The Basics to owning a horse part 2. Proper Tack fit & type (western)

Welcome back to part two! Last week we talked about feed, water, shelter and proper pasture. This week we will talk about what every equestrian dreads, proper tack So lets dive right in because we have got some ground to cover!

Proper fitting tack is one of the most important things when it comes to horses. Making sure their saddle isn't too big or too small, then making sure it fits you, then making sure you saddle pad works with the saddle, then its a whole new world when we get into bits and headstalls! And don't get me started on boots and leg wraps!

Weather you ride western or English, saddle size still matters. Though today I will be talking western! Western saddles come in hundreds of different colors, shapes, and sizes. Though when it comes to saddle fitting, the gullet is the first thing to think about. Measuring a horses gullet is a thousand times easier than one would think! Simply look on YouTube to find a video then follow along to figure out the gullet size. Once you have figured out the horses size, you want to figure out your size. In my personal opinion, the best way to find out you saddle seat size is by sitting in other peoples saddles. Instead of trying literally every saddle seat size, think like this: Typically, a 4-5' person is going to be in a seat size from 14"-17". I am 5'4" and ride in a 16" seat. Though It can all depend on the persons size. Once you have found out both of those, then decide what type of saddle you would like. Meaning barrel saddle, trail saddle, roping saddle, and so on. I ride in a barrel saddle because of the comfort and security it provides for the rider. But it all depends on your preference. Though I'm not a fan of online shopping, etsy is my favorite place to shop for horse tack. Its cheap and handmade and generally free shipping on western saddles. One of my secret equestrian shopping tricks is to shop somewhere that was NOT designed for equestrians. Such as poshmark, ebay, etsy, amazon, Facebook marketplace and so on. Places like Tractor Supply, NRS World, SS tack etc tend to stick with higher prices because they specifically sell equestrian items, so they know the value. A lot of people think they should have the best all leather saddle there is, but i persionally prefer and nice syntheitc saddle. My saddle is only leather fenders where the skirt and seat is synthetic, making the saddle quite light weight! If your looking for a all round everyday working saddle, then leather might be your best choice, but for a relaxing trail saddle, synthetic will do the job just fine!

I hope I was able to help you out with finding a nice saddle that fits well and looks well! Good luck and happy trails!

*Don't forget to check back next week for part 3 of Basics to owning a horse!*