Page 43 - The Pocket Guide to Equine Knots
P. 43
Timber hitch.
A properly packed saddle horse is one that appears neatly “dressed.” Nothing protrudes
in an ugly or hazardous fashion. No great bundle exists behind the cantle of the saddle to
catch a foot when mounting or dismounting or to overload a horse where it damages his
center of gravity or his spine. Pommel packs carry most of the heavy items. And, when too
much gear is required, likely to happen on extended trips, on cold-weather trips (because of
extra clothing), and on adventures that require hunting, fishing, or photography equipment,
we turn to the pack animal (and the next chapter).
Adding a pack animal to your riding group, even on day rides, can relieve several riders
of all the excess gear they’d normally take on their saddle horses, their lunches, extra
jackets, water, and fishing poles, without even coming close to a pack animal’s capacity.
More riding groups should consider it.
