What to pack for your riding holiday
Riding Helmet/Hat
Some riding helmets are very lightweight and are vented, which means they are more comfortable in hot weather, we have a limited supply of basic helmets so we advise that you bring your own.
Riding Footwear
A pair of comfortable boots with a good grip is very important. There are boots on the market which you can use for riding but are also excellent if the terrain dictates that you walk beside your horse for a while. We recommend an ankle boot with half-leg chaps as they are a favourite for comfort both while riding and walking.
For the Trail of Bandits, Paths of Herdsmen and Sweet & Saltwater Trails you should definitely bring good walking boots and half-chaps. In the mountains you will need to lead your horse downhill on rocky terrain!
Riding Trousers
Riding trousers or jodhpurs together with half-leg chaps will ensure you are comfortable for long hours in the saddle. Two pairs of trousers or jodhpurs are usually enough.
Important Extras
Riding gloves, personal toiletries (towels are usually provided in your accommodation).
You will have saddle bags for riding, but a waist bag is always handy to carry your camera and small items whilst riding. A camera with a zoom-lens will ensure you capture the best images of your holiday. As well as your camera you must remember to take spare batteries.
A torch on trail may well come in handy. A few plastic bags will definitely be useful to protect items which may suffer from water damage.
Sun protection, this is essential and we recommend that you carry a small tube or stick with you so you can re-apply it throughout the day.
You may need to pack a good quality insect repellent, some have a much higher percentage of DEET and a spray or stick will be easier to use.
Please remember to bring a water bottle (1 litre).
Medical Kit
It is advisable to travel with a small medical kit that includes any basic remedies you may need such as antacids, painkillers, anti-inflammatories such as Ibuprofen, antihistamines and cold remedies. It might be wise to take anti-diarrhoea medication such as Imodium. If you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses you might want to take some spares.
Hot weather
You will need long sleeved shirts to protect against the sun as well as a couple of cotton t- shirts.
Remember that the Spanish (mountain) sun is strong and you can burn quickly. Wide brimmed hats are preferable to baseball caps for sun protection at the picnic. Both sunglasses (elastic is useful to keep them in place whilst riding) and a good quality sunscreen (rated SPF15 or higher) should be used including lip salve. For those fair skinned it may be wise to take a complete sun-block.
A pair of flip flops, swimming costume and shorts for when you get a chance to relax. It may get chilly in the evening even on hot days, so a fleece is a must and a lightweight jacket may be useful.
You should be prepared for all weather conditions in the mountains as well as during spring, autumn and winter on any trail. A waterproof mac or poncho will not take up much space but may prove very handy.
Winter Riding/Cold Weather
For trails where the weather is inclement, it is vital that you pack correct clothing to keep you warm and dry. Silk vests and thermal underwear will be a good base followed by layers of warm clothes. A good waterproof/windproof coat will prove a good investment. Waterproof trousers and waterproof gloves are light to pack and will be invaluable if it is really wet. Plenty of socks and a spare pair of boots are a good idea.
