| When you purchase a horse you may not be aware | | | | tack and western tack have similarities but are |
| of all the additional expenses you will have before you | | | | distinctively unique in appearance. English tack is |
| actually get to take the horse out for a spin. Before | | | | smaller, with saddles that are minimal without a horn, |
| making the plunge, be sure to price out the various | | | | high fork, deep seat or wide fenders on the stirrup |
| types of tack and make a decision which style of | | | | leathers. Western saddles are the heavy saddles with |
| riding you want to do and what type of tack is best. If | | | | a definite horn, deep seat and high, rigid cantle at the |
| you are on a budget or don't want to buy new tack | | | | back. The fenders on the stirrups and the skirts on the |
| right off the bat, a good option is to go to horse shows | | | | saddle may be ornately carved or may have gold or |
| or even farm sales and buy used tack that has been | | | | silver accents. Within both English and western tack |
| well cared for and maintained. Another option is to buy | | | | styles there are several variations, so it is important if |
| locally from a tack or feed store, this option usually | | | | you are interested in a particular event or competition |
| allows you to return tack that doesn't fit, but be sure to | | | | that you find out what specific tack is required. |
| check the stores policy. If you know what you want, | | | | Bridles, bits and reins are all needed to control the |
| what size you need and all the particulars, buying online | | | | horse, with differences again between English and |
| can be a good option as well. Returning items from | | | | western styles. English bridles tend to have more |
| online purchases can sometimes be costly as well as | | | | straps, including a noseband and a browband, while |
| a hassle, so always read the return policy carefully | | | | western bridles may or may not have these features. |
| before buying. | | | | Bits for both English and western riding are typically |
| The most basic pieces of equipment you will need, | | | | snaffle bits, although the western style has an |
| especially to bring your new horse or yearling home is | | | | additional bar on the outside of the horse's mouth, |
| a halter and a lead rope. If you are buying a full grown | | | | known as a curb. These bits are sometimes referred |
| horse you can select the halter you are going to use | | | | to as a snaffle curb, which is different than a curb bit. |
| for many years, but if you are buying a young horse | | | | An optional piece of tack that you may wish to |
| you will need to buy a foal or yearling halter and then | | | | purchase if your horse is going to be kept outdoors or |
| buy bigger ones as the horse matures. Nylon halters | | | | in an unheated area is a blanket. Turnout blankets are |
| and even leather halters aren't expensive as long as | | | | for use outdoors and have a water resistant exterior |
| you don't get the ornate show halters. | | | | and a warm, padded interior. They strap close to the |
| Since you will want to ride your horse, you will need a | | | | horse's body. Stable blankets are for use indoors and |
| saddle, saddle blanket or pad, bridle, bit and at least | | | | are less fitted to the horse and generally slightly lighter |
| one set of reins, possibly two depending on the type | | | | weight. Flysheets and covers can also be used in the |
| of riding you wish to do. There are two different and | | | | summer. |
| broad categories of tack, English and western. English | | | | |