Concealed Carry on Horseback

[Dan the Man]

Does anyone have experience with concealed carry on horseback? I ride a couple times a month, usually on Arabians. Arabians tend to be quite 'forward' (as in they like to run), and their gait is usually a bit rough.

I usually wear riding pants (which have no belt loops). I've tried a fanny back, and perhaps that is the best choice, but I wanted to see if anyone else had any experience around this issue. The fanny pack will occasionally slide around to my front and then it bounces around hitting the saddle and interferes when we jump.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Regards to All
--Dan

 

[Mark G.]

Dan,

Are you riding in an arena or are you out in the middle of a pasture? For me, if I am riding in the arena I do not carry. Would a light shoulder holster with tie downs work? What about a smartcarry or bellyband? I am usually in jeans so I use a belt holster when on a trail or out in the middle of no where in a pasture.

 

[K-Man]

Dan:

As Mark G asks, a lot depends on where you're riding at, as well as the style of saddle you're sitting in. A shoulder holster would be my first recommendation. If you're in an english saddle then you could also consider using a cross-draw style of holster either IWB or OWB (clipped on). If you're in a western saddle, you could do the same, just wear it a little further out toward the hip. You can have the holster maker also incorporate a retention strap on either the IWB or OWB to help insure the gun stays in the holster. You could also consider the saddle horn bags that could be modified to allow easy/quick access.

Yes, indeed, those Arabs are definitely a spirited ride. They love to run flat out. I sure miss those days sometimes, too.

 

[gazpacho]

Sew a loop on the back/bottom of your fanny pack and tie it to your leg.

 

[Preacherman]

SmartCarry or Thunderwear under the saddle?

 

[buttrap]

Wranglers..gunbelt and a high ride cross draw under a light jacket. That or get better riding pants.

 

[Iggy]

A thin gun and a thin IWB... been doin' it for years out on the range.. Don't know about postage stamp saddles and jumpin' but it works with western saddles and broncs on the lone prairieeeeeee!!!

 

[Dr.Rob]

Yeah but where does the lanyard go?

or do you just tell 'em it's a watch fob?

 

[HSMITH]

A good shoulder holster is the most comfortable and the most sensible on horseback.

 

[Dan the Man]

And I have a Webley! . But its not in my top ten guns for concealed carry. Most of my riding is endurance racing. Nothing in the arena. I usually ride in woods or grassy areas; frequently beside roads (some of which have pretty heavy traffic). A typical ride is 25-50 miles at about 10 mph. I use a light western saddle.

'That or get better riding pants.'--Hey, I have good riding pants: riding breeches with full-seat deerskin . And I look good in them.

I won't even dignify Preacherman's comments with a response.

A clip-on IWB might work once I lose a few pounds.

K-Man- Yesterday I was riding with two others. We were riding in a long open grassy area, and my horse shied away from a fallen log. I went back to show him the log, 'See--its a log. Nothing to be afraid of.' Once he was comfortable with it, we turned back around and the others were perhaps 100 yards ahead of us. I gave him a little 'cluck cluck' and off we went. His canter was so nice and smooth, it was the most comfortable ride I'd felt in awhile. Then we started going faster. The two horses in front of us were cantering, but we closed with them like they were standing still. We got fast enough that I got nervous . And that's pretty darn fast. The problem is no one else likes to ride him because he is so forward. So he likes to make up for lost time with me.

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions. I have never used a shoulder holster, I'm more an IWB and vertical scabbard kind of guy. Maybe I can modify the fanny pack (as suggested) so it sits in one spot...).

Regards to All
--Dan

 

[K-Man]

Dan:

With the fanny pack, maybe someone could sew/apply a belt clip on the back of it so you can clip it in place.

The folks I used to always ride with did endurance racing - 25/50 miles. They even did the Teves (100 mile) 24-hour a couple of times. The Arab I rode always wanted to be in front, no matter what. I remember one time riding a half-Arab down the trail and we came upon a black plastic bag - next thing I knew we were going off in a different direction. But they're great horses to ride and very independent.

 

[HSMITH]

Skip the fanny pack or anything else on the small of your back. If you come off that pony and land on it you will be sorry if not crippled. Broken ribs are a lot more pleasant than a broken back, and anyone that has ridden much knows stuff happens.

 

[HSMITH]

Here is a pic of a genuine horseman's rig. This is a Colt 1902, bought sometime before about 1910 as best as anyone can remember by my great-great granddad, and carried from the time he got it until he died. The holster was bought about the same time as the gun, but the harness was rebuilt (handsewn) in the late 40's. This is the type of carry favored by horsemen for decades. FWIW, my great-great granddad was a full time mustanger in the Nevada/Oregon/California deserts, as was my grandpa for many years.

 

[sm]

I don't recommend falling off a fast horse heading down a mountain that has been spooked by snake . Helluva way to find your IWB DOES in fact work in retaining your 1911. Scabbards do retain Model 94s... once you get up...and finally get Sassy to come ...err..."hither" to look.

 

[crucible]

How about a Wilderness Safepacker? You can wear it with a belt (etc) but the reason I got mine was that they are fabulous for attaching on one's seatbelt-securely concealed in open view, but ready for quick employment. I'm sure you could attach it to something on a saddle.......

Chris

 

[buttrap]

this is a tough one. I have yet to find a decent way to carry like that if not using a belt,anything that you hang on the rigging stays with the rigging if somthing happens and you end on your rear. Any fast up or down a hill or jumping will put a butt in your teeth with a shoulder holster. I am thinking that this would take having something sewed onto the pants with a really good snap flap..small pistol I dont see why it would not use fabric to match the pants.

 

[jlwatts3]

If you wear a jacket or overshirt try a shoulder holster. When I am trail riding I like using a chest holster. Specifically one of these: http://www.survivalsheath.com/holsters/index.htm

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I've carried guns on horseback for almost 50 years. For a handgun, I like a simple OWB on a good, thick belt. For a rifle, a good saddle scabbard, hung from the gullet for a '94 Winchester, or butt to the rear, sights up for a bolt gun.

To carry concealed, I prefer an IWB. With no belt, I'd go with one of two options -- a pocket pistol (such as my Colt Detective Special) or simply put the belt and IWB on first, then pull the pants up over gun and belt.

Alternatively, an elastic belly band can be used. This is perhaps the best option for "deep cover."

 

[bnolsen]

Can't you just attach a scabbard with a 30-30 lever action on your saddle??
That seems to be the classiest way to carry on a horse.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

That's the way I carry a .30-30. I run the upper scabbard strap through the gullet, and the lower strap goes to the rear D. The scabbard hangs almost vertical, out of the way, and the rifle is quick to access.

 

[Dienekes]

My wife is the horse expert around here (a variety of Arabs, now down to one running quarter). She carries a M37 in a fanny pack. My daughter favors a Glock 19 in a nylon flap belt holster. On the rare occasions I am found on a horse I carry either my adjustable tension Milt Sparks #200AW or a GI K frame flap holster, both on a heavy belt. Since I always wear at least a wool shirt concealment is no problem.

Never tried a shoulder holster on a horse but have worn them enough not to care for them. I think I would rather get pitched off with a belt holster than to take the fall with a shoulder holster.