Giddy Up: Essential Pieces of Saddlery for Horse Riding
So, you've been taking horse riding lessons for a while now and feel confident and ready to continue on your own. Not only does this mean that you will have the responsibility to take care of a horse by yourself, but it also means that you will need to invest in your own gear. And this is where it can get confusing.
While you're taking horse riding lessons, most barns tend to provide you with all the equipment. Once you move on, it's easy to feel confused about what gear you really need. The good news is that if you're an amateur, you probably don't need all the horse riding supplies on the market. What you do need though is to invest in a few crucial pieces of saddlery to ensure both of you stay safe and comfortable. So, saddle up – here are all the essential pieces of saddlery to get.
The first piece of saddlery equipment you need to get is a horse saddle pad. It's essentially the basis for the saddlery without which neither you or your horse can be comfortable. The saddle pad goes directly on the horse’s back, and only then do you put on the saddle. The pad has the important role of absorbing the shocks of riding and prevents the hard saddle from rubbing and hurting the animal’s coat and skin. Additionally, it also helps to keep the saddle in place, which is crucial for avoiding a dangerous accident.
At horse and animal supply stores, you'll find that there is a huge variety of saddle pads to choose from. Depending on your needs and the climate you will be riding in, you can pick a pad with different fillings. Gel pads are most suitable for riding in warm weather as they help keep both you and the animal cool. On the other hand, wool and fleece saddle pads can help you stay warm during cold weather. If you’re having musculoskeletal problems, you can also choose orthopaedic pads which offer increased support for staying comfortable and pain-free when riding. Air pads are also a popular option as they mould to suit the animal and rider better. They are also able to provide an optimal level of comfort for horses with more prominent and strong shoulders.
Of course, the essential piece of saddlery equipment is a saddle, after all, it's right there in the name. Choosing a horse saddle is often trickier than choosing any other saddlery piece. You need to find a saddle that perfectly suits both you and the animal. If you fail to do so, it can slip off or get slightly displaced which can cause you to fall. What's more,an ill-fitting saddle can create pressure points which can cause injuries to the horse. And obviously, a poorly fitted saddle is uncomfortable to ride in.
Taking all of this into account, you need to make sure the saddle is suited for your horse’s size and perfectly moulds around the shape of its back. Since all horses are not created equal, you will need to do some measuring before you head out to buy a saddle. The best way to know whether your saddle fits your horse is to measure the horse's back and then measure the width of the saddle's gullet.
Additionally, when buying a saddle, you also need to consider your riding style. Different saddles are designed for different riding needs. For instance, a Western riding style requires a saddle that is lighter, whereas heaver saddles with reinforced horns are more suitable for the roping style of riding.
You will need to give instructions to your horse in order to control its pace and direction of movement. And a good bit and a bridle can allow you to do so without any miscommunication. The bridle features a headstall that’s going on the horses head and the reins. The bridle is usually made of nylon or leather. Although nylon is a cheaper option compared to genuine leather bridles, it isn’t as strong or durable. That being said, bridles made of nylon are more suitable for smaller horses and less intense riding.
The bit is actually the small metal part that goes into the animal’s mouth and connects to the bridle. Even though it's small, it's of great importance for you and the animal. When choosing the bit, you need to make sure that' it's gentle and feels comfortable to the horse as to not hurt its mouth.
And finally, the last piece of saddlery you're going to need is stirrups. Stirrups aren't actually necessity, but they can make a difference. As they give you somewhere to place your feet, they can make longer horse rides much easier. If you think that you're going to benefit from stirrups, you can always choose a saddle that comes attached with its own stirrups for greater convenience.
While you're taking horse riding lessons, most barns tend to provide you with all the equipment. Once you move on, it's easy to feel confused about what gear you really need. The good news is that if you're an amateur, you probably don't need all the horse riding supplies on the market. What you do need though is to invest in a few crucial pieces of saddlery to ensure both of you stay safe and comfortable. So, saddle up – here are all the essential pieces of saddlery to get.
A Horse Saddle Pad
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| Source: superhorsesaddlery.com.au |
The first piece of saddlery equipment you need to get is a horse saddle pad. It's essentially the basis for the saddlery without which neither you or your horse can be comfortable. The saddle pad goes directly on the horse’s back, and only then do you put on the saddle. The pad has the important role of absorbing the shocks of riding and prevents the hard saddle from rubbing and hurting the animal’s coat and skin. Additionally, it also helps to keep the saddle in place, which is crucial for avoiding a dangerous accident.
At horse and animal supply stores, you'll find that there is a huge variety of saddle pads to choose from. Depending on your needs and the climate you will be riding in, you can pick a pad with different fillings. Gel pads are most suitable for riding in warm weather as they help keep both you and the animal cool. On the other hand, wool and fleece saddle pads can help you stay warm during cold weather. If you’re having musculoskeletal problems, you can also choose orthopaedic pads which offer increased support for staying comfortable and pain-free when riding. Air pads are also a popular option as they mould to suit the animal and rider better. They are also able to provide an optimal level of comfort for horses with more prominent and strong shoulders.
A Saddle
Of course, the essential piece of saddlery equipment is a saddle, after all, it's right there in the name. Choosing a horse saddle is often trickier than choosing any other saddlery piece. You need to find a saddle that perfectly suits both you and the animal. If you fail to do so, it can slip off or get slightly displaced which can cause you to fall. What's more,an ill-fitting saddle can create pressure points which can cause injuries to the horse. And obviously, a poorly fitted saddle is uncomfortable to ride in.
 |
| Source: horseequipment.eu |
Taking all of this into account, you need to make sure the saddle is suited for your horse’s size and perfectly moulds around the shape of its back. Since all horses are not created equal, you will need to do some measuring before you head out to buy a saddle. The best way to know whether your saddle fits your horse is to measure the horse's back and then measure the width of the saddle's gullet.
Additionally, when buying a saddle, you also need to consider your riding style. Different saddles are designed for different riding needs. For instance, a Western riding style requires a saddle that is lighter, whereas heaver saddles with reinforced horns are more suitable for the roping style of riding.
A Bit and a Bridle
You will need to give instructions to your horse in order to control its pace and direction of movement. And a good bit and a bridle can allow you to do so without any miscommunication. The bridle features a headstall that’s going on the horses head and the reins. The bridle is usually made of nylon or leather. Although nylon is a cheaper option compared to genuine leather bridles, it isn’t as strong or durable. That being said, bridles made of nylon are more suitable for smaller horses and less intense riding.
The bit is actually the small metal part that goes into the animal’s mouth and connects to the bridle. Even though it's small, it's of great importance for you and the animal. When choosing the bit, you need to make sure that' it's gentle and feels comfortable to the horse as to not hurt its mouth.
Stirrups
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| Source: dressagetoday.com |
And finally, the last piece of saddlery you're going to need is stirrups. Stirrups aren't actually necessity, but they can make a difference. As they give you somewhere to place your feet, they can make longer horse rides much easier. If you think that you're going to benefit from stirrups, you can always choose a saddle that comes attached with its own stirrups for greater convenience.
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