Before starting horseback riding, you’ll need to gather the necessary riding gear. For those who haven’t begun lessons yet, the names of the equipment may not be familiar, and it’s hard to imagine what they are and how they are used.
In this article, we introduce the basic horse gear essential for riding. Use this as a reference to learn what equipment you should prepare.
Saddle
The saddle is a necessary piece of equipment placed on the horse’s back, serving as a kind of chair for the rider. Different styles like British, Western, etc., have different saddle shapes. Even within the same style, such as British, the shape varies depending on the riding discipline, like dressage, show jumping, or eventing.
Britain developed the British style, emphasizing elegance and precise manners, which is widely adopted in Japanese riding clubs. It was also featured in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Western riding, on the other hand, originated in the American West for long-distance travel and labor, characterized by practical design suited for strenuous work, often depicted in Western movies.
British saddles have shallow seats to allow the rider to appear elegant and communicate clearly with the horse. Western saddles feature deep seats designed for stability during long and vigorous rides.
Stirrups
Stirrups are placed for the rider to put their feet in. Hanging from the saddle with stirrup leathers, they help stabilize the rider’s posture on the horse, especially during bumpy rides.
Before stirrups were invented, riders had to straddle the horse and hold onto the horse’s body with their legs, which was quite difficult. The invention of stirrups allowed many people to ride more easily and safely.
Different riding styles use different types of stirrups. British style typically uses metal or plastic stirrups, while leather stirrups are common in Western riding.
Other headgear: Bits, reins, halters
Horse riding equipment includes various other gear, particularly those attached to the horse’s head, such as bits, reins, and halters.
‘Bit’ is a metal device the horse bites on, connected to the reins. It helps the rider give signals to the horse by pulling the reins. Though it may sound harsh, properly fitted bits do not cause pain because they are positioned to avoid sensitive areas, like the no-bite zone where no teeth grow.
‘Reins’ are the straps connected to the bit or halter that the rider holds to control the horse. They are widely known even outside riding circles, often used to mean controlling or guiding someone else’s actions, like ‘pulling the reins.’ Reins are crucial for communicating with the horse, giving commands such as stopping.
‘Halter’ is a thin leather gear that fits around the horse’s head from the poll to the nose, mainly used to fix the bit in place. There are also simple halters, called ‘bitless halters,’ that only cover the nose when the rider is not riding.
Other body gear: Saddle pad, girth, horse blanket
This section introduces equipment that attaches to the horse’s body, such as saddle pads, girths, and horse blankets. While the saddle is the most famous, these items are also essential for riding safety and comfort.
‘Saddle pad’ refers to a mat placed under the saddle. It is available in various designs and colors and not only for aesthetic purposes but also to protect the horse’s back from chafing and absorb sweat.
‘Girth’ is a belt that secures the saddle onto the horse’s back. Properly tightening the girth is crucial for safety to prevent the saddle from slipping during riding.
‘Horse blanket’ is a coat worn by horses, mainly made of waterproof or insulated materials, used for warmth, protection from dirt, or insects. It generally covers the horse’s body.
Summary
We hope you found this helpful.
Various gear is used to ensure safety for both horse and rider and facilitate communication between them. Understanding each item’s role and proper usage is important.
Additionally, some gear features attractive designs. Although most clubs offer rentals, using gear with your preferred style and color can boost your riding experience. Matching your riding attire with gear for a coordinated look is also recommended.