Choosing the Right Tack For Your Horse

From the February 2015 issue of The Stable Magazine – www.thestablemagazine.com/february2015

A bit that is too high (left) and too low (right)

Correctly fitting bit

Correctly fitting bridle

You use it each and every time you ride - but how much thought do you give to your saddlery, and most importantly, how it fits your horse? We take a look at the basics of fitting tack, and how to choose the right tack for your horse. 

TACK UP!

Choosing, Buying & Fitting Tack

Choosing and buying tack can seem a little daunting - particularly with the huge range on offer from so many quality brands - we are often spoilt for choice!

But what do you really need, and what should you look for?

Once you’ve bought it - how do you fit it?

Read on, and find out!

When you’re looking at a purchase such as a saddle or bridle - indeed, any leather items - there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the amount you’d like to spend, or the amount you can afford to spend, which often will dictate the quality of the saddle or bridle you’re looking to purchase.

Use is the second consideration. Are you looking for a saddle for pleasure riding, or a dressage saddle you plan to use when you’re out competing every second weekend?

As a general rule, you really do get what you pay for.

If you’re looking for a new durable bridle for a weekly hack around the paddock, an on sale item might be just the ticket - but something for showing your welsh pony in hand? You’ll probably need something of a little more quality; read: a little more expensive. With big ticket items such as saddles, it really is worth doing your research before you buy. Many saddle fitters will visit you, and some stores offer a try before you buy option, so you can be sure your new purchase will be what you’re looking for. Your new saddle should be viewed as an investment to last you years to come! 

SO MANY OPTIONS!

As there’s often so much choice on the market - how do you know what tack you actually need to buy?

If you’re just starting out in the horse world, you might be surprised to learn that a saddle is not just a saddle.  There are many different brands, styles, sizes and fits on the market - and when you buy your first horse, you need to choose your first saddle; an exciting task, but one that might seem a little daunting!

All purpose saddles are the best choice for weekend or pleasure riders, unless you prefer western riding, or feel more comfortable in a stock saddle. General purpose saddles allow the rider freedom of movement when riding both flatwork and when jumping. Then there are saddles specifically designed for disciplines; for example, dressage saddles, which notably feature a longer saddle flap, and jumping saddles, with shorter cut saddle flaps that allow the rider freedom of movement over fences.

Saddles also come in a range of materials from synthetics to leather, to faux leather with suede attachments, feature different cuts of saddle flap, deeper or more shallow seats, higher or lower cantles, interchangable gullets and added padding - it’s enough to drive you crazy! For those starting out in the horse world, sticking to the basics is recommended. A general bridle (i.e. no fancy nosebands!) an all purpose saddle, and a snaffle bit. Of course, a snaffle bit might not be the ideal choice for every horse and rider combination; but we’ll get to that later on...

TOO MUCH FANCY STUFF?

When it comes to tack, the general rule is the simpler the better. If you can get away with just a cavesson noseband, then just use a cavesson noseband. Extra pieces of tack and equipment (martingales, drop or flash nosebands, and fancy bits) do all have a purpose in the right hands, and in turn, all can be a disaster in the hands of a novice.  These pieces of extra equipment can also be used to mask problems, and are sometimes looked as a ‘quick fix’. If the horse has a particularly hard mouth, you can ‘up the ante’ with a stronger bit. But that bit in the wrong hands can make the problem worse, rather than solving the issue that is the core of the problem.

A martingale might stop a horse from tossing his head - but the real problem may be a pain related issue (either in the mouth, down the spine or elsewhere) or a learned evasion tactic rather than the horse just tossing his head around.

When you buy your first horse, think back to your test ride. What equipment was used? And what was the reason for using the equipment? If you test rode your horse in an eggbutt snaffle, and found him soft and responsive, there is no reason to use a different bit.

Bits themselves, are another world almost entirely. If you’ve just bought your first horse - how do you know which bit is right to use? In an ideal world, we would all ride in snaffles on soft-mouthed horses, but unfortunately, that isn’t always going to be the case. If you’re unsure of the tack you should be using, find a good instructor and ask for their recommendation before you swap your saddlery - there may be a simple solution to your problem that might be able to be fixed with a few good riding lessons.

