Sorry if this is the wrong place!

[mrs_whiskerson]

*Brit* This probably sounds like a really stupid question, but I've never actually seen a horse in western tack, or any western tack at all for that matter. I've spent the past forty odd minutes trying to work it out, but have only succeeded in further confusing myself. It's more the bridle that I'm interested in for now, but other stuff seems

Comments

[amadaii]

i know next to nothing about western (i just think it's a little too safe for my tastes), but the one ear piece is just a style, i wouldn't think too much of it.

[equusentric]

I feel your confusion...when I bought my first horse, I didn't know what a lot of that stuff was, so I bought it anyway, just in case. I have stuff I never even used, or just used once

[mrs_whiskerson]

Thank-you!

Are tie-downs the standing martingale things (attached to the girth, except that no doubt has a different name too, lol)? Also, what's barrel racing!?

[equusentric]

Yeah, a tie-down is a western standing martingale, except that it's usually attached to a breast collar and not the girth (which in western is called a cinch).

Barrel racing is a rodeo/gymkhnana speed event in which there are three big barrels placed in a triangle pattern. The horse makes turns around the barrels in a cloverleaf pattern. Since it's a timed event, the horse has to be able to accelerate quickly and then slow just as quickly in order to turn as close to the barrel as it can without knocking the barrel over. Which is why barrel racing saddles have a high cantle to provide a deep seat and a tall, thin horn for the rider to brace against as the horse is making the sharp turns around the barrel.

[tabascokat]

Ok, most western bridles do not have a noseband, except a hackamore, which has no bit. The only reason to use a noseband is if you need a tie down.
The length of the shanks ('cheek' pice on the bridle) is dependant on how much ccontrol you want, and helps gettign the proper headset.
THe 'browband' headstall is usually used for younger horses, esp oin shows. the one eared headstall, fo rt he more experienced.
here: http://www.statelinetack.com/slt/main.jsp
There are many bridles, and variation, also a lot of picturse, with the horses wearign the bridles.
A chest plate is used mostly for two reasons 1) to look pretty 2) to keep the saddle from rolling...
the rear girth, or 'buckstrap' is pretty self explanetory...it keeps the back end of the saddle from bouncing, if the horse bucks, etc.

[tabascokat]

oh,a nd curb chain are your 'brakes'. if the chain fits right, it's the stopping power, and the bit is never really engaged, to stop. Of course, a lot of western riders just use their seat, too

me, again, sorry!

[tabascokat]

Oh, here's another one, for ya: only the buck strap is 'buckled'. there's a latigo strap, on the front D ring, but, instead of 'buckling it' to the girth, the run it thru the buckle, and back thru the d ring ont he saddle,a bout three time, then, the 4th time, run thru the D ring, on the saddle, but, instead of back down, you pull it out, to the right, , tight, then, across the left, and thru that same d ring, then, down thru the loop you just made. this one here doesn't have the girth on, but is tied the way it would be: http://www.statelinetack.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441774030&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302024175&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302033568&bmUID=1123107519737

[mrs_whiskerson]

Wow! Thanks everyone ^_^

One more, just looking at this picture, so now understand the concept of bosal, but... Getting headpiece thing, bosal (presume that's the nose thing), reins, what's the other thing that looks like it could be another rein hanging loose? I presume it's not another one - don't see what one could be used for here, but...

[tabascokat]

it's a well, I've heard it called a silly string, but, I think that's a local term...I'm trying to think what it is that popular trainer calls it...I can't remember....crap. :(

[skittlewoman]

Western Pony

Well when tying the rein on a bosal (it's just one long rein, generally 22foot long) there is a tassel at one end (the bit that is right on the heel knot) and a leather popper at the other. 22 foot is too long to be one long conintuous rein so when tying the rein on you leave generally a 6-9 foot 'lead' which is the other rope that is not rein is. The end of this lead is either tucked into your belt loop, or tied to the saddle when riding. It's pretty handy at times if you need to tie up your horse or lead them through something without fuzting with reins. The rein on a bosal and the extra lead are called a mecate.

[mrs_whiskerson]

Nice pony ^_^ Yours?

Do people ride the same horses western and english? I mean, not just in western tack some days and english tack others, but I'm thinking the 'correct' way of going for the horse is different and the aids are different and stuff as well. So can some horses do both? Or if they were originally broken western and you wanted to do some english discipline with them, would they really need reschooling english and no more western doing with them?