| Horse riding equipment is intended for the care and | | | | between the two bit rings in either centimetres or |
| maintenance of your horse. Typically, it includes | | | | inches. Bits are made in different materials like stainless |
| saddles, bridles, bits, rugs, harnesses, whips and even | | | | steel, copper, iron, etc. |
| boots. You can find leather as the main component for | | | | Horse harness |
| all these articles, though occasionally you might find | | | | The part of horse riding equipment that allows the |
| synthetic items too. They should be cleaned often to | | | | horse to pull vehicles like a carriage, a sleigh or a |
| maintain them for a long life and the safety and | | | | wagon is the horse harness. It is also used to latch the |
| hygiene of your horse. | | | | animal to other loads like a plough or canal boat. The |
| Saddle | | | | two main parts of a harness are a breast collar and a |
| When you buy a saddle, what you need to look for is: | | | | head collar, either one being used. There are different |
| whether it fits your horse, whether it matches the kind | | | | kinds of harnesses suitable for different purposes like |
| of riding you want and whether it is comfortable for | | | | shows, pulling a carriage or van, pulling a cart or |
| the rider. Saddles come in different types meant for | | | | wagon, racing or ploughing. |
| different purposes like dressage, polo, racing, showing, | | | | Horse rugs |
| etc. There are saddles that are meant for a rider who | | | | Horse rugs are meant to protect the horse from sun, |
| intends to do all kinds of riding and there are saddles | | | | rain, snow, wind and flies. It gives the horse warmth |
| that can fit a horse of any shape. | | | | and protection while it is in the field or stable. It helps |
| Bridle | | | | the horse to remain healthy, hygienic and safe while |
| Bridles are usually made in leather, which makes them | | | | travelling, as well as after exercise. Rug sizes range |
| long lasting and comfortable to use. They are made in | | | | from 3 ft for a colt to 7 ft 3 inch for a big horse. |
| synthetic materials also, designed to make them easier | | | | Depending on the purpose, rugs are of different kinds |
| to clean and maintain. The size of the bridle depends | | | | like stable rugs, travel rugs, cooler rugs, blanket, |
| on the type of horse and the size of its head. Normally, | | | | summer sheet, turnout rugs, sweat rugs, fly rugs. |
| bridles come in four different types: snaffle, double, | | | | Riding whips |
| western and endurance. A snaffle bridle is easy to | | | | Horse riding equipment would not be complete without |
| handle and modify to suit the type of horse and the | | | | riding whips and boots. Riding whips are used to lead |
| way it rides. A double bridle gives the rider a high | | | | the horse on. They should be carried on the inside |
| degree of control over the horse. A western bridle is | | | | hand and used just behind the rider’s leg. Whips are |
| minimal in appearance and is designed for a hot | | | | of different kinds like a short whip, dressage whip, |
| climate to allow the horse’s skin to breathe. It is | | | | hunting whip, polar whip, show cane and lunge whip. |
| also easier to repair, if away from home. An | | | | Whips are used for various purposes like show |
| endurance bridle is flexible enough to be changed to a | | | | jumping, dressage, cross-country, hacking, schooling |
| head collar, which is suitable for long distance travel. | | | | and polo. Always remember that whips are not meant |
| Bits | | | | to be used on the horse often. |
| Bits are the part of horse riding equipment that help the | | | | Riding boots |
| rider to communicate with the horse regarding its | | | | Boots for horses are worn on its front and back legs. |
| speed and pace and gives some control over the | | | | They protect the horse from injury while travelling or |
| horse. There are five different types of bit, and all five | | | | participating in a competition. There are different kinds |
| affect the different areas of the horse’s head. A | | | | of boots for different purposes and protect the |
| bit should fit tightly into the horse’s mouth and | | | | different areas of the horse’s legs. They are |
| should leave a little space free on both side of the | | | | normally made of synthetic material, leather or rubber |
| mouth. Bit sizes are measured by taking the distance | | | | with either Velcro fastenings or leather buckles. |