TACK, ATTIRE AND EQUIPMENT

SELECTING BRIDLES

Almost any of the many magazines sold at tack stores, Wal-Mart, everywhere will carry many articles on bridles, all forms of tack and supplies. The important part to remember is that Arabians have small size heads in comparison to other breeds. A Cob size may fit your Friend in English better than a regular sized bridle. Watch the length in all western bridles and bosal attachments. Often the best way is to take a very cheap bridle and adjust it to all the heads of your Arabians and then use that as a guide in the tack store when selecting your bridle. A very expensive lesson if you don't at today's prices for good leather products.

Bit articles galore are in these magazines. If your bent is the bosal, try Hackamore Reinsmen that you can get through outlets on the Internet, new or used. If you are in a hurry, start with a snaffle; the plain kind. Most Arabians need the smaller mouthpiece, like a 4 1/2" mouth bar. There are a very individuals who still make bits to order, such as the Dutton bits.

An eggbutt, D-ring, plain jointed snaffle with either the large ring or standard ring (for rein attachment) are the best for any beginner. As you progress in your riding skills, you will decide which bit you like best.

Western bits get their leverage from the length of the shank - the part down from the mouthpiece. The longer the length, the more leverage. One should never use a running martingale with a western bit. Try thinking of that bit in your mouth and someone with your hands and riding skill applying pressure for an idea of how your Arabian friend will feel and most likely, react.

SELECTING SADDLES

English Saddles:

Under Construction

Western Saddles:

When selecting a western saddle two criteria are used. The size of the seat for the rider and the tree and use of the saddle. A cutting saddle will have a big horn and look like a flat board where you sit. A roping saddle will be constructed to hold the saddle down securely when some 'critter' is roped and has a shorter, broader horn. Some of the seats on them might be flat and others will be more rounded like a pleasure or equitation seat.

It is important to sit in several saddles to determine which seat size fits you. Remember, that a 15 inch tree will be more likely 14 1/2 inch when all the leather has been added to the tree in the construction of the saddle. So a 16 inch tree is really more like a 15 1/2 inch seat.

Also important, if possible, is to take your horse along with you when determining what type of saddle you want. Arabians have short, short backs and need shorter "bars" in the tree construction. If you can't take your horse along, find out what the tack shop requires for you to be able to try out several different saddles of different tree construction to find the one that best fits your horses back. Arabians are not just short backed but also broad across the back and an important fit is crucial.

DRIVING HARNESS

Under Construction

 ATTIRE

Now, what to wear:

As for your clothing, attire, most of the online catalogs are a good source for all English attire. Sidesaddle is much harder but if you have a good seamstress in your circle of family or friends, there are patterns for the habit (skirt).

A good source for helpful hints is www.hobbyhorseinc.com . Their color chart wheel helps you to start identifying colors good on you that match the color of your horse. The red hues (sorrel, chestnut, rose grey) go with softer earth-tone shades of sand, rust, brown, peach and most any green tone. The brown hues (bay, black, white, most greys) go with bright jewel-tones like red, blue, purple and some of the greens.

While basic black always is safe, it does help to break it up a bit. For halter, woman don't wear jeans, they wear conservative colored slacks. And these don't have to be the expensive ones, any Goodwill Store carries some lovely examples. A few rules with the color chart are not having the same color for your slacks as your horse's legs. Same thing on top, don't have your top the same as your horse's neck. Contrasting colors will call attention to the horse. No hats in halter. If in doubt, use long sleeves as they are preferred.

Gloves are not required but do look dressier, and since leather ticks to leather, actually make it easier for the rider to handle the reins.

It is extremely important that your number be placed so that it is as readily visible to the judge as you can possibly cause it to be. If the lower edge is not pinned down the number blows, bounces and tilts upward making it frequently impossible for the judge to read. Be considerate and help yourself by taking the care and time necessary to be sure your number is in plain sight and cannot flop around.

NATIVE COSTUME

Native Costume can be as simple and inexpensive as you want or you can purchase ready made rider and horse combinations. There are some importers who offer complete horse outfits for reasonable prices. By examining at least the photos, and if you have a seamstress in your circle, you can develop your own. The most important factors are color and design. Plan your color arrangements so that they do not "blend" at a distance, since the costume will be viewed more at a distance that it will close too. Too much detail blurs the outlines.

And it is a very good idea to try on all your costume in front of your Arabian at home. Let your Friend get used to seeing you in this regalia before going into your class.

The sadde of the bedouins consisted of a rudimentary quilted-type heavy pad covered with heavy hand-woven colt embroidered heavily with more wool, or with oriental rug-type weaving. Behind the saddle originally were tied saddle-bags. Raw edges were finished with fringe or added tassels. Most of the colors were brown, white, or black, same color as their sheep. Blue beads were regarded as symbols of good fortune and as many of these were added to the cords supporting the tassels as the owner could reasonable afford.

Since the girth alone could not prevent the saddle from shifting on the horse's back, a braided woolen collar was looped around the Arabian's neck. Usually there was a crupper as well.

Some Bedouins rode with no stirrups at all. Some used a most rudimentary form. These generally had a flat "floor" sometimes even as long as the entire foot of the rider.

The bridle commonly consisted of a braided halter-like arrangement. The noseband was made up of several brass chains. Actually a "simple halter" as a bridle with reins was the norm. If the rider was wealthy enough to own a bit, it was a "ring" type, shaped like our western curb except that in the center of the port a ring was attached which was large enough to fit around the lower jaw.

The Bedouin themselves wore a woolen "skull-cap" which fitted snugly. The robe was composed of two large squares of wool or cotton fabric. Underneath the robe was worn a garment that most closely resembles a full-length old-fashinioned men's nightshirt with a stand-up or madarin-type collar.