| Horse tack is the equipment of various kinds worn | | | | the back of the horses neck and around the mouth. |
| by horses whenever people use them for riding and | | | | When the rider pulls on the halter, the head of the |
| shows. Horse tack is made up of saddles, stirrups, | | | | horse turns towards the rider. |
| bridles, halters, bits, harness, and martingales. A horse | | | | Unlike the bridle, the halter doesn't have a bit placed |
| also uses a horse blanket. | | | | on the mouth of the horse. |
| Saddle - the seat placed on the back of the horse. | | | | The bit and hackamore are placed at the head of the |
| The saddle is attached to the horse by a girth or | | | | horse. Like the bridle, these are used for control and |
| cinch which is a wide strap. Saddles come two main | | | | communication. The bit is placed at the mouth of the |
| categories, the English saddle and the Western | | | | horse while the hackamore goes around the nose of |
| saddle. | | | | the horse. |
| The English saddle is used in every Olympic | | | | The basic types of bit are the curb bit, snaffle bit |
| equestrian discipline. This has no horn and its panels | | | | and the Pelham bit. Different bits offer different |
| are pairs of pads which are attached to the side. | | | | levels of control and pressure to the horse by the |
| These pads can be filled with foam, air or even wool. | | | | rider. The bit is designed to fit the needs and |
| The Western saddle is designed for Western riding | | | | condition of the horse so as to serve its purpose |
| and is also known as the cowboy saddle. Unlike other | | | | properly. |
| saddles, this doesn't have pads of its own so it is | | | | The hackamore is made of rope, leather, cable or |
| used with a saddle blanket or separate pad to allow a | | | | plastic and is used if the horse has dental or tongue |
| safer and more comfortable fit for riders. | | | | problems and also in winter to avoid hurting or |
| Parts of the saddle - the tree- base where | | | | freezing the mouth of the horse. |
| everything is attached; the seat for riders; the | | | | Harness - a complicated arrangement of straps that |
| pommel or swell (the slightly raised section at the | | | | attaches a horse to a cart or sleigh. Depending on |
| front ); the cantle or back of the saddle; the stirrups | | | | the type of vehicle or load the horse is intended to |
| in the feet of the rider are placed for leverage and | | | | draw, there are different kinds of harnesses. |
| support; the leather or fender (leather straps | | | | Martingale - a strap that keeps the horse from |
| connecting the stirrups to the tree, and the D-ring ( | | | | putting its head above the point of control and keeps |
| the D shaped ring at the front of the saddle where | | | | the horse from tossing its head in a way which puts |
| other pieces of the horse tack are attached). | | | | the rider's safety at risk. The martingale has various |
| The breastplates and breastcollars are additional | | | | types such as the running martingale, standing |
| devices used to keep saddles from sliding back. | | | | martingale and the Irish martingale. |
| These are used for faster-paced sports. | | | | Horse blanket - warmth and comfort for the horse |
| Bridle - an arrangement of straps around the head of | | | | and to protect it from other elements. This is made |
| the horse mainly used for communication by the rider | | | | especially to fit the body of the horse. It has straps |
| with the horse. The bridle holds the bit attached to | | | | crossing underneath the horse so that it stays in |
| the reins. The bridle is used for riding, controlling the | | | | place when the horse moves. There is a hole in the |
| horse. | | | | appropriate place to accommodate the horse's tail. |
| The bridle, also called the headstall, consists of: | | | | In nature the long hair of the horse keeps it warm in |
| crownpiece, cheek piece, throatlatch, browband, | | | | winter. But horses are preferred with short hair and it |
| noseband, cavesson and reins. | | | | is believed that a horse blanket keeps it short. For |
| Halter - an arrangement of straps used as a | | | | shows it's important that horses have short hair. |
| headgear/headcollar to guide the horse. It fits over | | | | |