Packer Gear and Equipment
KEY CONSIDERATIONS IN DETERMINING QUALITY OF A PACK SADDLE - (Courtesy of packsaddleshop.com)
Decker arches/rings - Metal arches on the decker come in two models - rounded or square. Square arches are also commonly referred to as the "new style" or combination. . Square style arches allow more room for your hands under the arches to tie ropes and or pannier straps. Rounded also called "old style" is still a workable option especially with pannier hooks.
Breeching and breast collar - Should be double thickness harness leather due to the strain on them. Also rolled and lined (soft chap leather sewn to) breast collar and breeching are preferred since this helps to prevent chafing of the pack animal.
Quarter straps - Some less expensive pack saddles only have one quarter strap per side. Higher quality pack saddles have two quarter straps per side.
Half breeds - A half breed should have 1" felt inside for added protection of the pack animal. All decker pack saddles have half breeds, saw bucks do not. However, I can special order sawbuck half breeds.
Nylon vs Cotton vs Leather - Nylon or cotton webbing for breeching, breast collars and straps are less expensive but are not as durable as leather. They also have a higher tendency to chafe a pack animal than leather. On long pack trips when a horse gets lathered up, the leather will absorb the sweat making the breast collar and britching slippery and less abrasive to the horse.
Conway buckles vs Roller buckles - Adjusting a pack saddle to your horse is much quicker and easier with roller buckles.
Brass vs nickel plated hardware - Brass is much more durable compared to nickel plating as the nickel plating will eventually peel or wear off.
Tree/bar thickness - Most trees/bars have the same width and length but vary in thickness. The thicker trees are more durable.
Pack Saddles available at this site.
DECKER vs SAW BUCK:
In the West, the pack saddle of choice is the decker. In fact, you rarely see a saw buck in use.
I prefer the decker because of the added protection the half breed provides the pack animal with its 1" felt and wood side boards.
Deckers also are more versatile than Saw Bucks. Hooks can be used to secure panniers to the decker arches which makes loading and unloading panniers very easy and quick.
If you have the misfortune of ever rolling a pack animal, and you will if you pack long enough, the saw buck crutches will definitely not survive the wreck. The decker arches/rings have a much higher probability of surviving a accident without destroying the pack saddle. Also sawbuck crutches break off occassionally when hitting low hanging large branches.
USED PACK SADDLES:
There are some good used pack saddles for sale. However, just like canvas tents, be very leery of buying an old one. The last thing that you want is to have leather breaking and a pack saddle shifting on a steep narrow trail.
Inspect an old pack saddle thoroughly:
Cracks - Look for any cracks in the leather, especially where it bends around the cinch, breeching, breast collar rings. If there is a crack its just matter of time before it breaks.
Quality of leather -Old leather loses it strength and will break under pressure, so check the quality of it just like you would check the quality of your wall tent.
Check decker tree - Put the pack saddle on the ground and try to move the metal arches. If the arches move the bolts securing the arches are normally rusted/decaying which allows the arches to move or the screw holes are rounded out.
Check saw buck tree - Put the pack saddle on the ground and try to move the oak crutches. If the crutches move the bolts/screws securing the crutches are normally rusted/decaying which allows the crutches to move or the screw holes are rounded out.
Examine tree - for splits or cracks. Splits or chacks will only get larger and make the tree unserviceable.
Visit www.packsaddle.com for specialized pack products and information.
Books
The Packer’s Field Manual (Stoneydale Press Publishing Company, 2005). Buy it on Amazon
With photographic illustrations by Roger Inghram. The Packer's Field Manual is a big 192-page book in 6x9-inch format for ease in taking it into the field. Written by the recognized top expert in the country on packing on mules or horses with a Decker Pack Saddle, this book is intended to provide state of the art basic instruction on the subject. From the selection of pack stock on to the basics of Decker saddles, pads and tack, author Bob Hoverson takes you through the entire packing process step-by-step using text and photographs to show the process. He also covers, chapter-by-chapter, the various hitches used in Decker packing, ropes, knots and splicing, caring for your tack, and other useful information on such subjects as feeding, shoeing, vaccinations and worming, dental care, stock first aid, and dealing with brand and health inspections. Hoverson also covers in detail one of his favorite subjects the use of equipment and techniques so the wilderness horse traveler will leave only tracks and make low impact on the land. 186 black & white photographs, numerous illustrations.
The Mule Companion, 4th Edition (CCB Publishing, 2009) - Handbook on how to breed, train, and troubleshoot longears. Buy it on Amazon
This fourth edition of The Mule Companion is a comprehensive book on mules with new photos of many real people and mules doing real mule activities. The Mule Companion has been called an excellent 'mule primer' for those people just getting into mules. However, the book also hosts an in-depth study of why mules do what they do, their idiosyncrasies, training, and problem solving. Also, the book is rich with 'how to' information on: caring for, breeding for, fitting tack on, buying, and mule activities, past and present.
Packin’ In on Mules and Horses (1980) - Buy it on Amazon
For those who yearn to pack in the wilderness country of the West, either on their own mules and horses or those of a professional packer, here is a book that takes the mystery out of back country packstring travel.
By teaching you the tricks of the trade, professional outfitter Smoke Elser show how your trip will be easier and more enjoyable by knowing more about the animals used and why and how they carry their loads as they do.
Whether you're an expert of a dude, Smoke's packing system will get you into and out of the back country safely and efficiently. Best of all, you will start to become self-sufficient and resourceful, important aspects of any wilderness travel. The book is laced with instructional photgraphs and sketches, presented in an open, attractive format.
Mules, Mules, and More Mules: The Adventures and Misadventures of a First Time Mule Owner Paperback – October 23, 2010 Buy it on Amazon
Ride along and learn the fascinating differences between horses and mules as Rose Miller shares her down-to-earth experiences with these captivating, long-eared hybrids, starting with a thrilling ride down the Grand Canyon, to the purchase of her own mules. If you don't already own a mule, you will be tempted to look for your own "perfect companion." A book for all animal lovers, young and old.