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