Well now what?
The wife, myself and friends will be doing a horse pack in trip next month into the eastern sierra (see my other post Planning Eastern Sierra Pack Trip). Now this is where we need help. I hope some of you know horse’s. We did a 1 hour trip yesterday and man o man my butt hurts:mad: Heres the question, any good ideas on how to reduce the effects? We are going to go riding once a week and try to get in shape somewhat. So lets hear it from you horse people or anyone that has had the same issue themselfs:D
After the trip I will hopefully have some great photos to share. The fishing is supposed to the best.:tieone:
Almost hate to suggest it … BUT … I’ve heard, pantyhose stop the chaffing.:roll:
Ride a lot before you go…and a thigh master! :lol: Actually… that’s no joke. Increasing the strengh of the muscle you use to grip the horse, helps a lot. You just don’t sit on a horse…you ride it, by gripping it with your knees and taking pressure off you back side.
Make sure the stirrups are the correct length for you…helps the butt a little but really saves the knees.
Saddles that fit are a joy but as mentioned the best way to harden in is obviously to ride a lot.
How you hold your feet makes a big difference at the end of the day. It is heels down (as your foot is in the stirrup) and toes pointed in. If you try that sitting in your chair you will see that it affects the inner thigh, see post above.
First off, YOU DO NOT GRIP A HORSE WITH YOUR KNEES UNLESS YOU WANT THE HORSE TO RUN!!!
You can purchase saddle pads (on top of the saddle) that may help and it would help you if you got a saddle that fits you too. Other than that the best you can hope for is that your practice rides will take away the worst of it.
About twenty years ago or so i went on a pack trip with some friends and my Mom and Dad. It was a 6 hour ride in and none of them had been on a horse in numerous years. They were all a little sore the next day but nothing terrible. The skeeters were the only bad part of the trip and they were doable too.
Rich
Gotta agree with that …it makes me weary and sore just to think about it…you…go with the flow…it’s a rhythm thing…guess that makes it a little like fly casting:D
You will gain a whole new admiration for the ‘cowboys’ as they gallop UP and DOWN those hills in the old movies. Wait until you try hills. *hint, coming down can be very exciting!! 
I knew a girl who wore a ‘body-suit’ once, just once.
Oh, be careful shooting guns from the saddle, heard of a guy who shot his horses head off once, just once. (archery is a safer method, ask the Indians or Deanna)
Betty- Pantyhose?:roll: Ha hahahaha It’s a Pack Trip not last years movie… If they laugh at me when I ask, you owe me lunch or at least a nice fly…
Mato- I can work with that.
Dusksterman- Stirrups, I was thinking they had to be used for something other then my boots. I’ll ask the guide how they can help us…
Crook- Running horses NOT GOOD! Skeeters, yea they can be a problem. Had a trip at June Lake once and was attacked as soon as we openned the the truck door.
J Castwell- ye ha yes but no guns this time, maybe shoot some :tieone:s to some nice trout…
Of course my next tread is going to be, What kind of flys and assorted equipment will all of you advise. Just remember I don’t know the lingo yet on all this flyfishing stuff. I still haven’t caught a fish on a fly yet,BIG time rookie.
You didn’t mention this concern but…some more words of advice…have your rods in strong tubes …many of us have dented tubes from pack horses/mules/jackasses gone wild.
Re: stirrupps…be sure your boots will fit in them…despite what you say I don’t think you want to ride without stirrups:roll:
I’ll use anything and any help I can get. Stirrups, seatbelts, velcro etc.
Rod holders, I think I saw that on a list somewhere. I have had good luck with schedule 40 pvc X 4" Dia. for saltwater. great reminder.
Thanks Rich for you input. I think we will be going with the Rock Creek Pack Station out of Bishop. But have not deceied yet. Were going near the end of July
I grew up on a ranch in Tx. and learned to ride almost before I could walk. I spent my youth working cattle from the back of a horse. 12 hours in the saddle was a normal work day.
Make sure all your gear fits. Don’t get cheap stuff (like ‘Action’ saddles). Spend the money for good gear like Simco, and Textan saddles. Get a saddle with a real bullhide tree, and not a plastic one. I have two saddles that I use, I have a Simco A-Fork Old-Timer Roper that I’ve had for 35+ years. My cutting saddle is a Simco Cut-A-Way, that I’ve had for 20 years. These are the types of saddles that professional working cowboys use. With proper care, they can last several lifetimes.
There are several types of saddles. Make sure you have the right saddle for the type of riding you are doing. Avoid the ‘bicycle seat’ type used in ‘English’ riding. They are useless for serious riding. The same for the so called ‘Endurance’ or ‘McClelland’ type saddlles. They are just cutsy junk. In the world of real saddles (with the exception of specialty-type police and rodeo saddles), there are two choices. One is a Cutting Saddle. It has a deep saddle dish and high canticle (back) to brace your lower back, and has a long, but thinner saddle horn than a Roper. It is made to be sat in for long periods of time, and aid in balance and handling for quick maneuvers to head-off wayward, obstinate and uncooperative livestock. It allows you to become ‘One’ with your horse. The second style is the best for heavy-duty riding. It is the Roper Saddle. These are heavily made, robust saddles with a lower canticle, and have a heavy, strong saddle horn. They are made to absorb the shock of a large, mean, 1000+ Lb. angry bull at the end of a rope, and to pull him off his feet. They are designed to be able to mount and dismount easily, on-the-run if necessary. You can carry enough gear on one of these to live in the saddle. This is the best saddle to have for all around riding. The choice is basically this…for speed, and dexterity=cutting saddle. For safety, endurance and work=roper saddle.
