lightweight Archives - Azadi Far Ride

Over 1000km: just barefoot isn’t gonna cut it

SJ — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 00:36:55 +0000

My horses have been barefoot for as long as I’ve owned them.

When we started seriously planning this awareness raising initiative, the Azadi Far Ride to the Murray, we knew that just being barefoot wasn’t going to cut it. We still wanted the flexibility in the hoof that barefoot allows, but we needed protection against excessive wear, concussion, and puncture injuries. We’ve been using boots for several years, but these, along with their spare parts and tools to fix them, are heavy. Then, there’s the time it takes to apply and remove them twice a day, along with the constant checking to ensure there are no rubs.

The Solution!

With these considerations in mind and the need for something that can be applied quickly with minimal tools while trekking, we looked into polyurethane horseshoes.

What can we say? After trying them, we’re hooked! They’re lightweight, quick, and easy to apply, and the horses move beautifully.

So, we’re excited to partner with the Australian-made and owned company, Costin Horseshoes, for our journey of over 1000km across NSW stock routes this year! These unique and innovative polyurethane horseshoes can be nailed, glued, or cast on and provide plenty of sole protection, while still allowing the hoof to function as nature intended. They’re also significantly lighter than hoof boots, which is a huge consideration because, as Steve Costin, Master Farrier, most eloquently puts it, “an ounce off the hoof is equal to a pound off the back.” It’s reassuring to know we will be using Australian-made, high-quality hoof protection. We can’t wait to share the performance of these groundbreaking shoes during this odyssey with you.

If you’re interested in exploring Costin Horseshoes for your horses, check out their Facebook page: Costin Horseshoes or send them an email.

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Glue-on horseshoes: Are you “dyeing” to try?

SJ — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 00:57:38 +0000

Hoof Protection

Our main concern for far rides is excessive wear and puncture injuries. After research and trial and error our chosen hoof-wear for this trip will be glue-on horseshoes instead of boots.

They’re lightweight (200g vs 400g boots), can be left on throughout a trim cycle, are durable and….also easily customizable!

The Versa Octos are easy to apply with superglue which means all we need to take on the road is sandpaper and superglue. Compare this to boots, spare parts and tools to repair the boots….the weight added up quick. Plus there is the time component of having to put on and off, twice a day as well. Glue-ons worked out a much easier option for needing to be quick, easy, lightweight and tough!

We dye our Versa Octos shoes for fun….and because it makes them a lot easier to find if they come off.

Materials Needed:

-Versa Octos (polyurethane horseshoe)
-Rit DyeMore Synethic Dye (any colour your heart desires!)
-Pot (Use a pot that allows for complete submersion of the shoes while they’re on the rack).
-Roasting rack
-Tongs
-Salt

Steps

Place the roasting rack in your pot.
Fill your pot with water to a level that will submerge the shoes when they’re placed in (remember the water level may rise slightly once you put them in).
Add 1 tbsp of salt and stir to dissolve (this is important for getting the water temp high enough without boiling over).
Bring water to just under a rolling boil and maintain.
Add the dye and gently stir (we added the whole bottle but we decant and reuse).
Add your shoes and make sure there is minimal touching between shoes. The shoes must not touch the bottom of the pot to prevent damage and they must be completely submerged to be fully dyed.
Maintain heat and gently stir for at least 10 minutes. Move the shoes a few times to make sure all areas of the shoes are exposed to the dye.
Remove shoes and check color. The longer the shoes are left in the dye, the deeper and darker they become. Repeat previous step for an additional 5 minutes if you desire it.
Allow the shoes to cool down on a flat surface.

Once they’re cooled and dry, they’re ready to apply! We haven’t noticed any impact from dyeing on the gluing process thus far.

Total time to dye the shoes is about 30 minutes, so it’s a quick and easy process to add a splash of fun.

The gluing process is quick and easy too. I do it all while the horses are having their morning or evening meal, as they’re much more content to stand still. I’m by far no expert but what I can tell those wishing to try this option, is hoof prep is key and wear gloves!

Something new we’re trying for Glory is a dab of polyurethane glue on the rear tabs to make them a bit wider and fill the gap. Hopefully it comes off with the tab when reapplying.

