Cooler on horses.

[Jjamesdean]

Hey guys any suggestions on how to pack items that need a cooler in on horseback?

 

[PNWGATOR]

Yeti hopper?

 

[MULEPACKHUNTER]

I have Soft canvas paniers that hold a cooler on each side. Other than that I use the soft Costco coolers and hang them from the saddle horn. Also Walmart cheap small soft coolers work well for small amounts if food like meat.

 

[rayporter]

if it is just meat i wrap it in newspaper and pack deep in the pack, then put it in a creek when i unpack.

these are made to haul coolers. most suppliers of gear have an over size pannier that will haul coolers.

http://www.somomule.com/panniershorsemules/bear_cloth_panniers_iron_weave_pannier_packsaddlle.html


i see a lot of these insulated saddle bags. usually loaded with drinks.
http://www.somomule.com/SaddleBags/stay-put-saddle-bags-insulated-saddle-bags-cantle.html

 

[Jjamesdean]

Appreciate it everyone. I will check all of these options out.

 

[cowboy300]

I use 2 smaller coolers that each fit the bottom of a pair of panniers. I believe they are Igloos from Walmart. It is easier to balance a load with 2 smaller identical coolers than 1 big one and they keep the weight low on the pack so they ride better. On day trips we just use cheap soft sided coolers.

 

[Jjamesdean]

Has anyone use the Trailmax oversized saddled bag with cantle bag? Any advice on whether or not you could get a small cooler to ride well in there?

 

[wymtnpounder]

I have coolers that will fit in my panniers, I also have a pair of wrap around panniers that work on bigger coolers. Or sometimes I will sling my yeti 45, but there so damn heavy. Dry ice gives you a lot more bang for your buck and starting with everything frozen helps too.

 

[mntnguide]

Here is how ive packed coolers when using a decker saddle....When using sawbucks, ive always just fit the coolers into panniers either vertical or horizontal and they always ride great as long as they weigh the same....REMEMBER..MAKE SURE THEY ARE PACKED TIGHT!!! dont want a wreck because you have something rattling around in there!

 

[goodgrouper]

I have a few of those insulated pommel bags from trailmax and they will keep a couple beers cold surprisingly well. I assume you have stock dedicated to packing the items your talking about. (not on your saddle horse). If your good with rope and knots like these guys above you can barrel hitch most any cooler on a good mount. I've packed a couple cheep igloos in manties with a little practice and I'm no expert. If a guy wanted to drop some serious coin you could go with these http://www.trailheadsupply.com/collections/panniers/products/big-sky-series-xl-canvas-panniers and a pair of these http://www.trailheadsupply.com/coll...ers/products/engel-65qt-bear-resistant-cooler . As mentioned above even weight is critical and pack them so they don't slosh around.

 

[robby denning]

Soft coolers of various brands

Great packin' picks mntnguide

 

[Hunt'nFish]

I have Soft canvas paniers that hold a cooler on each side. Other than that I use the soft Costco coolers and hang them from the saddle horn. Also Walmart cheap small soft coolers work well for small amounts if food like meat.

Yep, same here.
No issues with dropping a cooler or two into panniers.
Can't always rely on mother nature for chip ice for toddys. (Wink)
Hunt'nFish

 

[2rocky]

We pack Pre cooked frozen meals for five days in these:

By Day 5 the frozen meals are thawed but still cold. Dry ice extends the frozen time.

Small enough to fit in a pannier or manty. Soft to conform to the load, no rattle.

 

[zia]

MNTNguide,

Are you using a basket hitch then taking a loop from the packers knot over the cooler, down the back to the ring? Somebody mentioned a barrel hitch but seems like the cooler could slip out. Thanks, great pictures!

 

[Casey Gepford]

I would recommend canvas panniards. Even over sized one can be made depending on the size of coolers you plan on taking. Just mkae sure they arent over sized to the point they are rubbing on their legs. Hard plastic panniards can also be used almost as effectively as a cooler. They are just not insulated.

 

[mntnguide]

MNTNguide,

Are you using a basket hitch then taking a loop from the packers knot over the cooler, down the back to the ring? Somebody mentioned a barrel hitch but seems like the cooler could slip out. Thanks, great pictures!

Sorry I didn't see this for a long time! ..yes that's basically exactly what that hitch is. .more or less a backwards crows foot..worked great keeping the basket hitch from slipping. A barrel hitch works well too,I just always would find those ropes slipping when on slick plastic coolers

 

[Jason Snyder]

It's funny, as soon as I saw that reverse crow's foot I knew you were from Idaho. It's amazing the regional quirks and techniques you see across the west, that being one of them. That said, it is a very good technique to stabilize slippery stuff like coolers.

Soft coolers inside of your mantie also works well.

 

[mntnguide]

It's funny, as soon as I saw that reverse crow's foot I knew you were from Idaho. It's amazing the regional quirks and techniques you see across the west, that being one of them. That said, it is a very good technique to stabilize slippery stuff like coolers.

Soft coolers inside of your mantie also works well.

Yep I haven't used or seen it anywhere but idaho haha. .another hitch I loved with decker saddles and a basket hitch is what we called a Middle Fork Diamond. ..extend you packers knot like you would do a crows foot but instead of bringing it around the load come straight down through your packers ring and leave a 6"-12" loop or so, then using your tail bring a loop through that and back up and over, then interwine it with the other side over a top load and use a trucker hitch on both sides to suck your top load down. ..basically enables a diamond hitch over a top load without using an extra sling rope...the explanation might be hard to follow, but it was a damn good hitch for loading a bunch of lighter stuff on top of loads and knowing it would be secure

 

[Wapiti66]

http://www.outfitterssupply.com/TrailMax-500-Series-Cooler-Pockets/productinfo/WTM504/

I'm new to the packing game but have a horse and two mules I'm working with, was wondering if anybody has tried these trailmax coolers? They look like you could throw them over the sawbuck into the panniers and then pack stuff around them to finish filling up the panniers. Not sure how well that would work but it's one thought I have. I was mainly wondering how long you could plan on them keeping ice, or food cold for a September elk hunt.? Thanks for any input.

 

[mntnguide]

http://www.outfitterssupply.com/TrailMax-500-Series-Cooler-Pockets/productinfo/WTM504/

I'm new to the packing game but have a horse and two mules I'm working with, was wondering if anybody has tried these trailmax coolers? They look like you could throw them over the sawbuck into the panniers and then pack stuff around them to finish filling up the panniers. Not sure how well that would work but it's one thought I have. I was mainly wondering how long you could plan on them keeping ice, or food cold for a September elk hunt.? Thanks for any input.

Those are only saddlebags. ..so unless you are talking about your lunch and a beer or two. .that's about all those are going to fit. They are meant to be tied behind your personal saddle as small saddle bags, not on a pack saddle