Correctly Fitting Tack

Tack is used to describe the bridle, saddle and accessories worn by a horse. There are many types and makes of saddles and bridles. It is essential that any tack used should be suitable for the purpose intended and fitted correctly. Damaged and ill-fitting tack can affect the horse’s comfort,causing behavioural problems when riding, and may result in serious injuries.

The Bridle

Bridles may be made of leather or synthetic material, and are secured by stitching, buckles and billets. They are available in three main sizes, these are pony, cob and full, and are fully adjustable. The standard cavesson nose band can be changed to a different style if required.

To check the fit of a bridle:

The headpiece, which forms the main part of the bridle, should lie comfortably behind the horse’s poll .
The brow band should rest across the horse’s forehead with two finger widths between it, to prevent the headpiece from pinching the ears .
It should be possible to place two fingers under the cavesson noseband if this is correctly fastened.
The cheek pieces should be buckled equally and should allow the bit to lie comfortably in the mouth, creating only a slight wrinkle at the corner of the lips.
The bit should lie flat in the horse’s mouth, with approximately one centimetre of clearance on either side of the mouth.

The Saddle

It is vitally important a saddle is both well-fitting and positioned correctly on the horse’s back. Fitting should be carried out by a qualified saddle fitter, although every rider should be able to position a saddle correctly for use and be able to identify signs that a saddle no longer fits and requires attention. If the horse’s shape alters, as a result of weight gain or muscle development, the fit of the saddle will need to be checked.

How to correctly position a well-fitting saddle:

The saddle should be placed on the back, over the wither, and then slid backwards into its natural resting place. Check that the saddle is balanced and level and not tipping backwards or forwards.
The position of the point of the saddle tree should sit behind the horse’s shoulder blade, so that it does not restrict the horse’s normal movement. The tree-arches and points should not dig into the horse’s shoulder.
The back saddle should not sit too far along the back and no further back than the start of the last rib.

Girths

Girths are a vital piece of tack, attaching the saddle to the horse and helping maintain its position. They are available in many shapes, types and sizes to suit a range of different saddles. Most general purpose saddles have three girth straps and it is correct to attach the girth to the first and third of these on each side. A correctly fastened girth should rest approximately one hand’s width behind the horse’s elbows.

Rugs

In the interests of safety and comfort, a horse’s rug should be of a suitable type and correctly fitted. A rug that slips, has been on too long without being reset or does not fit correctly from the outset, will rub the horse and cause discomfort.

Checking the fit of a rug:

The size of rug required is calculated by measuring along the side of the horse, from the middle of the chest to the point of the buttock. Horses vary in both size and shape – the depth of their girth or neck and size of their shoulder can all affect how a rug fits. The cut of the different rugs can also vary, enabling the most appropriately shaped rug to be selected to suit an individual horse.
The horse should be able to move freely and be able to lie down and roll without the rug slipping or causing restriction. An especially broad horse may require a size larger than measured.
All fastenings should be secure and measures taken to prevent them from coming undone. In addition to chest straps, rugs are fastened either by cross-surcingles (straps which cross from one side to the other underneath the horse’s belly), by a pair of hindleg straps (that pass between and around the hindleg), or a combination of both.
There should be a clear hand’s width between the horse’s belly and the surcingle, and leg straps should be similarly adjusted to allow a hand-width between the strap and the horse’s thigh on both sides. The leg straps should also be looped through each other to prevent rubbing, enabling them to work together and prevent the rug from slipping.
Rugs should be cleaned and dried regularly, with outdoor rugs also being maintained in a waterproof condition. Straps, buckles and stitching should be inspected regularly for signs of damage and any necessary repairs made immediately.