Do Horses Need to Wear Anything While You Ride Them?

Whether you own a horse or are planning to buy one, you need to have the right tack and equipment to ride safely and keep your horse protected. Your horse does not need to wear a blanket, neck wrap or other clothing when you ride, but you do need a few basic items every time you take your horse out of the barn.

  1. Saddle Pad

    • No matter what style of riding you do, you need to use a quality saddle pad when you ride your horse. The saddle pad fits between the horse's back and the saddle, providing protection for the horse's back and helping to prevent saddle sores and back problems. You should always choose the best saddle pad you can afford, since an ill-fitting or low quality saddle pad can cause your horse to become sore.

    Saddle

    • Unless you plan to ride your horse bareback all the time, you will need a good well-fitting saddle. The saddle provides security for you as you ride, helping you stay aboard in case the horse bucks, rears or bolts. You can choose a variety of different saddles, including English saddles, western saddles and Australian saddles.

    Bridle

    • Your horse needs to have a solid bridle when you go for a ride. The purpose of the bridle is to provide you with control over the horse's movement, both forward and from side to side. You can choose from a variety of different bridles, depending on the style of riding you do and the needs of your horse. You can also choose from a variety of bitless bridles, including bosals and sidepulls. These bridles work by putting pressure on the sides of the horse's nose instead of using a bit.

    Protective Boots

    • Depending on what you are doing with your horse, you may want to use some protective boots when you ride. If all you are doing is trail riding or some light pleasure riding, boots should not be necessary, but if you plan to do more strenuous work those boots can provide important protection. For instance, barrel racers often use bell boots, which fit around the front legs and protect them in case the horse strikes those front legs with the back feet during a hard turn. Reining horses usually wear skid boots which protect their back legs during sliding stops.

    Optional Equipment

    • People who show their horses often keep them blanketed as much as possible to prevent the growth of long winter hair and keep the animal looking sleek and smooth. That blanketing often includes a wrap that fits around the horse's neck. While you should always remove the blanket before you ride, you can leave the neck wrap on if you wish while you warm the horse up. You should, of course, remove the neck wrap before you head into the show ring.