Horseback riding is an excellent example of how humans and horses can work together to achieve common goals.
Farmers ride horses to get around their farms more easily, and kids can explore trails with horses. Other people ride horses just for the fun it brings.
Whatever your reason for riding a horse or owning one, you’ll need a special kind of equipment called a tack to go horseback riding. However, we often hear people ask questions such as, “what is a horse tack?”
What Exactly Is a Horse Tack?
A horse tack is an umbrella name for all the equipment and accessories used to set up a horse for riding. It includes saddles, bridles, stirrups, halters, reins, harnesses, bits, breastplates, martingales, and all other forms of horse riding equipment.
It’s also important to note that the term ‘tack’ also includes items used for taking care of and handling horses. Equipping a horse is often referred to as tacking up a horse.
Finding the right equipment for your horse can be a little complicated, especially if you’re a beginner. If you’re just starting out, you’ll probably find a wide array of choices, and all the options might overwhelm you.
The sheer variety of tacks available can make choosing what’s suitable for your horse a bit difficult. But, don’t worry, this article should help you out!
How to Tack Up a Horse for Riding
As we’ve discussed earlier, tacking up a horse involves equipping a horse with everything it’ll need to get ready for riding. However, you’ll need to follow the due procedure for it. Below is a step-by-step guide for tacking a horse!
1. Secure the Horse
For starters, you’ll need to tie your horse to a hitching post or secure them with cross ties. Apart from keeping the horse in place, this step will help to ensure your safety when tacking your horse.
We typically recommend using slip knots or quick-release snaps for securing your horse. You can easily free your horse with these accessories if it gets caught in the rope.
2. Groom the Horse
A very important step in tacking up your horse is to groom them first. Before you begin, you should carefully brush the horse. Putting a saddle over a rough or dirty horse can cause the dirt to rub underneath the saddle, which can cause saddle sores on your horse.
It’s also essential to clean the horse’s hooves. An excellent equipment for doing this is a good pick!
Before beginning, check to see whether there’s any sign of injury or swelling. Tacking an already injured horse can escalate the injury or cause discomfort for the horse.
3. Saddling Up
Now, it’s time to saddle up your horse. You can start by placing the saddle pad upon the neck of the horse before sliding it back into place. We also recommend sliding up the stirrups on the stripes in order to avoid them hitting the side of the horse when you’re trying to saddle it.
Now, gently place the saddle on the saddle pad and buckle the girth on the horse’s right side. After that, move to the horse’s left side and pull the girth from underneath the horse. Slowly but steadily, tighten the girth and buckle it.
After carefully buckling the girth, slide the stirrups on the straps down. Check again to be sure that the girth doesn’t need more tightening.
4. Put the Bridle On
Now that you’ve saddled up your horse, it’s time to untie it from the hitching post or cross ties. Put the bridle’s reins over the neck of the horse. This accessory will give you better control over the horse when the need arises.
With your fingers carefully placed on one side of the bit, push it into your horse’s mouth. With everything in place, it’s time to buckle the throat latch. Make sure not to buckle it too tightly.
5. Mounting Up
Before you mount your horse, you need to walk the horse for a few steps and check to make sure that everything is in its correct place.
With the reins in your left hand, it’s time to mount up your horse and enjoy your ride!
What Is in a Horse Tack?
Remember that the kind of horse equipment you’ll need depends on the equine activity that you intend to participate in.
Horse tacks are typically stored in an accessory known as a tack room. The tack consists of a saddle (usually fitted with a girth, stirrup irons, and stirrup leathers) and a bridle with an appropriate bit.
Parts of a Bridle
- Headpiece
- Throatlash
- Browband
- Cheekpieces
- Bit
- Reins
- Pain leather
- Leather with grips
- Rubber reins
- Nylon reins
- Rubber over leather
- Noseband
Parts of a Saddle
- Seat
- Billets of girth straps
- Stirrup bars
- Panel
- Flap
- Gullet
- Pommel
- Waist or twist
- Skirt
- Cantle
- D rings
- Stuffing
Conclusion
Whether you are riding for fun or want to be more educated, knowing the meaning of a horse tack and other horse equipment can definitely help you!
New riders are often confused about a horse tack and what it consists of. This article does not only review the meaning of a horse tack, but it goes further to explain how you can equip your horse with the tack.
If you’ve ever wondered what necessary equipment you’ll need for your horse, this article should help you tick all the boxes. Now that you know what a tack is and how to set it up, it’s time to enjoy a safe ride!