Basic tack every horse owner should have includes a halter, bridle, saddle.



A halter goes over the head and allows you to lead your horse from the stall to a field or any place for that matter. A halter should be well fitted, especially if you intend to leave it on your horse so he is easily caught in a pasture. A halter enables you to also tether your horse to cross ties for a grooming.

A bridle which is usually made of leather also fits over the horses head with reins and a bit. Bridles are used for riding and driving horses. We use bridles to communicate with and control the horse.

The most common type of bit used for both Western and English riding is the snaffle bit. You really ought to start with a bit that is gentle on the horse's mouth. Get expert advice on finding the correct bit, if your horse is not responding to the snaffle bit before going to purchase a more severe bit.

Saddles are fastened to the horses' back they provide a comfortable seat for the rider. Saddles need to be fitted correctly so that injury to both horse and rider is prevented. A saddle that does not fit properly will put pressure on incorrect points of the horse and cause him pain. An improperly fitting saddle could cause a horse to buck throwing the rider from the saddle.

You cannot use the same saddle for different styles of riding, do not go putting on a western saddle if you intend to have a lesson in show jumping. Saddles are designed for specific purposes, using the incorrect saddle can lead to injury and discomfort for both horse and rider.

Before buying tack decide if you are going to ride English or Western, whether you would like to ride for pleasure or to compete. You will have a far easier task of selecting horse tack if you have a purpose and use.

A general purpose saddle would be a good investment if you want to ride English style. It is versatile enough that you could do jumping, dressage and trail riding - for pleasure, competitions require specific tack.

Western tack seems to me to be far easier to use with less pieces and parts to clean and put together. On a long trail nothing beats the comfort of a western saddle.

If you are a first time buyer your best option is to visit a local tack store and soak up the knowledge of the sales assistant. Take a knowledgeable person with you to help you make the best purchase. You can also write down the exact details of the items and search equestrian sites on the internet to find bargain prices.

Buying horse tack is an important task. Make sure the tack fits properly and take it back to the store if it does not. There is no harm in buying used tack from your local tack store. Just be sure to inspect it for wear and tear so that accidents are prevented.