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2021-09-30 09-27-36 - SF Peter van Gugten_R.Ruis_H.Feldmann133.jpg

 Clinic ULTRA LIGHT OUTFITTING

Ultralight Outfitting Clinic

This clinic focuses on understanding and selecting equipment for ultra‑light trail riding.

The Ultra‑Light Outfitting Clinic looks at equipment choices and load management in the context of trail riding where horses carry gear over multiple days or longer distances.
It addresses how equipment selection directly affects the horse, endurance and recovery. 

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Gaucho

Perfection is achieved when there is nothing that can be taken away...

Travel light — ride stronger

Trail riding puts the horse’s back and hooves to hard work.
The more we adapt to nature, the less we need — and the more efficient and comfortable our trips become.

This clinic isn’t just about gear lists.
It’s about understanding what truly matters on the trail and how to pack and ride in a way that protects your horse, reduces risk, and increases confidence.

Why ultralight matters

On real trails — especially on multi‑day rides —

  • it’s not the distance that tires a horse…

  • it’s the weight.

Carrying less means:

  • better balance on uneven terrain

  • fewer pressure points and soreness

  • less fatigue, mentally and physically

  • greater freedom of movement for horse and rider
     

Ultralight is not comfort‑loss — it’s responsibility and efficiency.

 

This clinic teaches practical decision‑making for outfitting, including:

 

Saddle and fit

  • Choose a saddle with a large contact surface to distribute weight evenly

  • A rigid tree and a correct fit protect the horse’s back

  • Attachment points should support ultralight systems without bulk
     

Multi‑function gear

  • Use items for more than one purpose (e.g., saddle pad as sleeping mat, blanket as cover)

  • Reduce redundancy — only carry what has real trail value
     

Minimalist mindset

We look at comfort vs. necessity:

  • Start with what you need to survive

  • Add only what enhances safety or functionality
    This mirrors nomadic and traditional trail living — not modern “glamping” expectations.

 

Practical gear guidance

We go beyond theory to real, tested solutions:

The ultralight mindset

Traveling ultralight is as much about mental attitude as equipment:

  • We adapt expectations

  • We prioritize horse welfare

  • We choose durability and simplicity

  • We build confidence, not clutte
     

That means cheaper isn’t always better — but functional and repairable always is.

Who this clinic is for

This clinic works best for riders who:

  • want deeper trail confidence

  • plan longer or multi‑day rides

  • care about soundness and endurance

  • want practical, field‑tested guidance

What to expect

By the end of this clinic, you will understand:

Costs: 220 USD

👉 Go To Booking Request

saddlebags
This Gaucho from Argentina
has all he needs for a long trail.
A dead armadillo for supper in his belt, a Woolponcho to cover, and sheepskin saddleblanket as
a  groundsheet. 
Experience from my own autonomous long-distance rides
These experiences are incorporated into our preparation, safety, and training concepts.
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© 2026 by Peter van der Gugten

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