Choosing the right horse tack is essential for your horse’s comfort, safety, and performance. Bridles, reins, girths, and breastplates should fit correctly, suit your riding discipline, and allow your horse to move without unnecessary pressure or restriction.
Start With Accurate Measurements
Horse tack is commonly available in pony, cob, full, and oversize options, but many horses do not fit perfectly into one standard size. A horse may need different sizes for the crownpiece, cheekpieces, browband, and noseband.
Before purchasing new equipment, follow Ava Equestrian’s bridle measuring guide and record each measurement separately. Accurate sizing helps reduce rubbing, pinching, and uneven pressure.
Choose a Comfortable Bridle
A well-fitted bridle should sit securely without pressing against the ears, poll, cheeks, or sensitive facial areas. Check that the browband is wide enough and that the cheekpieces hold the bit evenly.
Riders looking for a complete design can explore the Styled Collection. For a more personalised setup, use the Bridle Builder to select individual components and sizes.
Ava Equestrian offers interchangeable bridle parts, including:
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Cheekpieces
This modular approach allows riders to create a bridle that better suits their horse’s individual proportions. Ava Equestrian states that its Bridle Builder provides more than 100 design and size customisations.
Select the Right Noseband
The best noseband depends on the horse, bridle setup, riding discipline, and applicable competition rules. It should sit securely without being overtightened or interfering with breathing and jaw movement.
Explore Ava Equestrian’s noseband collection, or read the brand’s guide to choosing a noseband before selecting a style.
Find Reins That Suit Your Grip
Reins affect communication, control, and rider confidence. Traditional leather reins offer a classic appearance, while rubber or textured reins may provide additional grip during jumping, training, or wet conditions.
When browsing horse reins, consider their width, thickness, flexibility, grip material, and compatibility with your bridle.
Check Girth Fit and Saddle Stability
A correctly fitted girth should hold the saddle securely without restricting breathing or movement. The ideal length and shape depend on the saddle, the horse’s body shape, and the position of the girth groove.
Ava Equestrian’s girth collection includes options designed for dressage, jumping, and general riding. Tighten the girth gradually and evenly, then check it again after the horse has moved.
Consider a Breastplate When Needed
A breastplate may provide additional saddle stability for jumping, cross-country, young horses, or horses whose saddles tend to move backward.
Browse horse breastplates and choose an adjustable design that sits smoothly without restricting the shoulders. The equipment should support saddle stability rather than compensate for a poorly fitted saddle.
Prioritise Quality and Proper Care
Good-quality leather tack should feel smooth, flexible, and durable. Regularly inspect stitching, adjustment holes, buckles, clips, and D-rings for signs of wear.
Clean tack after riding, allow wet leather to dry naturally, and use suitable conditioning products. Ava Equestrian provides a dedicated leather-care guide to help riders maintain their equipment.
Build a Tack Setup Around Your Horse
The best horse tack combines correct sizing, comfort, functionality, and quality construction. Measure carefully, choose each component according to your horse’s needs, and check the fit regularly as your horse’s condition changes.
Explore Ava Equestrian for custom bridles, premium bridle parts, breastplates, girths, stirrup leathers, neck straps, and other equestrian equipment designed around horse-and-rider comfort. The brand highlights premium leather, adjustable fitting, and handcrafted construction across its range.
Build Your Custom Bridle