Saddles
What are the parts of the saddle?
Outer: Pommel, twist, seat, cantle, skirt, stirrup bar (under the skirt), panel, knee roll, stirrup leather, stirrup iron, saddle flap.
Inner: front block, back block, point of tree, billets or girth tabs, billet guard or buckle guard.
What are the average bit sizes?
Average horse size: 5in".
Average pony size: 4.5in".
What is a hackamore?
Designed to put pressure on the bridge of the nose and under the chin. The headstall applies pressure to the poll. No bit or mouthpiece.
How do you properly clean tack?
Wipe down your tack with a damp rag, NOT WET. Apply a small amount of leather cleaning soap, make sure there are no suds. Finish with leather conditioning treatment, let it soak in, and buff out the tack.
What are the traits of stainless steal bits?
No taste, doesn't rust, looks clean, shiny, and sliver.
How do you properly fit a saddle? (Pt. 1)
2-3 finger wither clearance, two sides of the tree lie parallel to the withers, full panel contact, billets should lie perpendicular to the ground.
How do you properly fit a bridle? (Pt. 1)
Improper fit is uncomfortable for the horse, lack of control or unclear communication while riding. Check the brown band for pinching/too tight, crownpiece should have 2 extra holes on each cheekpiece, 2 fingers between noseband and horses face 1 finger width below cheek bone.
What is a double bridle?
A bridle with two distinct bits and four reins used simultaneously. Also called a full mouth or weymouth bridle.
Where do gag bits apply pressure?
Apply pressure to the corners of the mouth and the poll.
What are the traits of sweet iron?
Dark-bluish color, designed to rust for taste.
How do you properly fit a saddle? (Pt. 2)
The saddle should fit level, not tilting side to side or front to back, 3-5 finger gullet clearance, point of tree sits behind the scapula, and the back of the saddle is at the top of the 18th vertebrae/last rib.
How do you properly fit a bridle? (Pt. 2)
4 fingers/a fist under the throat latch behind the jaw, cheek pieces in line with horse's eye, 2 wrinkles at the corner of the mouth.
What is a hackabit?
Pressure points on the poll, chin, and nose. The bit adds pressure to the bars of the mouth, corners of the mouth, palate, and tongue (all 7 pressure points).
Are thinner mouthpieces more harsh than thicker mouthpieces?
Yes, thinner mouthpieces are harsher than thicker mouthpieces.
What are the traits of rubber mouths?
Can be both flavored or unflavored, for sensitive mouths, rubber is on the mouthpiece except for the joint of the bit and rings.
How do you know if a saddle has poor fit?
- Sore, pinched shoulders
- Sore withers/wither rubs
- Painful pressure points
- Saddle sores
- Restricts movement or balance
- Undesirable behavior: bucking, rearing, biting, etc...
What is the purpose of a bit?
Control the horse with pressure, horses yield to pressure on the bit, most influence and control comes from the bit, degrees of severity vary.
What are the parts of a hackamore?
- Nose band
- Curb chain
- Cheeks
- Bit hobble
Are smooth mouthpieces harsher than twisted mouthpieces?
No, twisted mouthpieces are harsher than smooth mouthpieces.
What are the traits of leather bits?
For sensitive mouths, mouthpiece gets very soft, replaced often depending on horse and use.
Why do you use saddle pads and half pads?
Saddle pad: extra comfort to prevent sores or rubs.
Half pad: to adjust saddle fit. Can't be used with very poor fitting saddle, only slight adjustments.
How do you properly fit a bit?
Soft bits for horses with sensitive mouths, harsher bits for stronger horses, diameter is based on the space in the horses mouth, bit is 0.5in" wider than the horses mouth.
What are the parts of a double bridle?
- Crownpiece
- Brow band
- Bridoon sliphead
- Throatlatch
- Cheek pieces
- Nose band
- Sliding cheek curb bit
- Curb chain
- Curb rein
- Loose ring bridoon bit
- Bridoon rein
Combinations of different materials: copper, silver strips, rubber, etc...
What are the traits of copper mouthpieces?
Falvor encourages salivation, helps keep mouth soft, copper on the inside of the bit, no copper on the rings.