Good Everyday Gear

Use quality tack in your day-to day riding to keep your horse comfortable and performing well.

- Bob Avila, Jennifer Paulson

The tack I use for everyday riding gets used. It sees many horses on a daily basis, so it has to last. A horseman is like a mechanic in terms of our tools of our trades—we want the best we can get, we use them hard, and we take pride in what we have and take care of our gear so it’ll last.

You might not ride more than one horse a day, but that doesn’t mean you should skimp on your working gear. High-quality tack keeps your horse comfortable, which is worth the investment on its own. Here, I’ll go over the qualities I look for in my daily riding gear, as well as offer tips for caring for each piece.

Saddle pads

What I look for: I use the same kind of pad on every horse I ride. Breathability is key. It helps keep the horse cool under saddle, which slows the rate of fatigue. The pad’s core absorbs shock for the horse’s comfort, and the Navajo top means I can use the same pad in the show pen as I do at home.

Care tip: Allow your pad to dry between uses. This prevents mold and mildew. Your climate will dictate how long it takes for a pad to dry. Here in Temecula, California, my pads dry quickly. But when I was in Oregon, the humidity required longer drying time.

Cinches