Horse Tack

One of the fundamental tools of beekeeping, a spur embedder, assists the beekeeper in strengthening the foundation of the hive's frame. Every beehive used in beekeeping contains wooden frames that…

Barrel racing saddles -- like all rodeo saddles -- are designed to stay atop a horse through bursts of speed, quick stops, tight turns and horizontal movements even as the rider shifts her weight…

A saddle tree is one of the fundamental parts of a riding saddle. Its purpose is to distribute the weight of the rider over the back of the horse. Saddle trees come in various shapes and sizes…

Spurs are metal attachments for riding boots or cowboy boots. The attachment has a metal rod that comes out of the heel which is used to control a horse when riding. The spur fits around the heel of…

Preparing a bridle for first-time use involves cleaning, conditioning and protecting the leather. Proper care of your bridle will make it supple, easier to use and lengthen its lifespan. To condition…

Once a common piece of cowboy equipment on the ranch and in the rodeo arena, the night latch still has value to horsemen as a teaching aid and safety device. The night latch is a leather or rope strap…

The rear cinch on a Western saddle secures and stabilizes the back of the saddle, improving the horse's comfort. However, proper adjustment of the cinch is essential. If the cinch is too tight, the…

Putting on a horse's head collar or "halter" is a necessary part of riding. Fitting around a horse's muzzle and ears, the head collar buckles around the horse's head, is generally made of nylon or…

Leather bridles are sometimes lighter in color than desired when they're new. They may need to be darkened to match a saddle or to complement a horse's coloring. There are various saddle oils on the…

Breast collars are used to keep a saddle from sliding backward along a horse's spine toward the tail. If the saddle does shift, it can effect the horse's performance and lead to pain or soreness in…

Western saddles are symbols of the American riding style and are known for their durability and comfort for both horse and rider. Some western saddles come with double-C rigging, which is usually used…

If a leather bridle is too stiff, it will be difficult to handle and uncomfortable to put on a horse. Leather stiffens when it dries out and is not often used. If you have not been using the bridle or…

Spurs, in any discipline, are intended to make a horse more reactive to the rider. With a touch or poke of the spur, the horse is more willing to round out his back, drive from behind, drop his head…

Endurance riding is a specialized horseback riding discipline that involves traveling long distances along trails and through the countryside. Endurance riders are judged on their speed and the…

The Bates conversion kit is a billeting change that is designed to allow riders to use a western saddle D-ring girth on an Australian saddle. Aussie saddles traditionally feature one billeted side and…

While new leather bridles can prove not only useful but attractive when placed on a horse, they sometimes feel uncomfortable and unyielding due to non-use. The rigid leather of the bridle can rub the…

While English and Western disciplines may be vastly different, they do share a similar piece of equipment: the breast collar. Breast collars, also known as breast plates by English riders, fit over…

If a person in your family or circle of friends is a devoted horse person, you can please her with a an equestrian gift. From custom pieces of clothing and jewelry to riding gear and specialty…

If you own a horse, you know that the saddle and tack you purchase for your horse can be pretty expensive. But the expense is well worth it because tack that is sound and in good condition can mean…

When tying a rope bridle for your horse, it is very important for both the horse and the rider that the bridle be comfortable. Tying a rope bridle is not a difficult task, but it may take some time…

Wholesale dog gifts for humans can be found readily on the Internet, as there is such a booming craze for dogs across America. Many stores carry numerous dog gift ideas, aimed to please these "Dog…

A dog raffle is a great way to raise money and awareness while raffling off useful and fun prizes. Though the raffle itself may be geared toward our canine companions, with a little creativity the…

Whether you are a 4-H member in search of the perfect horse-themed raffle or the person in charge of fundraising for your church or community organization, you can increase the success of your raffle…

Once November rolls around, the Christmas season quickly roars into gear. If you're stumped on what to buy your horse-crazy friend, buy or make her a horse-themed gift. Once you focus on her interest…

English spurs, like their Western counterparts, are meant to improve communication between you and your horse. A spur is often needed for a horse that is dull and does not respond to the directional…

The Quick Cinch is a tightening mechanism designed to replace the conventional Latigo cinch used on Western saddles. In 1986, Eddie G. Crosby developed the Quick Cinch product with the idea of…

If you plan to buy a horse, you need to leave some room in your equine budget for the tack you will need. In many cases the combined cost of that essential tack will be as high, if not higher, than…

Tightening a traditional Western cinch can be a real challenge, even for experienced riders. As the name implies, the easy cinch is designed to make tacking up your horse and securing the cinch much…

The latigo is a leather strap used in combination with a cinch to hold a western saddle on a horse. The latigo attaches to both sides of the saddle and secures the cinch around the girth of the horse.…

When saddling your horse, it's very important to make sure that you tighten the girth on your western saddle properly. Otherwise the saddle could slide sideways while you're mounting up, or even while…

The breast collar is an important piece of equipment for riders of all disciplines. The breast collar is designed to prevent the saddle from sliding back and creating an unsafe situation. But the…

A rider uses spurs to assist him when he is giving cues to his horse. Many types of spurs are available with the main categories being English and Western spurs. Western spurs differ from English…

A breast collar, also called a breastplate, keeps an equestrian's saddle in place on the horse's back while performing high-speed turns and jumps, going up steep hills and clearing large obstacles. It…

A cinch is an essential piece of horse tack. The cinch hugs the chest directly behind the front legs and keeps the saddle from falling off during a ride. Cinches can be made of nylon, neoprene or soft…

While their are numerous brands and types of Western cinches, they can be divided into two basic categories: wool and neoprene. And while the ultimate choice is up to the rider, there are certain…

Have you ever wondered what the consequences would be to you if your horse became startled and reared? One preventable result is your saddle slipping. Prevent slipping saddles by using of a piece of…

Saddling a horse correctly is one of the most important parts of any ride. Incorrectly tacking a horse can not only impact the rider's technique but can be dangerous for the rider and the horse.

