Your Pre Ride Tack Check
If you want your rides to go as smoothly as possible one thing to do is to quickly check your tack before you take your horse or mule out on the trail. It's much better to find a frayed strap now rather than have it break or fail while you're riding. These ten quick and easy checks will only take a few minutes and will protect both your and your mount's safety.
Saddle Checks
- Tree
Place the saddle over your leg, holding the cantle, and pull firmly together. You should not be any movement. If there is movement or you hear a grinding noise, this may be an indication of a broken or weak tree and the saddle should retired or repaired prior to using.
- Bars
Make sure that the bars of your saddle are secure where the stirrups attach. Pull firmly and wiggle on the stirrups leathers to ensure that the rivets are not working loose.
- Stirrup Leathers
Twist and flex the leathers to check for dryness and wear. Check the stitching for any unraveling or wear.
- Cinch Straps and Girth Billets
Twist and flex the straps to check for dryness and wear. Be sure to check for worn stitching on the billets. If you find any cracks in the leather it's better replace the strap now, before it tears all the way through on the trail.
- Cinch Straps and Girth Billets
Twist and flex the straps to check for dryness and wear. Be sure to check for worn stitching on the billets. If you find any cracks in the leather it's better replace the strap now, before it tears all the way through on the trail.
- Cinch and Girth
Check the piece that hold the rings or buckles in place for any wear. Check the buckles to ensure that they are not bent or rusting through. Also check the strings or webbing to make sure that they are in good condition.
Bridle Checks
- Leather
Twist and flex to check for dryness and wear. Be mindful of the areas where the reins wrap around the bit.
- Stiching
Check all stitching for signs on unraveling or wear.
- Buckles
Check the buckles to ensure that they are not bent or rusting through. Buckles should operate freely.
- Bit
Check the bit for any rough edges that will hurt your horses lips. Replace any bit that shows sings or roughness or wear.
- Everything Else
Check the rest of your equipment (halters, breast collars, cruppers, etc.) You'll lengthen the life of your leather gear by keeping it clean and in good condition. It'll also be much more comfortable for you and your horse.
I hope that this brief primer on tack and equipment checks has given you some good ideas about how to stay saddled up by inspecting and correcting before there is problem on the trail!
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