It can be somewhat daunting knowing what gear to bring for your first time on a cattle station. So with the help of RFTTE members and a couple of stations here's some suggestions and recommendations you might want to include in your kit bag... and of course check with your station before you go or purchase anything, most will have a list of items they recommend, but many will include of few of the following:
1. WIDE BRIM HAT (straw or felt) | Recommend: SUNBODY REATA III HATS from Kent Saddlery
2. FOOTWEAR: You might need a few types of footwear on a station - for mustering, depending on whether you are using horses or bikes (or both!) as well as yard work and social occasions. KENT SADDLERY BOOTS:
Work/ Yard/ Social Boots
Smooth soled riding boots with a good heel | Recommend: Ariat Heritage Roper Mens | Womens Heritage Roper | Ariat Acton
All Purpose Boot | Recommend: Ariat All Terrain Boot: Mens Duraterrain | Womens Duraterrain or The Roper Horseshoe Kiltie Boot: Mens Kiltie | Womens Kiltie
Sneakers/ joggers for yard work.
Rubber thongs for shower areas and at camp, rec times, doing your washing etc.
3. CLOTHING for work & social events (i.e. races, rodeo)
Cotton long sleeve shirts (x5)
Jeans (x5)
Shorts (x2) - i.e. With belt loops for belt/ knife pouch
Warm clothing, jacket + gloves for bike riding (it gets cold)
Socks and underwear
Belt | Recommend: Kent Saddlery Leather Hand Made Belt
Don't forget your togs.
4. DRINK BOTTLE | Recommend: Willow 5 litre bottle - it has a large base to avoid falling over in the back of the ute. Other water bottle recommendations include YETI | 3.7ltr Jug | 590ml Magslider Mug (for keeping your cuppa hot).
5. POCKET KNIFE/ ALL PURPOSE TOOL with leather belt/ pouch: Durable and well made. Recommend: LEATHERMAN from Kent Saddlery Leatherman hand made, multi purpose tools are designed with a simple philosophy in mind - getting things done. Their usefulness is endless. And for a belt to carry it, the RFTTE belt is made from a solid piece of leather and hand sewn the traditional way, taking care to sew along the belt to retain the strength of the leather.
6. SWAG | Comfortable, durable and waterproof | Suppliers interested in featuring here please contact simon@rfttejobs.com
7. SUNGLASSES Ones that sit well on your head or hat/ cap | Recommend: Gidgee Eyewear from Kent Saddlery. Designed the serious horse rider in mind and ideal for people who spend long days in the sun.
8. BEDDING/ TOWEL - At most stations you will be required to bring your own bed sheets, blankets, pillows and towels etc. And make sure you have sheets etc for your swag too.
9. ALARM CLOCK: You may need it at the homestead and when camping out on muster, an alarm clock with battery option is good when there is no power out on stock camp.
10. TOILETRIES: Some stations can be hours away to the nearest town, so be sure to include any essential prescription medication (enough for 3 months); plus other toiletries including toothpaste, soap, shampoo, sunscreen, lip balm, aeroguard, moisturiser, deodorant, laundry powder, clothes pegs, insect repellant, extra contact lenses, nail clippers etc, keep it all in a Toiletry Bag.
OPTIONAL ITEMS, BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED...
MEDICAL KIT: Stations will have medical supplies but it's handy to have some of these items included in your toiletries such as Headache tablets (Asprin, Panadol, Nurofen etc), Telfast Antihistamines, Anti itch lotion (Stingose), Antispetic lotion, First Aid Kits (bandages, bandaids etc), Tweezers, Hydration Tablets, Berocca etc), Baby powder/ cream (Bepanthen or 3B Cream) for chaffing See also: www.firstaidkitsaustralia.com.au (handy to have one in the vehicle too).
PERSONAL HORSE GEAR: Any horse gear you’d like to use such as saddle, reins, halters, helmet, stock whip, spurs etc. It’s always more comfortable when you use your own gear, as well as a gear bag.
SADDLE BAG: For carting food and water whilst mustering on horseback | Recommend: Leather hand made saddle bags from Kent Saddlery.
HYDRATION BACKPACK: Very handy for those hot days mustering on horseback or bike | Recommend: Camel Pack
RADIO POUCH: Check with the station as they may provide. Recommend: Kent Saddlery Leather Radio Pouches
DUFFEL BAG: Vinyl / waterproof gear bag or a heavy-duty canvas duffel bag.
'DINNER' HOBBLE BELT (IF HORSES USED) for hobbling your horse during muster | Recommend | Wide range of Dinner Hobbles from Kent Saddlery
CAP for workshop, cooler days, yard work. Recommend: RFTTE Trucker Caps
TORCH (Battery powered)
RIDING HELMET : Check with station if required/ or provided.
MOTORBIKE HELMET: Station will provide but you may want personal helmet with hydration inlet.
A WATCH: Time is of the essence, it's advisable not to be late to anything on a station.
BANDANA: When you need to really need to look like an outlaw cowboy... actually a bandana is very handy to help reduce amount of dust you inhale in the yards, also handy to soak up sweat, tie things with etc.
RFTTE MERCH: Here you can grab an RFTTE branded shirt or hoodie... SHOP NOW
FACE MASK: Yes in these torrid times of COVID you never know when you're going to need one - and why not support an ex Head Stockman, Paul Allen, who makes fantastic reuseable cloth face masks which are washable and can be ingeniously kept around your neck whilst not wearing over your gob - it's honestly the best mask I've ever worn and its machine washable, so you don't contribute to the bloody things going into our oceans and waterways. They are also quite handy for using in dusty yards too. TO ORDER CALL OR TEXT PAUL: 0488 393 799 and let him know RFTTE sent you. Large and Medium sizes (Medium fits most women and teenagers).
A special thanks to RFTTE MEMBERS, JUMBUCK PASTORAL & HANCOCK AGRICULTURE for your assistance in putting these items together.
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NB. Please note whilst I agree with the recommendations, some items have sponsored links.
Could you make leather leggings. From knee to foot