Horse Riding Equipment

To begin horseback riding, the rider needs to be dressed appropriately. You will need long pants. This not only protects you from trees and debris as you ride, it protects your legs from chaffing on the saddle. Sturdy shoes, preferably boots, should be worn for protection and because the heels help to keep your feet in the stirrups. In addition, some horses will step on people’s feet when they are bored, nervous or in a bad temperament and boots are good when this happens.

Grooming is essential for a good ride. The horse must be thoroughly brushed. The reason for this is that a small sticker or thorn may be hiding on the horse and when you put the weight of a saddle and person on, it becomes quite painful, resulting in less than a pleasant ride since the horse is going to let you know it is in discomfort. For similar reasons, the tail needs to be combed. One reason a horse swishes its tail is to knock off flies. A tail with a thorn or rock in it is going to cause the horse to react when it the tail hits the body.

For riding you will need a saddle blanket, saddle pad, saddle, reins, bridle, bit, and in some cases a breast collar or tie down. The breast collar is used to keep the saddle from sliding backward when you are going up a steep incline. The tie down is used if you are riding a horse that likes to “throw” its head. This keeps the head at the appropriate height preventing possible serious injury to the rider. This is usually only used on a horse that “throws” its head or for show.