Running Free - A Wild Horse Tale

First Horse - Module 4

Module 4 - Horse Tack/Equipment (halter, saddle, blanket, brushes, etc.)

Minimum Tack and Equipment Required for Horse Ownership

The minimum tack and equipment requirements for horse ownership are: halter, lead rope, saddle, saddle pad/blanket, grooming utensils (e.g., brushes, hoof pick, etc.), bridle, and riding apparel.

Halter

A halter is made from leather, nylon, or rope. It fits over the horse's head, and allows the handler control. Halters come in sizes based on horse size and weight, and they offer limited adjustment.

Lead Rope

A lead rope is made from cotton, nylon, or leather. The lead rope attaches to the halter at the bottom of the head below the jaw. They come in varying lengths. A good lead rope length is twelve feet (3.65 meters).

Saddle

Saddles come in all shapes, sizes and types. The two main types are English and Western. The saddle is a very important key in horse ownership. First and foremost it must fit the horse. Saddles are not one size fits all horses. How the saddle is designed, and its intended purpose/type of riding will determine how it fits onto your horse's back. It is very important to work with a professional saddle fitter to determine if a saddle truly fits your horse. Ill fitting saddles can be the cause of serious behavior problems, and can even lead to serious injuries causing permanent scaring.

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Saddle Pads and Saddle Blankets

Saddle pads offer support and cushion between your horse and the saddle. They are important for the comfort of your horse. They also absorb the sweat from your horse during riding, instead of it directly being absorbed into your saddle.

Saddle blankets are similar to pads, but offer more of an aesthetic appeal. They come in many different patterns and color combinations.

Bridle

A bridle is most often made of leather, but can be made of nylon. A bridle includes a headstall, bit, and reins. There are English bridles and Western bridles. The type of bit largely depends on the training, skill level, and riding discipline of both horse and rider.

Brushes and Other Grooming Items

A well rounded grooming bag consists of the following items:

Metal Curry Comb
Body/Face Brush
Mane and Tail Brush
Hoof Pick

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Horse Blankets

There are many types of horse blankets out there with different purposes. There are simple sheets to protect the horse from the sun and flies. There are stable blankets to keep the horse warm during colder weather. There are turnout blankets which are sturdy to handle an active outdoor horse, and protect them from the elements. And, there are coolers which keep a wet horse from getting chilled and speed up the drying process.

Sheet
Stable Blanket
Turnout Blanket
Cooler

Riding Apparel

Most apparel consists of a hat or helmet, shirt, vest, jacket, riding pants or breeches, chaps, and boots. Minimum riding apparel consists of helmet/head protection, shirt, pants, and boots. There are two forms of riding, English and Western. Within each of these forms are many different options for apparel. Below are pictures of the formal apparel options. Some options are specific to the sub-disciplines, like Dressage, Jumping, Team Roping, etc.