[Chrysalis]

Originally Posted by Uma

Hi Chrysalis, Yes please! I can see these kinds of labels online but it would help me to know what these bits and pieces are for (for my drawings). Where do the reins go. The bit in the mouth. Just a summary tack 101 if you don't mind. Remember I'm horse-stupid so I don't know where the steering wheel is, the brakes or anything. Or what's essential and what is just extra.

Hi

What the picture shows is a horse in Western tack which is different from English tack. The difference is riding style but the function to the parts remain the same. Here we go and hopefully I won't confuse you.

The parts dangling to the ground are the reins which you hold in your hands when riding and leading the horse. This is part of directing the horse where and when to turn, and to slow down or stop. The bit, the metal thing in the horse's mouth, is connected to the reins and your cues to turn, slow down and stop, from the reins is felt in the horse's mouth via the bit. Bits come in different styles and a Western rider would use a curb bit. That bit has a curve going up in the middle of the bar which is inside the mouth.

All the stuff on the horse's head makes the bridle. All the picture did was label parts of the bridle. The curb strap (aka chin strap) is optional and I have no idea what its purpose is as I didn't use one.

The headstall is essential as it keeps the bit in the mouth. The noseband and throat latch are optional as I've seen bridles without those. The throat latch, shown here is too tight, is more necessary compared to a noseband. The piece that goes across the horse's forehead is called a brow band and comes in different styles. The brow band helps keep the headstall evenly placed on the head so is essential.

The tie down thing is to stop a horse from tossing its head. A tie down is specific to Western riding and is optional depending on the horse. An English rider would use something different and is optional but serves the same purpose.

Breast collar, up tugs and latigo are used to keep the saddle from sliding back but can be fixed by getting a better saddle. Other than that, it's for looks unless you're roping cattle.

The saddle blanket protects the horse's back from getting rubbed by the saddle.

Saddle strings are for looks unless you want to tie up something.

I see some Spanish words which don't help me any as I don't know what a latigo carrier is.

The cinch is to keep the saddle on the horse regardless of what the rider does.

The back cinch is optional and in the picture, it's too tight. You should be able to fit a fist between that and the horse. The thing between the cinch and back cinch doesn't seem to serve a purpose as it's optional. If you're going to rope cattle, then you'll probably need a back cinch to help keep the saddle on.

At the front of the saddle, is the poker upper thing and is called the saddle horn. Good for wrapping a rope around it when roping a calf. You can use saddle strings to tie up a rope until you're ready to use it. Same thing for a water canteen. Maybe tie up a rifle with the front and back saddle strings.

Saddlebags are optional unless you want to pack stuff in it for the trail.

Stirrups are where the feet go. Your legs are part of the steering so work with the reins. You also use legs to cue the horse to go faster. You can use your body to slow down and turn the horse. I'm not sure if a horse in Western tack would be able to feel your body shift by just turning your head. The reins are for the front end of the horse, your legs are for the horse's body so both work together for turning a horse though you can use only the reins. For English, reins, legs and body are used to bend the horse around your leg when turning. Western style of riding isn't concerned with bending the horse's body as much. The cues for turning the horse are different for the riding styles and so is holding the reins.

I hope that helped.