How do you choose the tack that is comfortable for your horse and helps him remain healthy?

Flip through any horse supply catalog and you’ll see a myriad of tack choices designed to help your horse perform better and stay healthier. From bits to saddles and pads to girths, there are many options. Good tack is important for a horse’s health and comfort; incorrect or poorly fitted tack can cause many health problems. But what do you look for when selecting “ergonomic” tack?

(Editor’s note: Inclusion in this article does not indicate endorsement; brand names are given for examples. This story is not intended as a definitive list of suppliers or features.)

The Bit

Choosing a bit is probably one of the most perplexing tasks a horse owner can undertake. But it’s also one of the most important. There are many styles to choose from, but which one is right for your horse can be difficult to guess.

Dwight Bennett, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT, professor emeritus at Colorado State University and co-author of Bits & Bridles: Power Tools for Thinking Riders (EquiMedia), says the biggest bitting mistake people make is failing to look inside the horse’s mouth before purchasing a bit