in a strict definition, refers to the leather equipment, such as saddles and bridles, that is 

used in equine activities. More commonly, the word tack is used to refer to any and all 

equipment, leather or not, that is used with horses. 

is sometimes used to refer to items other than the saddle and bridle, such as 

saddle pads, grooming, and stable supplies. 

The bridle is used as a method of communication between the horse and the rider. Bridles are 

usually made of leather or a synthetic material such as nylon, and can usually be placed into 

one of two categories: English or Western.

Bits work by exerting pressure on one or more parts of the horse’s mouth or head. Bits 

may put pressure on the corners of the mouth, bars, tongue, roof of the mouth, curb 

groove, nose, and poll. With training, a horse is taught to respond in a certain way to 

pressure in these areas. In order for a horse to be trained and then respond properly, 

the rider must use a light hand. 

Name the main parts of a western bridle.

(*Hint- there are 5)

Name the main parts of an English bridle

(*Hint- there are 7)

1.)Split Ear

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2.)Slip Ear

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3.) Conventional

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1.) Open aka Split Reins

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2.) Closed aka California Reins

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3.) Roping Style Reins

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True or False:

"English Bridles may have one bit and one set of reins, one bit an two sets of reins, or two bits and two sets of reins."

Very popular bits that vary widely in design. No matter the type, all snaffle 

bits have either a jointed or straight mouthpiece with a ring on each end, which the 

reins are attached to. Snaffles are usually mild bits, but can be more severe depending 

on the thickness of the mouthpiece (thinner is more severe) and the type of 

mouthpiece (ranging from smooth to twisted or double twisted). When the rider pulls 

on the reins, a direct pressure is put on the horse’s mouth, but not on the curb groove, nose, or poll. This action makes the snaffle a “non-leverage” bit. 

These bits vary in design. All curb bits, however, have a shank added to the end of 

the mouthpiece, which creates leverage, and a curb chain or strap that puts pressure on 

the curb groove of the horse’s chin. Most curb bits have a straight mouthpiece. They 

can be quite severe depending on the thickness of the mouthpiece, length of the shank 

(longer is more severe), and the type of mouthpiece.

Kimberwicke bits resemble snaffles, but are actually leverage bits. A kimberwicke bit 

has slots in the rings, where the reins can be attached, and a curb chain that exerts 

leverage in the same manner as a curb bit. Kimberwickes may have either jointed or 

straight mouthpieces. 

A Pelham bit acts like a snaffle and a curb at the same time. Two sets of reins are 

used. The upper or top set of reins attaches to the snaffle rings of the bridle, while the 

bottom or lower set attaches to the shanks. Riders hold all four reins at the same time, 

and may choose to apply more pressure with one set, depending on the desired effect. 

Pelhams may have either straight or jointed mouthpieces, and the shanks vary in 

length. 

A Weymouth bit is a curb with a fixed mouth. It is usually used in combination with a 

small loose ring snaffle, called a bridoon, with the bridoon slightly higher in the horse’s 

mouth; the whole set is called a full bridle, and it is used primarily on horses ridden 

saddle seat or in the higher levels of dressage. 

A Hackamore is a bitless bridle that works by exerting pressure on areas other than 

the horse’s mouth. A hackamore may use either a Bosal, commonly used with young 

horses, or a mechanical hackamore bit. A bosal is a loop made out of rawhide that fits 

over the horse’s nose; it acts mainly on the thin skin under the horse’s jaw but also over 

the bridge of the nose and the poll. A mechanical hackamore has shanks and a curb 

chain or strap, much like a curb bit, but they are connected to the noseband instead of 

a mouthpiece. A mechanical hackamore also acts under the horse’s jaw, with more 

leverage than a bosal. 

All purpose saddles can be used for a variety of events within the Hunt Seat 

discipline, from eventing to trail riding. It has a padded knee roll, which many riders 

find helps them feel comfortable and secure, in addition to a slightly deeper seat than 

the Close Contact. The flap is still more forward, however, than the flap of a Saddle 

Seat Saddle. 

