The saddles

We use the typical Chilean "Avio" working saddle, designed for a long day on horseback. Very comfortable for both rider and horse.

The base is a wooden frame, held together by pieces of metal in the front and back part.The seat, a broad band of rawhide is tied in between. It's covered by a wool-filled pad, followed by 2 - 6 Layers of sheep skin and a leather cover.

The Stirrups

The original Chilean stirrups are made of wood, beautifully carved. Unfortunately no chance to get hold in using shoes others than the pointed shoes chilean Huasos wear.
Our saddler makes some extra wide  leather covered "capacho" stirrups, so we easily fit with hiking boots.
They give good protection riding through bushes, prevent that branches get stuck. Anyway, for those who wish we provide some of the classical open stirrups too.

Half chaps

Reinforced to protect your legs from getting pinched with the straps of the stirrups, keeping away the horses sweat from the trousers and giving protection from bushes and thorns.

We use them on every ride, from half day to several day trail rides.

The Bridle

You can find any kind of "bridles" and reins on the countryside: leather, PVC, ropes.
We use the typical hand plaited reins, inox bits and simple rawhide bridles.
Some of our horses you can easily ride without bits, just bosal or rope around the neck.  Give it a try on the paddock if you want.

Saddlebags and rolls:

Our luggage we store away in firm leather bags. Tents and sleeping bags find their place in the canvas rolls fixed behind the saddles for protection from rain and horse sweat they fit into waterproof bags first.

The complete saddle:

Felt pad, saddle, girt, and "capacho" stirrups.

The tents

We use mostly dome tents. the standard tent is the Salewa Denali double. Firm, lightweight but spacy with two entrances its perfect for two sleepers.

Besides we use the Rock 22 from The North Face.