{"id":23,"date":"2016-04-09T02:17:57","date_gmt":"2016-04-09T06:17:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/royalequineequipmentandapparel.siterubix.com\/?page_id=23"},"modified":"2023-12-02T14:42:23","modified_gmt":"2023-12-02T18:42:23","slug":"horse-tack-and-equipment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/equestrianbootsandbridles.com\/horse-tack-and-equipment\/","title":{"rendered":"Horse Tack and Equipment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to Equestrian Boots & Brides – this is the Horse Tack and Equipment Page! This is your one stop shop to find out about horse tack and equipment – whether for riding or training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you about to buy your first horse?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or go to your first lesson where you have to bring your own tack?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you been taking lessons for a while using borrowed tack, and you’re interesting in getting your own?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you find that online resources on tack and equipment are often confusing and not to the point?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then this page is for you!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This page will give you a breakdown of different types of horse tack and equipment including (most importantly) saddles, bridles and halters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We will also get into other more complicated equipment as the website develops and we’re always updating. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to contact Katie at katie@equestrianbootsandbridles.com<\/a> or just leave a comment below!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Horse<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Here, you can learn about everything you need and want to know about horse tack and equipment, and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking the stress out of online shopping!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I also find that there are so many different types and brands of tack to choose from online. It was difficult enough when you just went to the store and had 50 English saddles to choose from. Now you go online and you have thousands!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might narrow it down a little by price and the semi-descriptive titles but there’s still an overwhelming number of products to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tack is expensive and you want the most value for your dollar. But trying to find and sift through scattered reviews online is a hassle that you really just don’t have time for. That’s where I come in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me do the dirty work for you so you know with confidence exactly what you’re buying every time. Personally, I like to refer to a lot of tack online but I still urge you to go to the local tack shop and take a look. But this is mainly because used equipment is available there, which means it’s cheaper!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will find everything you need to know about equestrian tack and equipment here. Whether you are looking for a particular kind of saddle, or you want to know the differences between Western and English bridles or you just want to know how to properly wrap your horse’s legs – this is the place for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Horse Tack – Saddles, Bridles & More!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First off, it’s important to know that tack can be split into 3 major categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. English riding equipment<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Western riding tack<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Training & other equestrian equipment<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    English riding is one of the two main types of riding styles – the other being Western. Within it are a variety of disciplines, all of which are most notably characterized by the lack of a saddle horn on the horse’s saddle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Western riding is the second main type of riding style. Within it are also a variety of disciplines. In Western there is the presence of a saddle horn, the saddle is larger and more supportive to the rider and the stirrups are larger. Additionally, Western bridles do not have a noseband or cavesson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To learn more between the two types of styles as well as other types of horseback riding, check out the breakdown of the different types of riding attire used for each<\/a> or have a read of my summary of the differences<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    English Saddle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Western Saddle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Within these categories there are different items of tack. Here’s a list of them and their definitions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Saddles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    A saddle is a supporting piece of equipment fastened to the horse by a girth. The saddle generally sits on\/just behind the horse’s withers and this is where you sit when you’re riding. Horse saddles are meant to make riding easier and more comfortable for the rider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It’s very important that you size the saddle correctly for your horse otherwise you risk chafing them which can lead to sores and hair loss.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here’s one of our articles on how to properly measure for a saddle<\/a> so that you make sure you and your horse are both happy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There are two main types of saddles, as you can see in the pictures above. Those are English saddles (no horn) and Western saddles (with a horn). <\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Western saddles are also generally bigger, more decorated, heavier, and provide more support for the rider. They were created for long rides when cowboys would go herd cattle, right? English saddles on the other hand were made to be minimalist and sleek. They are often used for jumping or fine skill based events such as dressage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you like going for trail rides with your horse, you may want to look into getting a saddle bag<\/a> that you can carry snack and other supplies with!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Saddle girth \/ cinch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    A girth or cinch is an accessory for a Western Saddle. It attaches to the main part of the saddle and it’s what fastens the saddle to the horse by going round the front of the horse’s belly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Flanks \/ back cinches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Flanks or back cinches are a second cinch, additional to the saddle girth. They go around the widest part of the horse’s belly. This means that they sit further back on the horse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Stirrups<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    These are also something that I consider to be part of the saddle. The stirrups are the part that you slide your feet into when you’re riding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In English saddles, they generally have some sort of grip texture where the ball of your foot will be and they’re usually made of some sort of metal. In Western, they’re generally larger and made of leather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Bridles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Bridles are used on the horse’s head in order to connect the horse’s mouth and nose with your hands as the rider. They’re used to enhance communication between the rider and the horse.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Reins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    I think of the reins as part of the bridle. They are essentially the part that you will be holding when you’re riding the horse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Horse bits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Again, I think of bits as part of the horse’s bridle. This is the metal part that will be in the horse’s mouth. There are many many different types of bits – I have an article describing them<\/a>, if you’re interested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Saddle pads<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Saddle pads are used to keep the saddle from chafing the horse’s back. As well-fitted as saddles can be, they will still chafe if they are directly on the horse’s back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There are plenty of different shapes and textures of saddle pads available. As long as it covers the whole area between the saddle and the horse (with some leeway in case the saddle moves a little bit while you’re riding) it’ll do the trick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here’s a couple of our articles on an introduction to horse saddle pads<\/a> and what to look for when you’re buying them.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Halters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Halters are used to lead horses around the barn and to turn them out, wherever you want them to go. They’re used with lead ropes, which are just ropes that can be clipped to the halter to lead the horse around with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Longe lines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Longe lines are long ropes used to train horses and lead them around in circles when teaching them things like commands or gaits.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Crupper<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    A crupper is used to keep the saddle from sliding forwards on a horse. They are sometimes used when the withers are very low or when extra stability is needed in the saddle, such as for cart horses or in driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here’s some more more advanced horse tack and equipment we aren’t going to get too much into detail in right now:<\/p>\n\n\n\n