Horse tack consists of a wide variety of pieces, from saddles, bits, bridles and breastplates. Choosing between the different styles of tack can be a hard decision indeed.
The first thing you must decide on is whether you want Western or English style tack. Western style tack has flatwork saddles, dressage saddles, and hunter saddles, all depending on the style you want to use.
One signature style of Western tack is the roping saddle, which features a wide horn. Another popular style is a saddle designed specifically for barrel racing, which is much lighter than traditional saddles. Trail saddles are also different brands that are designed to provide the rider with the best comfort available while on long rides. The type of riding you plan on doing should determine the type of saddle you purchase, since choosing the wrong tack could result in discomfort for yourself and your horse.
When deciding between English and Western types of tack, you need to decide how you want to control your horse. English tack usually features a snaffle bit which does a good job of controlling a horse, but some horses need additional pressure to guide them. If this is the cast, the egg butt snaffle or twisted bit will fill the role nicely. Using a snaffle bit to wrestle your horse can cause a need for a special bit, since you may toughen your horse’s mouth unwittingly. For horses that are generally unresponsive, a curb bit may be needed. This bit is not recommended unless you are a professional and understand the impact it can have on a horse’s mouth. Improper use can result in your horse permanently losing the feeling in his mouth.
Choosing the proper bit and saddle is an important part of maintaining your horse. You should always take care to use the least abrasive bit for your horse to get the desired response, as well as a saddle that will fit your needs without being too stressful for the horse to carry. Never use a saddle that is not designed for how you are intending to ride your horse. Read more about Bates dressage saddle or Billy Cook saddles.
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