How to choose the first tack for a young horse?
Starting work under saddle with a young horse is a very important moment. A young horse’s first experiences largely determine its further mental and physical development and our relationship with it. So that the first months under saddle are as little stressful as possible for the horse, choosing the right equipment, which will be both comfortable and safe, is very important. In this article we will give you tips on how to choose a saddle and bridle for a young horse, and what other equipment it may need when starting work with a rider.
Tack for a young horse – how is it different?
Sometimes you may come across the opinion that it is not worth investing in a good saddle for a young horse until the moment when we start more serious work with it. Nothing could be further from the truth. A young horse’s back is very sensitive, and the growth plates located in the spine close and ossify last (even around 6-7 years of age). It should also be remembered that even if we precede backing with sufficiently long groundwork, most young horses, starting work with weight, still need time to strengthen the back muscles even more and gain balance. A fitting saddle that does not restrict movement will definitely help them with this. The matter is similar with the bridle, and in particular with the bit. An ill-fitting (too big or too small), too sharp or badly sitting bit will discourage the horse from working and can quickly make the horse acquire bad habits, not only during riding but also during bridling and handling.
The first tack with which we start work with our young horse rarely turns out to be the final one and it is possible that after a few months a change will be necessary, but nevertheless it is worth investing our time (and money) to choose it properly.
The first saddle for a young horse
When choosing the first saddle it is worth using the help of a professional saddle fitter or trying to deepen our knowledge on this subject (e.g. by means of an online saddle-fitting course, such as this one). What, however, are the most important things to which we should pay attention? These include above all:
- An appropriately wide channel, which will provide enough room for the spine, will not press on the muscles along its side and will allow them to develop properly.
- A front gullet plate that will provide appropriate space for the withers both on top and at its sides.
- An appropriately angled front gullet plate, so that the shoulders can move freely (especially important in horses with expansive movement).
- The size of the saddle. Remember that the seat must not be longer than the area of the horse’s back that is able to bear weight (the saddle support area). It is generally accepted that the seat should not go further than the horse’s last, immobile rib.
Remember also that the saddle must be comfortable not only for the horse, but equally for you. A rider in an ill-fitting saddle will not sit stably and will have problems using the aids correctly. Such a situation is never desirable, but especially when riding a young horse, where we can even more easily disturb its balance, and the aids must be used in a decisive and clear way.
It is normal that with regular work under saddle, a young horse will gradually build up the back muscles, and its build will change. Probably after some time it will be necessary to refit the saddle. Therefore it is worth considering buying a saddle with interchangeable gullet plates, such as this model, where in an easy way (without the help of a saddler and specialist tools) we can change the gullet width. It is not recommended to start work with a much too big saddle, counting on the young horse “growing into” it after some time. Such a solution can be compared to buying a child running shoes that are too big. If, however, we want to slightly correct the position of the saddle or fill a little of the space between the saddle and the horse’s back, we can do this by skilfully using a pad, foam or gel under the saddle.
What bridle and bit for a young horse?
The next step is choosing the right bit and bridle for our horse. It is best to start with the most ordinary, simplest models, which will be as little invasive as possible for the horse and which it will find easiest to accept. Remember that a young horse’s natural reflex is, at the beginning, strong chewing or even biting and pushing the bit out. The reaction of some horses is also rubbing the mouth against the arena boards or box walls and trying to get rid of the bit. The more important it is that the bit be as safe as possible and sit appropriately. Double-jointed bits work best, with loose rings and rather a little thicker (about 16 mm), in which the action of the rider’s hand is distributed evenly in the horse’s mouth and which do not act exceptionally strongly on any area (e.g. the palate). Young horses may have unexpected reactions, such as spooking, bucking or sudden lurching forward. We do not want the horse, with such behaviour, to punish itself too strongly by “running onto” a sharp bit. It is completely unacceptable to use strongly-acting bits with shanks or a curb bit when backing a young horse – leave them for a much higher level of training. Some young horses, which strongly play with the bit, may try to get their tongue over it. A thicker and well-sitting (not too loose) bit should thwart such attempts.
Many people try to start work with young horses on very soft bits (rubber, leather, etc.), in good faith, thinking that this will be the best solution for the horse. However, the action of such a bit may be too weak and not very understandable for an inexperienced horse, not to mention the fact that the horse can quickly destroy it with strong chewing and biting. If we want to use this type of bit, it is better to wait with it until our horse is already a little more “steerable” and responds correctly to the seat and other aids. In the first stages of backing, simple bridles work best. You can even try a version without a noseband and flash strap and add them gradually as needed. If, despite a well-chosen bit, the horse escapes contact for a long time, shakes its head and is nervous during bridling, it is worth seeking the opinion of a dentist. Many young horses struggle with the problem of so-called “wolf teeth”, which should be removed if they cause pain.
What additional equipment does a young horse need?
In the initial stage of work with a young horse we should limit ourselves to the necessary minimum when it comes to equipment. Remember to add new elements gradually and one at a time. Only this way will you be able to observe how the horse reacts to a given thing and be sure that a possible change in behaviour results precisely from it. If there is such a need, you can use a well-fitted running martingale (the neck strap of the martingale is especially useful when riding bucking horses, you can grab it to avoid pulling on the reins) or a breastplate. However, give up running reins, elastics or strongly-acting auxiliary reins, which can restrict the horse’s willingness to move forward. If you have to introduce them, wait until the horse gains balance and impulse.
The use of boots or bell boots is a personal choice. An indication for their use may, however, be so-called “overreaching”, that is striking the front leg with the hind leg (usually around the heel bulb). Observe your horse in this respect, in order to be able to react quickly and avoid injuries.
Remember that the choice of the first equipment for a young horse will have an enormous influence on its comfort and, consequently, on the whole process of learning, making progress and developing positive habits. So do not underestimate this task and get down to it before your horse starts work under a rider.
