The Complete Handbook of Horse Tack
A Practical Reference for Professionals, Businesses, and Serious Equestrians
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
The definitive practical guide to specifying, maintaining, and profiting from horse tack—from materials science to business strategy.
About this book
The Complete Handbook of Horse Tack is the essential reference for anyone whose living—or serious passion—depends on equestrian equipment. This is not a shopping guide filled with pretty pictures and marketing claims. It is a technical manual that dissects what tack is made of, how it is constructed, how it should fit, and why it fails. From the grain of a single piece of leather to the metallurgy of a bit, this book provides the concrete knowledge required to make sound, defensible decisions.
The book is structured for real-world use. Early chapters establish a fundamental understanding of tack as a system of force transmission and communication, then move into detailed specifications for every major category: saddles, bridles, bits, girths, and more. You will learn not just what a 'forward-cut' flap means, but how it changes the rider's leg position and why that matters for a specific discipline. Later chapters cover installation, daily use, and preventative maintenance, culminating in step-by-step troubleshooting guides for common problems like dry rot, fitting issues, and hardware failure.
Crucially, for the professional and entrepreneurial reader, this handbook includes a thorough analysis of the industry itself. It profiles the brand landscape from budget to premium, examines material innovations and market shifts, and outlines concrete business models from retail and rental to custom saddlery and consulting. Whether you are outfitting a lesson barn, starting a repair service, or preparing to buy your first high-end saddle, this handbook gives you the framework to evaluate, purchase, and manage your tack with professional confidence.
Reader Reviews
Melissa Wilson
★★★★★Finally, a book that treats tack like the technical equipment it is. I've been a saddler for over 20 years and was blown away by the chapter on leather grades and construction—it's spot on. I've already recommended it to every apprentice I know. It cuts through the marketing fluff and gives you the real, practical details you need to do the job right.
John Wright
★★★★★It's a solid reference, I'll give it that. The sections on materials and upkeep are thorough and I learned a few new things about synthetic tack care. However, I felt the chapter on troubleshooting could have had more diagrams or photos. Reading about how to fix a popped stitch is fine, but seeing it would have inked it in for me. Still, a good addition to the barn library, just not perfect.
Ashley Campbell
★★★★★I run a lesson program with 15 horses, and this handbook has been a game-changer for my budget. The business opportunities chapter alone paid for the book—it gave me a clear, step-by-step guide on starting a tack rental side-line that we've already put into motion. The maintenance schedules are realistic and have already extended the life of our bridles. It's the most practical horse book I own.
Joseph Mitchell
★★★★★As someone who buys and sells used tack at auction, the chapters on how to spot wear and assess quality are invaluable. The glossary is also better than any I've found online. I knocked off a star because the brand analysis section felt a bit too broad; I would have liked deeper specifics on the warranty and customer service records of the major saddle manufacturers. But overall, it's a very competent and useful resource.
Brenda Hernandez
★★★★★I bought this for my partner who is a farrier, but I ended up reading it cover to cover. It's just so clear and well-written. The explanation of how different tree widths affect horse movement was a lightbulb moment for me, and suddenly I understood why my own horse was fussy with one saddle and fine with another. This is the book I'll be giving to every new rider I know.
Ronald Williams
★★★★★The information is comprehensive, there's no doubt. But the prose is incredibly dry, like reading a textbook for an engineering degree. I found myself having to re-read paragraphs to stay focused. The technical specifications are impressive, but I was hoping for a bit more practical, anecdotal guidance on different riding styles. It's an encyclopedia, not a handbook, in my opinion.
James Allen
★★★★★This book settled a long-running argument at our yard about the best way to store girths. The science and material properties are explained so well that you can make your own informed choices rather than just following tradition. The section on synthetic leathers is superb and stopped me from making a costly purchase. It is now the first book I reach for when we have an equipment question.