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Sleeping in Style: Hammock Camping for the Modern Horseback Adventurer

SJ — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 05:10:44 +0000

Hammock camping is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, and it can be a lot more lightweight and comfortable than traditional tent camping. If you’re looking for a way to lighten your load and get closer to nature, hammock camping is a great option.

Here is a lightweight and comfortable hammock camping setup that I use:

Hammock: The Coleman Camping Hammock is a lightweight and affordable hammock that is perfect for backpacking. It weighs just 310g and packs down to a small size.
Bug Net: The Equip Bug Net is a lightweight and durable bug net that will keep you protected from bugs and mosquitoes. It weighs just 340g and attaches over your hammock.
Tarp: The OzTrail Hiker Fly is a lightweight and waterproof tarp that will keep you dry in the rain. It weighs 900g with tent pegs, or 780g without. Use guylines and a ridgeline to keep it taut and prevent it from flapping in the wind.

This combo is quick and easy to set up and take down, and it weighs just 1.5kg combined. It is also comfortable to sleep in, and you’re off the ground, which can be helpful for avoiding wet ground and critters.

“What do you do when it rains?”

I’ve found that this set-up works incredibly well during a deluge, even with wind blowing in almost sideways. The tarp is large enough to cover the hammock and your gear, and the guylines help to keep it taut and prevent it from flapping in the wind.

Here are some tips if you’re concerned about rain:

Pitch your tarp first. This will keep your hammock and gear dry while you’re setting up camp.
Use a ridgeline. A ridgeline is a line that runs above your hammock, and it helps to keep your tarp taut and prevent it from flapping in the wind.
Secure your tarp with guylines. Guylines are ropes that attach your tarp to stakes or trees. They help to keep your tarp in place in windy conditions.
Hang your gear under your tarp. This will keep your gear dry and away from critters.

“What if there are no trees?”

That was my initial concern when I first started hammock camping. However, I quickly realized that there are many ways to set up a hammock even in areas without trees.

One option is to use a couple of sticks or tent poles to prop up the hammock. This will create a bivy bag-style setup. I like to lay a space blanket down as a moisture barrier underneath and then add some saddle blankets on top for a bit of cushioning.

There are also many good videos on YouTube that demonstrate different ways to set up a hammock in areas without trees. I’ve shared an example below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIPCNU-WJns

With a lightweight and comfortable hammock camping setup such as this, you too can enjoy the outdoors without sacrificing comfort or weight.

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Cooking while hoofing it with a Hexi-Stove

SJ — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 09:28:15 +0000

Hexamine Stoves: A Lightweight Camping Essential

I love hiking and trekking, but I prefer things that are compact, quick to set-up and easy to use. When I was planning my Carnarvon Gorge Great Walk, my mom recommended a hexamine stove, and I’ve been using them ever since.

Hexamine stoves are a great option for lightweight camping. They are small, lightweight, and easy to use. They also burn very hot, making them perfect for boiling water or cooking quick meals.

To use a hexamine stove, simply unfold it and place it on a flat surface. Light a hexamine fuel tablet or two and place it in the center of the stove. Place your cooking pot or pan on top of the stove and wait for the water to boil or the food to cook.

Hexamine fuel tablets are available at most camping stores or online. They are also relatively inexpensive.

Here are some of the benefits of using a hexamine solid fuel stove:

Small and lightweight: Hexamine stoves are very small and lightweight, making them easy to pack and transport. 8 square fuel tablets fit within the stove when its packed up and the total weight of stove with fuel is 400g.
Easy to use: Hexamine stoves are very easy to use. Simply unfold them, light a fuel tablet, and place your cooking pot or pan on top.
Burn very hot: Hexamine stoves burn very hot, making them perfect for boiling water or cooking meals. One-two fuel tablets will burn for 7-10 minutes, which is enough time to boil two cups of water or cook a quick meal.
Inexpensive: Hexamine fuel tablets are relatively inexpensive.

There are some considerations of using a hexamine stove however;

Susceptible to wind: Like most camping stoves hexamine stoves are very susceptible to wind, so it’s important to find a sheltered spot to use them.
Not suitable for cooking large meals: hexamine stoves are not suitable for cooking large meals. They are best suited for boiling water or cooking quick meals.