Western-style gear combines attractive and stylish designs with precision equipment. The beautiful craftsmanship used by professional western gearmakers serves both purpose and function.…

Passionate about their sport, horse lovers love horse-themed gifts. The non-horsey people who share their lives with horse-mad significant others are better off getting a horse-themed present for…

Horse enthusiasts can announce their hobby by ordering a vanity license plate inspired by their equestrian interests. In most states you will need to provide two or three options of seven or eight…

Rope tack is usually limited to creating halters and bridals because the narrow rope gives a gentle bite that's great for telling the horse to obey. But rope tack is not good material to make such…

No matter what style of riding you prefer or what type of horse you own, the tack you use should be clean, well-fitted, and in good repair. Poorly fitted or improperly maintained saddles, bridles, and…

Restraining horses can be tricky. Tying them requires a heavy-duty stationary object and also restricts the horse's movements, not allowing them to graze. When camping or trail riding, it can be very…

If you enjoy working with horses and horse owners, a tack shop can be an excellent part-time or full-time business. Horse people are always looking for the latest supplies and gadgets. If you can…

The Friesian horse is a very beautiful animal, with a stunning black coat, a long flowing mane and tail and long feathers around its feet. If someone you know is the proud owner of one of these…

If someone in your life is a horse owner, or just a dedicated horse lover, there are many ways to express your love when the holiday season rolls around. There are many wonderful Christmas gift ideas…

To make sure that your horse's tack fits properly, you should measure your horse to determine the proper size for a saddle (western or English), bridle and bit before buying tack or using another…

No longer exclusive to the British Isles, English tack facilitates many equine sports around the world. From steeplechases to park classes to cross-country eventing, English saddles and bridles put…

It is only natural for people with an interest in horses to want to take their love of horses and turn it into a thriving business. Opening a tack shop is an excellent way to make a living, and an…

Ranch horse associations do a lot of good work, while providing their members with lifelong friendships and the company of like-minded individuals. One of the challenges ranch horse associations face…

Horse tack is a term used to describe any of the equipment placed on the horse so it may be ridden. Horse tack includes saddles, bridles, reins, stirrups or halters. The majority of horse tack is made…

A German martingale (tack) can be an excellent training tool for horses who need to learn to lower their heads and increase the flexibility of their necks. While this tool will not magically improve…

It is believed that, in the middle of the 4th century, the Sarmatians, a coalition of Iranian nomadic tribes, invented the first saddle, as well as metal stirrups and spurs. Sarmatian warriors were…

Cowboys and horses have roamed the wide expanses of the West for more than 200 years. The hilly terrain of the Rockies often made riding difficult and the heavy Western saddles popular with cowboys…

Nothing compliments cowboy boots better than a pair of western spurs. Nothing says old west better then the jingle of a pair of western spurs. But, most of all, nothing tells your horse to getting…

A disorganized horse tack room can be stressful, leading you to frantically search for some lost item with a horse waiting for you. It can also be dangerous, because tack rooms often contain…

Tacking up a horse involves placing the saddle on a horse's back, attaching the girth and securing the bridle. Tack up a horse with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback…

When tacking a horse, begin by putting the saddle pad up to where the hair starts to grow on the withers and pull the saddle pad up into the gullet of the saddle. Attach the girth and put the reins on…

Riding Western-style is like stepping back in time to the Old West. Western saddles have not changed substantially in the way they look or go on the horse, so when you tack up your Western mount, you…

Halters, leads, reins, saddles, bridles, blankets and many more accessories used on horses are collectively referred to as horse tack. Horse tack used to be made only of leather, a material that…

Breast collars are an essential tool for many barrel racing enthusiasts. The collars sit across the horse’s chest and prevent the saddle from sliding backward while the horse is running at full…

Learn how to clean and store tack by using a sponge and leather cleaner and work the grime away in this free equestrian video on horse care and riding.

Learn how to attach and adjust a running martingale when tacking up a horse in this free equestrian video on horse care and riding taught by a lifelong equestrian.

Learn how to attach and adjust a standard martingale and how to tack up a horse in this free equestrian video on horse care and riding.

Learn how to attach the girth to a horse and more tips on caring for and riding horses in this free equestrian video about how to tack up a horse.

Learn how to use boots to protect your horse's ligaments in this free equestrian video about horse care and riding, taught by a lifelong equestrian.

Lifelong equestrian and college equestrian head coach shows how to tack up a horse in this free equestrian video clip on horse care and riding.

The tack room falls into chaos pretty easily, especially if used by different people for many horses. If you show horses, you are probably coming and going a lot, packing up and unpacking, and dumping…

Miniature horses can't use tack designed for regular horses, and even halters designed for foals won't create the best fit. If you have a mini, you'll have to do a little extra shopping around. It…

Keeping horse tack clean is a job that must be repeated after almost every ride. Even if you don't ride in the mud, horses sweat and have dirt on them, causing a build-up on your tack. Cleaning the…

Crystal horse tack is quickly becoming the tack of choice in western riding. Whether it is a show, rodeo, trail ride, parade or at your home, crystal tack can beautifully dress up your horse. This…

Tacking a horse includes grooming and putting on the riding equipment. Do it right and both you and the horse will be happier during your ride.

Tacking up a horse is the last step before riding.