Typically, the thinner the bit, the harsher it is on the horse’s mouth, (simply as pressure from the reins is distributed over a larger surface area) although really thick bits can create a space problem in the horse’s mouth. The most kind bit you can buy is one with a slight curve to it, just after the joint, which is neither too thick nor too thin.

Bits are most definitely not ‘one size fits all’, so whichever bit you choose, as with your saddle and bridle, must fit the horse correctly.

BUY TACK THAT FITS...

Fitting your saddlery is also extremely important for the comfort of your horse. Ill-fitting tack is not only uncomfortable for the horse, but can also be the cause of long term problems and behavioural issues.

When you’re looking to purchase tack, fit is very important - from your saddle, to your bridle, and your bit. All of these items must be fitted to your horse and adjusted as required.

Many saddleries will let you return items if they don’t fit, so make sure you keep receipts and keep the item very clean and in very good condition until you know it fits. You can also have saddleries fit your tack for you - they will bring various sized saddles and make sure the one you choose sits correctly on your horse. They can also tell you if your saddle needs to be re-stuffed.

BUYING SECOND HAND

While buying a second hand saddle can seem like a great idea, and a great saving, it can be more trouble than it’s worth if you’re not experienced in knowing what to look for. Generally, leather gear - bridles, girths, extra reins, nosebands, etc are great to buy second hand, as long as the leather isn’t stretched, badly worn or cracking. You can see exactly what you’re buying. Saddles can be a bit more of a problem, as a broken tree can’t always be felt. The tree of the saddle is like the skeleton of the saddle, which is normally wooden. If it is broken, your saddle won’t sit correctly on your horse’s back and can cause terrible injuries and pain to your equine friend. Tack must also be stored correctly (on a saddle stand) to ensure that the tree remains intact.

Keep in mind when buying second hand gear, that generally, if there is a problem with it (i.e, it does not fit or does not suit your purpose) you will not be able to take it back. Making a purchase from a reputable retailer does give you added security in that there will generally be a returns/refund policy in the event that the item is faulty or if it doesn’t fit - and you have the bonus of a manufacturer’s warranty in the case of a purchase of a new saddle.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FIT

If the bridle is fitted incorrectly, it can be the cause of many behavioural problems in horses. Not only does it hold the bit in the horse’s mouth - a very sensitive area, but it can pinch, rub and irritate your horse if it’s too tight, too loose, or the wrong size!  Bridles come in a range of sizes - Mini/Shetland, Pony, Cob, Full and Warmblood. Pony sized bridles suit horses up to around 14hh, as the name suggests. Cob size fits cobs, or ponies from 14-15hh and Full (sometimes called ‘Horse’ size) fits horses over 15hh. Some horses also have larger heads, some smaller than other horses of the same height so consider your horse’s breed and build when selecting a bridle. The head of a 14.3hh Arabian may fit comfortably into a pony sized bridle!

All bridles are adjustable - with many different fitting options! If you’re new to horses and riding, the bridle can look like a confusion of straps, but they’re actually quite simple. The bit is held in place by the cheekstraps, which connect to the headpiece, which runs around the horse’s head behind the ears. The browband sits exactly where it sounds like it does - on the horse’s brow or forehead. The noseband is fitted by passing the longest strap underneath the headpiece, and through the browband. Each rein is attached to the bit, and the reins are then buckled together at the other ends.

ABOUT THE SADDLE

Saddles come in different sizes and shapes, and are made to suit the rider. Saddles are measured in inches, and many shapes and styles are available! Some saddles have short girth points and some have long girth points that reach much further down the horse’s side. When riding, you obviously require a girth to keep the saddle snug and in place on your horse. If your saddle has long points, you only need a short girth. The girth on a saddle with long points fastens around where the rider’s heel would sit. On a saddle with short points, buckles are fastened under the saddle flap. Always remember that on a saddle with three girth points, always use the two outer points, and not the middle one, unless your girth has a third buckle.

