Pony Express mochila

A Pony Express mochila (Spanish,^[1] pronounced [mo-chee-lah], for "knapsack", "pack", "pouch") was a removable lightweight leather cover put over a horse saddle for carrying mail and was used by the Pony Express.^[2]

Pony Express mochila exhibit

Mochila leather cover over saddle

Pony Express reenactment demonstrating the mochila

Pony Express "mochila" closeup. Each of the riders signed the bag as it moved through the states.

Statue of Pony Express rider on a mochila

Riders of the Pony Express made quick exchanges to new fresh horses, usually within a few minutes, at each remount station on their route across the United States. The mochila was removed from the exhausted horse and swiftly placed over the saddle of the fresh waiting horse.^[2]

See also

• catcher pouch
• mail bag