The equipment used to pack horses and mules varies from region to region, and it would be impossible in the space available to describe it all. This section will be devoted to the basic equipment. Pack Boxes - are used in almost all systems of packing.
Larger animals can carry proportionally larger boxes.
Boxes are used to protect breakable items, to provide better organization of small items, to provide storage while in camp, and to be used as tables or seats. Pack boxes made of aluminum or steel with locking lids can be used for bear-proof storage of food. The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee certifies specific types of panniers and pack boxes. Pack Slings - May be of rope as in the Decker packing system or made of leather straps attached to a bar that is slung from the pack saddles with loops. They are useful to sling pack boxes, duffel bags, bales of hay and anything else too large for pack bags or boxes.