Horse Tack

The steps for knowing how to tack up your horse areFor equestrians, your tack is all of the equipment used
1. Catch and secure your horse or ponyfor riding. This includes your saddle and bridle, your
2. Make sure they are clean, especially in the areashalter and other extras like breastplate and martingale.
where your horse riding tack is going to touch yourYou keep your tack in the tack room. And when you
pony or horseput your tack on your horse you are tacking up!
3. Your pony's or horse's hooves must be cleanOthers call it their gear, short for horse gear, that
before you tack up your horsemeans all the bits and pieces needed for riding.
4. The saddle goes on first - the girth must be secureWhat do you call it?
so the saddle doesn't slip, but at this stage does notTack, gear, saddlery?
have to be tight. If you tighten the girth too much it atDo you know where the word tack originated when
once it can make your horse or pony sour and teachreferring to horses?
them to bite when you do up the girth.Do you 'tack up' or 'saddle up' when you ride?
5. Adjust any other gear attached to the saddle. ThisDo you have a 'tack room' to store your tack
could be a breastplate, martingale or crupper.saddlery?
6. If you horse has boots or bandages, they can go onA tack is a type of small sharp nail that is used in
nowmaking saddles. Is there any connection between this
7. Tighten up the girth one hole each side (if needed)tack and the term tacking up?
8. Next make sure you have your helmet and areTacking in sewing is big stitches to hold things in place
ready to rideuntil properly stitched. Does tack in equestrian terms
9.Tighten up the girth another hole (if needed)have anything to do with sewing?
10. Undo the headcollar or halter and put on the bridleA tack is part of a sail on a sailing boat. And tacking is
11. Final check on the girth and other tack and youwhat you do when sailing to change direction in the
have finished tacking up your horse!wind. What has that got to do with horses? Anything?
Enjoy your ride!Is it all a mystery to me. Tell me what you know. Or
While you are riding, think about thiswhat you think about using the word tack.
What is tack? Where does this word originate?