Do Your Horse a Favor When You Hit the Trails.

It’s tempting to take lots of gear with us on trail rides. But it’s really best to pack light and pack smart.

According to our friends at MyHorse.com, the worst possible location to carry weight is behind the saddle, over your horse’s kidneys. Large saddlebags and saddle packs designed to carry overnight camping gear tempt you to fill them with unneeded items, to the possible detriment of your horse.

So choose small, light saddlebags to avoid the temptation to pack more than you need. And carry heavy items, such as water bottles or backpacking stoves, in pommel or horn packs that fit on the front of the saddle.