Pet Supply Source - Horse tack

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Horse tack

Horse tack consists of all the equipment that a horse owner needs. The saddles, bridles, bits, halters, saddle pads, lead ropes, girths and cinches all fall under the general category of horse tack. This equipment represents quite an investment; before you go shopping, take time to learn about the different pieces and think about what you will need or want.

Bridle/Halter

The bridle is used to control the horse by applying pressure to parts of the horse’s mouth. There are 3 main types of this horse tack: single, double and hackamore. The hackamore bridle is used by experienced riders and only on problem horses. The double bridle has 2 bits and is used mostly for showing. It gives the rider more defined control.

A part of the bridle called the bit goes into the horse’s mouth. It can be made out of steel, nickel or rubber, though steel is most common. As you look at horse tack you will find that there are many kinds of bits, but the snaffle bit is most common and is made to give the rider leverage on the horse’s mouth.

A halter is similar to a bridle in that both are straps around the horse’s head that are used to control the horse. The difference is that a halter does not have a bit and can be used to lead a horse with no reins.

Saddle

The saddle is your most important piece of horse tack. Saddles are made according to purpose, so the kind that you need will depend on the kind of riding that you intend to do. Some choices are jumping saddles, roping saddles, show saddles, and flat racing saddles. Two main categories are Western and English. The main difference between the two is that an English saddle does not have a horn as a Western saddle does. English saddles also have their own padding while Western saddles do not. Western saddles will usually come with the cinches and stirrups; English saddles will not.

When you go to purchase a saddle, take along someone who knows something about horse tack. Sit in the saddle while you are in the store to see if it is comfortable for you, but also make sure you try it on your horse when you get home. Never buy a saddle that cannot be returned, because until you have tried it on your horse you will not know if it is a good fit. A saddle that doesn’t fit the horse well can bruise his back.

Stirrups

The rider puts his feet into the stirrups, which hang down on either side of the saddle. They are an important source of support for a rider’s feet, but also can be dangerous if the rider’s feet get stuck in them during a ride. Manufacturers of horse tack have made stirrups more safe by developing safety stirrups, shaped to allow the foot to slide out of the stirrups easily.

Reins

Reins are the pieces of rope that the rider holds in his hands. The other end connects to the bit in the horse’s mouth. Reins allow the driver to give the horse directions about which way to go; pulling on the reins is the way to tell the horse to stop. The reins may also be attached to another piece of horse tack, the halter, for training purposes.

Cost

While basic horse tack such as a lead rope, bridle, saddle pad and halter can be purchased for under $50 each, the total cost for all of this equipment can add up quickly. The saddle will cost a lot more. A used saddle can be purchased for around $400, depending on the type of saddle and its condition. New ones are commonly over $1,000. If you plan to show your horse, you will probably want to buy silver and brass equipment that can lead to expenses of over $10,000 on horse tack alone.

Care and cleaning

It is best to wipe down your horse tack after every ride, but if time does not allow for cleanings that frequent, make sure you clean it after longer rides or every couple of days. It is a good idea to rinse off the bit after each ride. Leather parts can be cleaned with a liquid oil cleanser which will remove the dirt and restore moisture. You should do a thorough cleaning about once a week, taking apart the various attachments and removing any debris that has collected. This is a good time to check your equipment for wear and tear as well. Horse tack that gets wet should be hung up to dry for several hours. When it is dry, apply a conditioner to ensure that it doesn’t become cracked. Since horse tack is so costly, it is important to take good care of it so that it will last as long as possible.