memory foam.  I tried this at the onset of my journey, but it ended up ripping too easily, within a few uses, rendering it unusable. I also question its cushioning capabilities with how easily it compresses.

However, my foray with foam may not be over … since I found these photos of Filipe’s setup that I may try imitating in the future.

Loss

specs: leather body, real sheep fleece booties, no pinch biothane stirrup leathers, 15 in seat, ~20lbs?

notes: Orthoflex saddles are known for having two flexible panels on their underside rather than a solid tree to conform more closely to a horses build. The design was originally patented by a long rider themselves. I was optimistic about this saddle, but it didn’t end up being a good fit for Finley.

It was well crafted, lightweight with many tie off points but it was also difficult to carry my saddle bags properly on it-they would end up sitting too far forward or back.

When I reached the silver stirrup tack shop in central PA, I asked them to check its fit, so I could know what was wrong with it, and even they struggled to give me a clear answer (though they also admitted to being a bit unfamiliar with the orthoflex design).

Ultimately, it was decided that the angle of the panels, even with their flexible nature, likely weren’t quite right for Finley’s withers. Resold.

NO Loss

specs: cotton, brass snap, 3/4th x 22 ft., white

notes: Chicks Discount lies about the length of this lunge line. It’s not really 30ft. I measured it and got 22 ft. When I called them out on their dishonesty, they refunded me.

I still carried this as my primary picket line until central PA, when it became too raggedy to be worth continuing on with. It has a loose, undesirable weave that contributed to its poor look after a few weeks.

NO Loss

specs: gold beta biothane, horse sized, no neoprene padding, white stitching, brass hardware

notes: I choice this bridle because it was the cheapest beta biothane one I could find. Beta biothane is known for being easier to maintain than leather, and stronger, with a greater breaking point.

Endurance riders rave highly about the stuff. I also liked that it could function as a halter, and that it had “bit hangers,” which means the bit can easily be clipped on and off.

This feature is wonderful for a long rider who needs to stop and graze their mount every hour.
However, I once left this on overnight, and by morning, Finley had a massive bald spot above his brow where he had rubbed his haltered head against a tree.

From that point forward, it became clear I could never leave it on overnight, rendering it near useless as a halter. It’s also clunky, and doesn’t fold up neatly when packed, so I ditched it with a host when I decided to begin riding solely in my rope halter in western PA.

Loss

specs: cotton, brass snap, 3/4th x 25 ft., 3 lbs, navy blue

notes: I got this 25ft lunge line to replace my last one in central PA. It has a great weave and general feel, and served me well until central OH. I ultimately replaced it when I found out that Outfitters Supply Company sells a  5/8th diameter rope in their picketing kits.

It made me realize that Finley was totally ready for a thinner rope (when you first begin picketing, it’s recommended that you use a thicker rope, like this 3/4th inch one, or even greater!)

Immediately after this revelation, I found a 50 ft, 5/8th rope that sealed the deal, with it [my new rope] being double the length of this one, cheaper, lighter, AND less bulky!

specs: 100% new zealand wool, 1/4th thick, 5+lbs,  36″ x 34″

notes: I got this blanket at the Silver Stirrup in central PA at the same time I got my Impact Gel pad, as I wanted the additional padding it would provide (1/4th of an inch) as well as the 100% pure New Zealand wool against Finley’s flank.

Within a few days, it became clear this would not work, as it would slip out the back of his saddle. I then switched to using it on TOP of the Impact Gel, solely to maintain the extra padding, before throwing it away entirely in western OH.

NO Loss

reflective vest, sweatshirt, long-sleeved undershirt, t-shirts x2, pants, shorts, leggings, underwear x2, bra, sunhat, socks x4, trail runners x4.

winter additions: REI Co-Op 650 down jacket, Patagonia light down jacket (gifted), Mountain Hardwear windbreaker + hat (gifted), gloves x2, wool socks x2, wool leggings, snow pants, balaclava

backpack, headlamp, whistle/compass combo, bike alarm, bike lock, Nekteck 21W Solar Charger (never used, rotted in the back of my stroller), Sawyer Mini water filter, insect repellent, mini bike pump, tube repair patch kit, first aid kit, trowel, hair brush, spray bottle (in the summer), stove w/pot (in the winter), duct tape, sun screen, ziplock bags, stuff sacks, 2-3 smartwater bottles, 2 gallon jugs (during long stretches), pen & paper, rain tarp, lighter, bungees, toothbrush/paste, deodorant, menstrual cup, hair ties, paracord, spare batteries, military emergency survival blanket (gifted in CO), weather radio (gifted in KS) 

reflective vest, long-sleeved undershirt, t-shirts x2, pants, shorts, leggings, underwear x3, bra, sunhat, balaclava, socks x2, moms old hand-me-down sneakers, rain jacket, flip flops, face masks

spare shimano break cable set, tire repair kit, water bottle holders x2, trash compactor bags, phone holder, three smartwater bottles, mini toolkit, sunscreen, hairbrush, rock n roll extreme lube, portable WiFi, spare battery pack, sawyer water filter, paracord, phone w/ cords, AAA batteries, hair ties, spoon, menstrual cup, deodorant, lighter, microfiber towel, ziplock bags, first aid kid, mini shampoo, toothbrush/paste, stove/fuel