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Selecting tack for adopted horse - no history

2K views 14 replies 5 participants last post by  smrobs 
#1 ·
Hello, all: We've adopted a horse and mule and have been getting them in shape for the past year with farrier and vet visits. Built them a stable and things are going well. Great, mellow animals that I know were ridden years ago (they're both around 14 years old now) and were then left in the pasture. The horse had mild foundering and will be ready to ride (according to the vet & farrier) this summer.
My question for you all: We have no idea what the "tack history" is for the horse. I need to get a bridle, bit, reins etc. Are there basic sets that would be a good, gentle re-introduction for the horse? (The riding will be gentle pasture stuff - western saddle.)
I know there are some excellent threads on here that I will investigate, but I'm hoping there is some kind of good standard set for recreational riding.
Thank you all for any help!
Anne
 
#3 ·
I would go used, at least on the saddle, to be honest. That way it's broken in already. I would make a withers tracing and take it with you when you go saddle shopping. Place the tracing in the gullet of the saddle to see if it's close. If it looks good, try the saddle out.

As for bridle, just a regular ol' browband headstall will work. For a bit, I'd go with a mild one, so something like a french link snaffle (three piece).
 
#4 ·
Thanks! Good advice on the saddle, too. I will start to research French link snaffles. We have a local tack sale coming up soon, so this is timely. I see on other posts that a snaffle is a good gentle bit - I'm a beginner so hope it works on this big patient horse.
 
#5 ·
I use an eggbutt french link snaffle on my greenbroke coming 3-year-old and he's GREAT in it. I've tried him in a copper mouth loose ring single joint snaffle and all he did was chew on the bit. Put him in a loose ring french link and he did much better. When he outgrew the loose ring (as in physically needed a bigger bit), I managed to find a used Korsteel eggbutt french link and he LOVES it. Put him back into a regular single joint snaffle for one ride (I had forgotten my bridle at home) and he hated it.

This is similar to the bit we use...biggest difference is that ours is thicker:


The great thing about a snaffle is that if he neck reins, you don't have to use the bit except to stop him (and not even then, really). If he direct reins (like my boy does), it's nice and gentle.
 
#7 ·
Direct reining puts direct pressure on the bit to get the horse to turn and stop. Most commonly associated with greenbroke horses and the English disciplines.

This video explains it REALLY well.
 
#10 ·
No, because that's pretty much how all horses start out, regardless of their intended discipline (meaning all western pleasure and reining and barrel horses learn how to direct rein first, THEN they're taught how to neck rein). Besides, direct reining is extremely simple and straight forward. You put pressure on the right side of the horse's mouth (or nose, if you're using a bosal, hack or sidepull) and the horse turns right. Similar to driving a car.
 
#11 ·
Realistically, any horse should be able to direct rein as that is normally taught before they learn to neck rein. However, if it has been years since they were ridden with direct reining, then it may take a bit of re-introducing to remind them of what they are supposed to do.

Truthfully, though, if they already neck rein, I would just ride them that way.

Here is a super nice quality browband headstall that is very reasonably priced. I have 3 of these that I used on everything from colts in training to my finished horses and they work great.
Cowhand Quick Change 3/4" Browband Headstall | NRS - National Roper Supply - Western Wear, tack, team ropes, horse tack, team roping ropes, bits...

I agree on the snaffle suggestion, but one other thing that I feel should be mentioned is that since you don't know their tack history, they may not be used to being ridden in a snaffle.

If a horse has been ridden in a curb bit for a long time, then they may not be as responsive in a snaffle as they should. Of course, since you are new to these horses, you should really ride the first few times in a smaller, safely enclosed area like a roundpen or small arena. That way, if something happens, there is less risk to both you and the horse.
 
#12 ·
This has been great info...I still have much to learn. Video was helpful and so was the tack site. Since I don't know the horse's history, should I start with a curb or a snaffle? (Either way someone else will climb aboard for the first ride - someone else who knows what they're doing.)
 
#13 ·
Personally, I'd try the snaffle first. That way you're not potentially sticking a harsher bit into a horse with a mouth that has never encountered it before (if that makes sense). If the snaffle doesn't work, you can always try the curb later.
 
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