Tips for packing your suitcase

This must not be missing under any circumstances

Dokuments
Travel documents with voucher
flight tickets (if available) / E-Tix
Identity card or passport (non-European destinations) Note validity per country
Visa (depending on destination, see country info on the web)
Cash in local currency
Charging cable for devices, memory cards, rechargeable batteries, universal plug
European health insurance card or a copy of the private insurance, emergency number of the insurance company

Riding clothes
Breeches or Jodhpurs
Riding boots or especially suitable for riding tours: comfortable bootees or trekking shoes and mini caps (depending on destination and season, the shoes should be waterproof)
Riding cap (generally recommended)
riding gloves
Riding jacket/ vest
Pantyhose (helps against chafing)
Belt bag to buckle up
more below ...

Daily clothes
Headgear (hat, cap) for sun protection
Rain protection: rain jacket or coat, possibly rain trousers (depending on destination and expected weather)
Please keep in mind: Riding for hours in wet clothes is very unpleasant!
Sweater
Clothing Jeans / jogging pants
Shorts (depending on season and destination)
T-Shirts / Shirts
pullover
Underwear and socks
pyjamas
Fabric bag for dirty laundry
Light summer jacket, warm jacket (depending on season and destination)
rain jacket
comfortable shoes / sneakers
Swimwear (depending on season and destination)
neckerchief
Towels (for stationary programmes and hotels towels are usually provided)
Bath towel (yes according to season and destination)
Sewing kit and safety pins
sunglasses

First-aid kit
Insect repellent (if required)
pers. Medication
Wound cream (for emergencies) e.g. marigold milking grease
Other useful things that should not be missing Toilet articles
handkerchiefs
Sun cream + lip protection

Technique
Adapter for electrical devices (depending on destination)
camera / video camera

Other
Address book + writer (for postcards!)

 

Also the riding clothes contribute to the holiday pleasure

Riding without sweating, soaking wet or freezing - who wouldn't want that? Only those who feel well can really enjoy a well-deserved holiday on horseback. Here we give you some information about the right footwear and the practical but not too heavy riding clothes.

First of all, it should be said that a beginner does not yet need the "perfect" outfit, he must first look for which discipline of riding he decides after gaining first knowledge. Therefore: An air-permeable, not too wide T-shirt, polo shirt or sweatshirt together with a breeches with knee leather trimming, a riding cap and shoes as described below are sufficient.

Gloves are not a must, but they can prevent the reins from slipping and the fingers from rubbing against the wound. Cheaper gloves are made of cotton or synthetic fibre, more expensive gloves are made of leather.

Whether you're galloping in front of Monument Valley or climbing in Greece, don't wear cotton underwear and invest in sports underwear:
- for southern countries made of natural & synthetic fibre blend
- for cooler regions made of polypropylene (PP) or polyester (PES). Both are very light, space-saving, stretchy and dimensionally stable. They absorb hardly any water, but rather sweat to the outside and dry in a flash after washing. PES fabrics are also antibacterial and therefore odour-inhibiting. In countries like Iceland long underwear can be an advantage!

Warm outerwear protects you from cool nights even in warm regions. A sweater or shirt made of polyester-based fibre fur feels comfortable, dries quickly and is light. This so-called fleece is also offered as a jacket and is worth gold in cold regions such as Iceland, the Altai Mountains or Canada. When buying, pay attention to the thickness of the material, which gives information about the cold resistance.
Trekking vests (tear-resistant, breathable, water-repellent) have also proven themselves in the meantime. Their pockets offer additional storage space and protect kidneys, shoulders and back in particular. An outdoor jacket made of Gore Tex or Sympatex will find its purpose even in future active holidays. And for the unexpected rain in sun-drenched areas, an inexpensive, small foldable poncho made of tear-resistant nylon or Perlon with polyurethane coating can be used.

Trousers should be able to withstand your movements, be tear-resistant, and protect against moisture, wind and cold. Whether you choose cotton cord, denim jeans or virgin wool with additives depends on your destination. In the case of stationary programmes, you can pursue your preference, but for trekking tours we recommend a microfibre fabric: small, light, tightly woven, water-repellent and permeable to water vapour. An alternative are outdoor trekking trousers (with membrane), which offer a lot of freedom of movement. When choosing trousers, it is particularly important that they have no thick inner seams that could easily cause you sore sores.

Riding boots certainly serve their purpose in stationary programs, but are a bit bulky in the luggage. For trekking tours, it is recommended to invest in water-repellent, ankle-high riding or trekking boots with a not too coarse profile but clear heel. A pair of mini caps, handy and less sweat-inducing than riding boots, protect the calves sufficiently. But beware, when riding in Iceland rubber (riding) boots are indispensable, because rivers are often crossed. For the well-being of the feet the choice of socks should also be considered: For warm regions made of synthetic fibre mix and polypropylene, because they absorb little water, dry quickly and prevent evaporative cooling. For cooler regions made of wool with synthetic fibre admixture. Thicker socks protect against pressure points.

A riding helmet with three-point chinstrap (according to DIN standard) serves your own safety. Modern helmets are comfortable, safe and equipped with an air ventilation system. Some of our partners offer stable riding helmets on a rental basis. If you still do not wear a helmet, you should at least think of sun and rain protection. Many countries have their typical headgear, which is usually also comfortable for eyeglass wearers. A chin cord prevents unwanted loss of the hat.

In Iceland horses are bred since 800 years in pure breeding. In order to avoid the introduction of continental horse diseases, it is mandatory to disinfect everything that has come into contact with horses before departure (best to bring proof of cleaning, if checked at customs!). If you also want to stock up with a second pair of riding boots, e.g. rubber boots (highly recommended!), you should buy them before your Iceland trip and then take them with you in their new condition.