Overall, hexamine stoves are a great option for campers and backpackers who are looking for a small, lightweight, and easy-to-use stove. However, it’s important to be aware of their limitations, such as their inability to cook large meals.

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Holmbros Carbon Fibre Saddle: The Ultimate Lightweight Saddle for my “oddly shaped” horse

SJ — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 01:00:00 +0000

Glory’s topline changes daily, especially during an endurance ride or long-distance ride, so being able to adjust as needed was a necessity to ensure his comfort and soundness. At the time (2015), there was not a lot of options available for adjustable lightweight saddles.

I came across the Holmbros at the recommendation of a friend, as an option to fit my handsome, ever changing, odd-shaped Arab. It had a different sort of twist and seat shape than conventional saddles and a “pocket” for my bum but it didn’t look constricting. The pads looked quite thick and I’ll admit I was sceptical of it, especially in regard to adjusting it wider or narrower and having even spreading of pressure with just foam panels. I was also sceptical of the shape, it looked like it wouldn’t sit level and would tip back with the handle being higher than the cantle. I was worried it would sit me too far behind the horses center of gravity. I was given an upholstered Endurance model to trial by Holmbros.

Trialling a Holmbros Endurance model

I took it straight out the day I picked it up from the post office, fiddled around with the pads, got it till they looked ok, with support from the saddle maker, got on expecting the worst, but it was great. I immediately felt under his shoulder and back to see if I could ‘feel’ the tree of the saddle and I couldn’t. I did not have a saddle blanket on, as suggested. I had a feel under the saddle while I was in it and it felt even. It was a bit weird walk, trotting and cantering in it, it felt different with a more open seat to it. He was happier to go, but I didn’t notice much difference in stride length.
I decided to push for a longer ride so went down a 5km trail and it was lovely. My boy did throw in a spook, then a pigroot right after. The saddle didn’t move at all and neither did I, I stuck quite well (the handle helped in the spook and pigroot). Came back and the sweat marks were a bit uneven so we came to the conclusion that he needed custom pads. He still worked well in it regardless which is odd because any other saddle if it doesn’t fit in the slightest bit he crow hops and humps. Only issue I had was with the buckles of the girth interfering and knocking my lower leg. I had quite a long girth on compared to my boys size and it was on the shortest holes possible. A shorter girth stopped that issue for me.

Holmbros English model trial

Great seat, it really encouraged ear-heel alignment and felt a lot different to the Endurance model or any other saddle I’d ridden in. It wasn’t hard on my boney butt and my boy worked beautifully in it! No change in stride length but nice and forward and was perfect for doing flat work, trails and endurance. I did one small jump during trialling it without any issue just felt like jumping in any other saddle or bareback. I did notice though that if you tilted your pelvis forward or backward (arched or concaved your back) after maybe 10m my seat bones started to get a touch sore but in the upright pelvis seat there was no issue at all.

When it came to purchasing the saddle, I opted for the English model because I wanted to be able to do multiple disciplines in it. It arrived just in time for one of Glory’s physio appointments and she is also a saddle fitter. She really liked it. Loved the flare and clearance at the shoulders. She said that with most saddles that aim to give good shoulder clearance, they skimp out on the contact but not this saddle.

I have had my trusty Holmbros English model for almost 10 years now with not one single issue. I made a leather cover for it and did a few shows as well without comment.

When I started planning the Azadi Far Ride, I needed one less thing to worry about, so it was a no brainer when choosing another saddle.

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Safe and Secure Horse Camping: The Lightweight Way

SJ — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 08:45:20 +0000

Horse camping is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with your four-legged friends. However, it can be a challenge to keep your horses safe and secure when you are away from camp or at night. Here are two lightweight containment systems that you can use to keep your horses safe and happy on your next adventure.

High-Line

A high-line system is a simple and lightweight way to keep your horses contained. To set it up, you will need two trees that are several meters apart. Tie a rope between the trees, about 2 meters off the ground. Then, attach your horse’s lead rope to the high-line rope, using a swivel.

