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tack you didn't know you couldn't live without until you got it?

9K views 57 replies 38 participants last post by  Roxiandsplotch 
#1 ·
i am still learning about tack.
There are hundreds of items that i have no clue about what they are used for, much less why they are an important part of a tack collection


so ... what are some tack items that you did not know you couldn't live without until you actually had them, and said "i don't know how i lived without this item before"
 
#4 ·
I keep re-oiling all of the bridles I've bought over the years. I also kept cavessons--way more than I'll ever use--bc I heard that there was a shortage!
 
#6 ·
I try to keep my tack on the simple side. I have a basic English bridle with cavesson nose band, an all-purpose English saddle with a quilted pad, and obviously a girth, leathers and irons... but that's it.

I will say that when I first started riding, I used a grith with elastic only on one side. Once I used a girth with elastic on both sides, I will never go back. I like to be able to put my girth on the lowest hole on both sides and gradually tighten it, one hole at a time, alternating sides. I think it's easier and more comfortable for the horse this way, and the one-sided elastic girths don't allow you to do this.

A piece of clothing I now can't live without is my half chaps. I started out riding in breeches and paddock boots, switched to jeans with my paddock boots, and a year or so ago, I managed to find a pair of half chaps that I really like and that actually fit me. I started wearing them with breeches and paddock boots and now I'm hooked. They just make everything more comfortable!
 
#7 ·
Hmmm, interesting question.

I guess I can't live without taking good care of my tack. Most of my tack is leather, because leathers lasts a loooooong time IF you take care of it. At least twice a year, I take every thing apart (headstalls, breastcollars, saddles, etc) and clean and oil/moisturize it thoroughly. It's time and it's elbow grease but it saves me money in the long run of not having to replace stuff. Based on the color of the leather, I use these products:
--Leather New
--Lexol non-darkening leather dressing
--Neatsfoot oil

One other thing I can't live without, since I'm always changing bridles and bits, is trigger snaps. I have them on all my rein ends so I can change reins easily. Yes, I do realize they have a chance of breaking. But in my 25+ years of riding, I have never broken one.




I never used to have a clippers. For years and years I just used a scissors. We don't show big time or anything, so if we were going to a local show I would (the day before) spend hours with a scissors, individually trimming each whisker around the horses muzzles. Last year, I finally bought a small battery operated mini trimmer for that area. OMG. It takes just minutes to trim. I don't know why I waited so long to buy one! I love it!




Thats all I can think of right now that I "can't live without". Will be interested to see everyone else's responses.


 
#20 ·
One other thing I can't live without, since I'm always changing bridles and bits, is trigger snaps. I have them on all my rein ends so I can change reins easily. Yes, I do realize they have a chance of breaking. But in my 25+ years of riding, I have never broken one.
For what it's worth, I have broken a couple over the years (mostly because I let them get old and corroded), but if you have good training on a horse, then it's no problem :wink:.


I think the one item I couldn't live without (well, technically, I suppose I could, but I don't want to LOL) is my pulling breast collar.

To me, coming from a working ranch type background, a horse looks naked if they don't have a breast collar and I never really realized what a pain it was to try to keep a regular one adjusted correctly so that it would fit until I got my pulling collar. It's so easy to get it exactly right, it won't wear sores and, even better, my roping horses pull better in these than they did in the standard breast collars.

Not to mention that it will fit almost every size of horse your saddle will fit on.

13.2 hand, super narrow, ~650 pound mule


16.2 hand, very wide/bulky, 1500 pound draft cross
 
#8 ·
A correction half-pad; the kind that has pockets to put shims in. This is essential to me only because I am a horse-less rider who rides everybody else's rider-less horses, so I have a variety of different saddles that I try to fit somewhat OK to all these ponies. Being able to correct/customize a saddle fit for a quick jaunt is very handy. While it doesn't take the place of a correctly-fitting saddle, it does allow me a lot of versatility and has so far prevented sore backs - something I DO NOT want to have happen to someone else's horse.

If you have one horse and one saddle for that horse, then disregard my contribution to the discussion. In that case, just get a saddle that fits right.
 
#9 ·
Yes girths with elastic and rollers on both sides!! Reins that snap on and off. Grip pads for saddles that tend to slip. Rope halters- more control for training and an arm saver if you have an excitable horse. Blocker ties rings- so much safer I'd never go back. Lastly I think my Shenandoah trail irons. I ride long distances and my knees and legs were killing me after rides in standard irons.

