 A flat seat show saddle in havana brown. |
Cut-back or "Lane Fox" Saddle: Basically an english-style saddle with wide flaps to
protect the rider's legs from horse sweat and dirt, a cut-back pommel to allow free movement of
the withers, and a flat seat to allow the rider to best position him/herself so that the horse
can look it's best.
Cut-back saddles come in dark brown or black, and can have smooth or textured leather. Some riders prefer pigskin or suede seats to provide more grip. Cantles are either square or round, with round usually found on the deeper, or "equitation" seats. Saddle sizes typically run from 19" to 22", measured from the rivet on the pommel to the back center of the cantle. |
 An equitation seat saddle in black. |
 Fillis stirrups. |
Stirrups: Stirrups are typical "Fillis"-style irons, with bright white pads. Stirrup
leathers are usually 1" wide and match the color of the saddle. The bars on which the leathers
hang are usually fixed, but can be purchased as "adjustable", which means the rider can move the
leather forward or backward, allowing perfect placement for their riding position.
Girth: The girth used with a cut-back saddle is traditionally white vinyl or patent leather, but other colors are becoming increasingly popular. One trend is to coordinate the girth colors with the colors on the browband and caveson. Many riders prefer a girth with humane ends. These ends are made from a loop of leather, cris-crossed in a way that they give while the horse moves. Other choices include a girth with elastic ends, and a cotton web girth instead of leather or vinyl. |
 Humane girth in white patent leather. |
 Matching browband and caveson. |
Full, Double, or Weymouth Bridle: The bridle the saddlebred wears into the show ring must be the finest quality and of a style that compliments the head of the horse. A full, double, or Weymouth bridle consists of two bits: a snaffle (or bradoon) used for raising the head, and a curb, used for tucking in the nose. Some saddlebreds show in a pelham bit, which essentially is a curb bit with rings attached at the mouthpiece to mimic snaffle action. In either case, these bridles are used with two pairs of reins. Common choices are 1/2" for the snaffle rein, and 3/8" for the curb rein.
The bridle can be either dark brown or black, whichever matches the color of the saddle. The browband is often patent leather with some shade of red being the favorite color. However, some riders choose to use their stable colors, or coordinate with the horse's coloring. There are many different styles to choose from, and many have contrasting edges, dots, or beads to add decoration. The caveson can either match the browband, or be plain leather that matches the rest of the bridle. The rule is to use whichever emphasizes the horse's head the best. |
 A full, double, or weymouth bridle. |
 White leather quarterboots lined in calfskin. |
Quarter Boots: White leather quarter boots are used on five-gaited saddlebreds to
provide protection to the bulb area of the heel while racking. Fine Harness saddlebreds also
wear quarter boots, but it is primarily for tradition and aesthetics, not for protection, since
harness horses perform at the trot, not the rack.
Bell Boots: Bell boots are usually used while training, or for pleasure hacking on the trial. They provide protection to the bulb of the heel in case the horse overreaches with their hind leg while racking. Some riders use white bell boots instead of quarter boots in the show ring. They are easier to apply than quarter boots, and easier to clean. |
 Bell boots fastened with hook-n-loop fastners. |
 A fine harness horse (Notice the bell boots).  A viceroy, or fine harness buggy. |
Driving: The harness used in fine harness and pleasure driving is essentially the same.
Usually black with red trim, the harness is often bedecked with shiny patent leather and bright
brass hardware. Saddlebreds are often driven with a separate overcheck bit, which aids in setting
the correct head carriage.
The buggies used in these classes are quite dissimilar. Fine harness horses pull a four-wheeled carriage, often called a viceroy, and pleasure driving horses pull a two-wheeled cart, often called a jog cart. There are many different styles to choose from in either category. |
 A jog cart, or pleasure buggy. |
A tail brace. |
Tail Brace: A tail brace is often used in performance classes to help hold the tail in
an upright fashion. While traditional and deemed aesthetically pleasing, a horse does not have to
have a set tail in order to compete. The brace is applied minutes before the horse's class, and
removed immediately afterwards.
Tail Set: The tail of a performance saddlebred is often put into a tail set several days or weeks before a show. A tail set is used to train the muscles in the croup and tail to accept a tail brace. The ligaments under the tails of these horses has been surgically nipped so that the tail can move freely. This in no way hampers or limits the use of the tail, in fact, the horse will have more use of it's tail after the procedure. For the comfort of the horse, a tail set must fit properly and kept meticulously clean. |
 A tail set. |
 A german martingale. |
Snaffle Training Bridle: While at home, trainers may elect to ride the horse in a
snaffle training bridle. This bridle is a traditional english bridle holding a wide variety of bits.
The reins on the training bridle are often run through a martingale, explained below.
Martingale: A martingale is often used with a training bridle to help achieve the desired head set on the horse. Often, two pairs of reins are attached to the bit and the lower set is run through the rings on the martingale. There are many different styles of martingales to choose from: running, standing, and german styles just to name a few. With a german martingale, reins with snaps on the end pass through the bit and attach onto dees sewn onto the reins. This allows the rider to obtain a head set with minimal effort. |
 A snaffle bridle & running martingale. |
| Western Pleasure: It is becoming increasing popular to show the saddlebred under western tack. Most shows include western pleasure classes in which they can compete. A western pleasure saddle with silver trim is often used, in a color that best compliments the horse's own. Matching breastplates and bridles complete the look, along with a smart-looking saddlepad. |  A western pleasure horse. |