IF your bridle is compromised it is like the breaks and steering in your car failing at the same time, riding is a risk sport and it is dangerous enough without compromised equipment.

Riders and trainers need to understand that tack doesn’t just break, there are always warning signs. This should go without saying but every week I am asked to repair tack that is in awful condition and I wonder how people take the risk of riding in it - please change or repair your tack before it breaks!

Poor quality leather or tack that is not appropriately maintained is a major health and safety risk. Here are some of the signs to look out for:

  • Flaking leather

    • All of the leather work manufactured by Berney’s Saddlery is vegetable tanned. This is a process whereby the leather hides are immersed for a minimum of six months in a vat with vegetable matter. Essentially this helps preserve the leather and maintain its integrity. Some manufacturers producing lower quality leather products use chemically tanned leather. A sign of this is a flaky, rough appearance on the underside of the leather work. Leather that has been prepared in this way will have a very short lifespan and should be avoided.

  • Poor workmanship

    • Leather and workmanship go hand in hand. One is only as good as the other. When purchasing leatherwork make sure you inspect the craftsmanship closely. Check for any deviations in the stitching as this can compromise the strength and durability of the leather. We would recommend that there are 10 stitches per inch.

  • Bit damage

    • Stainless steel is the strongest bit material, but you have to use the material that best suits your horse. The majority of bit mouth pieces are hollow, all thick bits are hollow. Where there is friction from metal on metal, for example at the snaffle joint and where the cheek pieces attach to the mouth piece, there can be wearing and over time this can lead to the bit breaking. Check the bit for any deep scratches and where the cheek piece meets the mouth piece.

  • Rusted component parts Rust on buckles can infiltrate the leather and perish it. Tack needs to be closely monitored for rust.
  • Stamped buckles

    • Stamped buckles with flat edges should be avoided on girths or stirrup leathers. These leathers are under a vast amount of pressure and the flat edges on a stamped buckle can cut into the leather over time.

  • Stretched leather Girth holes and stirrup holes can stretch over time and therefore need routine checking (check both the underside and topside of the leather for signs that the holes are stretching). Where stretching has been noticed the leathers need to be replaced.
  • Extra lines of stitching Every stitch makes a break in the leather. Extra lines of stitching can compromise the strength of the leather. Traditional reins have a rubber grip sleeve. Where you have reins like this only one line of stitching should be used the length of the rein to secure the rubber grip.
  • Fashion

    • When you are buying tack buy for quality and safety not fashion. I would be very cautious of comfort bridles. These bridles have extra padding attached to the head piece and often have slots so that the noseband can run along the outside of the head piece. If these are not manufactured very carefully they can compromise the integrity and functionality of the bridle.

    Tom Berney (pictured) was in conversation with Leanne O’Sullivan