Horse packing is the use of horses or mules to carry loads through terrain that is inaccessible to wheeled vehicles, allowing hunters, outfitters, campers, and wilderness travelers to bring equipment, food, and harvested game into and out of backcountry areas. It is one of the oldest practical applications of the domesticated horse and remains essential for backcountry outfitters, wranglers, mountain hunters, and wilderness recreationalists throughout the American West.
The basic system involves a pack animal fitted with a pack saddle — a specialized saddle designed to distribute load evenly across the animal's back without a rider — and panniers or bags that hang on either side of the animal carrying equipment. The load must be carefully balanced, with each side carrying equal weight to prevent the pack saddle from shifting. A top pack secured with a diamond hitch or other established packing lash provides additional security for larger loads.
Packing trips may involve a single pack animal led by a mounted rider, or a string of multiple pack animals connected in a line and led by the rider on the lead horse. Managing a string in backcountry terrain — navigating narrow trails, crossing streams, managing animals that spook or tire, and maintaining load integrity — is a practical skill that takes years to develop well.