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A Simple Guide to Equine Tack
03/30/2009
For those that are new to riding, horse tack or equine tack is the term we use to describe all of the accessories we use on our horses. When we get a horse ready to go riding, we are “tacking up”—we are outfitting our horse with a saddle, blanket, stirrup
For those that are new to riding, horse tack or equine tack is the term we use to describe all of the accessories we use on our horses. When we get a horse ready to go riding, we are “tacking up”—we are outfitting our horse with a saddle, blanket, stirrups, and reins. Some of these equine tack word you know, others you might not. Here is a simple guide to equine tack: the terms, the equipment, and the definitions.
Bit
The bit is the piece of equine tack that the horse keeps in its mouth so that the horse is easier to ride or train. Despite the name, the horse does not bite its teeth down on a bit. A horse does not have an uninterrupted row of teeth like a human: it has incisors in the front and molars in the back, and no teeth in between. It’s on this area of gum that the equine tack rests. Some of the classic styles of bits are curb, snaffle, Pelham, and Weymouth; each bit of equine tack differs depending on the needs of the rider. However, because of the potential danger that can arise when the bit is used overzealously, riders are encouraged to use this equine tack less, instead relying on leg and seat movement to steer the horse
Bit Guard
A bit guard is a piece of equine tack outside that has a very specific use. Bit guards are thin rubber washers that help keep the horse’s lips from being chaffed by bit rings, to help a bit fit better, and to keep the bit rings from being pulled through a horse’s mouth.
Blanket
Equine blankets are one of the most basic forms of equine tack. Blankets provide padding which protects the horse from the chaffing of the saddle. Blankets differ in thickness and consistency depending on the equine tack that rests upon it: dressage saddles are light and require very little padding, while western saddles require thicker protection.
Blinders
As we’ve seen in Central Park horses, blinders are an equine tack that blocks a horse’s peripheral vision, preventing the horse from being startled. Blinders work well on city horses, driving horses, and certain racehorses.
Breastplate
Unlike the human breast place, this bit of equine tack isn’t meant to protect a horse in battle! Instead, a horse breastplate (also known as a breastcollar or a breastgirth) keeps the saddle from sliding sideways or backward on a horse's back. This equine tack takes the form of long leather straps which are connected to the front of the saddle, then run around and underneath the body of the horse. Equine tack like breastplates are usually used during sports such as polo, show jumping, or fox hunting (on the English side) and rodeo events (on the Western side).
Breeching
Another form of equine tack meant to stabilize the saddle, breeching is a leather strap that goes around the haunches of draft or pack horses, stabilizing the saddle. Breeching is ideally suited for horses who will be carrying heavy loads down steep hills, who need help stabilizing the load. Breeching is not always an equine tack—it can be used on mules and other pack animals as well. Interestingly enough, breeching is the ideal equine tack for mule riding, as mules have flatter backs then horses, and a crupper the preferred equine tack for horses.
Bridle
A bridle is the name of a piece of equipment which is actually several different a pieces of equine tack in one: the headstall, the bit, and the noseband. A bridle is the equine tack that goes over the head of the horse in order to guide and control the horse more effectively. Reins are then attached to the bridle. Different types of bridles are distinguished by the variations on nose bands and bits. One variation, the double bridle, is a form of equine tack with two levels of bits, and only used by the most advanced horse riders.
Crupper
A crupper is a piece of equine tack that stabilizes the saddle by securing it to the back of the horse. It consists of a loop of leather that attaches to either the tailbone of the horse, or underneath the dock of the horse.
Halter
A halter is the part of the bridle that attaches to the horses head, minus the reins and bit. A halter consists of a noseband and headstall that buckles around the horse's head. A long rope is often tied to the halter as a way of loosely controlling the horse with minimum equine tack during training exercises.
Harness
A harness, like breeching, is a type of equine tack specifically designed for work horses. A harness is a collection of simpler equine tack (buckles, straps, and rings) that allow a horse to easily pull a cart or carriage. Harness equine tack comes in two forms: breaststrap (ligh loads) and collar-and-hames (heavier load). Harnesses are used in conjunction with other forms of equine tack like breeching, bridle, and reins to give the driver the greatest possible control over the load-bearing animal.
Longeing Cavesson
Similar to a halter, a longeing cavesson is a minimal piece of equine tack primarily used to train horses. It consists of a heavy noseband, a throat latch, and some meal rings. A long piece of rope or a strap known as a longe line is connected to the longeing cavesson, allowing for firm, gentle control when training a horse for dressage. Unlike other bridles or halters, a longeing cavesson allows the control of heavier equine tack while encouraging communication and trust between rider and horse
Martingale
A martingale is a term used to describe a type of equine tack that keeps the horse from raising its head to high. This equine tack is typically used during show jumping, when a thrown head could hit the rider in the face very badly.
Reins
Reins are one of the most common types of equine tack: they are long leather (or rope) straps that attach to the front of the front of the bridle so that the rider can communicate direction through gentle tugs. Sometimes when teams of horses are being harnessed together, a rider may have as many as six or more reins in his hands. Very long reins (longe rein) can be attached to a longeing cavesson as a way of training a horse. These pieces of equine tack are commonly made out of nylon rope rather than leather.
Saddle
Saddles are a form of equine tack that allows the rider to comfortably sit on the back of the horse without sliding off. Saddles are large leather seats with long leather straps that buckle underneath the horse’s belly. English-style saddles are a simpler form of equine tack, being without a horn, while Western-style saddles are bigger and require less skill to ride.
Stirrup
Stirrups are equine tack that allows the rider stability in the saddle. Stirrups are long leather straps with loops at the bottom for the riders’ feet to rest. The increased stability this equine tack provides has a downside: if a rider is thrown and their foot is caught in the stirrup, they run the risk of serious injury as the horse pulls them along. Luckily, new designs in riding boots and stirrup design lower the risk of serious injury.
