automatic pistol, emergency flare for fire starting/signaling, hand warmers, survival blanket, baling twine for tack and/or gate repairs, water, my Leatherman, and licorice and other snacks for Beau and me. I also carry my Garmin GPS, SPOT GEN3 (satellite signaling device), cell phone and camera.
"Tacking Beau and equipping him with proper footing is essential"
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"Wildlife is so much easier to spot and track when there is fresh snow on the ground"
the ground and what is under the snow. In the winter months, I rarely go over 10 mph averaging 3.2 mph throughout the day. That is one of the benefits of using a GPS device. You can track your fastest and average speed. In the winter, I still take care to ensure that my mule stays hydrated and is allowed to consume calories on the trail, especially when our rides exceed four hours. I will often stop and allow him to graze, and when water is not available, offer snow for hydration.
Tacking Beau and equipping him with proper footing is essential. I keep his tack in our heated garage. I love a warm coat, and I am pretty sure he appreciates warm tack. I have his hooves attended to every 6-weeks year-round which is
essential with the miles we put on. My farrier has tried all sorts of shoe-combinations, even composites. We have found, after wearing several pairs of shoes in half, in six weeks, that hard-faced steel shoes with tungsten carbide, often referred to by the brand name, Borium works the best. They wear better than anything we have tried and I often get three re-sets using the same shoes. The traction they deliver on rocks and ice is amazing. These shoes are not for every equine. If your equine paws in the trailer or is a kicker they can cause a lot of damage
For my comfort, I add Cashel’s Cozy Toes to my stirrups. They are inexpensive and easily attach with Velcro. My winter saddle bags always include the following: 9 mm semi-