To prevent your horse from getting tangled, tie two small sticks about 2 feet into the rope, one on each side of the trees. This will help to keep them from getting tangled around the trees.

Electric Fence

An electric fence can offer a more secure way to keep your horses contained, while allowing more grazing and movement. To set up an electric fence system, you will need an energizer, electric fence posts, polywire, a ground stake, and a way to drive the posts and ground stake into the ground.

My good ‘ole reliable energiser is a solar Sureguard S2 model that I’ve had for almost a decade now. What I like most about this unit is its compact size, ease of use, fuss free durable design and no ants! But this energiser unit is a bit hefty for my liking at about 850g w/battery so I am considering looking at a lighter option for this trek, or having to cut weight down somewhere else.

The right containment system for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you want a lightweight and easy-to-set-up system, consider a high-line system. If you want a system that allows more movement and grazing, an electric fence system may be a better choice.

No matter which containment system you choose, it is important to set it up properly and train your horse to it. Improper setup or training can lead to your horse getting loose, which can be dangerous for both you and your horse.

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Packing List Essentials

SJ — Sat, 27 May 2023 11:00:40 +0000

Azadi Far Ride uses a BYO policy – Bring Your Own…

All you need is a spirit of adventure, yourself and your equipment (inc. feed/food/water). Below are some pack list suggestions for equipment. These lists are a guide only and we recommend evaluating it against your own needs and experience.

All those who follow our routes do so at their own preparations, discretion and risk.

A suggested packing list for horseback riding along Australian stock routes

Clothing

Comfortable riding pants
Horse riding helmet
Long-sleeved shirt
Hat/beanie
Bandana/Scarf
Hi-Vis Vest
Sunglasses
Gloves
Socks & underwear
Waterproof/windproof jacket or poncho
Warm layers
Hiking boots or sturdy shoes with a heel
Quick-dry towel

Equipment

Horse containment system (elec fence, high-line, tether or hobbles)
Shelter (Tent, Bivi, Swag or Hammock)
Bedding and/or sleep mat
Stove and fuel
Lighter and/or matches
Cooking utensils (pot, mug, spork, knife)
Saddlebags (pommel and cantle – keep the weight balanced)
Brush
Halter & lead rope
Saddles pads (make good sleeping mats too and don’t deflate)
Water bottle
Food & Snacks (for you and horse)
Multi-tool
Cable saw
Flashlight/headlamp
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Toiletries
First Aide Kit for rider & horse
Mylar blanket
Repair kit (sewing, duct tape, zip ties, glue)

Other items

Camera and/or phone
Powerpack & accessories
Cash
ID
Credit card
Plastic garbage bags
Deck of cards, drawing or reading book
Contact information for friends or family

Suggested packing list for hiking/cycling along Australian stock routes

Clothing

Comfortable clothes
Hat
Bandana/Scarf
Hi-Vis Vest
Sunglasses
Gloves
Socks & underwear
Waterproof/windproof jacket or poncho
Warm layers
Hiking boots or trail running shoes
Quick-dry towel

Equipment

Shelter (Tent, Bivi, Swag or Hammock)
Bedding and/or sleep mat
Backpack
Stove for boiling water and food
Lighter and/or matches
Cooking utensils (pot, mug, spork, knife)
Water bottle/bladder (atleast 2L)
Food & Snacks
Multi-tool
Cable saw
Flashlight/headlamp
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Toiletries
First Aide Kit
Mylar blanket
Repair kit (sewing, duct tape, zip ties, glue, tube puncture kit if cycling)

Other items

Camera and/or phone
Powerpack & accessories
Cash
ID
Credit card
Plastic garbage bags
Hiking/Trekking Poles
Deck of cards, drawing or reading book
Contact information for friends or family

Here are some additional tips for packing for a journey along our stock routes:

Pack light. You will be carrying everything, so it is important to pack only the essentials.
Choose durable clothing and equipment. You will experience all types of weather, so it is important to pack clothes and gear that will last, but is also easy to maintain/repair if needed.
Bring a variety of food, snacks and drinks. It is important to stay hydrated and energized on your journey.
Be prepared for the unexpected. Things can happen, so it is important to be prepared for anything, but remember weight.

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