Page 48 - The Pocket Guide to Equine Knots

and project upward in place of the two Xs of the sawbuck. Hitch ropes slide easily through
these rings, an advantage.

The biggest single advantage of the Decker is the way it protects the horse from odd-
shaped or hard-surfaced loads. Draped over the saddle, with the D-rings protruding
through, is a large square of canvas or nylon called a “half-breed,” stuffed with horsehair or
foam. Installed horizontally on each side is a slim wooden board. The board, the padding in
the half-breed, and the pack pad under the saddle all serve to protect the horse from the

pressure of an angular load. Now that many wilderness areas require bear-proof panniers
—hard boxes made of metal or plastic—the Decker is increasingly the packsaddle of
choice.

Packing bridge planks on a Decker saddle.

However, the Decker works as well as the sawbuck for the entry-level packer who only

wishes to hang on a couple of panniers. To avoid having to open the top straps each time
the bags are put into place, purchase Decker hooks and install them in the straps, adjusting
so that the tops of the panniers ride evenly. Then it’s simply a matter of hooking the
panniers to the saddle when you load up. But don’t forget that essential belly strap to hold
the panniers down and close to the horse. Since it always seems to loosen during the first

mile, tighten it at your first rest stop.

Basket Hitch

Soon you’ll wish to move beyond the limitations of the most basic packing. Of the many
hitches you can use, the basket hitch is one of the simplest and most versatile. It can be
used with a sawbuck, a Decker, and some riding saddles to secure mantied loads, hard or
soft panniers, or even two similar backpacks should you wish to give a couple of hikers a

running start on their trek. And, it can supplement the belly strap connecting panniers as
described above by further securing and steadying the load.
The iron rings of the Decker packsaddle make it especially handy for the basket hitch,
because they reduce friction when pulling the hitch tight. The sling ropes on my Deckers are

made of half-inch polyester rope, eye-spliced to the D-ring on my left as I face the horse.