What is Horse Tack?

Tack is a term used to describe any of the various equipment and accessories worn by horses in the course of their use as domesticated animals. Saddles, stirrups, bridles, halters, reins, bits, harnesses, martingales, and breastplates are all forms of horse tack. Equipping a horse is often referred to as tacking up.

Saddles are seats for the rider, fastened to the horse's back by means of a girth (English-style riding), known as a cinch in the Western US, a wide strap that goes around the horse at a point about four inches behind the forelegs. Some western saddles will also have a second strap known as a flank or back cinch that fastens at the rear of the saddle and goes around the widest part of the horse's belly.

It is important that the saddle is comfortable for both the rider and the horse as an improperly fitting saddle may create pressure points on the horse's back muscle and cause the horse pain and can lead to the horse, rider, or both getting injured.

Generally, most saddles fit into two main categories, English and Western. Within each of these categories are many types of saddles, each specially designed for its given task. Several other types of saddles include racing saddles, Australian saddles, sidesaddles and endurance saddles.

The term Horse tack covers a wide variety of different types of equipment worn by horses, used by people for riding and shows. Horse tack is composed of the saddle, stirrups, bridles, halters, bits, harness, and martingales.

The saddle is the seat for riders placed at the back of the horse. The saddle is fastened to the back of the animal with the use of a girth or cinch which is a wide strap. The English saddle doesn't have a horn. It is lightweight and gives the rider close contact with the horse. There are many different styles of English saddle. Some are dressage, jumping, endurance, and all purpose.

The Western saddle is a heavier saddle, originally designed for long days of work on the ranch. This is also known as the  “cowboy saddle”. It is designed for comfort for both the horse and rider while they go about their daily ranch chores. There are many different styles of western saddle.  Some are pleasure, reining, barrel, endurance, roping.

The saddle’s parts are:

• The tree is the base where everything is attached;
• The seat where riders sit;
• The pommel or swell is part in the front that is slightly raised;
• The cantle or the back of the saddle seat;
• The stirrup is where the feet of the rider rests and provides leverage and support;
• The fender connects to the tree and the stirrups are attached 
• The cinch (western) and the girth (English) hold the saddle on the horse
• The breastplates or breastcollars are used to help keep saddles in place.  
  
   

The bridle fits on the horse's head and is used for communication. The bridle consists of the headstall which includes the brow band, throat latch, cheek and crown piece. This attaches to the bit and the reins attach to the bit. Some bridles have a noseband and the English bridle has a cavesson.

The halter is also called a headcollar by some.  This is used to lead, tie and work the horse on the ground. Some people keep halters on their horses when they are left out in a pasture. Unlike the bridle, the halter doesn't have a bit that is placed on the mouth of the horse.

The bit, bosal and the hackamore are pieces of the horse tack usually attached to the bridle headstall.  These are used for control and communication. While the bit is placed in the mouth, The hackamore and bosal goes over the nose using pressure to communicate with the horse.  

Even though there are hundreds of types of bits, the basic types of the bit are the curb, snaffle, also called a broken bit and the Pelham bit. Different bits offer different levels of control and pressure to the horse by the rider. The bit is designed to fit the needs and condition of the horse to serve its purpose properly.

The harness is used for driving.  It is a complicated arrangement of straps that attaches the horse to a cart or sleigh. Depending on the type of vehicle or load the horse is attached to, there are different kinds of harnesses.

The martingale or tie down is also a strap that keeps the horse from putting its head above the point of control. This also keeps the horse from tossing its head that would be risky to the rider’s safety. The martingale has various types such as the running martingale, standing martingale and the Irish martingale.

We will be adding articles on tack in the future.  You can learn more about the different pieces of tack by visiting our Mini Horse and Pony Tack Guide.