Tack questions, answered

Real rider questions answered by TackHelp's equestrian fit advisor — with product options compared across retailers.

• How do you measure a horse for a bridle?
  Tack Fit
• How do you measure a Western saddle seat size?
  Saddle Fit
• How do you tell if a saddle tree is broken?
  Saddle Fit
• How do you measure English saddle seat size?
  Saddle Fit
• What is the difference between a 3-point and 5-point breastplate?
  Tack Fit
• Tack Talk roundup — 2026-08-22
  Tack Talk Roundup
• How do you attach leg straps on a horse blanket?
  Blankets & Sheets
• Is a mohair cinch better than neoprene?
  Girths & Cinches
• How do I stop my saddle pad from slipping?
  Saddle Fit
• How do I tell if my horse's bit is too small?
  Bits & Bitting
• How do I tell if my saddle fits my horse?
  Saddle Fit
• How tight should a horse's girth be?
  Girths & Cinches
• Are polo wraps or sport boots better for horse leg protection?
  Horse Boots
• What is the difference between a French link and a lozenge bit?
  Bits & Bitting
• Tack Talk roundup — 2026-08-14
  Tack Talk Roundup
• Are all leather halters breakaway?
  Halters
• When does a horse actually need bell boots?
  Horse Boots
• Tack Talk roundup — 2026-08-12
  Tack Talk Roundup
• How tight should a horse noseband be?
  Tack Fit
• How many wrinkles should a horse bit have?
  Bits & Bitting
• What is the difference between a loose ring and an eggbutt snaffle?
  Bits & Bitting
• What is the difference between a saddle pad and a saddle blanket?
  Saddle Fit
• Why is my horse girthy?
  Girths & Cinches
• How tight should a back cinch be on a Western saddle?
  Girths & Cinches
• How do you tie a latigo on a Western saddle?
  Girths & Cinches
• How do I stop my leather saddle from squeaking?
  Tack Care
• Why do horses wear ear bonnets?
  Fly Protection
• How do you wash a sheepskin half pad?
  Tack Care
• Are fly sheets too hot for horses in the summer?
  Fly Protection
• How do you clean a Western saddle pad?
  Tack Care
• What's the difference between a western cinch and an English girth?
  Girths & Cinches
• Which way does an anatomical girth face?
  Girths & Cinches
• How do I measure my horse for a blanket?
  Blankets & Sheets
• Can you use an English girth on a Western saddle?
  Girths & Cinches
• Does a half pad go over or under a saddle pad?
  Saddle Fit
• Tack Talk roundup — 2026-07-26
  Tack Talk Roundup
• Do you need to put a saddle pad under a bareback pad?
  Tack Fit
• Can you wash a horse blanket in a washing machine?
  Blankets & Sheets
• How do I prevent my horse from getting girth rubs?
  Girths & Cinches
• Why does my saddle keep slipping to one side?
  Saddle Fit
• Why do some riders put a halter under the bridle?
  Halters
• Can horses wear fly masks at night?
  Fly Protection
• How do you put on pull-on bell boots?
  Horse Boots
• Tack Talk roundup — 2026-07-18
  Tack Talk Roundup
• How do I clean mold off a leather saddle?
  Tack Care
• How do I prevent horse blanket shoulder rubs?
  Blankets & Sheets
• What saddle pad is best for a mutton-withered horse?
  Saddle Fit
• Why do my horse's fly boots slide down, and how do I stop it?
  Fly Protection
• Saddle pad thickness explained: is 3/4 inch or 1 inch better?
  Saddle Fit
• What size cinch does my horse need?
  Girths & Cinches
• How do I measure my horse for the right bit size?
  Bits & Bitting
• What bit should a first-time horse owner start with?
  Bits & Bitting
• What are gentle, dressage-legal bits for a horse that's fussy in the contact?
  Bits & Bitting
• What's the best fly mask for a horse that destroys every mask?
  Fly Protection