The Tack Room

Practical advice from the Equijump Ltd. team and the riders, grooms and yard managers we work with - covering saddle fit, tack care, show prep, horsebox life and everything in between. Whether you're starting a young horse or chasing a Grand Prix, you'll find honest, tested guidance here.
Before You Blame Behaviour: 5 Tack Checks to Make First
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For New Owners

Before You Blame Behaviour: 5 Tack Checks to Make First

Before You Blame Behaviour: Check Comfort First When a horse becomes resistant under saddle, it’s easy to assume the issue is behavioural — a training gap, attitude, or excess energy. But in many c...

Read article May 15, 2026 · 5 min read
Before You Blame Behaviour: 5 Tack Checks to Make First
Before You Blame Behaviour: 5 Tack Checks to Make First
Before You Blame Behaviour: Check Comfort First When a horse becomes resistant under saddle, it’s easy to assume the issue is behavioural — a training gap, attitude, or excess energy.... Read more...
Summer Sweat Management: Breathable Pads, Linings & Cooling Care Routines
Summer Sweat Management: Breathable Pads, Linings & Cooling Care Routines
Keep skin happy, saddles stable, and performance high when the temperatures rise.  Hot weather multiplies friction + heat + salt, the three ingredients behind rubs, galls, and cranky muscles. Here’s a... Read more...
Slipping Saddles: 6 Common Causes and How to Fix Them
Slipping Saddles: 6 Common Causes and How to Fix Them
A slipping saddle is more than an annoyance. It can affect rider balance, reduce stability, and create uncomfortable pressure points for your horse. Whether the saddle shifts to one side, creeps... Read more...
Sensitive-Skinned Horses: Girths, Pads, and Materials That Help Prevent Rubs
Sensitive-Skinned Horses: Girths, Pads, and Materials That Help Prevent Rubs
Sensitive-skinned horses can start rubbing from something as simple as sweat, friction, or poorly fitting tack. In this guide, we explore the best girths, pads, and materials to help prevent rubs,... Read more...
Choosing the Right Noseband for Comfort and Control
Choosing the Right Noseband for Comfort and Control
Types, correct fitting, and the pros and cons of each - so your horse stays comfortable and you can ride with confidence. Choosing a noseband is not about what looks... Read more...
Winter Horsebox Care: 5 Tips That Prevent Stress Later
Winter Horsebox Care: 5 Tips That Prevent Stress Later
Winter is brilliant for crisp hacks and quiet roads… and brutal on horseboxes and trailers. Damp creeps into places you can’t see, road salt speeds up corrosion, tyre pressures drop... Read more...
Washing Horse Rugs & Saddle Pads: Tips, Frequency, and Why It Matters
Washing Horse Rugs & Saddle Pads: Tips, Frequency, and Why It Matters
If your horse could vote on yard jobs, washing saddle pads and rugs would probably still be bottom of the list… right after pulling mud out of tail hair. But... Read more...
Seasonal Tack Care: Clean Smarter, Protect Better
Seasonal Tack Care: Clean Smarter, Protect Better
Tack care isn’t one routine you can set and forget all year. Temperature, moisture, sweat levels and mud change across the seasons - so your cleaning and protection routine should... Read more...
Weight, Fitness & Saddle Fit: How Changes in Your Horse Alter Tack Needs
Weight, Fitness & Saddle Fit: How Changes in Your Horse Alter Tack Needs
Because backs, bellies, and muscles don’t stay the same year-round. Horses don’t hold one shape. Seasons, training load, age, diet, and time off reshape the withers, shoulder, ribcage, and topline—the... Read more...
Prevention: The Big 5 Habits That Keep Riders in the Saddle
Prevention: The Big 5 Habits That Keep Riders in the Saddle
Equestrians are brilliant at pushing through. A stiff hip, a sore lower back, a cranky shoulder—many riders quietly file it under “part of the sport.” But a lot of the... Read more...
Show Planning 2026: What to Organise Now (So You're Not Rushed Later)
Show Planning 2026: What to Organise Now (So You're Not Rushed Later)
A practical 2026 show planning checklist: paperwork, rider kit, horse kit, travel prep, and how to stay organised. Read more...
Rider Fitness For Show Season: The Performance Advantage You Control
