Knowing the right tools and tack in horsemanship is very important. Here is an article that will tackle the essential horsemanship tools.
Tool familiarity is vital for excellent horsemanship practice. Every horseman utilizes tools to communicate with the equine and adjusting to fit the situation is all part of the individual’s imagination.
The use of the tools is only limited to your imagination. However it’s crucial to know thebasics and the primary principles of each process. As always, positive attitude is key to success in working with your equine. The right attitude combined with knowledge, the right tools and techniques is the stuff of an effective horseperson.
The tools used for horsemanship can be classified into two categories—natural and artificial. Examples of natural tools are your ‘heart’, hands, arms, seat, your voice. By principle, these natural tools are adequate to help you become a natural horseman. Sometimes, you will know the quality of a horseman by the tools he uses and how he uses them.
Yet, there are still some artificial tools that a horseperson may use for more effective horse management. These items are found to be necessary and useful by many horsepersons. We will consider the ‘western tack’ as an example. So, without further ado, here are some tools to consider:
- Curry Comb – a brush used on the equine’s body. Don’t use this brush on the horse’s face, legs, other bony areas, and spaces where it can hurt the animal since the curry comb’s surface is hard. It is best for removing dirt and debris on the equine’s body.
- Mane Brush – used in brushing the horse’s mane and tail.
- Soft Brush – The most friendly of all brushes. Only removes loose hair and dust off the horse.
- Hoof Pick – every horseperson should be very familiar with this tool. An important tool for hoof care.
- Halter – a rope or canvas headgear for a horse, with a rope for leading.
- Headstall – any tool used to control an equine’s head usingdifferent pressure points. Examples are halter,bridle, and bosel.
- Lounge Line – a long soft and flexible line used to clip onto the equine for groundwork and training.
- Saddle – A leather seat for a rider, secured on an animal’s back by a girth.
- Saddle Blanket – a soft material placed underneath the saddle on the equine’s back. This protects the equine from injury.
A round pen is a training area which can also be considered as one of the tools and it is critical for horsemanship success. It is designed for safety for you and your equine. It makes the equine connect with you effectively and there are no corners for your equine to get caught up in. The round pen is also a safe place for both animal and human. Ideally, you would want a bigger round pen for more movement and freedom but not too expansive that you sacrifice horse and trainer engagement.
The things mentioned are basically the right tools and tack for riding your horse. Master the principles and guidelines and you’re on your way to become an excellent horseman.
For more tips and useful info on horse riding tools and tack, visit EasyHorseTraining.com. The website provides useful resources and horse training videos that you and your horse will love!