Your saddle has to ‘break-in’ and will mold to the shape of your butt, and the horses back. It takes a lot of miles, but you can speed the process up by rubbing the uppers with Saddle Soap regularly. Once broken in, they are very comfortable. Avoid saddles with suede, or padded seats. They will not break in, and will deteriorate in short order, and in inclement weather. Only use a full leather seat.
Avoid boxer shorts on a long ride…they will chaff horribly. Stick with skivies, or better yet, Long Johns. They help protect and support your legs, and move with you, not against you. That’s why even in hot weather, you see all the movie cowboys wearing Long Johns. This is one instance where art actually imitates life. Another good option would be the longer leg length ‘bicycle’ type shorts. They are the best of both worlds. They have either a chamois, or Wicktech pad to keep you dry and comfortable. Some even have ‘gel’ padding in them, and are an absolute dream to wear. It’s almost like sitting on a waterbed! Whatever style you choose, avoid seams on pressure points. Take several pairs of shorts with you and change often, especially if they get damp with sweat. If chaffing is still a problem, take a can of Gold Bond Medicated Powder with you, and shake it into your shorts, and on your butt and crotch at regular intervals. This keeps you dry, somewhat sterile and provides a bit of lubrication to avoid getting boils.
And wear a good pair of quality name-brand jeans to help protect your legs. Levis (not the 'designer styles…just plain Levis) are one of the best for extended riding. They are usually a bit thicker, and cut a bit ‘looser’ than the other brands. And don’t ride in Tennis Shoes. Get good name brand (Justin, Tony Llama, Nocona, Luchese, etc…) cowboy boots with tapered fronts and riding heels. If you plan on doing much walking, or getting on and off a lot, then Roper style boots are OK, but riding boots with a sharp front and riding (not 'dogger) heels are best. They will keep you from getting ‘hung’ in the stirrups in the event of an emergency (spooked horse, rearing horse, hitting an overhanging tree limb, etc…).
When riding for extended periods, stand up in the stirrups every so often, stretch, and take some pressure off your butt. It also provides some circulation in your legs. You’d be amazed at how much this helps! It also helps to stop, get out of the saddle and walk around a bit very couple of hours.
Other than that, the only thing that will help is miles in the saddle.
I hope this helps.
Gigmaster- Lots of good info Thanks.
However we are stuck with the saddles that the packer has for our trip. The ride should not be more than 3 hours oneway and were staying 3 days before returning. I think your right about saddle time, the more the better, it also gives us more insite on how to direct the horse, which once I got the idea that you just need to guide the horse with a slite pull to one side or other to make it work was fun.
I’ll add your comments to my check list so when its time to go I don’t miss anything.
Thanks again from all of us.
Bill olllllllo
Long johns … panty hose. Either one will work!!:roll:
Gigmaster, that was a fantastic reply!! Thank you!
whichwayout, this sounds like a trip of a lifetime!! Take good notes, so we can all enjoy a report of the trip when you get home!! How fun!!
You bet Betty we’ll have a great time, I am realy only worried about what I can do nothing about ( late summer thunderstorms and fires, it is Calif. afterall), now if I could only figure out how to add some photos to my postings well be set
Bill olllllllo its a Jeep Thing
HAY! Didn’t they make a movie about that? I think it was “Broke Back Mountain”
Now that was a good one…
There are few things that can be more aggravating than
riding someone else’s saddle, or horse. I’ve always insisted on breaking my own horses. When I was younger, I used to do it Texas-Style, where you just hop on and hang on 'til the horse gives up. Then, a Mexican friend of mine showed me how to do it Mexican-Style, which is superior for both you, and the horse. If you lead the horse into knee-deep (the horses knee) water, then mount, the horse won’t buck. You can gently train the horse to your signals, with much less mental trauma to yourself, and the horse.
If I had to ride someone else’s saddle, then I would definitely recommend the gel-padded bike shorts under your jeans. Be sure to check your riggings good before you mount, and inspect the horses as well. Sometimes rental places aren’t quite as attentive as they should be. Make sure the rigs are tight (sometimes a horse with a sense of humor will take a deep breath and fill their lungs up when the riggings are tightened, so that when they exhale, the rigs are loose, and they can slide you off, saddle and all. It’s the equine version of a One-Liner) Check the horses for any sores, swellings, cuts or signs that they don’t feel well. Check the eyes and make sure they are not running. Try to get to know the horses, and let them get to know you before you set out. And I’m sure you already know this, but most important of all, never, never walk directly behind a strange horse, unless you like being kicked into the next county.
Good Luck.
More good stuff, Thanks
I think we will be looking for bike pants this weekend. The wife wont be riding this weekend (nice cute rub marks on the backside) shes only 99 pounds so we will let that heal up and ride again the week after for more practice. I seem to have come out of last Sundays ride ok although somewhat sore.
You take all the pictures you want, and when you get home we’ll talk you through the posting part!! Pretty easy when you get right down to it! Certainly easier than riding a horse that long.
<fwiw … pantyhose will also keep ticks off!!>
<and … remember Joe Namath!!>