Saddlery and tack

Saddlery and tack are the names given to any piece of equipment worn by a horse for the purposes of being ridden or harnessed for pulling loads.

Important items of tack and saddlery are the bit, the mouthpiece of the bridle that is used to control and direct the horse via the reins, the bridle itself, which is fully adjustable and available in three sizes, is the headgear of the horse that the reins and bit are attached to. The saddle that the rider will sit on has to be well fitting for the horse whether it is custom made or bought off the shelf, it should be checked regularly as a horses shape can change over time. The girth is used to attach the saddle in place on the horses back and should be wide and even for a comfortable fit.

An improperly fitted saddle or tack, such as bridle and bit, could create pressure points on the horse, causing pain and possibly leading to injury that requires expensive treatment. In extreme cases the horse could try to dislodge the offending piece of tack that’s causing it discomfort putting the rider at risk of being injured, therefore it is essential to have well fitting saddlery to prevent this from happening.