You do not have to own horse tack to own a horse but if you are going to ride a horse then you will need some equipment to ride him as well as equipment to help take care of him properly. Tack needs to be properly taken care of but first you need to know the basics of what to get and what it is made of. If you do not know all of the pieces that you need, along with how to use them then the pieces of horse tack are pretty much useless to you. In this article we will cover some of those basics so that you will be up and running with your horse, literally, before you know it. You will know what horse tack is, what it is made of, how it affects your horse and much, much more. So sit right back partner and enjoy the ride of learning all the basics of horse tack.

What is horse tack?

Horse tack is the necessary equipment needed to own and ride a horse. It can be anything from the stirrups of a saddle on to the metal shoes on the horse's feet. Tack is an important part of any cowgirl or cowboy's riding apparel and must be treated well. Poorly maintained tack shows and is a mark of how well the person takes care of their animal. Each piece of tack has a specific purpose and needs to be in good condition if it is going to be used on the animal. Improperly cared for tack can cause injury to a horse.

What is it made of?

Horse tack is generally made of leather, a metal such as stainless steel so that it will not rust and nylon. The metal is used in the bits and tiny nails and staples that hold the tack together. The nylon is usually for the ropes. Tack also includes the brushes used to clean the horse as well as the necessary tools needed to shoe a horse and do any necessary repairs to its hooves. It is very important to take care of your tack and to protect it from the elements whenever possible to prevent cracking and drying out.

How is it made?

Assuming you mean you mean the actual riding tack versus the horse care tack, the riding tack is made from leather. The leather pieces are cut from a giant piece of leather. They are then sewn together either by hand or by machine to form the general structure. Areas such as the seat are built upon a structure made either of hard leather, wood or plastic and then draped with the leather. The entire saddle is then conditioned and allowed to dry into its shape.

What does it consist of?

As mentioned above horse tack is everything from the saddle to the brush used to clean the horse's mane and tail. It includes the stirrups, the reins, the cleaning paraphernalia used on the horses' hooves as well as the tools needed to shoe a horse. It can also include staples such as leather cleaner and conditioner as well as any food necessities that go along with the responsibility of owning an animal. Anything that involves owning a horse can be considered to be horse tack.

What is the difference between a bridle and a bit?

A bridle is the control of a horse. It fits over the horse's head and allows the rider to turn and control the momentum of the horse as well as direct the horse in the proper direction. The bit is the piece of the bridle that fits into the horse's mouth to provide the necessary pressure needed for a horse to know what direction to take as well as to know when to stop his or her forward momentum.

Do bits hurt the horse?

If used properly a bit does not cause the horse any form of injury but if used by an inexperienced rider the bit can injure the horse from too much pressure and can cause sores to form in the mouth. It is important, especially if you are a new rider, to receive instruction on how to use a bit properly to ensure the safety of a horse. The potential for damage to a horse's mouth is great if used improperly.

What is a cinch?

A cinch is the piece of leather that holds the saddle in place. It goes beneath the horse's belly and connects to both sides of the saddle. It is tightened into place snuggly to ensure that the saddle remains in place while the rider is aboard the horse's back. It can be compared to your belt holding your pants into place. Without the belt your pants would fall down. It does not harm the horse at all.

Can stirrups be adjusted?

Unless everyone was the same height, then stirrups would never need to be adjusted. Yes, stirrups can be adjusted to the length of anyone's legs. That way they do not have to worry about falling off the horse. It is usually pretty simple to adjust a stirrup. In most cases it involves moving the stirrup up or down a few notches found beneath the stirrup cover and then re-securing.

How do I take care of my horse tack?

The first step is to clean the tack of any excess dirt and/or debris that may have accumulated during your ride. Simply take a stiff brush and give the tack a good once over. The next step is taking oil soap such as Murphy's Oil Soap and cleaning the tack well. Make sure to use a small brush such as a tooth brush into the crevices and cracks. Wipe the leather thoroughly to remove any excess. There are leather conditioners you can buy that you will want to apply next. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully and allow the tack to dry before placing back in the storage room.

For cleaning your horse brushes simply wash in a mild detergent such as Ivory and allow to air dry. If there are missing bristles then replace the brushes as needed. You should also inspect any of your metal tools to ensure that they are free from rust and replace or sharpen as needed.

How much can I expect to pay for horse tack?

Horse tack can vary widely depending on where you make your purchase. There are saddles and bridles that can be purchased used for less than one hundred dollars. On the same note you can buy hand crafted tack for thousands depending on who is the artisan making the saddle and bridle. So you see that it all depends on where you are shopping and who is making the tack.

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