Equipment Vocabulary

WESTERN SADDLE – A saddle such as the one used by cowboys, it has a saddle horn and is designed for long hours of riding and also for roping cattle.

ENGLISH SADDLE – A saddle designed for showing and jumping horses, without a saddle horn. The stirrups are typically hoisted higher as well to allow the rider to rise in the seat.

SADDLE HORN – This is on western saddles. On the front of the saddle there is a "horn" sticking up, typically used for tying a rope around so you can rope cows, however, since they are there people do use them for other things.

STIRRUPS – The two straps hanging off the sides of the saddle to put your feet in.

GIRTH STRAP  - The strap on the bottom of the saddle that goes around the horse's girth (chest) designed to keep the saddle in place.

SADDLE BLANKET - The blanket that goes underneath the saddle. This prevents chaffing and can also absorb sweat.  (The pink clothe in the picture below.)

Equipment Vocabulary

TACK  - Equipment or accessories for horses.

HALTER - Rope around the horse's head, typically used for attaching a lead rope to.

LEAD ROPE - Literally a rope to lead the horse around, typically attached to a halter.

BRIDLE – A rope or leather strap around the horse's head, typically used to attach a bit and reins to in order to communicate better with the horse while riding.

REINS  - Ropes or leather straps, typically attached to a bit or bridle to guide the horse in the direction you would like it to go or to give subtler and move advanced cues.

BIT - A piece of metal in the horse's mouth used for a stronger connection in the more sensitive area of the mouth. The bit is designed to have clearer and smoother communication with a horse.

RIDING CROP –  Often seen in horse race's it acts almost as a small whip and is used to encourage the horse to go faster.

(*Please note, these are not my pictures.)