Shenandoah English Trail Rider Stirrups:Amazon:Sports & Outdoors
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#10 ·
Nunn Finer rubber reins. I've ridden with lots of reins, these are the BEST reins. I have two pair, and am buying a third pair.
I also love my high quality tack cleaners. I have prestige cleaner and conditioner that is sooo good. Little bottles have lasted over 2 years because you need so little and they do such a great job. I used to clean with tack store cleaner - never again.

The last thing is a really good boot repair guy. I've had the same boots for 3 years and they are in beautiful condition thanks to my boot guy! I ride LOTS so this is amazing to me lol.
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#11 ·
y'all didn't know this ... but what i am really doing is building a shopping list

adding trigger snaps to my list --- wife/kids like the single rope reins and i like the leather split reins --- rope reins have a trigger snap, so i am going to put one on the leather split reins

today she grabbed an airflex cinch

 
#17 ·
^ Bet we could find some! :lol:

Seriously though for me at least (because I agree with all the other posters haha) a breastcollar really saved my rumpus. My mare hate's cruppers but she's so butt high that her saddle would always slip and slide at the canter and when I mounted, so I decided on a lark to try a breast collar to stop it from sliding side to side like it did. Didn't think it would work but it did! lol Now I use it almost every time I use a saddle on her!

Also: an extra set of reins/bit/simple headstall when one breaks that way you don't have to be without! And I just buy cheap stuff for spares (or spare parts! lol)
 
#19 ·
A well fitting saddle for me and my horse. Sounds simple and basic, but I rode in a saddle that was several inches too small (for me, not the horse) for a few years and it prevented me from riding as well as I could've and hindered my equitation. I never realized it until I moved up to a larger seat size.
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#22 ·
I love my cinch with the double roller on it. It makes everything much easier and I always feel more secure.

I also will absolutely not mount without a mounting block if at all possible. That is an essential item for me to have with me when I go to shows. I won't even get on my pony without one.
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#23 ·
Not really tack but.....my horse trailer with the swing out saddle rack. I have always just had stock trailers, no tackroom, now that I got this one I don't know how I managed without it, everything at my fingertips at shows, lessons, etc.
 
#27 ·
Training Bridle with clips. It is BY FAR the most useful thing in my barn. I have a box of bits sitting next to it all the time, anything from a simple O-ring to leverage bits to hackamores.. Never know what you might need! Plus, having 4 horses ranging from barely 14h to 16.1h, a single bridle that is easy to adjust and change bits on is definitely a plus.
 
#28 ·
I think what you find essential depends a lot on where you live and what kind of riding you're into. Anyway, for me what I think of is this:

Lamb skin on my saddle. Never wanted one because I felt I'd sit too far from the horse. Bought one anyway when they were on sale. Will keep it forever, even in the summer. Improves my seat on this horse and keeps me warm and cozy.
Double broken snaffle bit (not sure if that's what you call it in English, I mean the one consisting of three pieces rather than just two), with D-rings to eliminate mouth-pinching. I don't need any other bit.
Rope halter. I come from the English riding world and never knew how effective those things are until I've seen them in action.
An outdoor GPS. Keeps me from getting lost on extended rides and trail rides, and it's so great to analyze your rides on the computer later.

As most, I could say much more about stuff I thought I needed and then found out it was a waste of money.
 
#30 ·
Now I want one of those pulling collars. :)
My essential is a halter bridle! Love the ease of use and dual purpose for casual days.
Grooming essential would be the Oster brush. I thought I'd never need it and could get by with the 1.99 comb...until I borrowed one. I found my own oster for 8-9 bucks on stateline and am in love. It makes quick work of tails and is gentle on the horse.
however, if you were to ask this question of my horses they would say the jelly mit! :)
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#31 ·
Quinn, for what it's worth, the pulling collars that I've got are about the best quality I've found and for, by far, the cheapest price. I've not found any others of comparable quality for less than $150. There are other styles to be had for $45-$50, but those are prone to pinch or they aren't heavy duty enough for my riding.

Here's what I buy (I buy from this seller and have always had good experiences).
Pulling Collar PN by Saddle Smith Carlos Western Saddle Rodeo Western Tack | eBay
 
#33 ·
One thing that surprised me with its usefulness is my tacky bareback pad. I can just jump on whenever I have a spare half hour and go for a short ride without all that cleaning and tacking up. And I don't get too dirty. The horse loves to see it come out because she knows it will be a short, fun ride. When I got it I thought I would probably never use it.
 
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