Close Contact saddles are designed primarily for jumping. To help the rider be in 

close contact with the horse, as the name suggests, this type of saddle does not have a 

padded knee flap, and the seat is flatter than that of an All-Purpose saddle. In this 

saddle, the rider can be the most effective during jumping.

Dressage saddles are designed specifically to be used in Dressage. The purpose of the 

saddle is to give the rider maximum leg contact with the horse, so the flaps are longer 

and encourage the rider to ride with long stirrups. The seat is also much deeper than 

the other types of English saddles. Dressage saddles are made both with and without 

padded knee flaps. 

Saddle seat saddles are designed for saddle seat riding, and are relatively flat, with a cutback head to accommodate the 

horse’s withers. These kinds of saddles are commonly used on Gaited horses and other 

“saddle type” breeds such as Morgans, Tennessee Walkers, Saddlebreds, and Arabians. 

Saddle seat saddles place the rider well behind the horse’s withers, which 

accommodates the high-stepping gait of Saddle-type horses. 

1.) Pleasure/Trail: The most basic type of Western saddle. 

2.) Endurance: Lighter than a basic saddle, designed for long rides

3.) Western Pleasure/Equitation: Often heavy and fancy saddles decorated with 

complicated silver work to catch a judge’s eye in the show ring 

4.)Reining: With a very deep seat but low and slanted cantle to keep the rider 

exactly over the horse’s center of balance 

5.) Barrel Racing/Gymkhana events: Lightweight, with a deep seat and a tall horn 

to help the rider on turns. Sometimes has a back cinch to help keep it in place 

6.) Roping: A heavy and sturdy saddle with an upright horn. Always has a back 

cinch for stability 

7.) Cutting: Flat seat and a low, wide cantle to keep the rider over the horse’s center 

of balance. Also has a tall horn, as most riders hold on while the horse works 

1.) To protect the horse's back

2.) To absorb sweat and moisture

3.)To protect the saddle

4.) To help the saddle fit better

Breastplates or Breast collars resemble martingales, but their main purpose is to 

keep the saddle from slipping too far back on the horse’s back or sideways. Instead of 

attaching to the bridle, the breastplate attaches to the saddle and then encircles the 

horse’s neck. English styles are usually plain and match the bridle, while Western 

styles vary from plain and functional to ornately decorated and used only for shows.

 Martingales are training devices typically used with English saddles; they help keep 

the horse’s head in the position desired by the rider. The two most common types are 

the “running” martingale and the “standing” martingale. The Western version of a 

standing martingale is called a “tie-down.” The running martingale, pictured below on 

the left, has a strap that runs from the girth between the horse’s legs and then splits 

into two separate pieces. At the end of each piece is a ring that the rein runs through. 

The straps are kept in place through a separate strap that makes a ring around the base 

of the horse’s neck. A standing martingale, or Western tie-down, looks much the same 

as a running martingale; instead of two straps, the standing martingale has only one 

strap, and it connects to the bottom of the noseband. Martingales should only be used 

by or under the supervision of advanced riders, as they can become a substitute for 

proper training and riding. 

Name the tool and what it is used for:

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Curry Comb: used to loosen dirt and debris from the horse’s coat. The curry 

should be used only on well muscled areas of the horse; the head and legs should be 

avoided.

Name the tool and what it is used for:

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Hard Brush: used to remove what is loosened by the curry comb. It should be 

used in stiff strokes. The legs and head of the horse should be avoided unless the horse 

is extremely muddy. 

Name the tool and what it is used for:

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Soft Brush: used to give the horse’s coat a polish and also to clean the sensitive 

areas of the horse’s body, such as the legs and face. 

Hoof Pick: used to clean dirt, stones, and manure from the horse’s feet. Hoof picks 

are available with or without attached brushes, which can be helpful for cleaning.