Thinking about doing a LONG trail ride.

I have an old friend who packed-up his horse-raising operation and moved out to New Mexico a couple of years ago. I miss him and his family a lot and have been thinking perty-seriously, about going for a visit.... on horse back.
Being's how that I'm in S/E Texas, I figure that it'll take me a few months to get there.
I also figure that it would be quite an undertaking.

I've camped, trail-rode and spent time outdoors for most of my life. But other than a couple of week-end outings, I've not done any extended riding.

Anyone got any ideas,recomendations, or other input on this sort of thing?
I do know that I'd have to keep away from main roads, cut through as many State/Federal Parks as they'd let me, cross whatever amount of private (or public) lands as I could arrange, plan ahead for water, grazing and camping spots, travel light and use a pack horse for essentials. I've looked at a lot of maps and I'm perty sure that I can make do with all of that part.
I'm getting up-there in age but I'm in good health. And I've got two good horses that I think could make the trip.

My wife says that the main thing I need to carry is a pre-paid phone card......so's I can call her to come get me when I get wore out .

So..... tell me what you think?
DGW

I think your nuts. 8)

Sounds fun to me. I'd probably consult both your doctor and vet to make sure you all can make it through alive.

Sounds like an Adventure, and I like adventures.. I also think you should definantly consult your doctor and vet.. make sure you know where water spots are. That's all I can think of right now..

Yeah, it would be an adventure all right.
My doctor and I are the exact same age and I'm in better shape than he is, so I aint sure about how revelant his advice would be.
I do plan on getting all my teeth checked first though.
I'd hate to be out in the middle of nowhere and come down with a bad tooth ache. .
As far as the Vet goes, my two see's one perty regularly....and I was planning to discuss this with him, even before starting them on the extra conditioning that they'll need to have.

You're right about the water.
Water, grazing and some feed is 3 things that will be a must. They're also the 3 things that'll have the most influence on the exact route I take.

The pack-horse part kind of worries me, in that I don't know anything about building the frame, or even about rigging one up.

DGW

I saw a story about a fellow who rode from coast to coast with 2 horses (one pack). He said the main thing was finding water. Scouting out windmills most of the time. He carried things that both he and his horse could eat like oats and beans. He did it with barefoot horses (used hoof boots) because farriers could be hard to locate for shoes. He said duct tape was his friend I've tried to find something on the net about it but no luck. He did have a small tent and basic pack stuff. He had it down to a bare minimum though. Check some of the backcountry outfitter sites for pack stuff and panniers. I think I would carry a cell phone and a phone card though
Its something I have always wanted to do too, so I don't think your nuts

Yeah on the duct tape. .
And a small sewing kit, a Leatherman tool, some basic first aid stuff, spare socks, water-tablets, a good compass and some maps. I already got's all that stuff, plus a big poncho that doubles as a small tent.
I'm perty good at that sort of thing. There's been many times that I've spent 3 days in the woods, with nothing besides a canteen and what I could carry in a butt-pack.
I thought about a cell phone but sort of tossed that out because there wouldn't be any way to keep it charged up.

I didn't know a horse could eat beans. Seems like it would make them awfully gassy....is "gassy" a word?

I guess my biggest concern aint for me because I know how to make-do. It's for my horses and how to make this as easy on them as possible.
I figure that besides staying sort of close to water and grass, I need to concentrate on keeping things light. I'm a fair sized guy and between me, my saddle and rigging, my riding-horse has to cary close to 260 pounds. I'm hoping to keep my pack-load to under 100.
They both ride....but they each require a different-sized saddle. So that perty-much eliminates my being able to switch-out which horse does what. The good part is that Charley is the strongest and he's allways been the leader anyway. Lacey just naturaly follows him and can't stand his being out of sight....so she aint apt to run off, even if she had the chance.

Thanks for everyone's input so far.
And thanks for the idea about boots. My horses has never worn shoes, so boots might be something to look into.

DGW

Guess a horse doesn't have a power port forgot about having to charge the cell phone, silly me. Need to think outside the box for a trip like that.

I think it's crazy, but fun. :) However I'd be VERY sure your horse (and not just you) is ready for such an adventure. Working out on trail for several hours each day is tough!

That's definitely a long trail ride, lol! Good luck! <3

About the cell phone. You could always charge it up before hand and keep it turned off. That way in case of an emergency you could turn it on and have a full charge.