Horse Riding Tack
An Inside Look At The Basics
Why discuss horse riding tack? I mean you got the horse now all you need is a saddle and a bridle to get on with the fun of riding right?
I would say your only partially right. Now that you've made the big commitment to a horse purchase you have to make each decision with care for the future well being of your new found friend.
Is learning about horse tack even interesting to most people? That depends on the person. Ask yourself if you are the type to stop and read the directions before assembling a new toy or if you prefer to forge ahead only stopping when a major problem arises. The latter in this example can have some disastrous consequences when a horse is involved.
Horse riding tack is another piece of your total equine expenses. As you have probably figured out by now, horses are not cheap. Below we will be breaking down the major pieces of tack you need for safety when riding. We will be looking at a difference between the two styles of riding and the major differences in horse riding tack between the two styles.
Tack Overview
There are so many things you need to keep in mind when purchasing or using tack. Horse riding tack has many uses including trail riding, show riding, or everyday riding. Within these many uses for tack there are two major styles or disciplines that tack is used for. The two disciplines are western and english riding.Each style of riding has similar basic tack pieces for riding. One big difference you may see is in comparison of english and western saddles. If you look more closely you will also note differences between bridles and bits in each discipline of riding.
The main pieces of horse riding tack for all styles of riding include a bridle (consists of headstall, bit, and reins), a saddle pad of some sort with adequate cushion to keep your horse comfortable, and a saddle of proper size and fit for your horse.
Fit of both the saddle and bridle are extremely important for safety when riding, but also important for the comfort and overall health of your horse. Horse Saddles can be the most difficult to fit to your horse. If you are unsure about fitting your own tack you may want to contact your vet to get in contact with someone who can help you with your tack fitting.
Now let’s get into the nuts and bolts of horse tack. By breaking down each piece by each riding style you may be able to sift through the endless racks of leather and hardware the next time you head to the tack shop.
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English Horse Riding Tack
The english style of riding requires a closer contact of the rider on the horse. This is conveyed in both the bridle via the bit and saddle via the rider's legs.When looking at the bridle you will see there are three basic pieces as I mentioned previously (headstall, bit, and reins). The headstall on an english bridle typically has the main headstall piece with the crown piece, cheek pieces, and brow band. The second part is the cavesson or otherwise referred to as the nose band.
The bit found on this bridle has no shank, the reins are connected directly to the bit near the mouth. Western bits can have shanks on them which are an extension of the bit away from the mouth.
Bits come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on where your horse is in training and what type of riding you are doing. If you have questions on finding the right bit for your horse, make sure you speak with a professional. Horse trainers are quite helpful when looking for the right equipment to use with your horse.
The reins on and english bridle are also connected together via a buckle. You may also notice that english reins can be shorter in length than western, due to the increase in contact you have through the bridle with your horse.
When looking at an english saddle you will see a common theme with some variations between saddles depending on the english discipline you are riding in. There are dressage saddles, close contact saddles, and all purpose saddles.
The saddle pad you use with your saddle is important to ensure your horse remains comfortable while you’re sitting on him. Improper use of a saddle pad can also lead to back soreness which can lead to a cranky horse and a possible bad ride for you.
Western Horse Riding Tack
The western style of riding usually requires less contact at the bit and bridle and more with the legs. This is also conveyed in the types of western bits and saddles.The western bridle, though different in appearance from the english bridle, still consists of the same three basic parts. The headstall for western has only one piece to it. The main crown piece and cheek pieces make up the traditional headstall. There may or may not be a brow band or ear pieces attached to the headstall.
Western bits vary quite a bit in comparison to english riding bits. You can use everything from a basic snaffle bit up to a curb bit. Again I highly recommend seeking the advice of a professional of you have no idea where to start. It is always a good idea to ask the previous owner which type of bit they use.
You will also likely find a curb chain attached from one side to the other. This is meant to apply added pressure under your horse's chin when you pull back on the reins.
The reins on a western bridle are usually longer than those on an english bridle and are not connected. When riding in the western discipline, the horses are ridden on a longer rein than in the english riding classes and therefore requires that the reins be longer in length.
The western saddle is very different than an english saddle. Looking at it you can see there is more to this saddle. The seat is deeper and more built up in front and back, there is a horn in the front, more leather around your legs, and larger stirrups.
The saddle pad for western horse riding tack is a larger square pad. It is also thicker in padding throughout with typically a fleece lining. The purpose of this broad pad is to help evenly distribute the pressure and weight of the western saddle and rider.
