English

English riding demands precision — in your position, your aids, and your tack. Whether you are working hunters, competing in dressage, galloping cross-country, or schooling in the arena, the right English tack supports correct position, clear communication, and a comfortable horse from warm-up to finish.

What English Riders Are Actually Asking

What English tack do I actually need to get started?

Forum riders consistently say the same thing: prioritize saddle fit and a well-fitting bridle over everything else. For jumping and hunter/jumper work you will need a close-contact or all-purpose saddle, a snaffle bridle, and a suitable pad. For dressage, a dressage saddle with longer flaps and a cavesson or flash noseband is standard. From there, girths, stirrups, and martingales are added based on discipline and horse. The Shires Hanging Cheek Baucher and Full Cheek Snaffle with Copper Lozenge are popular English starter bits that give clear, direct communication without harsh leverage.

What is the difference between a cavesson, flash, and figure-eight noseband?

A cavesson sits on the nose and closes the mouth mildly — standard for most English disciplines. A flash adds a lower strap to more firmly close the mouth, used in dressage and jumping. A figure-eight (grackle) crosses over the nose and distributes pressure differently, popular in eventing and show jumping for horses that are strong or cross their jaw. Choosing the right noseband is as important as choosing the right bit for achieving a relaxed, soft mouth.

Do I need a running martingale or standing martingale?

A running martingale limits how high the horse can raise their head and is widely used in jumping and eventing — it does not restrict movement when the horse is in a correct frame. A standing martingale attaches directly to the noseband and is a fixed restriction, more common in hunting and certain hunter show classes. Neither replaces correct training, but both are legitimate tools for horses that carry their head above the bit or are strong on the forehand.

How do I choose the right English bit?

Start with a loose ring or eggbutt snaffle with a smooth or lozenge mouthpiece for young or sensitive horses — the Shires Full Cheek Snaffle with Brass Mouthpiece is a great starting point. Move to a Baucher or Pelham as training progresses and you need more refined vertical flexion. The Shires Tom Thumb Rubber Mouth Pelham is a gentle double-rein option for hunters and horses transitioning to more contact work.

How to Set Up Your English Tack

• Saddle fit before anything else: An ill-fitting saddle causes resistance, back pain, and behavioral issues. Have it checked by a qualified fitter regularly, especially as your horse's topline changes with fitness.
• Girth length matters: Too short and the buckles sit under your leg; too long and the girth sits in the wrong place on the horse. Measure from sternum to 2 inches below the elbow on each side.
• Match stirrup length to discipline: Dressage stirrups hang long for deep-seat work; jumping stirrups are shorter for two-point position. Wider footbeds reduce foot fatigue on long schooling sessions.
• Clean tack lasts longer: Leather care is not optional — clean and condition bridles, girths, and stirrup leathers regularly to prevent cracking and stitching failure.

Brands Riders Trust

Shires is the anchor of our English collection — their bits, nosebands, stirrups, and pads cover every English discipline at accessible prices without sacrificing quality. Professional's Choice rounds out the collection with high-performance English saddle pads and protective boots trusted in the hunter/jumper world. Toklat brings Myler's tongue-relief bit philosophy into English configurations for riders seeking a softer contact option.

At Hooves and Paws, we have been fitting English riders for over 30 years — from backyard dressage enthusiasts to competitive eventers. Fast shipping on the full English tack lineup.