Saturday, July 20, 2013

A Quick Explanation About Saddlery

By John Peterson


When you get the chance, have a look at how saddlery is defined in the dictionary. It is much more than the equipment used to control and guide horses whilst riding. It also states that it encompasses the making and fixing of these items. Lastly these operations are all carried out in a place that bears the same name.

A big proportion of these items will be made from leather. Anyone who has tried working with it as a hobby will tell you how difficult it is. So even if it is something as simple looking as having stitching repaired it is always wise to get it done professionally.

The largest, and most obvious, part to all of the tack is the saddle. This is the seat that the rider sits in when riding. It is positioned astride the back of a horse, and will then be held in position by straps that pass underneath the horse's body.

Ideally it should be fitted to both the horse and the rider. This will make it more comfortable for both horse and rider, and possibly help to prevent injury. A badly fitting saddle could produce pressure point sores along a horse's back.

There are two major forms of saddles. These are the English saddle or the Western saddle, and are fitted depending on the requirement. There are other forms of saddle, which are more specialised and don't really fit into either category.

A person will observe the stirrups fixed to either side of the saddle. These have a dual purpose. The main one being to give the rider a greater sense of stability. They will also be utilised to help control the horse whilst its being ridden.

The main form of control over a horse is via the reins. These are the leather straps that the rider holds onto, and they are attached to the harness that goes around the horse's head. The makeup of these harnesses can vary due to a rider's preferences.

The purpose of the head harness is also twofold. It gives the rider control over a horse whilst riding. Also it will let the horse be led by somebody walking alongside. You will find that there are bit-less designs, as well as those which include the bit.

As you can see there is more to saddlery than first meets the eye. This is why it is so important that any purchases or repairs are done at a proper place by a qualified person. It makes sense to you, and it makes sense to your horse, to have things done properly.




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