Tack Leather

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Basic Horse Tack Supplies

The Definition of "Horse Tack" is all the equipment that you need as the owner of a horse. Riding a horse and properly caring for a horse requires certain equipment to adequately take care of their needs. You will need to evaluate you and your horse's activities and needs to evaluate what pieces of tack you should invest in. Bridles, bits, saddle pads, saddles, lead ropes, halters, whips, stirrup leathers are just a few of the basic supplies you will need.

The first time you go to the tack store you may feel like you've spent way too much, but don't worry, if you take good care of all your tack it will last you for several years. Then you can just replace items as needed. Also, getting a good quality saddle and bridle will last you forever if you keep it clean and polished up after every use. The same goes with ALL your tack.

Horse tack ranges from the very simple, to the very elaborate. The first thing you will need for your horse is a halter. The halter fits over the horses nose and head to allow you to control the horse. The halter has two rings, one on each side of the horses head and one under the chin. These rings are used to secure a lead rope or side ties which is another must have.

Lead ropes are especially made for horses and they have a very long clasp and are woven tightly for strength. Next comes the saddle. There are so many options on saddles it will make your head spin, so in basic terms, a good all around saddle is best. Take your horses measurements around the girth and length of his back to help you decide what size you will need. Under the saddle goes the saddle pad or blanket.

The last "must have" is the bridle. The bridle is used to control the horse while riding and has the bit and the reins attached to it. You will have to experiment on which bits to use with your particular horse. Some horses have sensitive mouths so you must choose a bit that is very easy on the mouth. On the other side of the coin, some horses are "hard-mouthed" which means they are very hard to control and need a really stiff bit to make him mind.

Until you ride your horse a while you won't know exactly which to choose at first so just pick a middle of the line bit that is not too expensive for the first effort.

Most stores that sell saddles and other tack will have a specialist there that can help you purchase all of these items and give you some good advice as to which ones are a good "first-time" choice. Whatever you do, enjoy.

About the Author

Beth is the president of Posh Pampered Pets. If you have any questions regarding Horse Supplies or Posh Pampered Pets, please feel free to call 979-221-7251 or email
info@poshpamperedpets.com.

How do you clean leather tack?

I have a leather bridle and saddle, whereas before I've always had synthetic.

Strip everything down and check for wear and tear on straps where buckles have been, stitching etc.

With a luke warm water and sponge wipe all the leather surfaces and on the underside, closest to the horse, rub a bit harder to get rid of excess grease and sweat marks. You will know this by that it is bubbly and grey/black greasy spots.

Next take a bar of saddle soap (glycerine is best) and dip it into the luke warm water (clean) and with a dry sponge rigorously rub the soap so you have some on the sponge. You do not want a wet sponge for this as you will end up with lots of suds and wet leather.

Starting at one end of each strap pull it through your dry soapy sponge.
and when slightly shiny/tacky hang up. Start on the next one.

When you have finished, reassemble the bridle (if that is what you are doing, making sure all the flaps are in their keepers. Then again with the dry sponge and wet soap go over the outside of the leather.

The way to put up a bridle is to take the long end of the throat lash, bring it forward and back, then loop the buckle end of the reins and martingale if you use one then carry on with the throat lash and do it up to the short strap.

Then hang it up. Noseband can go on the outside of the cheek pieces and the buckles not done up but the loose straps put through their keepers. Just a nice, tidy way of doing a bridle.

For the saddle do exactly the same.

New leather should be soaked for a couple of hours in some neatsfoot oil. Helps to supple and waterproof it. It will darken though.

To oil your tack between strippings, make sure it is clean, dip the dry sponge into some oil and then rub over and wipe off excess.

Saddled Horse Stolen From Park
A horse with all his tack was stolen from an Abbeville recreation area on Saturday, his owner said.

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