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Several
of the items of equipment essential to effective horsemanship include
the halter, bridle, saddle, and stirrups. Tack traditionally is put on
the horse from the left, or near side. The right side of the horse is
referred to as the off side.
Bridle
The
bridle consists of the bit, the headstall, the cavesson, curb
chain, and the reins. The bit is a metal bar that fits into the
horse's mouth. The rider can then control the horse by means of
pressure on the bit. The headstall, to which the bit is attached, is an
arrangement of leather straps secured about the horse's nose, jaw, and
head. The cavesson is attached to the headstall. This peice goes under
the horse's jaw and should never be too tight, or it could choke the
horse. The curb chain goes on the underside of the horse's nose, and it
keeps the horse from 'mouthing' the bit. The reins are leather lines
attached to the bit on each side of the horse's mouth; they run along
each side of the neck to the rider's hands.
Saddle
The
saddle is a leather seat that fits over the horse's back, with flaps
extending down the sides. It is held in place by a girth that circles
the belly of the horse and fastens under each flap. The part of the
saddle occupied by the rider is called the seat, the front of which is
the pommel. The rear is called the cantle. On each side of the saddle
are adjustable straps which are attached to semicircular metal or wooden
stirrups, which support the rider's feet. These are called the
stirrups. Although
there are many types of saddles, the two basic ones are the English
saddle and the Western saddle. The Western saddle is much heavier and
bulkier than the English saddle.
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