Tack and Control

   Tack is the equipment used on a horse. It includes the halter, bridle and saddle. The tack is always put on from the horse's left side, called the near side. This is also the side where a rider mounts a horse. A horse's right side is called the off side. When riding a horse, always use light hand pressure on the reins. Pulling hard on the reins can injure a horses mouth. In the very least, a heavy hand will desensitize the horse's mouth, making him harder to control. The same is true when using a crop (short whip) on a horse, or kicking him with your heels. A true horseman uses a combination of reins, leg pressure and heels to control a horse. With a well trained horse, reins do not need to be used at all, but never ride a horse without reins. Even with a highly trained horse, reins are used most of the time, to a greater or lesser degree. Just to let you know, when knights were jousting they controlled their horses with leg and heel pressure. One hand was holding a lance, and the other a shield. If the knight was holding the reins in either hand, then whenever he moved the lance or shield, the horse would turn, which could be fatal.