All about Tack!
Tacking Up:
When tacking up your horse make sure to groom and pick hooves before tacking up. Any dirt or rocks left can cause the horse to buck or rear while riding. Also always make sure that the tack is well fitted before riding. Before even getting the horse groomed, bring all the tack you will be needing. This way the horse is not let unattended.
Common things used when tacking include: Blanket or pad, saddle, bridle with reins, bit, stirrups, and girth. Other commonly used items are breast collar, martingale, tie down, spurs, and crop.
While in the arena check the stirrup length and the girth. Then you can mount.
Cleaning the Tack:
Cleaning the tack keeps the leather nice and supple. It can be as simple as cleaning the dirt and sweat off after a ride. Use oils to keep the leather soft and use a glycerin saddle soap the seal the pores in the leather. Store the tack in somewhere that is dry, clean and climate controlled. Hang up and cover the saddles when done. It is a good idea to put the saddle on a saddle rack when finished with it. Hang up the bridles, reins and other equipment to keep them clean. Before and after a ride check the tack for damages. Remembering to clean tack will lengthen its life span!
Tack Cleaning Supplies:
-Sponges
-towels
-running water (warm)
-buckets
-Leather cleaner and oil
-saddle soap
-Leather protector
-Leather wipes
-saddle racks and hooks
When tacking up your horse make sure to groom and pick hooves before tacking up. Any dirt or rocks left can cause the horse to buck or rear while riding. Also always make sure that the tack is well fitted before riding. Before even getting the horse groomed, bring all the tack you will be needing. This way the horse is not let unattended.
Common things used when tacking include: Blanket or pad, saddle, bridle with reins, bit, stirrups, and girth. Other commonly used items are breast collar, martingale, tie down, spurs, and crop.
- Put the blanket or pad on first. Make sure the pad or blanket fits the horse correctly. If fitted and placed correctly, the pad or blanket should sit at the top of the withers and end at the hips. This prevents the saddle from rubbing the horse. If riding English, you would put the half pad on at this point
- After, you put the saddle on. Make sure that any straps on the saddle are put up so that they are not in the way of anything when placing the saddle onto the horse. Make sure that either the pommel or fork is in place with the pad. The saddle should not pass the pad up and should sit right on top of the withers. Saddle fit is crucial to aiding in a safe and sound ride (see saddle fit).
- Next it to attach the girth. Attach the girth on the right side of the horse and tighten in on the left. If there are rings on the girth they should be centered in the middle of the horse. With a well fitted girth, you should be able to fit two fingers between the girth and the horse. The horse may boat. Or fill its stomach up with air when putting on a girth. Always check the girth before getting on. If the horse has problems putting the girth on, this might be a sign that something is wrong internally.
- At this time put on anything extra such as boots, breast collars, or martingales.
- Lastly, release the horse from the cross ties and put the reins over the head for control. Now remove the halter and put the bit in the horse’s mouth and the bridle in its face. Buckle all of the buckles and you should be ready to ride
While in the arena check the stirrup length and the girth. Then you can mount.
Cleaning the Tack:
Cleaning the tack keeps the leather nice and supple. It can be as simple as cleaning the dirt and sweat off after a ride. Use oils to keep the leather soft and use a glycerin saddle soap the seal the pores in the leather. Store the tack in somewhere that is dry, clean and climate controlled. Hang up and cover the saddles when done. It is a good idea to put the saddle on a saddle rack when finished with it. Hang up the bridles, reins and other equipment to keep them clean. Before and after a ride check the tack for damages. Remembering to clean tack will lengthen its life span!
Tack Cleaning Supplies:
-Sponges
-towels
-running water (warm)
-buckets
-Leather cleaner and oil
-saddle soap
-Leather protector
-Leather wipes
-saddle racks and hooks