Beginners Western and English horse riding equipment

A good leather western saddle

So you just bought your first horse or you have been riding for years and are looking to buy new equipment there are many things to consider when buying saddles, bridles, blankets or grooming sets. Do you plan on pleasure riding? Trail riding? Equestrian jumping? Do you plan on competing in western or English show events?

It's important to always buy good sound equipment. Never buy anything made of plastic that you intend to fasten onto your horse. A horse is a living breathing creature and just like humans their skin is sensitive and needs to breath.

Leather, cotton and some types of synthetic nylon are best for your horse. When buying riding equipment for children, look for saddles that are free from things that may entangle a foot or leg. Accidents happen and falling off a horse is common when you first start riding. You don't want a foot or leg to get tangled around anything on the saddle, this can cause a child to be dragged around under the horse. Even worse the horse can become frightened and run even faster with your child underneath it. Only the toe of the riding boot should be in the stirrup. Buying good basic equipment is essential to safety. Plain looking saddles of high quality are best for beginners.

Western riding helmet

Riding helmets are also a basic for children and beginner adults. Choose riding helmets that meet ASTM standards. Standards require that the protective headgear is to be tested under specified environmental conditions for the following:

1. Impact attenuation (the limiting of head acceleration) of the protective headgear, and

2 Strength and stability of the retention system and its attachment to the protective headgear.

Most reputable manufactures of riding helmets adhere to ASTM standards and will label their products as such. Safety is important, but so is comfort not only for you but your horse as well. Horses can't tell you when they are pinched by improperly cinched saddles or incorrectly place bridles. it's important to watch how your horse moves. If your horse is calm and quite during saddling and bridling then he is probably comfortable and you can go ahead and start riding. if he flinches and tries to move away from you, then something is probably not quite right and you should remove the saddle and bridle and start again.

Humans need to be comfortable while on top of their horse. getting a saddle that fits your body size is just as important as making your horse feel comfortable wearing the saddle. Most beginners start with a western saddle because they are very comfortable and the horn on the saddle can give comfort to first timers. A child can hold the saddle horn while the horse is led around by a lead. Adults sometimes feel safer holding the horn with one hand while steering with the reigns in the other.