To prevent this scenario from happening, it’s important to make the right choice the first time around. Newcomers to the scene often base purchasing decisions on criteria such as the horse’s looks or price tag, but the fact of the matter is that age, training, and temperament are the truly critical indicators of safety and good performance. The following information is meant to serve as a basic guide to help you pair up a horse with your riding style.

Beginners and Novices
Riders are typically classified as beginners if they are completely new to the sport or if their experience is very limited. They can often be identified by their brand-new equestrian riding apparel and somewhat tentative nature when mounted. They are not yet comfortable in the saddle, nor are they able to control the animal’s speed or direction with any confidence.

Novices are a step above beginners. They are familiar with handling horse equipment and have no trouble tacking up on their own. Novices exhibit good balance in the saddle, can execute a range of basic commands, and can control the animal even at a trot.

Horses for beginners and novices should be:

• Older and well-trained
• Responsive, but not jumpy or easily spooked
• Calm and patient during grooming activities
• Manageable on the ground/easily led
• Temperamentally tolerant and confident

Intermediates
Intermediates have a good amount of experience under their belts. They are able to consistently control their animal in terms of speed, movement, and direction, and also understand the nuances involved in body positioning as related to proper balance and timing. Intermediates take an active role in caring for their animal because they know how to use and correctly maintain all kinds of horse equipment.

Horses for intermediates should be:

• Middle-aged or older
• Free of major training issues
• Highly responsive with excellent lateral flexion
• Quick to pick up correct leads
• Temperamentally confident without being unduly excitable

Advanced
Advanced riders have been around horses and stables so long that you’d swear they were born in equestrian riding apparel. They possess a very high degree of skill and can control their animal in virtually all riding situations. They are even able to ride competently without basic horse equipment such as a saddle or stirrups. Advanced riders are thoroughly accustomed to competitions and shows, and likely have a trophy or two on their mantelpiece.

Horses for advanced riders can or should be:

• Young and energetic
• In need of more training or retraining
• Quick, responsive, and athletic
• Temperamentally suited to the rider’s discipline of choice

When you mount a horse that is not suited to your riding style or ability level, then you’re putting yourself at risk of a serious injury.  Not even the best horse equipment and top-quality equestrian riding apparel can help you overcome the difficulties associated with riding an animal that is beyond your ability to control. Before you buy a horse, take the above points into consideration and be sure to consult with a qualified professional to help you make your selection.

Even if you’re not quite ready to display your skills before a panel of judges, it’s still important to have a fundamental understanding of the horse equipment you must buy. Towards that end, we’ve compiled the following list of facts about English horse tack that we hope you’ll find useful as you stock up at TheEquestrianCorner.com.

Saddles and saddle pads
Saddles and saddle pads come in a variety of styles designed to facilitate riding in different disciplines. For example, a close contact saddle, which gives the rider a better feel for the animal and therefore greater control, is suitable for hunting and show jumping, while a deep seated saddle with a raised cantle is the norm for dressage. If you’re unsure which discipline you will specialize in, an all-purpose saddle would be your best bet.

A saddle pad is another critical piece of horse equipment. This item not only protects your horse’s back from possible irritation caused by contact with the saddle, but also provides essential comfort. Saddle pads are available in dressage, all-purpose, and pony varieties.

Saddle accessories
Basic English horse tack also includes a number of saddle accessories that no rider should be without. Stirrups, stirrup leathers, reins, and a girth are indispensible regardless of your discipline. On the other hand, horse equipment such as breastplates and martingales are generally used for high-speed events such as hunting or show-jumping where rider safety is a primary concern.

Bridles
Bridles, which are necessary for controlling horses, may appear to the untrained eye to be pretty much the same. But upon closer inspection, the differences become more apparent. Dressage bridles are often made of finely stitched black leather and come with noticeable padding, whereas a hunt bridle is more utilitarian than decorative and features minimal padding. Other types of bridles you may consider while shopping for English horse tack include figure 8 (for show jumping), snaffle, and event.

Halters and leads
Halters and leads are used for handling, leading, or tying up the horse as opposed to actually riding it. You can complete your English horse tack package by purchasing a padded leather halter and lead from our online store. We even have plaid halters designed to match turnouts of the same pattern so your animal can match from head to shoe.

Optional horse equipment
Whips, bats, and crops are optional items that are used in various riding events and should be considered if you plan to compete in any shows. Furthermore, a responsible owner takes care of his or her animal by performing routine grooming activities on a regular basis.  Practical grooming supplies include a mane comb, pulling comb, body brush, curry comb, hoof pick, and hoof brush.

There’s no question that high-quality horse equipment represents a significant investment for most people. But as with other investments, you can expect to get a nice return on your money—only this time, instead of more profits, you’ll get more enjoyment out of each and every riding session!

So if you still want to save Christmas you’ll find lots of quality shopping at  The Equestrian Corner.  Easy shopping, great prices, Free shipping or orders over $99.  And there is even a Closeout Steals section where a thrifty shopper can save even more on quality equestrian apparel and accessories as well as horse tack and equipment.

Great Christmas Gifts

Tack plays a key role in keeping both the horse and rider safe whether casual or competition riding.   Part of training is instruction on the part of the rider in the proper use and conditions of using each piece. The equipment and accessories or tack can be found at traditional equestrian stores, and some equipment is usually for sale at the smaller supply or even feed stores.  Or can be purchased online through horse and rider websites. The Equestrian Corner offers a great selection of equestrian riding equipment at reasonable prices, so you can shop at your convenience and have the order shipped direct to your door. No more going store to store and being disappointed with the selection. Visit their website at TheEquestrianCorner.com to view their product selections or contact 1-866-908-1082 to speak with a knowledgeable customer support person.