Horse Tack
Riding tack explained
The term "horse tack" collectively refers to the various accessories a domesticated horse is equipped with for riding and dressage. Horse tack and supplies protect the animal and make it more comfortable as it performs its domesticated duties. This equipment also ensures the safety and comfort of riders and handlers.
A List of Must-Have Horse Tack
When "tacking up," as equine enthusiasts call it, you should have at least the following items available:
- Harnesses
- Reins
- Saddles
- Bridles
These are essential for safe riding and proper horse handling. Some of the more advanced horse tack accessories you may need include martingales, bits, halters and breastplates. A martingale controls the way a horse carries its head, and is important if your animal is involved in equestrian events. Halters are muzzle-like accessories for unpredictable animals that have a lot of human contact, and can be combined with bits to give handlers and riders more control over the animal. Breastplates are used on horses ridden at high speeds to prevent the saddles and harnesses from slipping.
While spurs and whips have traditionally been very popular pieces of horse tack, they're used less and less by socially conscious horse owners. Their usage tends to cause significant distress in horses; while this is, to a certain degree, unavoidable when training a new horse, most people are seeking alternative means of correcting undesirable behaviors that don't cause as much pain and discomfort.
Specialized Horse Tack and Where to Buy It
Because miniature horses cannot be ridden, miniature horse tack is confined solely to handling accessories like reins, bits and halters. Traditionally, English horse tack has been more oriented toward equestrianism and racing, while Western horse tack focuses more on the needs of rugged working horses and their handlers.
Today, you have more options than ever available to you when you're seeking horse tack for sale. While you were once limited to what was available at your local horse tack shop, the Internet has made it easy to track down discount horse tack from retailers the world over.
Beware, though, when you find cheap horse tack with prices that seem too good to be true; you don't want to get saddled with a bunch of inferior equipment. When dealing with online retailers, make sure you review, understand and confirm their return policies before finalizing any transactions.
