Bits and Pieces
Tack is one of the most important features of riding. Ill-fitting tack is responsible for a range of health problems, and riding problems, too.
Check out these pages for advice on fitting and buying tack for your horse.
Saddles
Arguably the most important item of tack is the saddle. Horses' backs come in a variety of shapes and sizes - long, short, hollow, wide, narrow - and the saddle you use must fit correctly if both horse and rider are to work in harmony.
An ill-fitting saddle is, at best, like ill-fitting clothing. Imagine how you would feel if you had to spend significant amounts of time wearing a pair of trousers that were a size too small! You'd feel uncomfortable, restless, your movement would be restricted - in short, you'd feel down-right miserable! And yet so many seemingly kind riders subject their horses to badly fitting saddles.
At worst, an ill-fitting saddle can result in serious back problems, not to mention apparently delinquent behaviour, as the horse tries to tell you he is unhappy.
As well as fitting your horse, the saddle must be comfortable for you, too. But don't be fooled by people - some of them in the business of selling saddles - who tell you that your needs are more important than your horses'.
Always seek the advice of a reputable saddler before spending what will be a significant amount of money for a saddle. Ideally, the saddler should see the horse and fit the saddle first hand. If this is not possible, a range of measurements should be taken so he/she knows what size will suit.
English leather is generally recognised as the best quality but I must stress that the fit of the saddle is the salient factor.