The equipment of the Western horse
Whether Quarter Horse, Appaloosa, Paint Horse or other breeds, it is mainly the equipment that shapes the appearance of a Western horse. As with English riding, saddle and bridle are part of the basic equipment of a Western horse. The Western equipment differs significantly from the equipment of the English riding style. The cowboys were dependent on equipment that was as practical and comfortable as possible, and the appearance was of secondary importance. To this day, Western saddles, Western headstalls and other Western accessories have a rustic style reminiscent of the Midwest.
The standard equipment of a Western horse includes:
- Western saddle with cinch
- Western pad
- Western headstall with bit
- If necessary, further accessories such as Western horse boots, Western rugs, Western halters, etc.
Western saddles
As is so often the case in Western riding, Western saddles are still strongly based on the traditional saddles of the cowboys, who depended on durable and practical equipment in which they could do their work as comfortably as possible. The generous seat, the sturdy stirrups, which are usually made of leather, and the horn, which used to serve as a lasso rest for the workers on the ranches, have become firmly established in Western saddles. Unlike English saddles, Western saddles cannot be fitted to the horse by flocking. The saddle must therefore lie optimally on the horse’s back. A thick Western pad is used as padding under the saddle.
Since a Western saddle must fit exactly, we recommend that you seek intensive advice from a saddle maker who specialises in Western saddles. Any difficulties with the fit can only be minimally compensated for with the help of a Western pad.
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Cinches
As with the choice of saddle, the fit and length of the cinch (Western girth) should be ideally suited to the horse. In order to avoid pressure and chafing points or muscular impairments, care should be taken with the girth length to ensure that the buckles are neither too high nor too far down. The rigging ring, which should be approx. 15 cm from the girth buckle, serves as a guide. Since the build of the body varies from horse to horse, you should also consider the shape of the Western saddle girth. Depending on the position of the cinch and the shape of the rib cage, anatomical, asymmetrical or crescent-shaped Western girths can achieve a better fit in addition to the classic straight-cut Western girths. The material is also decisive for the comfort.
Soft sheepskin girths, but also Western saddle girths made of chloroprene rubber or felt prevent chafing, but require regular care. Leather Western girths are durable and easy to care for, but must fit perfectly to prevent chafing. Western girths, which distribute pressure very well and are equally breathable, are also increasingly in demand again. To prevent the buckles of the girth from resting on the horse, there are special covers that enclose the buckle.
Western pads
Due to the lack of padding in a Western saddle, Western pads are usually thickly padded to relieve the horse’s back. In addition to providing optimum pressure distribution, Western pads also serve to protect the saddle, as sweat in particular causes lasting damage to the material. The material should be as pressure-relieving and shock-absorbing as possible. Pads made of sheepskin or faux fur are particularly popular, but felt and chloroprene rubber also have ideal cushioning properties. To compensate for a difficult saddle position, correction pads are also available, which can be individually adjusted with the help of inserts. While a pad for daily training should have a thickness between 2 and 3 cm, there are so-called blankets which are primarily used for competitions. Blankets are always placed under the saddle in combination with a thinner pad (1/2 to 3/4 inch) or with a pad liner. The dimensions of a pad or blanket should always be chosen so that it protrudes at least 5 centimetres around the saddle.
Western headstalls
Western headstalls are available in numerous variations. From the classic headstall with a straight browband or V-shape to elaborately knotted models, there is something for every taste. One- and two-ear headstalls are a speciality, as they have neither a browband nor a throatlatch, thus creating a puristic look. Furthermore, one- and two-ear headstalls may only be ridden with a bit at competitions, as they cannot slip so easily due to the shanks. Western headstalls do not have a noseband. A so-called mouthcloser is usually only used in the training of young horses or for correction. If you want to ride bitless, you can fall back on the so-called sidepull among the Western bridles, which works via the noseband and allows a lateral pull. When using a sidepull, one should always consider the thickness of the noseband, because the thinner it is, the more punctual the effect. A wide noseband usually distributes the pressure better.
In addition to the headstall, there are also Western reins. The most common variation in Western riding is the split reins, which are open due to the two separate reins. The closed Trail Reins are often used for trail rides, as they do not slip out of the hand so easily. Romal reins are a speciality, which are equipped with an additional clip on the reins and are ridden one-handed.
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Western bits
In order to be able to take into account the individual circumstances of each horse, there are also numerous types of bits in western riding, which allow for an optimal fit for everyone with regard to the training level of horse and rider, the condition of the mouth and the preferences of the horse. Snaffle bits are single- or, more rarely, double-jointed bits that are also used in a similar form in English riding. These include the Billy Allen Bit, which has a movable roller in the middle to encourage chewing and prevent the so-called nutcracker effect. Bits with shanks are bits with levers, also known as Western curb bits. The effect of these bits depends very much on the length and also on the shape of the shanks. Bits with shanks are available with different mouthpieces – with a snaffle, as a Billy Allen bit or also as a ported bit with a curved bar.
As with other bits, the mouthpiece should not protrude more than half a centimetre from the sides, otherwise there is too much play which could make the bit lie uneasily in the mouth.
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Further accessories
To meet the individual requirements of a Western horse, there are further optional accessories. Special Western horse boots protect the horse’s legs during typical western manoeuvres, such as spins or sliding stops. Western halters and Western horse blankets are not only visually adapted to the preferences of Western riders, but also suit horses standing in the Western type due to the cut. When choosing your equipment, you should always keep the needs of your horse in mind, but the training routines and the question of whether Western riding is done recreationally or at competition level also play decisive roles.