Our Gear and Fave Products

Our gear was selected based on functionality, workmanship, weight, portability and price. Winnie and I have found certain products we like, and will feature them here. We are happy to try a new product if the manufacturer or distributor wants to send us a sample to "road test." Our thanks go out to those who have sponsored products or discounted certain items we needed for the journey!

Winnie's Pack and Day Gear

Winnie's Sawbuck Saddle
Winnie wears a sawbuck saddle.

I chose a sawbuck because it weighs less than a Decker, and is more affordable. Then I sold whatever personal items I could on ebay, and purchased the best pad I could find, a 5-Star Mountain Packer Pad from Outfitter's Supply. I also got my 1/2 inch BTM sling ropes and the top pack from them.

I learned how to tie the knots and hitches (to secure the load to the sawbuck) from Brandon Carpenter’s DVD Packing Horses & Mules for the Back Country. It seems a barrel hitch and a couple of clove hitches work best for me. I got the pannier years ago; it's actually intended for use with a Western saddle, but it seems to work all right slung over the sawbuck. To the leather breeching I've attached a couple of blinking bike lights, red fabric streamers and a flourescent slow sign, so drivers will notice us on the road.

Winnie's Glove boots were purchased from Easy Care. Her rope halter and long lead rope were purchased at Equine Affaire, from Chris Cox. Winnie also carries a make-shift "pooper-scooper" (a common dust pan).

Ann's Hiking and Day Gear

My Terrain H2O waterproof boots from the Ariat® endurance line were donated by William T. Clark of Strada Shoes in Northampton, Massachusetts. Back when I had my retail store, I worked long hours on hard floors, and developed a painful foot problem called plantar fasciitis. The Ariat® boots I'll be wearing are designed with Advanced Torque Stability (ATS®) technology that supports and cushions my feet as I walk. They are light in weight, which reduces fatigue, and have a moisture wicking feature that will keep my feet cool in summertime. These boots feel wonderful, and I am very grateful to have them!

To keep my hands free for horse handling, I carry my drinking water in a Camelbak®. On the hottest days, you may find me sporting about in hand-sewn cotton pants or a red dress that I designed; otherwise I'll be wearing nylon hiking pants or Wrangler Jeans®. I favor cotton blouses over t-shirts for summer wear; they're cooler! I advocate wearing a helmet for horse work, whether walking, driving, or riding.

I doubt if I'll ride much on the trip, but for the record, my all-time favorite riding breeches were made by Equissentials, and they've held up very well. This company makes a comfortable, rugged, and affordable product right here in the USA--let's keep them in business!

For cold mornings in the mountains, I'll wear my favorite Polarfleece® jacket, purchased by my son at Eastern Mountain Sports. They've got a knowledgeable crew at the Hadley, Massachusetts store, and my son (an avid climber) and I have bought a number of items from them over the years.

Winnie's Grooming and First Aid Kit

In Winnie's groom kit, I carry a rubber curry, a brush, a hoof pick, and one of my favorite products, Shapley’s Original MTG Soap. MTG fights fungus, helps grow a beautiful mane and tail, and puts shine to the coat. I get it through Lightfoot Horse Farm. By the way, a portion of all sales made through Lightfoot Horse Farm helps fund our trip!

In Winnie's first aid kit, I carry 3M® Vet Wrap, Banamine Paste, Bute Paste, Electrolyte Paste, gauze pads, antibiotic cream, a thermometer, scissors, linament rub, and Hawthorne's Sole Pack®, which I get from SmartPakEquine.

Ann's Grooming and First Aid Kit

I carry soap, toothbrush and paste, dental floss, face cream, a hair brush, tweezers, shampoo, and a small towel. In my first aid kit, I carry lots of bandaids, coated aspirin, Futuro® Wrist and Knee Braces, Zicam® Cold Remedy Gel Swabs, and Claritin-D® 12-hour allergy tablets. Because I'm allergic to nearly all antibiotics, I carry white vinegar and GNC® Goldenseal Root, which I've found useful for fighting minor infections.

Camping Gear and Food for Winnie

Winnie's Innertube Tie
Sometimes Winnie must be tied.

If a highline isn't practical when she must be tied, I attach a lead rope to a rubber inner tube for tying to a tree or barn. This is the safest method I have found for tying a horse, since the inner tube is strong but has elastic give to it, in case the horse pulls back. I like to use a rope halter and a bowline knot for tying. I'm not too keen on snaps, leather halters or ties that reward a pull back by breaking or releasing. I carry a knife to cut the rope in an emergency.

For grazing, Winnie is trained to wear a sideline hobble. She doesn't like front hobbles and I've given up training her for those at this point, since she's mastered the sideline. I DO use a pull-apart bull snap on the hobble, should Winnie ever need to get away or defend herself from an animal attack. On her neck collar, Winnie wears bells I brought home from India, along with an ID tag from Lucky Pet. If we ever got separated in the woods, the bell sound can help me locate her.

Winnie has a hay bag, a nylon mesh feed bag for grain, a salt block, and a collapsible bucket for water. I use Blue Seal feed: Trotter®, Vintage Performance LS™, and Hay Stretcher pellets when hay is scarce or weed-free rations are required. While training, we purchased the food locally from Amherst Farmer's Supply.

To keep her comfortable when bugs are biting, Winnie wears a fly mask and Absorbine® Supershield Red fly repellent. I also use Equi-Spot® Fly Control every two or three weeks to keep the ticks away.

Camping Gear and Food for Ann

I have a 3-season Half Dome tent to keep the rain and bugs out (thanks to Mister Albino!), and a Sierra Designs Polarguard Sleeping Bag that still keeps me cozy after ten years of use. I cushion my sleep with Winnie's saddle pad and a crescent-shaped neck pillow, and for protection from bears, I carry Counter Assault® Bear Deterrent. Mosquitos love me but I don't love them, so I stock up on Deep Woods Off® Bug Repellant. I also carry a solar-powered weather radio, a gift from one of Winnie's fans, plus a cell phone, flashlite and matches.

For cooking breakfast, I use a Snowpeak Lite Max Stove and nesting cookware to make my oatmeal with powdered milk and favorite Red Rose® tea. I have a pancake skillet my mother brought from Iceland (c.1948) for stir-fry veggie dinners. I also pack lentils, beans, rice, and quinoa for dinner, and nuts, raisins and Zone Perfect® Nutrition Bars for snacking during the day.

My water is filtered with the First Need® Deluxe Water Filter I purchased from EMS before going to India.

Route Planning GEAR

To sketch out my route, I use Google Maps and old-fashioned road maps. For more detailed planning, I've been using a Garmin U.S. Topo Map that downloads from my computer to a Garmin 60CSx GPS unit bought on sale at Eastern Mountain Sports. When I have questions about the road or the terrain, I use Google Earth to take a closer look.