Tuesday, July 16, 2013

A Quick Explanation About Saddlery

By John Peterson


When you get the chance, have a look at how saddlery is defined in the dictionary. It is much more than the equipment used to control and guide horses whilst riding. It also states that it encompasses the making and fixing of these items. Lastly these operations are all carried out in a place that bears the same name.

The vast majority of these items are manufactured from leather. So it is a highly specialised field, and not something that can be done by the average person. This also includes the repairs to things like the stitching.

The main part that everyone thinks of is the saddle itself. This is the seat that the rider sits on whilst riding a horse. It is positioned on the horse's back, and is secured by use of either girth or cinch straps.

To prevent excessive movement a saddle should be matched to both rider and horse. Not only will this make things more comfortable for both of them, but it could also prevent possible accidents. Also if a saddle is fitted badly, it is possible that pressure points could develop on the horse's back area.

There are two major forms of saddles. These are the English saddle or the Western saddle, and are fitted depending on the requirement. There are other forms of saddle, which are more specialised and don't really fit into either category.

Suspended from the saddle you will find the stirrups. The purpose of these is twofold. The primary purpose is to provide the rider with a better sense of stability. The secondary purpose is that they can be used to assist with the control of the horse.

The principle form of horse control is of course via the reins. These are the leather ropes that the rider grips, with the other ends being affixed to the harness worn around a horse's head. Depending on both the horse and rider, these harnesses can take on different configurations.

The head harness is designed so that the horse can be guided whilst being ridden. It will also allow a person to lead a horse while walking. Some designs will used a bit, whereas others will omit this part.

As can be clearly seen there is more to saddlery that one might initially suppose. Consequently this is a good reason to only use qualified facilities. It makes sense to both horse and rider, to have everything done professionally.




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