How to pack

I made a video showing what you can take with you on a ride in Central Asia. This is a complete list of gear for the mountains. You don’t have to take everything of course, we will arrange most of the stuff.

Of the equipment given, we will have it available for everyone (i.e. you don’t have to take it):
Horseshoeing gear, iron stakes and ropes, first aid kit for horses, cooking-we cook on fire, complete food, solar panel (30w, i.e. low power, for an emergency use), paper topographic map, satellite navigator with SOS helicopter (here you have to keep in mind that a helicopter has to be covered by your travel insurance).

• Your first aid kit (e.g. bandages, dressings, personal care medications, antibiotics, intestinal antibiotics, anti-diarrhea medications: smecta + black charcoal + endiaron, probiotics, vitamin, ibalgin + paracetamol, plasters)
• snack bars
• a bottle or two for water
• a spoon
• a sleeping mattress and a sleeping bag
• tent or tarp (sometimes it will rain, preference is up to you)
• two power banks
• charging cables
• headlamp + batteries
• toiletries (towel, toothbrush and toothpaste, sunscreen 50+, comb, mini shampoo, soap, toilet paper, tissues, toothpaste).
• water filter (tablets for water purification)

Clothes for riding:

• g. riding trousers, if you use them, feel free to wear minichaps, chaps or australian riding coat,
• headgear (helmet, hat or cap)
• long sleeve lightweight t-shirt
• something for winter (sweatshirt, down jacket…)
• a raincoat for you XXXL (as big as possible for riding, maybe one of those anti-chemical working ones, doesn’t have to be a trekking one)
• rain jacket for the saddle (so the saddle does not get wet if you dismount)
• leather straps for tying the saddle bags to the saddle (the so-called “saddle strings”, you can buy them at a saddlery, I recommend you buy them in advance).

As for the whip/spur – local horses are used to the local whip, they are not used to spurs, I leave it up to you.

Feel free to bring your own grooming equipment and weight for the bags (if you want to balance the bags every morning) for your convenience. Balancing the saddle bags prevents the bandalier and saddle from sliding off and helps to keep you and your horse comfortable.