Rider Fitness For Show Season: The Performance Advantage You Control
Rider fitness is one of the biggest performance advantages you can control heading into show season. By prioritising core stability, hip mobility, single-leg strength, and aerobic fitness, you can improve... Read more...
How Long Does It Take To Get Fit Post-Holiday Before The Show Season?
How Long Does It Take To Get Fit Post-Holiday Before The Show Season?
Getting Fit After a Break: What's Realistic?  After a holiday break (for you, your horse, or both), the key is consistency, not intensity. Exact timelines vary by age, baseline fitness,... Read more...
Washing of Rugs and Saddle Pads: Tips and Importance
Washing of Rugs and Saddle Pads: Tips and Importance
How to wash horse rugs and saddle pads properly, why it matters for skin and performance, and what products help Read more...
Must-Haves for Your Tack Locker
Must-Haves for Your Tack Locker
 Everything you actually use-plus smart spares-so you're ready for any ride, lesson, or show day. 1) Everyday riding essentials Saddle with stirrups & leathers (plus a spare set of leathers... Read more...
Anatomy-Aware Bridle Fitting: Avoiding Facial Nerve Pinch Points
Anatomy-Aware Bridle Fitting: Avoiding Facial Nerve Pinch Points
Comfort first = softer contact, steadier connection, happier horse. This guide shows exactly where sensitive structures are on the head, how common bridle parts can pinch them, and what correct fit... Read more...
Young Horse Essentials: Tack Choices for Starting Under Saddle
Young Horse Essentials: Tack Choices for Starting Under Saddle
Simple, kind, and adaptable gear for a confident start. Starting a youngster is 80% preparation and 20% "firsts." The right tack keeps sessions clear and comfortable while your horse learns... Read more...
Travel Tack Checklist: What to Bring to Shows
Travel Tack Checklist: What to Bring to Shows
Pack once, ride relaxed. A ringside-friendly list + quick links to shop the essentials Whether it's a local one-day or a full weekend away, the same rule applies: simple, clean,... Read more...
Breastplates and Martingales: Fitting, Function, and Common Mistakes
Breastplates and Martingales: Fitting, Function, and Common Mistakes
Keep the saddle secure, the contact clear, and your horse comfortable. Breastplates and martingales are useful tools-but only when fitted well and used for the right reasons. Here's a clear... Read more...
The Ultimate Girth Buying Guide
The Ultimate Girth Buying Guide
Find the right girth fast: compare shapes, materials, sizing and fit rules to keep your horse comfortable, clear the elbow, and keep the saddle secure. Read more...
What's the difference between Saddle Pads & Half Pads?
What's the difference between Saddle Pads & Half Pads?
Not sure when to use a saddle pad or a half pad? This guide explains the difference—saddle pads protect and manage sweat, while half pads fine-tune fit and absorb shock—plus... Read more...
Why You Should Buy Your Saddle Direct from an Authorised Dealer
Why You Should Buy Your Saddle Direct from an Authorised Dealer
When it comes to buying a saddle, it's tempting to go for second-hand deals or use a general saddle fitter. But if you're investing in your horse's comfort, your own... Read more...
Understanding Different Types of Bits: A Rider's Guide
Understanding Different Types of Bits: A Rider's Guide
Confused about bits? This guide breaks down the most common bit styles - including snaffles, gags, Pelhams, mouthpieces, and rings - so you can choose the right one for your... Read more...
Understanding Different Types of Training Aids for Riding
Understanding Different Types of Training Aids for Riding
Explore the most common training aids used while riding - including martingales, draw reins, bungees, and more - and learn when and how to use them safely. Read more...
How to Choose the Right Bridle: A Rider's Guide
How to Choose the Right Bridle: A Rider's Guide
Confused about bridles? This easy guide helps you pick the perfect horse bridle for your riding style and your horse's comfort. Read more...
Top 5 tack essentials for new horse owners
Top 5 tack essentials for new horse owners
New to horse ownership? Discover the 5 most essential tack items every rider needs for a safe, comfortable start with their horse. Read more...