Tack

Used to be when you bought a saddle all you had to worry about was if it fit your butt and if it cleared the horse's withers. No special padding and adjusting needed. In fact, when I was first riding we didn't even use a saddle pad. You just made sure it didn't give the horse a saddle sore and went on you merry way. I must say I can't ever remember any of my horses developing a sore. I must have been very lucky because I rode everyday. Although I did at one point in my riding history, pretty much ride bareback most of the time. Ignorance is bliss, they say. I did see many a horse with an old sore mark (white hair) over the withers, so not everyone was as lucky.

Bridles were easy too. If it didn't rub the ears and the noseband was large enough to go around the horse's nose, it fit. Flashes were unknown and obviously not needed. Everyone I knew used a fat, plain snaffle or Pelham bit if the horse was "tough". The only "gadgets" we used were running martingales. Standing ones were frowned upon. Side reins were only for longeing, young horses under training. My first set I made out of inner tubes. I've never used draw reins, even with the showhorses. These days  there are so many "training aids" out there they could fill a book. Everyone wants a short cut.

Now it seems you need an expert fitter and special padding. Many a saddle cost 3 times as much as I have ever paid for a horse. Even some pads cost more than $200! I still can't figure out why a dressage saddle would need to cost $5,000 and a bridle $600 or a pad $200. We all want our horses to be comfortable and happy but the hunt for a saddle can ruin the joy of horses for some riders because they become so afraid to ride on a saddle that isn't perfect. I know of some that have searched for months and months and still never found the right one. Then they finally do and the horse gains or loses muscle and it's not perfect anymore.

I have gone to treeless which some people hate and will tell you are bad for the horse's back. Whatever. I like mine. First, because I have an Arab and a TB/TWH cross. Two horses that I don't think could be any more different in their body types. I have two saddles, a FreeMax dressage which I bought used and love.

Freemax dressage

Not to be confused with a FreeForm. I'd get another one in a second but they don't sell them in the USA. Second, I grew up riding bareback and like a wide twist with I haven't been able to find in any treed saddle I can afford. I mean, I might LOVE a $4,000 saddle but I don't think I'll ever know. My other saddle is a $100 made in India, suede number I use for trail riding. Yeah, under the leathers started wearing after the first couple of rides but it is comfy and works just fine.

When I use one of these on the Arab, who is built slightly down hill, I do put a western type half pad under it so it sits level in the deepest part of the seat like all the saddle fitting websites tell you it must. I do own a couple of pads with built in foam on either side of the spine area that I like too. I've even made a few pads and my sister who is a fabulous seamstress (I'll add a link to her website when it's up and running)  made me such a pretty one I'm saving it for some special occasion. 

 Rocky with homemade pad

As far as the bridles I am the synthetic queen. Old, arthritic, fingers don't clean tack so much anymore. The synthetic leather is supple and can be hosed off whenever I remember to do so. It looks just like leather. Same for synthetic girths. Hose 'em off after a sweaty ride and you're done.

On my Arab (TJ) I use a Boucher (named for the famous French horseman) single break snaffle. 

The theory is that it creates more poll pressure. Some engineer types will tell you that's not possible but he was quite the stargazer

A stargazer is constantly above the bit with the head held high to avoid contact. 

when he came and he likes it and responds well in it. Rocky (the TB/TWH) goes in french link

I keep it as simple as possible. No flashes. No full bridles (since I don't do Saddlebreds anymore). With tack less is certainly more.

Of course with the Saddlebreds they were required to show in a full bridle as are upper level dressage horses. These consist of a bridoon which is a thin snaffle and a curb with is a bit with a shaft and a curved, upside down U which goes over the tongue.

These have two sets of reins and are for more advanced riders and horses.

Sometimes  it's a matter of trial and error but I always advise to err on the side of less. 

I'll stop here since I hit "publish" instead of "edit". (Now I have to write a whole new piece for next month). 

"Dust 'em"