Horse Saddles

A horse's withers, which is the ridge between its shoulder blades, should theoretically help keep a saddle from slipping forward onto its neck. On horses that have high or medium withers, this ridge…

Horseback is a relaxing yet exciting means of transportation, whether it is an hour trail ride or several day horseback tour. Storage while riding a horse is limited so saddle bags are a critical…

Using a saddle that fits the girth of a Shire horse allows you to avoid a variety of problems typically associated with incorrectly fitted tack. The Shire horse is a heavy, draft breed. It is strong…

A well-fitting saddle is vital to the comfort of both horse and rider. The gullet of a saddle provides clearance for the horse's spine, and keeps the rider's weight off this sensitive area. A gullet…

Saddle horns sustain a great deal of wear and tear. A new saddle horn can be quite expensive, so many horseback riders opt to recover the horn instead of replacing it. A braided leather cover is a…

Getting a horse used to being saddled requires skill. Oftentimes, the horse will let you know when it is ready to be saddled. Your horse should be accustomed to being haltered, led, groomed and…

Saddle horse breeds, such as the Saddlebred and the Spotted Saddle horse, are naturally gaited. This means that, in addition to the basic walk, trot, canter and gallop, these horses should also have…

There are four types of Pinto: stock, hunter, pleasure and saddle. The types are categorized by size: miniature, miniature B, pony or horse. Pintos come from a wide range of bloodlines, including…

Latigo and harness leather are two of these types used in making horse tack and dog collars, among other things. They vary in the way they are cured, what animal they come from, and how hard or soft…

Calculating girth is important for mailing a package or measuring body dimensions for clothing. Packaging companies may have a maximum girth allowed for various shipping methods. The girth of an…

A western saddle is designed to be cinched by the use of leather latigo straps attached to each side of the saddle by D rings. One end of the latigo is permanently attached to the D ring while the…

It is a misconception to think that sizing a saddle is only about the size of a horse. It's true that the saddle needs to fit the horse you're riding, but it's equally if not more important that the…

Despite having been made obsolete by cars around a century ago, horse-drawn carts are making a comeback among those in farming communities as well as among wealthy horse hobbyists. In fact,…

Herculean harnesses were originally used by farmers as a way for horses to pull plows, carts filled with goods or other farm implements; they are still popular for a variety of purposes ranging from…

Saddling your horse properly is a quintessential skill for all equestrians. Unless you prefer riding bareback, you will need to know how to properly secure your saddle to your horse's back. Most…

Shaft tugs, or simply "tugs," are leather straps of loops that attach to the back of a horse's or other working animal's harness, connecting the horse's tack to the vehicle it pulls. Tugs transfer the…

A running martingale, also known as "training forks" in western equine disciplines, is a piece of tack that serves two purposes. It prevents the reins being thrown over the horse's head in the event…

Leather riding chaps are used to cover and protect the legs while riding a horse or a motorcycle. The two leg coverings are connected by a belt, leaving the crotch and seat of a rider's legs, or…

Preparing for horse ownership can seem overwhelming. By planning ahead, you can purchase your first horse with confidence knowing you have the right supplies, contacts and financial plans. Some…

Trail horse saddles, also known as pleasure saddles, put the rider’s comfort first. Their design anticipates long hours of riding and can include a variety of features for different body types.…

Styles of horseback riding differ around the world, and many different types of horse saddles have developed to accommodate these styles. Two of the best-known types are the British, more commonly…

The javelin throw is an athletic event inspired by hunting and warfare. The spear-like apparatus was first used as a weapon and later by ancient Greeks in the early Olympic Games. Initially two…

Breast collars are pieces of equipment used in both English and Western riding disciplines to keep the saddle from sliding out of place down a horse's back. Called a breast plate in English riding,…

A girth is the part of a saddle used to keep it in place. The girth goes under the horse from one side of the saddle to another. It's attached by two or three straps called billets; according to…

You can use a western style thick felt pad when saddling a horse. Felt is good for when a horse may be getting into a sweaty situation; it will help wick that off. Learn basic horsemanship from a…

Children who want to take up horse sports have several options when it comes to saddles. Although many children do ride in adult-sized saddles, they tend to feel insecure and their feet may not reach…

Choosing the correctly sized saddle for your horse is just as important and time consuming as choosing the proper pair of shoes for yourself. Imagine an improperly fitting pair of hiking boots taking…

When the saddle comes in contact with areas of the horse's body it will leave sweat marks; learn how to remove sweat marks in this free equestrian video clip about grooming a horse.

There is nothing like the freedom and fun you can find in horseback riding. Whether you like to walk your horse leisurely through a nature trail or gallop along for the thrill of it the correct…