by L Hurley

Created on: September 20, 2008   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

A horse can be taught to obey their rider without any tack. Voice, shifts of balance, pressure of calves, knees and heels and touches on the horse's neck have all been used to control and guide horses without the use of saddles and bridles. This training is impressive but for most of us the path to a comfortable, enjoyable ride involves fitting our horses with tack.

SADDLES
Saddles are designed to make riding more comfortable for both the horse and rider. There are many types of saddle each designed for a specific use.

All designs of saddle have a central gullet that directs pressure off the horse's spine and distributes the rider's weight evenly over the muscular area covering the ribs. They all have stirrups to provide the rider with more stability and a firmer position from which to give the aids.

Different saddles have different ways to secure the saddle to the horse. On the Western saddle this is the cinch, on an English saddle the girth and on an Australian Stock saddle a surcingle and girth combination.

The choice of saddle will depend on what style of riding you wish to do however in all cases it is essential that the saddle fits your horse. If you are not sure how to check the fit get a qualified saddle fitter or knowledgeable friend to do it for you.

Many people use a saddle cloth between the horse and the saddle. The purpose of the cloth is to absorb sweat from the horse and keep the saddle clean. A saddle cloth should not be used to try to make an ill fitting saddle fit.

BRIDLES
Bridles are designed to allow the rider to control their horse by exerting pressure on different parts of the horse's head and mouth. Ideally the horse is trained to respond to the pressure, it is not a tool to force a horse into submission.

There are different types of bridles but the various parts of the bridle are common to most types. The headpiece of the bridle passes over the horse's poll and is attached to cheek straps which are attached to the bit. The Western Hackamore does not have a bit instead it uses a heavy noseband and heel knot under the horse's chin.

A throatlatch prevents the bridle from being pulled off over the horse's ears and a brow band prevents the bridle from slipping backwards from the poll. Some bridles do not have a throatlatch and brow band instead the bridle is kept in place by a slit passed over one or both ears.

The final common part of the bridle is a pair of reins. There are other types of bridle designed and used for specific purposes. These include

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