Fit the horse.Fit the rider.Then buy the gear.
Buying guides for saddles, bridles, helmets, boots, blankets, grooming and barn equipment for English and Western riders, starting with fit, certification and the care of the horse.
Shop the tack room
Tack, rider apparel, horse clothing and grooming, and the barn. Each section starts with fit.
Fit and care, explained
What new riders need: a certified helmet, boots with a heel, comfortable pants, gloves and optional safety vest, with English and Western options and what can wait.
English vs Western saddles compared: design and purpose, weight, seat size, tree and gullet widths, saddle types by discipline, and why professional fitting matters.
Choose a horse blanket: fill weights in grams, turnout vs stable, denier, how to measure your horse for size, and how to avoid over-blanketing.
Equestrian Gear questions, answered
What should I wear to my first horse riding lesson?
A certified helmet, boots with a small heel, long close-fitting pants and gloves. Ask the barn about any rules.
Read: Beginner Riding Gear Checklist →What size English saddle do I need?
Adult riders commonly use 16.5 to 18 inch seats. Your thigh length and riding discipline also affect size.
Read: English vs Western Saddles →How do I measure a horse for a blanket?
Measure in inches from the center of the chest, along the side, to the point of the buttock near the tail. That length is the blanket size in many brands.
Read: Horse Blanket Weights and Sizing →What clip should I give my horse?
It depends on work and housing. A bib or trace clip suits light work; hunter and full clips suit horses in hard work who are blanketed.
Read: Horse Clippers Guide →How much water does a horse drink per day?
Often about 5 to 10 gallons for a 1,000-pound horse at rest, and much more in heat or work.
Read: Horse Feeders and Waterers →What certification should a riding helmet have in the US?
ASTM F1163, with the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) certification label inside the helmet.
Read: Riding Helmet Certifications and Fit →Fit and welfare first
Every guide starts with how the gear should fit the horse or the rider, and who should check it.
Each guide says who the gear suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to check before you buy.
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product, standard or rule changes.
The equestrian gear index
- 01TackEnglish and Western saddles, bridles, reins, bits, girths and stirrups.1 page
- 02Rider gearRiding helmets, safety vests, boots, breeches, gloves and riding apparel.2 pages
- 03Horse clothing & careTurnout and stable blankets, fly gear, leg boots and wraps, grooming kits and clippers.2 pages
- 04Barn & stableFeeders and hay nets, waterers, stall mats, storage, arena and trailer accessories.1 page
- 05Training & trailLunging and groundwork gear, arena obstacles, trail riding accessories and trailer add-ons.0 pages
- 06Beginners & kidsEquipment and fit guidance for children and adults starting out with horses.0 pages