Horse Equipment
Horse equipment is also best known as horse tack. Horse tack is a term used to describe about various equipments and accessories worn by a horse when they are domesticated. Saddles, stirrups, bridles, halters, reins, bits, harnesses, martingales and breastplates are all some equipments of a horse.
Highlights on Horse equipments:
Saddles:
Saddles are like a seat for a horse rider. They are tied at horse back with help of strap called clinch. This saddle strap goes around the horse for about four inches behind the forlegs. Saddles should be comfortable for the horse as well as the rider. An improper fitting saddle may rub the horse skin causing pain and serious injury.
There are many different types of saddles for horses.
- Jumping saddles
- hunt saddle
- dressage saddle
- roping saddle
- barrel racing saddle
- park saddle
- side saddle
- Military saddle
Stirrups :
Stirrups are meant for the support of rider’s feet. While riding rider’s legs hang down on the sides of saddle. Stirrups make the rider feel more comfortable and secure about their legs. However, riders leg may get stuck in it and drag the rider.
Bridles :
Bridle is strap used for driving and riding a horse. Bridle is an arrangement of straps around the horse head for a precise control on horse. It also contains a bit attached to it.
Halters :
Halter is a rope which is set to fit on the head around the muzzle and behind the ears. A lead line is given to halter under the chain to tie the horse. Horse Halter helps to keep the control over the horse. Horse halter also provides protection for ear and nose of horse.
Bits :
A bit is a piece of metal placed in the mouth. It is made to rest on horse teeth. It hangs in a space behind the front teeth and in back teeth. This space is known as a ‘bar’. It is very important that the bit is comfortable. This will lead to good communication between rider and horse. Types of bits are:
- Gag bit
- Snaffle bit
- curb bit
- Pelham bit
Reins :
A rein is a rope attached to bit and extended in the rider’s hand. Rein is a means by which the rider can have direct communication with the horse. Pulling the reins results in stopping the horse.
Harnesses :
A harness is a strap which helps in bonding the horse to a cart. There are two types of horse harnesses. They are style collar hames style and breast strap style.
Breastplates and Martingales:
Breastplates are a strap attached to front of saddle and across the horse chest. They prevent the saddle from not sliding down or shifting from back of a horse. Breastplates are also worn for decorative purpose.
Martingale is equipment that restricts horse head from raising it too high. Different types of martingale are Running martingale, Standing martingale, German martingale, and Irish martingale.
Thus, above mentioned are the horse equipments which are mostly used for training purpose. These equipments are very useful for rider when he is new to this field!
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