Tack For A Horse

Fitting tack other than saddles is becoming more of a problem to solve as we produce more mixed breed horses and ponies. Having a cross bred animal means you will have traits from both breeds, but not in an overall mix, more in a part by part mix. This means you may have QH joules and a TB skull, or you may have a QH butt on a TB back.

All these elements offer difficulties for fitting tack to your horse; bridles with too long cheek pieces, and too short throat latches, breastplates that don't adjust correctly, and nosebands that are too big.

Shop for bridles and bridle work (the term is applied to all other leather goods worn by a horse) that offers choices in the pieces you buy, i.e. mix & match cheeks on a bridle. There are not standardized sizes for bridles so one persons horse size could be another's cob.

However, here is a general guide:

• 11" cheeks are Warmblood or Large horse
• 9" cheeks are horse size
• 7" cheeks should be cob size
• 5" cheeks should be pony or gag/elevator size
• 4" cheeks should be Shetland size.

Pony bridles should be ½" width. Stitched show bridles for fine heads are also, ½" width-these bridles are not designed to do competition work.

Competition bridles are 5/8" width, wide enough to be safe and strong.

Field hunter or larger horse bridles are ¾"-strong enough for the sport and size of the horse.

For more fitting info and more discussions see www.hcsusa.blogspot.com and www.hastilowusa.com.