All I want for Christmas: A horse owner’s wish list (Road to Tevis 59)

There is no way I could fit everything horse-related I’d like for Christmas in one blog. Supposing I could remember it! But I need to post something soon, and I am most definitely compiling a horse owner’s wish list. In my head… as I realize all the things I need to get for our next ride. (That will be the Cayuse ride on December 11th.) Then there are all the things I’d like to purchase, if I could. So here goes, starting with endurance-ride needs (my specific ones, and others I’ve already got that are good ideas).

See my 2022 version: An endurance rider’s wish list, 2022

Note: I have a primitive set-up, compared with the fancy living quarters trailers some people have. My parents lend me their (very fancy) truck and (very old) Featherlite trailer. It’s a three-horse gooseneck, so I’ve got room to sleep and a place to change, etc. But that’s it. So my recommendations are for those with similar set-ups and budgets.

Jump to:

Endurance ride needs
Things I don’t really need that are on my wish list…. aka wants
What other people have on their wish lists

Above: I like my set-up, and wouldn’t want a fancy LQ trailer, but it does require more primitive arrangements for cooking and higiene! Picture from when Pep Boys fixed my flat tire on the way back from the Wild West Pioneer ride.

Endurance ride needs

The things I need to get for Cayuse

1. New half chaps. I bought these Ovation velcro closure ones about a year ago, and they have already come undone. They were not really big enough to fit over my hiking boots or Ariat Terrains that I usually ride in, so not entirely their fault. I do need some sturdy, wide-base halfchaps though. Sadly, I cannot find any I love, but I’ve decided to try these from Barnstable.
2. A LED lamp. I’ve got one my boyfriend gave me last year, but I am going to need another soon. This set is the second-best rated on Amazon; the only thing I don’t like about it is that it uses AA batteries. Rather have rechargeable. This one is rechrageable but will also run on AA batteries, so it might be the best option.
3. Winter gloves. I’m experiencing some joint pain and sitffness in my hands that is worse in the cold. I’ve got gloves, but need some with more insulation. These fleece-lined ones from StateLine are cheap and look acceptable (I don’t want bulky ones).
4. Clif Shot energy gels. I am almost out (and out of my preferred flavors). This is the only thing I eat while riding. If you can call it eating. It’s more slurping. I prefer mocha and double expresso, because they taste better and have more caffeine.
5. One AC, pending vet confirmation of anhidrosis diagnosis. I am certain enough that I’m ordering the product. I know from experience it helps with sweating.

Above: The Thoroughbred I bought on the track in Panama. Pancanal had anhidrosis which I treated, per veterinary advice, with OneAC. Panama is hot and humid, so anhidrosis is well-known there. With OneAC, Pancanal could work in the cool(ish) mornings, and would sweat. In the heat (or when not on OneAC), he would not sweat at all.

The things I really should add to my ride kit (reasonable horse owner’s wish list)

1. A camping table. We’ve got some bigger foldable tables sitting around, but I’d like something small. I don’t have a lot of trailer space! I am debating between lightweight, canvas options with cup holders and stoirage area underneath like this one, and sturdier, heavier options like this Coleman one. Sadly, those are made in China. Might have to go for Camptime’s roll-a-table, though it’s more expensive.
2. Portable camping gas grill. I have a little stove for heating water, and I prefer to make camp fires, but they are frequently forbidden. You cannot make a tri-tip on a propane stove! I am thinking a small one like this Cuisinart.
3. Along the same lines, a small space heater. I’m adding this after the Cayuse ride, which was so cold Fantazia’s beet pulp and alfalfa pellet mash froze in the trailer while we rode the first 25 miles!
4. Rope reins to tie to snap to Fantazia’s halter… once she’s good and tired! I’ve got the rope! I bought 50 feet of 1/2″ double-braided nylon rope from Blueoxrope.com last summer. Cheap, excellent quality, and it provided enough length for my bosal and some rope reins for my boyfriend… There is enough rope remaining to make more reins. I just need rope fittings (snaps and clamps).
5. Ice wraps. On rides when you probably won’t have access to running water, ice boots would be really useful. A lot of injuries can be mitigated (or prevented) by timely application of cold. Of course, on a multi-day ride, the boots will not stay cold. I prefer the gel ones, like the expensive Professional Choice version; I’d buy the more reasonable Tough 1s, but I prefer to buy from Riding Warehouse, and they don’t currently have them.

Above: My fire at the Sesenta Años xp ride. I love to make fires, but they are too frequently, though understandably, prohibitted. I will eventually need to invest in a propane grill.

Stuff I’ve already got and would recommend for any horse owner’s wish list for endurance rides.

1. Underwear: After much debate and trying on, I’ve decided that I prefer to ride in these cheap thongs. See my old blog post for many underwear suggestions from experienced riders: Let’s talk underwear! Bunching, blisters, comfort, and incontinence.
2. Let’s Talk Underwear also includes topical solutions for avoiding chafing. I prefer to use this Desitin (other forms of zinc oxide will also work, but that’s the best, imo).
3. A tri-folding mattress or two. I am not sure of the brand I use, because my mom bought them ages ago, but these look similar. I stack two in the gooseneck. This makes sleeping in a gooseneck much warmer–the cold air underneath means it’s COLD if you don’t have a solid mattress. An air mattress just augments the cold. I don’t have room to have a full mattress comfortably (even a twin), but these fold up small when I am not using them. I put a faux-down comforter on top of them if it’s really cold (this one is a cheap version).
4. Luggable loo. Basically a bucket with a toilet seat on it. I try to never use it, being willing to walk far to a toilet/outhouse and/or a private place to pee behind a bush rather than have a stinky toilet (even though you line these and can use Eco-gel to keep the smell down). However, in some ride camps you really must have an option for your own trailer. (I keep mine in the horse portion when stopped!)

Above: Fantazia in her bosal. My boyfriend fixed up the bosal with a headstall, and tied the beautiful rope I bought for a mecate. It’s great, but I need a real hanger, with a jowl strap to keep it out of her eye.

Things I don’t really need that are on my wish list…. aka wants

1. Looking for half chaps made me want these Ariat extreme insulated paddock boots. My existing Ariat paddock boots (not to be confused with their heeled hiking boots–Terrains) are probably 20 years old and you can tell. These Terrains, just like my old favorites I finaly tossed, would be more practical. I don’t like the ones I bought last….
2. New bras. The most frequently clicked on link in my Best Bras for Riding Horses post is Shefit. Shefit bras were much recommended on endurance pages, and I’d like to try one.
3. Bosal hanger with jowl strap. They are not easy to find. I am thinking this one from Buckaroo is a good choice. I don’t ride long distances in my bosal, but I do put it on for arena work, pre-rides, and casual trail rides.
4. An electric truck. I know this is sacrilege for some of you, but I’d love the three-motor Cybertruck. I did put the $100 down to reserve a Ford Lightning, but I doubt I’ll be able to afford the model that could actually haul a trailer any significant distance.
5. A new horse….

Ok time to stop!

What other people have on their wish lists…

Tell me what’s on the top of your wish list in a comment, here or wherever I share this (eg Facebook page), and I’ll add it in this section!

1. A smooth, short, safe gaited horse
2. A water tank in the trailer
3. Ride Boldly riding tights
4. Backup winter gloves. No idea which gloves Mindy Sue prefers, but I just purchased these ones! Cheap, and I was already ordering from Riding Warehouse.