Horse Equipment 101 - By: Allan Michael Taylor

Need to take a hold of your horses, literally? You are going to need appropriate horse equipment to do that. Now, while there is a rather lengthy list of tack out in the market, these can be easily classified under two categories – the saddle and its accessories, and the headgear. Notice that under each category, there are different that are suitable for particular riding styles. Remember that the age and the personality of the horse should be considered as well.

The Saddle and Its Accessories

The saddle is where the load, usually the rider, is carried. It sits on the back of the horse and it must be comfortable both for the rider and the animal. There are many kinds of saddles. By origin, it could be English, Western, Arabian, Asian, Australian or Argentinean. The features of these saddles depend on what the animal is domesticated for, the culture and the riding conditions in the place of origin. English saddles are used mainly for competitions so these tend to look more formal. Western saddles, on the other hand, are manufactured with ranch work in mind. They are bulkier and have a whole lot of accessories such as pack saddles and a horn where the reins are draped.

The stirrups are usually considered as part of the saddle. Its purpose is to make it easy for you to get on the horse and for feet support during riding. However, the presence of stirrups can be a cause of accidents. Falling and getting dragged away isn't just the stuff of Western movies. It does happen. Nowadays though, there are stirrups that are designed wider to make it easy to minimize the chances of the foot getting caught. You may also want to wear riding boots that can be easily taken off.

Other saddle accessories are the breastplate, the martingale, the surcingle and the pack saddles. Breastplates, which are either the hunting, polo or loop type, prevent the saddle from sliding back. Martingales, a tiedown for western riders, keep the horse's head down. A surcingle is a strap that is fastened on the girth area to keep the saddle in place. It is usually used for training in order to make young horses get used to the feel and weight of a saddle. Pack saddles are containers that can be handy for ranch work and trail riding excursions.

The Headgear

The headgear is used for communication and control. Horse equipment under this category are halters, headstalls, bits, bridles and reins. The bridle is actually the whole setup used for horse riding. It may include the bit, the headstall and the reins.

Halters fit behind the ear and on the muzzle area. These are normally used to lead an animal when you are on the ground. There is a current debate whether it should be tough enough to resist breaking down under stress or whether the animal should be allowed to slip off. You may want to use a slipknot, which can be strong enough, but can easily be released when the animal panics.

Bits are put on the horse's mouth with the use of a headstall for the purpose of control and communication. It is also where reins are usually attached. It touches on the gums and not the teeth. This is one very vital gear but when it is installed haphazardly, it may cause pain to the horse. There are, however, bitless headgears such as a hackamore, which can be used to train younger horses and to keep old ones comfy.

Horse equipment should fit perfectly. That is, if you want to keep your horse happy and comfy. Make sure that they don't get in pain wearing the equipment. The saddle should allow distribution of weight, especially if you are going to ride on the horse for a long time. The breastplate should allow movement particularly in the shoulder, neck and chest areas. The bit should be installed accurately. Whatever you do, keep in mind that pressure, and not pain, is the way to go when you want to communicate with a horse.

About the Author

Nick Morgan has been involved with horses for most of his life. Visit the online shop where you can purchase a large selection of Horse Equipment. All horse and rider products are shipped to your door by national courier. Excellent service from one of the UK's leading Equestrian Supplies shop.

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