If you travel horseback, singly or in parties, a previous experience in
riding and in the care of your animal are necessary for pleasure. What
is said about overloading applies here: you must go light; let your
saddlebags be small, and packed so as not to chafe the horse. If you
have the choice of a saddle, take a “McClellan” or a similar one, so
that you can easily strap on your blankets and bags. If you have time
before starting, try to teach your horse, what so few horses in the
Northern States know, to be guided by the pressure of reins against the
neck instead of a pull at the bit.