FITTING THE SADDLE

Saddle fitting for your horse as an individual is very important. Saddles are fitted without a saddlecloth underneath, which allows you to see where exactly the saddle sits on the horse’s back. The saddle should rest gently on the ribs and should sit fairly firmly in the correct place without the girth done up, following the natural shape of the horse’s back. If the saddle doesn’t fit correctly, and moves when the horse is ridden, it rubs the back and can cause injury to both horse and rider. A saddle that pinches the withers or sits on the spine will be very uncomfortable for your horse, as will one which is too loose.

A saddle must also fit the rider. If your saddle is too large, you may not be able to communicate with your horse effectively, and ample seat room is important for comfort.

The saddle should be the same width as the horse’s shoulders so the withers aren’t pinched, and so the saddle sits snugly in place. There should be a large, airy space between the panels - the gullet of the saddle should sit well off the horse’s back and light should be seen through the gullet even when the rider is mounted. The horse should be able to raise it’s head easily without the withers coming into contact with the pommel.

Your saddle should always be fitted by an accredited saddle fitter, and checked and adjusted regularly as required.

A BIT ABOUT BITS

Bits must be the right size for your horse’s mouth. Bits that are too long or short can be ineffective and painful for your horse. Bits are measure in inches, so you need to take an estimate on the length of your horse’s mouth horizontally - lip to lip. Saddlery staff can always help you make a good guess as to what size you’d need, but it is important to get it right! Watch out for bits that have an excess of metal showing out of the mouth, and those that pinch the corners of the mouth.

The bit must be sitting correctly in your horse’s mouth.

It must not only be the right size lengthways, but the cheekstraps must be adjusted to a good length to allow the bit to sit where it’s supposed to. The corners of the mouth should be slightly wrinkled, however not pulled backwards. Sometimes ‘tushes’ or ‘wolf teeth’ grow in this area, so it’s important to check that the bit is clear of coming into contact with any teeth.

IS YOUR BIT BACKWARDS?

Did you know that bits have a ‘right’ way and a ‘wrong’ way?

If you take your bridle apart, you’ll notice that your bit folds one way, but not the other - that is, one way you can fold both of the bit rings towards each other and they will meet - but the other way, they will not. It is important that your bit sits the right way in your horse’s mouth. You should always fold your bit when you put your bridle back together, and make sure that when the bit is in your horse’s mouth that the rings would meet when folded towards each other.

FITTING THE BRIDLE

The bridle holds the bit in the horse’s mouth which allows for communication and assists in directing the horse. The bridle has the potential to make your horse very uncomfortable - if it’s the wrong size or too tight, it will pinch and will be very irritating for your horse. If it’s too loose, it may cause discomfort and make communication through the bridle very dull, consequently making your aids more difficult to apply.

When fitting a bridle, use your fingers as measures. Once you’ve bought your bridle and fitted the bit (see previous page) the length of your cheekstraps will be correct. Next, ensure that your browband is the correct size by sliding at least two fingers between it and your horse’s forehead. Make sure the forelock is over the browband and out of the way.

Next, the throatlash needs to be fastened. The throatlash doesn’t have to be tight, in fact, you should be able to fit a full four fingers between your horse’s cheek and the strap itself.

Once you’ve got the throatlash fastened, it’s time to fit the noseband. Nosebands are not only fastened around the nose horizontally, but they also run under the headpiece and so must be at the right height vertically! It should sit two fingers under the cheekbone, and be fastened horizontally so two fingers can comfortably fit underneath it. If you’re fitting a ‘flash’ noseband, it must be fitted over the bit to be effective.

VIEW SADDLERY, TACK & APPAREL FOR SALE ON HORSEZONE

Thank you to The Stable Magazine for this article, which was originally published in their February 2015 issue. Check out The Stable Magazine online now for FREE. Read this article and many more at www.thestablemagazine.com